Health
How can I tell DM apart from arthritis?
DM doesn't respond to pain medication because it isn't painful, while arthritis typically does respond at least partially.
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Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) in Old English Sheepdogs: What Every Owner Should Know
Quick answer
How can I tell DM apart from arthritis?
DM doesn't respond to pain medication because it isn't painful, while arthritis typically does respond at least partially.
A senior dog whose hind end is weakening might have arthritis, which is documented and common in this breed, or something else entirely: a progressive neurological disease that doesn't hurt but doesn't respond to pain medication either.
This matters for owners of senior dogs, generally past age eight, who notice hind-end weakness that doesn't seem to improve with the pain management that would typically help arthritis.
Important reminder
This guide is not medical advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behavior change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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Check this first
When neurological symptoms need urgent attention
DM itself progresses gradually rather than causing sudden emergencies, but a sudden, rapid loss of hind-end function, especially if it happens over hours rather than months, is not typical of DM and should be evaluated urgently, since it's more consistent with an acute spinal injury or disc problem that needs prompt diagnosis and treatment.
The key diagnostic clue that distinguishes DM from a painful orthopedic or acute spinal issue is the absence of pain: a dog with DM typically doesn't yelp, guard the area, or respond to pain medication, while a dog with arthritis or an acute disc problem usually shows some pain response. This distinction, alongside a full neurological exam, is what actually separates the two rather than the specific symptoms alone.
If any of these apply, call your vet or an emergency clinic now. The rest of this page is for the cases that are not an emergency.
What this problem looks like
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive, non-painful spinal cord disease linked to a gene mutation found across many breeds. It isn't a well-documented common issue in Old English Sheepdogs specifically, but it's an important condition to rule out when a senior dog's hind-end weakness doesn't respond to arthritis treatment.
Common triggers
- A genetic mutation (SOD1) present in the dog, though not all carriers develop symptoms
- Onset typically in senior dogs, often past age eight
- No known environmental trigger; it's primarily a genetic, degenerative process
- Sometimes first suspected when arthritis treatment fails to improve hind-end weakness
- Progression accelerated in some cases, though the underlying cause of variable progression rates isn't fully understood
Not a well-documented common issue in this specific breed, though the associated gene mutation has been identified across a wide range of breeds. It's discussed here because it's a genuinely relevant differential diagnosis for senior hind-end weakness.
Why this happens
Breed factors
There's no strong documented predisposition to DM specifically in Old English Sheepdogs, unlike the breed's well-documented hip dysplasia risk. DM is driven by a gene mutation found across many breeds, and any individual dog, regardless of breed, can potentially carry it.
Environment factors
Environmental factors aren't understood to significantly influence DM's onset or progression, since it's primarily a genetic, degenerative neurological process rather than one shaped by external triggers.
What you can do at home (once it is not an emergency)
When to talk to your vet
Talk to your vet if hind-end weakness isn't improving with arthritis treatment, or if you notice foot-dragging or unusually worn hind nails. Seek urgent care for a rapid, sudden loss of hind-end function over hours rather than months.
At home, alongside your vet's plan
- Watch for dragging of a hind foot or unusually worn nails on one hind paw as an early sign worth mentioning to your vet.
- Note whether pain medication improves or has no effect on hind-end weakness, since this is diagnostically useful information.
- Ask your vet about a full neurological exam if arthritis treatment isn't producing the expected improvement.
- Consider genetic testing for the associated mutation as one piece of a broader diagnostic picture, not a stand-alone answer.
- Look into physical therapy and supportive mobility equipment early if DM is confirmed, since maintaining muscle and mobility longer tends to support better quality of life.
Mistakes when hind-end weakness doesn't add up
The two conditions genuinely require different approaches, so getting the distinction right matters.
- Assuming all hind-end weakness in a senior dog is arthritis: while arthritis, tied to this breed's documented hip dysplasia risk, is the more common explanation, a lack of response to pain management is a real clue that something else may be going on.
- Not asking for a neurological exam when pain medication doesn't help: DM doesn't typically respond to pain relief because it isn't a painful condition, which is itself diagnostically useful information.
- Skipping genetic testing when it's available and affordable: a DNA test for the SOD1 mutation can support a diagnosis, though it isn't definitive on its own, since some carriers never develop symptoms.
- Continuing high-impact exercise once DM is suspected or confirmed: appropriate, supportive exercise still has value, but a rehabilitation-focused approach differs meaningfully from managing arthritis alone.
- Giving up on quality-of-life planning too early: DM progresses over time, but many dogs maintain good quality of life for a considerable period with supportive care, including mobility aids.
More OLD English Sheepdog health & behavior issues
- Old English Sheepdog IVDD: The Gradual Pattern This Breed Gets
- Old English Sheepdog Kidney Disease: Catching It Early
- Old English Sheepdog Pancreatitis & Diabetes: The Senior-Year Link
- Old English Sheepdog Pancreatitis: Recognizing an Acute Episode
- Preventive Gastropexy for Old English Sheepdogs: The Decision
- Eye Disorders in Old English Sheepdogs: The Full Picture
- Noisy Breathing in Senior Old English Sheepdogs: Laryngeal Paralysis
- Old English Sheepdog Allergic Reactions: Signs & Emergency Care
- Old English Sheepdog Allergies: Triggers, Ears & Skin
- Old English Sheepdog Obesity: Why Weight Creeps Up Unnoticed
- Old English Sheepdog Separation Anxiety: A Working-Breed Trait
- Old English Sheepdog Skin Allergies: Spotting Them Under the Coat
- Old English Sheepdog Skin Infections: The Moisture Problem
- Cancer in Old English Sheepdogs: Why Early Detection Is Harder
- Corneal Dystrophy in Old English Sheepdogs: Cornea vs Lens
Degenerative Myelopathy DM in other breeds
- Jack Russell Terrier Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs
- Labradoodle Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs & What to Do
- Maltese Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs, Causes & What to Do
- Miniature Schnauzer Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs
- Poodle Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs, Causes & What to Do
- Rottweiler Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs & What to Do
- Schnauzer Standard Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs
- Yorkshire Terrier Degenerative Myelopathy: Signs
- Akita Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): Signs, Testing & Outlook
- Australian Shepherd Degenerative Myelopathy: Early Signs
See all OLD English Sheepdog health problems, which breeds are prone to degenerative myelopathy dm, or the full OLD English Sheepdog breed guide for temperament, exercise needs and ownership costs.
What to expect, and how you know it is working
DM typically progresses gradually over one to three years, from mild hind-limb weakness to more significant loss of function. There's no treatment that reverses or stops this progression.
Success looks like maintaining the best possible quality of life and mobility for as long as possible through supportive care, physical therapy, and appropriate mobility aids, rather than expecting improvement or a cure.
The arthritis treatment that didn't work for Angus
Angus, a nine-year-old Old English Sheepdog, developed hind-leg weakness that his owner initially treated as arthritis, given the breed's documented hip dysplasia risk. Pain medication, however, made no noticeable difference over several weeks, and his owner noticed his hind toes had started dragging slightly, with unusual wear on his nails. A referral to a veterinary neurologist for a full exam pointed toward degenerative myelopathy rather than arthritis. While there was no treatment to reverse the condition, a physical therapy plan and a supportive harness helped Angus maintain a good quality of life for over a year afterward.
Key takeaway: When arthritis treatment doesn't help as expected, that lack of response is itself useful diagnostic information pointing toward a different underlying cause.
Frequently asked questions
Is degenerative myelopathy documented in this breed?
It's not among this breed's well-documented common health issues, but the underlying gene mutation associated with DM has been found across a wide range of breeds, so it isn't ruled out either. It's included here mainly because it's an important differential diagnosis for hind-end weakness in a senior dog.
How is DM different from arthritis?
Arthritis, tied to this breed's documented hip dysplasia risk, is typically painful and often responds at least partially to pain management. DM is a progressive neurological disease that isn't painful and doesn't respond to pain medication, which is a key distinguishing clue.
What are the early signs of DM?
Subtle hind-limb weakness, dragging of the toes (sometimes with worn nails on the hind feet as a result), and a wobbly, uncoordinated gait, typically starting in one hind leg and progressing over months.
How is DM diagnosed?
Through a neurological exam that rules out other causes like disc disease or orthopedic pain, sometimes combined with genetic testing for the associated gene mutation, though a definitive diagnosis technically requires spinal cord tissue examination, which isn't done in living dogs.
Is there a treatment for DM?
There's no cure or treatment that stops progression. Management focuses on maintaining mobility and quality of life through physical therapy, supportive equipment like harnesses or carts, and monitoring for complications as the disease progresses.
How quickly does DM progress?
It's typically a slow, gradual progression over one to three years, moving from mild hind-limb weakness to more significant loss of function over time, though the pace varies between individual dogs.
Can genetic testing confirm DM?
A DNA test can identify the associated gene mutation, but having the mutation doesn't guarantee a dog will develop symptoms, so testing supports rather than definitively confirms a diagnosis alongside clinical signs.
Quick answers
View more answersHealth
Is this a documented issue in this breed?
Not a well-documented common one, but it remains a relevant differential diagnosis for unexplained hind-end weakness.
Health
What's an early sign of DM?
Dragging the toes of a hind foot, sometimes noticed first as unusually worn nails on that foot.
Health
Is there a cure?
No, there's no treatment that stops progression; management focuses on mobility support and quality of life.
Health
How is it diagnosed?
Through a neurological exam ruling out other causes, sometimes combined with genetic testing for the associated mutation.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- arthritis in Old English Sheepdogs – Arthritis is the more common explanation for hind-end weakness in this breed and is the key condition to rule out first.
- back and spine issues in Old English Sheepdogs – Age-related disc degeneration is another condition that can look similar and needs its own explanation.
- cruciate ligament injuries in Old English Sheepdogs – Cruciate ligament injuries are a distinct, acute cause of hind-leg lameness worth distinguishing from a gradual neurological decline.
- Old English Sheepdog breed guide – The full breed guide gives context on this breed's documented and undocumented health risks.
- cost of owning an Old English Sheepdog – Mobility aids and long-term supportive care are a real cost consideration for a progressive condition like this.
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