Health Question

Question
I have a nine year old female German Shepherd from Germany.  She has always been in great health, large framed and her present weight is 80#.

About two weeks ago she started to drag her left back foot
when she walks.  This is very slight but you can hear it on the carpeting when she walks.  I called the vet and asked him about this because we had just moved into a home with carpeting from wood and tile flooring.  He said he didn't think this was what the problem was and said it could be something Shepherds get which is degeneration of the myelin sheath in her spine and this is progressive and untreatable leading to paralysis.  I've had shepherds for many years and have never heard of such a thing.  

The following week she started to drag the right back foot once in a while.  I brought her in to see the vet and he stated he is quite sure it is what he thought it is.  He gave it a name I can't remember and again stated this is progressive and basically only comfort care is advised.  He also said progression is between 9 months to a year. I am devastated and need to know what can be done.  He wants her to lose weight and has put her on ten days of matacam and then I'm to call him to report how she is. She never acts like she has discomfort and I feel since the metacam she is dragging her foot more.

Please tell me if you have ever heard of this.  Are there treatments or is anyone doing any research?

We live in Colorado and I'm willing to do anything I can do to help her and save her.

Answer
I am sorry to say that I agree with your vet. Though more testing needs to be done to be ablsolutely positive. There are a couple of other issues that it could be,but none of them have a very good outlook.
I'm going to give you some websites that will give you more information and offer some suggestions. My best advice is to remember that you are the steward given the responsibility of caring for this very special animal. As such your BIGGEST responsiblity is to keep her pain free and insure her quality of life. Not to keep her hanging on for your benefit or because it is too painful for you to accept her crossing the bridge when the time comes. It is a very fine line to walk, between 'helping' your dog and keeping her hanging on for essentially your own comfort. It's the hardest thing that we do in accepting an animal as our own. To make the decision when the time comes not to allow your dog to suffer,or her quality of life to diminish or her dignity to be lost is the highest complement and expression of love that you can give her. When the time comes , do not keep her tied to this life for your own selfish reasons.Do not put her through undue pain for treatments that may prolong her life, but may also prolong her suffering People say that love is not selfish but it can be if we are not careful. Always consider her first. You owe her that.
The disease that she has is very likely Degenerative Myelopathy.
One thing also that you MUST remember. Due to the nature of being a pack animal, a dog does not show discomfort or pain until it has reached the intolerable stage. Because in the pack, a dog showing discomfort or pain will quickly be attacked and put down by their fellow pack members. It is their instinct to 'pretend' they are not hurting even when they are. When your dog begins to show discomfort she has already been in pain for quite some time. Watch for that. It is unfair to allow her to suffer . This is not a disease that affects only the hind legs, or even only the bones. It is an auto immune diseases that affects ever part of her. much like MS in humans.
Dogs are very dignified creatures who prefer to be able to maintain themselves in a strong, vigorous manner. I personally find the idea of putting a dogs rear end in a cart for mobility and helping them up and down to use the bathroom horrifying. This is only taking their diginity and allowing the disease to progress further into the front legs before euthanising. It's a sad, difficult decision to make. But I can only offer you what you asked for, my knowledge, and opinion. In my opinion, when a dog's suffering is noticeable, and remember they will fake it for as long as possible, or when a dog becomes unable to get up and down alone to use the bathroom,, then she should be allowed to cross painlessly and gracefully, dignity intact , the bridge. If this were MY dog. I doubt I would wait that long. I love my babies desperatly . But to spare my own grief and allow them to degenerate into such a state is unthinkable to me. Unfortunately, there is no cure for what your girl has. I know at this point you are desperately searching for something that will allow you to keep your dog with you,no matter what you have to do, and no expense spared. I've definitely been there. But there comes a time when you realize that nothing, nobody and no amount of money can save your dog. Once you accept that, and treat each day as her last, being constantly vigilant for signs that she is no longer comfortable,being her steward, her protector , her pack leader in every way, you will find peace and comfort in knowing that you are doing the very BEST you can for your girl. It's the very LEASt that she deserves. I'm so terribly sorry for your pain, and for hers. You can put her on some bone and joint supplements, some vitamins C ,E and b complex, They should help a little.
I hope you find the websites below helpful and I apologize for having to impart such sad information.

http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/ddegnmyo.html
http://spanna.homestead.com/CDRM.html
http://www.siriusdog.com/degenerative-myelopathy-spinal-german-shepherd-dm.htm
blessings,
Cindi