When do symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) typically manifest in GSDs?
Answer
Often between 8 and 14 years of age
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is characterized as a progressive neurological disorder affecting the spinal cord, often likened to the canine version of Lou Gehrig's Disease. This condition typically manifests in the dog's later years, with the onset of hind limb weakness frequently occurring when the dog is between 8 and 14 years old. The progression from initial weakness to complete paralysis is gradual, usually taking a period of six months to a year to fully develop, though the process itself is generally reported as painless for the animal.

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