Pug Breed Magazine - Showsight

PUG MYELOPATHY: A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF “WEAK REAR”

BY KATHLEEN L. SMILER, DVM, DACLAM Pug Dog Club of America Health Committee Chair

Pug Myelopathy is a recently recog- nized spinal condition believed unique in purebred Pugs. It is called by several terms (e.g., constrictive myelopathy, facet hypoplasia), and it is most often referred to as “Pug Myelopathy.” With an average age of onset of ~nine years, the rear limb incoordination (ataxia) may progress to paralysis of the rear limbs over a period of one to four years. Origi- nally referred to as “weak rear,” this has become a widespread problem in Pugs. Although the rear legs appear to be weak, the cause is a neurological defi- cit that develops in the spine. Affected dogs may initially drag their feet, stag- ger, have trouble jumping and can have fecal and urinary incontinence. It usu- ally affects just the rear limbs, unlike a very different disease, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), which can have simi- lar initial signs, but slowly progresses tragically to complete paralysis and usually euthanasia. In Pug Myelopathy, we are learning there is usually a com- plex of spinal abnormalities that involve both the vertebral bones, and the spi- nal cord. Spinal cord compression—

often near the last pair of ribs—can be caused by one or more syndromes that may include chronic multiple moder- ate Hansen’s Type II intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and spinal arachnoid diverticula (SAD) “pouch”, with fibrous thickening of the arachnoid (a layer of the spinal cord membranes – meninges - surrounding the spinal cord) and spinal cord atrophy. Unraveling the relation- ships between these conditions is one goal of the research at Michigan State University, led by Dr. Jon Patterson, which is funded by the Pug Dog Club of America . Although little is published about this condition, Pug Myelopathy may be the most common cause of mid- back spinal cord problems in Pugs. Many veterinarians are not yet knowledgeable about this condition, and affected dogs may have had a pre- vious diagnosis that was incomplete or inaccurate. Since so little is known, there is no consensus among neurolo- gists about the best way to treat it. Sur- gery may be appropriate for a limited number of individual cases, but it must be considered as soon as possible after

symptoms first occur, and may only delay progression of paralysis. The most important palliative treat- ment appears to be consistent physical therapy using rehabilitation exercises to preserve muscle strength and enhance development of a “spinal walk.” A thera- peutic wheeled cart, carefully fitted by a knowledgeable professional, may exercise the rear legs to assist, improve, and extend the ability to remain mobile. Other forms of integrative medicine can enhance the ability and interest to stay active. Pugs affected with Pug Myelopa- thy are usually pain free and can lead enriched long lives with good nursing care despite their disability. All senior Pugs require periodic wellness exams to detect and alleviate other problems of aging; including those of the dog’s front legs, shoulders, and neck; includ- ing using medication and/or supple- ments. It is critical that affected Pugs be carefully monitored for the ability to completely empty the urinary bladder several times a day. If your dog devel- ops signs of “weak rear” or ataxia, it is important to have your primary care

“WHY SOME PUGS BECOME AFFECTED BY A NEUROLOGICAL DEFICIT (THAT RESULTS IN ATAXIA PARALYSIS) IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECT OF CONTINUING RESEARCH.”

310 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M ARCH 2019

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