Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) has been recently found in Catahoulas, who are overall, a healthy breed.
DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that typically shows symptoms between 8-14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination in the hind limbs. The affected dog may sway in the hind end when standing, wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag paws, toenails may be worn, difficulty getting up from a sitting or lying position, or difficulty walking.
DM is not painful, it is however, a fatal disease. There is no known cure.
For more information, please check out the PDF below:
Degenerative Myelopathy - Mary Langevin
A database of catahoulas tested for DM is being compiled, and can be found here:
Degenerative Myelopathy - Database
All of our breeding dogs have been tested to ensure that they are not going to pass on the DM gene to their offspring.
DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that typically shows symptoms between 8-14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination in the hind limbs. The affected dog may sway in the hind end when standing, wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag paws, toenails may be worn, difficulty getting up from a sitting or lying position, or difficulty walking.
DM is not painful, it is however, a fatal disease. There is no known cure.
For more information, please check out the PDF below:
Degenerative Myelopathy - Mary Langevin
A database of catahoulas tested for DM is being compiled, and can be found here:
Degenerative Myelopathy - Database
All of our breeding dogs have been tested to ensure that they are not going to pass on the DM gene to their offspring.