Degenerative Myelopathy and Cancer

baccismom · #1 04-18-2007, 12:10 AM

I am interested in getting a new puppy and have been researching breeders. I had to put my sweet girl down in Oct 06. She was suffering from DM. She was 10 1/2. It was really hard to watch her go thru this. The breeders that I have been checking out ( and it has been alot) seem to have dogs that have had DM and different cancers. These breeders have alot of Champions that have had this or cancer. I am wonderering if it is smart to purchase a puppy from one of these breeders. I did get my sweet girl from a BYB and thought I would go thru a reputable breeder this time so I wouldn't have to worry about this. Now I am confused as it seems no matter how good the breeder is or how many champions they have, they still have this is their dogs. Any input on this ? I would really appreciating hearing from anyone about this. Thanks!

**Jan** · #2 04-18-2007, 07:23 AM

I am sorry about your girl.

I haven't heard of that many boxers with DM. I know it happens, but I didn't think that it was a real problem in the breed. Cancer of course is a problem. Unfortunately, I don't believe that there are tests for either of them. All you can really do is choose a breeder that does all the testing available. Of course genetics aren't everything. Feeding a raw natural diet or a least a home cooked one and giveing reduced vaccinations can help your pup to live a long healthy life.

baccismom · #3 04-18-2007, 04:07 PM

Thank you for your replies. I guess I am just a little confused and I want to make the right decision. Most of the dogs in the 2 lines that I am considering are absolutley beautiful and some have been used for guide dogs and therapy dogs so they also have great temperments. I guess I will look more into raw diets and things of that nature. I still welcome other opinions. Thanks

Kerry Jane · #4 04-19-2007, 02:52 PM

It seems that with DM that there is no clear cut answer as to what causes it. I would not be surprised if there was some sort of genetic component, but I have also heard that it might be an auto immune disease caused by over-vaccinations etc. I, however, have heard of quite a lot of boxers having DM - and it does concern me a lot - because my one boxer has had 3 of 4 grand-parents die of this (although there is no clear indication of previous generations having had it). A number of breeder friends have told me that if their dogs survive all the other ills out there, then they come down with this.

From my perspective, if I were buying a dog from a breeder that had DM in their lines, I would want to know what they had done to try and make sure that it doesn't get propogated more (for example, they bred their female to a male dog where there was no DM in his lines). I would also research feeding healthier foods, and going with limited vaccinations.

For cancer, pretty much the same thing. Cancer can be genetic, but not necessarily, so I would try and make sure that there wasn't a pattern of multiple dogs in that line having cancer. Then I would also make sure that I was feeding healthy foods, limited vaccines, and also look into what sorts of poisons/toxins/chemicals I use in my house and yard.

I would definately want both parents screened for heart related conditions.

baccismom · #5 04-20-2007, 09:07 AM

I was wondering - What would you consider reduced vacination? Which ones would you leave out? I know rabies every 3 years is by law. I also think the parvo has to be done. But what about the others. Also Heart worm prevenatives?

Kerry Jane · #6 04-23-2007, 06:43 AM

Well, it seems that there is lots of debate right now over vaccinations and everyone has different opinions. By reducing vaccinations all I mean is not getting parvo/distemper done every single year for the rest of the dog's life - and also not getting those group shots down (where in one foul swoop your dog is vaccinated against 5 or 6 different things). I really believe that vaccinations can cause lots of problems in our dogs, and that they negatively impact their immune system.

The 2006 AAHA guidelines states that the core vaccines (i.e parvo and distemper) are only necessary every 3 years or more, and they have conducted studies which have shown these vaccines were protective for 5 to 7 years.
Jean Dodd's recommendation is that parvo/distemper shots aren't done after 1 year of age, and that instead you titer to check for immunity.

There is lots of information out there on this subject.