Expert: Renee Cox - 11/21/2007

Question
My boxer is 9 and just started dragging her left leg, she moves around fine but is sometimes a little unstable. I took her to the vet and they thought she might have a neuroloigical problem and sent me to a dog neurologist next week. I was wondering if this is common and if there are alternative meds you know of for neurology or possibly bulging disks

Answer
Hi Michelle. It sounds like your girl may have Degenerative Myelopathy. I would have her checked for that if nothing else shows up, or isn't obviously wrong with her. She's at the right age. It effects the nervous system, and can cause problems with the hind legs, as you described. I'm and including a couple of links for you to look over, they  have a lot of information for you. You may want to print some of it off and ask your vet about it. Some vets might look over it if they're not very familiar with the Boxer breed. Good luck.

http://americanboxerclub.org/ (Go to health links at the tops, and look for DM)
http://americanboxerclub.org/DM.html