Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is one of the most devastating disorders of the spinal cord diagnosed in dogs. It can strike between 5 – 14 years of age. DM is an autoimmune disease. It slowly attacks a dog’s central nervous system by killing off the outer protective coating of the spine called myelin. Without myelin, nerves are unable to communicate with the brain to control movement. Dogs become paralyzed in the hind end within 6 months to 1 year. Eventually the disease progresses to the front limbs and organs.
Until a few years ago, there wasn’t much a veterinarian could offer in the way of treatment. I know this from personal experience when Sophie became paralyzed. Today Degenerative Myelopathy dogs have new options thanks to researchers who have dedicated their careers to studying the disorder.
R.M. Clemmons, DVM, PhD is one of these heroes. Before his retirement as Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Dr. Clemmons worked with DM dogs for more than a decade. His research led to the development of a four-tier plan to manage symptoms and slow the progression of DM.
One of the major components of the plan is a diet that slows the progression of the disease.
Before I share Dr. Clemmons’ diet for DM dogs here are more facts you should know about Degenerative Myelopathy.
First discovered in 1973, DM is a genetic disorder that is comparable to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and Multiple Sclerosis in humans. Dogs with DM show early warning signs of: hind end weakness, stumbling or crisscrossing the back legs, and knuckling or scuffing the rear feet when they walk.
A mutated gene has been identified as a major risk factor for the disease in a number of dog breeds. An easy-to-use DNA test is available from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for owners and breeders. The test is approved for breeds that have been proven to be susceptible to DM though a University of Missouri study.
These breeds include:
- American Eskimo Dogs
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Borzoi
- Boxers
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
- German Shepherd Dog
- Golden Retriever
- Great Pyrenees
- Kerry Blue Terriers
- Pembroke Welsh Corgis
- Poodle
- Pug
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
- Wire Fox Terrier
Read about Skye’s Story of Degenerative Myelopathy
Here is Dr. Clemmons’ Diet for Dogs with DM
The overall goal of the DM diet is to stabilize the immune system of sick dogs through wholesome and balanced home-cooked food. Processed foods have been eliminated. And scientifically proven vitamins, minerals, and natural herb supplements have been added.
“Diet may have a powerful influence on the development of chronic degenerative diseases and new information suggests that dietary regulation might play a more significant role in the progression and development of diseases like MS,” said Dr. Clemmons. “Elimination of toxins from pre-processed food may assist in preventing a number of immune-related disorders. The current treatment of DM is designed to suppress the immune disease, but does nothing to correct the immune alterations which led to the disease state. Diet might help in correcting this defect and allow the immune system in DM dogs to stabilize.”
It might surprise you to learn the DM diet is not based on large quantities of meat.
“Wild dogs were not big meat eaters” said Dr. Clemmons. “They ate bodies, including intestinal contents often laden with plants and plant materials.”
The Basic DM Diet
- 2 oz. Boneless Pork Center Loin Chop (boiled, baked or fried in olive oil)
- 4 oz. Tofu (soybean curd)
- 8 oz. Long Grain Brown Rice (3 oz. cooked in 6 oz. water)
- 2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Molasses
- 2 Whole Carrots (boiled and then cut up)
- 1 cup Spinach (cooked)
- 4 Tbs. Green Bell Pepper (chopped and steamed)
- 4 Broccoli Spears (boiled and then cut up)
One serving is for a 30-50 lb. dog and has1160-1460 calories. You can substitute poultry, beef and lamb for the pork chop. This will alter the composition slightly, mainly by added additional fat. The weight of meat is based upon boneless portions.
Most of the items can be prepared in a microwave. Based on your dog’s body weight, you will need to make more or less. For example, if your dog weighs 80 pounds, multiply all the ingredients by 1.5, keeping their relative proportions.
Food can also be prepared in advance and frozen for later use. Dr. Clemmons recommends that before feeding, you remove the food from the freezer and thaw in hot (or boiling) water or microwave to defrost.
To complete the diet, add (amount per serving):
- 1 tsp Dry Ground Ginger
- 2 Raw Garlic Cloves (crushed)
- ½ tsp Dry Mustard
- 1 tsp Bone Meal
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, Dr. Clemmons recommends mixing the DM diet into their existing food a little a time until they adapt to it. The process should take about a week.
Dr. Clemmons has also approved the DM diet for healthy dogs that are listed as one of the breeds susceptible to the disease.
The 3 other tiers of Dr. Clemmons overall treatment plan for DM Dogs.
These include:
Exercise – such as walking or swimming with periods of rest.
Medication – as prescribed by your veterinarian.
Dietary Supplements – Yeast, B-Complex, vitamin E and C, and selenium. In addition: omega-3 fatty acid, Gamma Linolenic acid, Soybean Lecithin, Coenzyme Q, Ginkgo Ginseng: (males only) Dong quai: (females only) Green tea, Grape seed extract, Hydergine, Siberian Ginseng, Bromelain/ Curcumin and Feverfew. (Dosages are available on Dr. Clemmons’ website.)
We truly all are what we eat, dogs included! I very much like his suggestion of getting away from overly processed food and to strengthen the immune with healthier nutrition. I fed home cooked for a while before making the switch to a raw diet.
*strengthen the immune system
Do we measure the spinach first or after it is cooked?
Jeannie, the recipe calls for 1 cup of cooked spinach. So I would measure afterward and not before you’ve cooked it.
FYI spinach was moved up on a list of highly contaminated veggies to number 2 or 3 so I would buy organic
It sounds like a good plan to buy organic whenever you can.
We are what we eat
hi 🙂 This article when i clicked the link from dr clemmons is from 1992. Does he still support this protocol of food do you know? I am trying to find more updated info from him and can only find stuff from a long time ago ? Thanking you
Loretta, Dr. Clemmons retired a number of years ago, but his research on dogs with DM still rings true.
Oh okay good to know. I am finding it very hard to get his medications in australia and my specialist vet told me that those medications don’t work after they all ( specialists in australia) started trialing them. Thanks very much.
I didn’t know anyone was doing a clinical trial of the meds for DM dogs. I’m glad to know research is being carried out, but sad to learn about these results. It sounds like you have a wise veterinarian who will do the best for your dog in treating this terrible disease.
What is the consensus on garlic? I keep reading that it causes hemolytic anemia and that garlic/onions should never be fed to dogs. Is it only PART of the garlic that is contraindicated? Raw vs cooked? Or is this just an individual sensitivity?
I found a helpful article about feeding garlic to your dog on Dogs Naturally Magazine. It talks about the “benefits” of garlic. The story also suggests the use of fresh organic garlic. Here is the link to the story. http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/garlic-for-dogs-poison-or-medicine/
My 7 yr old male is exhibiting similar symptoms of DM but his genetic marker test just came back negative. He is OFA good, the full skeleton X-ray done 2 weeks still shows his hips are good and no abnormalities were seen. Blood panels are fine. He’s alert and playful as normal but he’s losing weight and I’ve seen an acceleration in the loss of strength in his rear legs. Have an appt with orthopedist as the vet wants to make sure she didn’t miss something on the X-rays.
I’m searching for any possible answers. My gut and 25 years of being a GSD owners tells me this is not joint related as far as what I’ve seen with HD or vertebrae issues.
I’m looking at this diet because I do believe if there’s an autoimmune or such going on that his diet will be a primary part to fight this. He’s on Victor which is supposed a high quality grain free ocean & salmon food with additional fish oil supplement and Cosequin. But I think I need to get him off of commercial food but I want to try to find the best diet I can and the supplements.
Suggestions and thoughts are requested. My other 2 GSDs lived to be 13-14 so this is a new issue for me.
Tiffany, I am sorry to hear about your dog. I think it is good that he is going to be evaluated by an orthopedist. If anything, it will help you rule out structural disorders. In addition I would suggest getting an evaluation with a neurologist. Warning: it will be expensive. There are other forms of myelopathy or a spinal tumor that can be affecting your dog. It is interesting about the weight loss because I don’t think that is typically one of the first signs of a neuro disease. (I am NOT a veterinarian. This is from my own experience.) I think you are on the right track to keep searching for answers. Going in a completely different direction, have they tested for hemangiosarcoma? I had a GSD who had this form of cancer and weight loss was a clue. Please show the DM diet to your veterinarian before you start your dog on it. Please also check out a website called Balance It. It is a great tool for dog nutrition. I’m sorry that I don’t have other suggestions. Please let me know what you find out from the orthopedic vet. Best wishes.
Thank you for the information. I will ask the vet.
I will keep you updated.
Thank you,
Tiffany
Our 13 year old lab?-mix has been tentatively diagnosed with DM.
OFA DNA show her to be a carrier. We are doing research on holistic treatments and will follow your nutritional and exercise guidelines. Are there any nutritional supplements specific to DM? Also, we are puzzled by the fact that a chiropractic adjustment showed great improvement the first time but subsequent ones didn’t. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Ursula, I am sorry to hear about your dog.
I’m glad my story about diet options for DM dogs was helpful. Soon, I plan to do an interview with Dr. Clemmons to learn about the updates in his research on DM.
I do not have an answer as to why your dog improved during the first chiropractic adjustment and not a following one. It might have to do with the fact that DM is progressive.
A few months ago I did an interview with holistic veterinarian Dr. Bessent. You can read the story here: https://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/how-a-holistic-veterinarian-would-treats-a-dog-with-ivdd-or-dm/
Dr. Bessent recommends this for DM dogs: Omega-3 oil made from Krill. She likes Krill because the tiny fish have less toxins and heavy metals.
She also recommends electro-acupuncture treatments because the needles send a warm wave of electricity to a dog’s spine. This stimulates the nerves in the hind legs.
Dr. Bessent also suggests DM dogs use a herbal blend called Morinda Hindend Support. It tones and strengthens the hind limbs. The blend is sold by Herbsmith, but it a prescription from your veterinarian is needed.
I hope this information helps. Dogs are living longer than ever before with this disease. If you are on Facebook, there is a great Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group you might want to join. Best wishes.
Thank you, Petrescuemom! Are you referring to the CanineDM support group, or a different one….I see that there are several!
Sandy, There might be several groups, but the one I joined years ago is Canine Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DegenerativeMylopathy/
I had a Rhodesian Ridgeback who passed away 2 years ago at age 11. Unknown to me until she passed and we got another dog from the same breeder, she had DM with symptoms starting at 2 years old. Myself and her veterinarian had no idea what was wrong with her. as a last stick effort, after she lost bowl and bladder control, I started feeding her the diet mentioned above. After one month, she regained bowel and bladder control and could run up to 5 miles with me until a few month before she passed away. Diet really does matter!!
Kelly, I am thrilled you had success with Dr. Clemmons diet for DM dogs. He is still doing research on DM dogs and I hope to get the chance to interview him about that very soon. In the meantime, you can be proactive about DM by letting breeders know they can have their dogs tested for DM. The test is easy to use and inexpensive. It is offered by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. https://www.ofa.org/diseases/dna-tested-diseases/dm The test is available for individual owners as well. Thank you for sharing your success story.
We have ridgeback that’s been diagnosed with DM almost two years a go. She’s on a very similar diet. Mixed with daily exercise in her wheel cart, and walk in an electric cart she seems to be doing pretty good. She needs help expressing and with every aspect of life but Diet, excersise and getting out are essential in our experience. Don’t give up, with. Little help your dog can survive. This is a great article that can have perfound results. You may see Riley on a California beach near you, she is very active for a paralyzed dog.
Jonathan, I’m glad Riley is doing well on the DM diet and exercise plan. Degenerative Myelopathy is a tough disease and it’s good to hear some good news.
I was searching for recipes for homemade natural dog food for dogs with DM – My dear nephew has a dear dog which is his Rescue Dog – It was just diagnosed with DM. He is devastated – I would like to find some home made natural recipes I can copy and make a book with helpful information for him. He is going to try to exercise her more [which may be a blessing in disguise] as he is very overweight and has a hard time losing weight. He told me today he is going to try to start walking his dog daily and I am so glad. Thank you for any information you can give me – Please help and thank you so much
Shirley, I don’t have recipes to offer you, but the ingredients for Dr. Clemmons DM diet should help you put together a few for your nephew’s dog. The Basic Diet is for a 30-50lb dog. If you put a recipe book together, I’d love to see it.
The Basic DM Diet
2 oz. Boneless Pork Center Loin Chop (boiled, baked or fried in olive oil)
4 oz. Tofu (soybean curd)
8 oz. Long Grain Brown Rice (3 oz. cooked in 6 oz. water)
2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ cup Molasses
2 Whole Carrots (boiled and then cut up)
1 cup Spinach (cooked)
4 Tbs. Green Bell Pepper (chopped and steamed)
4 Broccoli Spears (boiled and then cut up)
1 tsp Dry Ground Ginger
2 Raw Garlic Cloves (crushed)
½ tsp Dry Mustard
1 tsp Bone Meal
Hi everyone. Before i post anything here i wanted to know if this board is still active,
Thanks Eric
Eric, Yes this website is still active and pet owners regularly leave message. If you want to interact with other pet owners, please check out the Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog Facebook page. In addition, there are several active groups on Facebook specifically for owners with dogs diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. Here’s the link to our page: https://www.facebook.com/LessonsFromAParalyzedDog/
I feed my baby twice daily. Do I feed 2 meals as listed above or do I give half at one meal and the other half at 2nd meal?
Lisa, This is a great question. The recipe from Dr. Clemmons is rather vague. I was under the impression it makes one meal for a 30-50lb dog and pet owners can adjust the quantity up or down depending on the size of their dog. If it looks like more than your dog normally eats, you can cut the size in half or any size that fits your dog’s appetite.
My German shepherd started showing symtoms of DM about 3 months ago, I’ve read loads on the disease and watched videos to see what help is out there. What medicine do I ask the vet for??
Shirley, I’m sorry about your dog. I am also sorry to say there is no medication currently available for DM dogs. The best treatment (and I will soon be writing a new story about it) is daily controlled physical therapy. A new study found the survival time in dogs with DM increased with physiotherapy. Please ask you veterinarian for a referral to a qualified canine rehab center near you. I think including PT along with Dr. Clemmons diet are two great therapies for your dog.
Hello,
I have an 11yo lab/rottie mix who came back positive from the DM test through the OFA.
What about the 2 medications Dr Clemmons refers to as 80% effective? EACA and NAC.
I was going to meet with my vet tomorrow to discuss him prescribing them to my girl just
to see if they will make a difference as nothing else seems to be slowing the progression.
Thanks,
Tom Dillon
Thomas, Yes I would definitely mention these supplements to your veterinarian. I know NAC is used to improve neuropathy symptoms in humans. I understand that Dr. Clemmons is still doing research in Florida. You might want to reach out to him. Best wishes.