What are the symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy?

The first sign is the sound of your dog’s toenails scraping the sidewalk, and then an increased lameness, usually on one side, with no signs of pain. Growing ataxia, wobbliness and instability of gait with rear legs scissoring, and the toes knuckling over within six months. As DM progresses, the rear legs become unusable, the bark changes and becomes increasingly hoarse. Some dogs become incontinent. Eventually, the front legs grow weaker and the core muscles grow lax. Even as dogs become increasingly weak, they remain engaged with their families.