Degenerative myelopathy is a neurodegenerative disease that progresses slowly and has a late onset (8 years or more). The initial clinical sign is characterised by hind limb ataxia. As the disease progresses, the frequently observed asymmetric weakness rises to affect the thoracic limbs, resulting in paraplegia. The majority of DM2/DM2 animals will not develop symptoms, however, elimination of these animals from breeding patterns reduces the genetic variability of the breed, which is why Progenus does not recommend this test.
