Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a frustrating and heartbreaking condition for which modern medicine has no cure. Most veterinarians typically have nothing to offer. Even the help of trained rehabilitation therapists may not be enough to stop the heartbreaking progression to complete paralysis.

What if that decline could be halted? What if we could even turn back the clock a little bit in DM dogs? DM used to be described as doggy MS, but the disease is much more like the human disease known as ALS. Dogs with DM have a mutation in the gene that codes for the SOD-1 (superoxide dismutase) enzyme.

Instead of acting as an antioxidant, the enzyme creates excitotoxicity by causing a build up of glutamate in the spinal cord. As in ALS, that build up is toxic to nerves, causing them to slowly die. Theres no highly effective drug for ALS that we can borrow for the treatment of DM, but plenty of research has demonstrated the possible utility of plants for the condition.

Laboratory testing has shown that certain herbs can help decrease SOD in tissues and help protect neurons from dying from excess glutamate. Weve integrated some of the most powerful of them into the DM Formula, which is an adaptation of the two-thousand-year-old formula known as Minor Bupleurum Combination (Xiao Chai Hu Tang).

If mutant SOD levels can be lowered and glutamate-induced injury mitigated, neurons in DM dogs that have not been fatally injured may return to some degree of normal function. Disease progression might be halted, and some animals may experience a return of strength and coordination.

Stabilization and improvement of DM dogs may be more likely if the patient is fed a real food diet that lowers the risk of oxidative stress and spinal cord inflammation. Improvement is also more likely if the patient is under the care of a rehabilitation therapist or physiotherapist.

Specific treatments that may help include mobilization of the spine using massage and gentle chiropractic; the reduction of cord inflammation using anti-inflammatory acupuncture and laser treatments; and the reduction of oxidative stress using ozone therapy. As a suggested starting dose, give twice daily as follows: Up to 15 pounds: 1/8 tsp 15 to 40 pounds: 1/4 tsp 40 to 70 pounds: 1/2 tsp 70 to 110 pounds: 3/4 tsp Over 110 pounds: 1 tsp If benefits are not seen, the dose can be safely doubled.