Thank you so much for the info. I am speaking with her doctor today about her progress since the mylogram last week. She seems to be worse since it was done. I had read some studies that if it is DM doing a mylogram can make the condition worse. But I felt I had to know if it was one of the other treatable conditions. I am going to speak to him about the blood test you mentioned and see how we can get it done. Can he draw her blood then ship it to them at UF? I am not giving up on this. My dogs mean everything to me and I just can sit back and watch her get weaker without at least exhausting every avenue possible.
Again thank you for your help and your quick response.
Debra
Dr. Roger Clemmons DVM, PHD, Dept. of Neurology, Florida State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesboro, Florida was my professor. He is the originator of the protocol that you describe. I have found it to be helpful in some cases if the problem is truely degenerative myelopathy. Dr. Clemmons now has a blood test for degenerative myelopathy which would test your dog's DNA for the disease. I would have the blood test performed to be definitive about the diagnosis, since the degenerative myelopathy protocol is fairly expensive, and would not be very effective if your dog does not have the disease.
Right now your dog's diagnosis is a diagnosis of exclusion. Have the blood test performed and find out for sure. It costs approximately $125-$140.
Use Vitamin E orally as per the DM protocol while waiting for test results. I also recommend Vitamin B-12 injections: 1000mg daily for 2 weeks, than every other day. B-12 has to be given by injection or it will not be absorbed. B-12 and Vitamin E are not expensive. These vitamins may help with any neurological disease.
Lastly, I believe acupuncture can be helpful in the right candidates. Your boxer may be the right candidate.
DM blood test forms can be obtained from the Dept. of Neurology, College of Vet Med, UF (you may have to do a search and/or call them, they are difficult to reach sometimes). If you have trouble obtaining the information, please post again and I will give it to you, or give me your neurologists name and FAX number and I can FAX a form directly, if you are interested.