Shared lives, mirrored diseases

Shared lives, mirrored diseases


Our pets can be so much like us — which is part of the reason for our strong bond. Even some of the diseases that afflict humans are mirrored in our furry friends.

Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic (A-my-o-trophic) lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a human syndrome that results in paralysis. The equivalent canine disease is degenerative myelopathy (my-el-AH-puh-thee), or DM. Dogs with DM first become unsteady in the hind end. As the disease progresses, they become paralyzed in the rear and eventually in all four legs. Affected dogs finally lose control of other bodily functions, like swallowing and barking.

There’s no cure for DM. But a test on blood or a cheek swab can identify the gene now known to cause the disease. This can help guide diagnostics, disease management and even breeding programs. Someday, therapy designed for dogs with DM might even pave the way for treatment of people with ALS.

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