Viewer Viewpoint – Degenerative Myelopathy – Is It Stalking Your Dog?
This interview article was submitted by Marjorie Zimmerman As many of you know, I lost my once-in-a-lifetime German Shepherd Dog, IKE. He died shortly after being diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (DM. His death was unrelated to that diagnosis. When looking for help, information and proactive steps to take in what I viewed as an upcoming battle, I was lucky enough to fall into the competent hands of Marjorie Zimmerman. Her story, and the detailed information she so willingly shares, has special value for all working and sport dog breeders and handlers. IKE would want me to share this with you. Let s stop treating DM as a controversial disease, something never to be mentioned in breeding circles. Knowledge is power. Interview Q: Marj, tell us a little bit about yourself. A: I have been owned and loved by German Shepherd Dogs since 1967. I was a pet owner who had the rug ripped out from beneath my feet when my beloved Jack Flash got a diagnosis of a disease I d never heard of before
