Talk:Canine degenerative myelopathy

message: I do not have the $1500.00 so I don't know for sure Jarvis has DM but he has no pain.
When I started a year and 1/2 ago I thought if I can have 3 more months with Jarvis i will be grateful. It is a journey worth taking hopefully this post will make it easier for you, Jarvis and I have been experimenting a lot our vet did not help us out
Wheelchair -Walkin' Wheels - I used it like a walker for about a year, 3 months ago I put his legs up for wheelchair. The booties w/ stirrups are better then the rubber rings and the Fabric Walkin' Lift Rear Harness then the rubber seat that comes with the wheels. ALSO GO LARGE - I had to get new bigger wheels and longer metal part they attach to,because I went w/ the measurement instead of getting biggest one. Also you will need to replace the wheels every year they wear out. I used the bracers to stabilize the back wheels. 
Even though he does not have pain in his back end I give him Generic Rimadyl because he is laying down a lot and I worry he might be sore
http://www.kvsupply.com/norocarp-novox- ... mg-x-60-ct
I massage him with Zoom Groom and my hands
http://www.kvsupply.com/zoom-groom-for-dogs
Interlocking Foam Mats
http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/interl ... t-tile.htm
These are the least expensive ones and the dog nails leave indents but they hold up and can be cleaned.
Shoe goo for fixing booties which drag 
http://www.google.com/search?client=saf ... n&tbm=shop
I use a thin flat exercise bands cut (2 inch pieces so you get a lot w/ one band) for the inside because the shoe goo is hard so put the soft band inside the bootie and shoe goo on the outside - you can get it in walmart too.
http://www.workoutz.com/shopping/produc ... cise_bands
EN Dog Food for good stools Need a Vet RX - my boy likes can I put 1/3 can w/ 1 cup water it is soup like and Jarvis drinks the water and eats the food at the bottom - so he gets enough water ( this means more peeing I express his bladder every 3 to 4 hours) I also feed him every 3 to 4 hours.
http://www.google.com/search?client=saf ... 8&oe=UTF-8
-I am going to try the Pumpkin remedy to see if I can make his stools better.. I can tell when he wants to poop he gets restless so I move him around form one are to another. He has a bowel movement every day. More walks would also help.
-Metronidazole RX from Vet helped when he had diarrhea and vomiting also sSub q fluidsinstead of paying for an IV and overnight stay 
For the male wrap I used Depend for men / Guards maximum absorbency - buy online at the store they are much more expensive. I got 2 Male wraps so I could wash one and use another.
but my Jarvis did not like it so I went with adult Diapers and tie it to on my boy's back and it works much better then the male wrap which is velcro and he would take it off easily . I use the diapers as a harness to help him get around also, he can pee in them and I don't have to wash. 
I also use a Sunny Select dry roasted peanut jar as a urinal and express Jarvis bladder when he is laying down - it is really easy, he does not mind it and saves on diapers
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cfeM ... CF0374.jpg 
JARVIS GETS UPSET WHEN HE NEEDS TO PEE SO EXPRESSING HIS BLADDER MAKES HIM COMFORTABLE - PEEING AND POOING WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST JOBS. 
THINK layers mattress, sheet, yoga mat, sheet, reusable pee pad, towel, diaper...So when things get wet you can get to a dry layer spot clean stuff hang to dry and keep things clean and stop the smell.
I find lots of stuff at the goodwill, hospice thrift stores, salvation army
adult diapers
Bag of rags - different size towels ( you get a lot for $6) small used to dry pelvic area before baby powder.
Used yoga mats.
Used sheets - I spot clean poop and pee before the laundry
New dish gloves- don't get at dollar store too cheap
Area rugs to go over my carpet and under the foam mats - my rugs have not seen the light of day for YEARS
reusable pee pads 
--> try e-bay too
I get stuff at the Dollar Store
Baby wipes - Use all the time
Baby powder - use all the time
plastic bins 
Cleaning supplies - pine cleaner, Awesome oxygen,
laundry detergent - for spot cleaning poop and pee before the laundry 
Dog shampoo
Plastic Mattress Covers - for his dog beds under the cloth cover 
I doubled up 2 kid pools from toys are us and use it to clean the foam mats.
I also placed cloths lines in my yard and dry anything he wets so it does not smell.
I got Astro Turf it is really good to give him a bath/ wash his back end Keeps him clean - http://www.homedepot.com/s/astro+turf?NCNI-5 
In the summer when it was really hot - I would come home and hose Jarvis down so towels and foam flooring was key because Jarvis has always been an inside dog and I can not leave him outside - he barks the whole time..
In the winter when it is cold I use mexican blanket and soft rug to cover him because he does not have muscle mass on his rear end to keep him warm.
Jarvis is more demanding in his old age and now that he needs help, I need to walk him more so he is more tired - will be my New Year resolution. He barks at me when he sees I have his dog bowls because I am sooo slow in making his food.
He likes Savory Prime Raw hide - http://www.savoryprimerawhide.com/store ... etail&p=23
I tried Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Homeopathy and I wish I hadn't spend the money.
JJA3 (talk) 02:52, 22 December 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: Thanks for the tips, JJA3.  Please note this page is for discussions about Wikipedia's article about Canine degenerative myelopathy and how to improve it.  I think more people would read your story if you posted in a forum for dog owners. Adrian J. Hunter(talk•contribs) 08:05, 22 December 2013 (UTC)