Help protect their mobility. Know the signs .
Help protect their mobility. Know the signs .
What is Myelomalacia?
_edited.png)
Myelomalacia is a serious condition that can occur after severe damage to the spinal cord.
Following the initial injury, the spinal cord tissue begins to deteriorate and soften.
​
It is the most often associated with severe spinal cord injuries, including cases of IVDD where a dog has lost deep pain sensation.
How Does It Happen?
Progressive myelomalacia (PMM) is rare, but devastating complication that can occur.
​
The initial injury can damage the small blood vessels within the spinal cord, leading to:
Bleeding
Reduced blood flow
Inflammation
Further damage to spinal cord tissue.
With PMM, the damage does not remain confined to the orginal area of injury. It begins to spread both upward and downward along the spinal cord.
Important to note: not every dog with severe IVDD injury or loss of deep pain sensation will develop PMM.
Recognizing the Signs
The signs of progressive myelomalacia (PMM) can change as damage travels along the spinal cord.Â
Your Veterinary teams may watch for:
Weakness or paralysis that continues to progress
Loss of reflexes or muscle tone in the hind legs
Changes in sensation
Loss of abdominal muscle tone
Paralysis appearing to move farther along the body
Changes in breathing as the condition becomes advanced
Some of these signs can also occur with severe spinal cord injuries that are not PMM. A veterinarian or veterinary neurologist is needed to evaluate what is happening.Â
Is it Reversible?
Unfortunately, once myelomalacia develops, the spinal cord damage cannot be reversed or stopped with an effective treatment.
​
As the treatment progresses upward through the spinal cord, it can eventually affect the nerves and muscles necessary for breathing. For this reason, progressive myelomalacia is considered fatal.Â
Time is Critical
After a severe spinal cord injury, close veterinary monitoring is very important.
Â
Progressive myelomalacia may develop after the initial injury, which means a dog's neurological condition can continue to change even after the IVDD diagnosis is made.
​
If your dog has a severe IVDD injury and you notice new or worsening symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
Awareness Matters
I know that after getting the IVDD diagnosis, you start looking into everything IVDD related. And you might start imagining the worst case scenario.Â
​
Progressive myelomalacia (PMM) can be absolutely terrifying to learn about, but awareness gives you the opportunity to recognize concerning changes quickly and seek veterinary care.
​
Knowing about PMM does not mean to assume the worst. Most importantly, remember that severe IVDD does not automatically mean a dog will develop PMM.
​
Learn the signs. Ask questions. Stay in communication with your veterinary team. And if something doesn't feel right about your dog's condition, do not wait to have them evaluated.