Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy

Is an obstruction or embolism in a blood vessel causing a portion of the spinal cord to die. The condition usually affects dogs between the ages of 3 and 6 years and is generally seen as an inability to use its backlegs. It can occur suddenly during any activity including playing. The dog will suddenly fall and not be able to get its rear fully upright again. It is not often symmetrical so the lack of use can be different in both legs. There are no treatments for the condition but many dogs improve with time. The severity of the loss of use must be determined before a course of action can be decided. Some dogs can live out the rest of their lives with only minimal assistance with moving but others are fully paralysed. In the result of paralysis the only option is euthanasia