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My German Shepherd's back leg is weak. What else could it be besides DM?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 5 years and 5 months old | 53 lbs

My dog doesn't have full function of her back right leg and will not correct it if it is moved out of place. We were referred to LSU for an MRI. Is there any other issues that she could have other than degenerative myelopathy? We are so scared we are going to lose our baby. She is a German Shepherd, six years old.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Emily, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 10th, 2017

While degenerative myelopathy is a concern giving your dogs breed and these clinical signs there are other possible causes. The MRI could help show if there could be an infection affecting the spinal cord, or herniated disc, or even some sort of mass that could be potential be removed. While none of those sound like good alternatives some of them may be curable or even manageable longer than to degenerative myelopathy.

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