Raising the urinary pH to a level higher than 7 (alkalinization) is often difficult to attain, although sodium bicarbonate and/or acetazolamide are sometimes used in an attempt to increase uric acid solubility. Dialysis (preferably hemodialysis) is started if the above measures fail. References
Conger JD (1990). "Acute uric acid nephropathy". Med Clin North Am. 74 (4): 859–71. PMID 2195258. Robinson RR, Yarger WE (1977). "Acute uric acid nephropathy". Arch Intern Med. 137 (7): 839–40. doi:10.1001/archinte.137.7.839. PMID 879920. Yu AS, Brenner BM (2005). "Chapter 266: Tubulointerstitial diseases of the kidney". In Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci A, Hauser S, Longo D, Jameson JL (eds.). Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine (16th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-140235-4
Aggressive therapy may be used to combat the disease, but even this puts the life expectancy at only around 14 months. It is recommended to put the dog to sleep at around 12 months, to prevent unnecessary suffering that comes from the disease. Some dogs have lived for many years with the disease, with one female boxer even living for 11 years. Without treatment, survival is around 3 months. The disease progresses rapidly without treatment, but this option arguably comes with less suffering. The dog begins to realize it is ill during the late stages. Some dogs have even appeared to be combating the disease on their own, walking on their own and doing exercise. The record survival without treatment is 14 years. Sources
External links
"How to Care for a Dog with Degenerative Myelopathy Video". Retrieved 2013-07-19. "Degenerative Myelopathy Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Video". Retrieved 2011-06-18. "Degenerative myelopathy in Canis familiaris". Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA). Retrieved 2008-07-25. "Degenerative Myelopathy". Canine Genetic Diseases Network. University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved 2007-07-02. "DM of the German Shepherd Dog". Retrieved 2013-07-12.