Did you know that there are various breed specific health conditions that are associated with the Irish Setter? One of those is Degenerative Myelopathy (DM).  DM is an incurable disease of the nerves and spinal cord. This disease can lead to the loss of mobility and numbness or loss of feeling in the legs. Some experts have compared it with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease in humans. DM is considered to be a chronic, progressive, degenerative disease that leads to eventual paralysis. Signs or symptoms of the disease usually appear later in life in most Irish Setters and affects the hind limbs causing a decrease in mobility. Although there is no set treatment for this disease, some owners have found various types of physical therapy to help prolong quality of life. If your Irish Setter has been diagnosed with DM, talk with your veterinarian Greensboro, NC to learn more about treatment options.