DEGENERATIVE myelopathy (DM) is perhaps not an illness many pet owners are familiar with, nor is it one which they would ever wish to experience.

However, Cardross woman Patricia Paterson is hoping her inspiring tale of coping with the condition in her beloved Bernese mountain dog Oscar can help others understand how best to deal with the canine disease.

Oscar was born in December 2010 as part of a litter of five puppies all bred by Patricia at her home in the village, which she shares with husband Richard.

“I had taken all the right steps to ensure that I’d covered all the relevant health tests,” Patricia said.

“All the puppies were spoken for and as the eighth week approached we knew these little bundles of fluff were about to leave us. Spending time over Christmas with them was magical.

“A few days before Christmas we had a call from one of the families to say that they had decided against having a puppy as their circumstances had changed. That puppy was Oscar and it must have been fate as he has been my loyal friend, companion and big protector for over nine years.”

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Just before Oscar turned eight, Patricia noticed he was a bit wobbly on his back legs and over a period of weeks the situation worsened. His back paws were bleeding and he had to start wearing lightweight boots to protect them from dragging along the ground.

Patricia said she knew it was DM as Oscar’s dad and grandfather had exactly the same symptoms.

DM is a disease of the spinal cord that causes gradual paralysis of the hind legs and is most commonly found in German shepherd dogs at around eight or nine-years-old. The disease is not painful but there is currently no effective treatment to reverse it.

Patricia, who brought fellow Bernese pooch Leah over from a breeder in Hungary to provide company for Oscar, said: “We are now a year down the line and I won’t say it’s been easy dealing with a 60kg dog but focusing on the prognosis, and not dwelling on the diagnosis, has got me through.”

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Neighbours helped make protective boots for Oscar while a specially-designed ‘wheelchair’ was purchased, costing more than £500.

“We’ve been keeping him mentally alert, having him out on short walks in his wheels - which have been a godsend - and doing all the other things that dogs love to do to keep him stimulated,” Patricia added.

“I know I get some strange looks walking around Cardross with a dog in a wheelchair, most people are a bit reluctant to ask what’s wrong.

“I suppose I just want to tell anyone who may have a dog with DM that with care and dedication, many dogs can continue to have a good quality of life for a long time.

“We know the time we have left with Oscar is limited and every day is precious, so we just take it one day at a time.

“He is not just a dog, he’s part of the family.”

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