Degenerative Myelopathy Supplements for Dogs

Our Degenerative Myelopathy Package consists of the four supplements for dogs that we consider to form the foundation of our Natural Degenerative Myelopathy Protocol. This supplement package for dogs with DM is a research-based protocol developed by a certified Master Herbalist working alongside a certified Canine Nutritionist. It is the most complete supplement protocol that supports dogs with degenerative myelopathy* and from the feedback we receive we conclude the most successful available. It has taken more than a decade of experience working with animals to assemble.

It consists of the supplements Myelin Sheath Glandular, Nerve Tonic, Immune Balance and our Daily Multi Plus. You may follow the links to view the product pages for more information on these supplements for your dog with DM as well as individual product ingredients. This is not an inexpensive protocol, however, this is a serious condition and we have incorporated many years of research and experience working with animals to develop this degenerative myelopathy protocol for your dog and we hope you are pleased with the results!

For more information about this condition please view our Natural Degenerative Myelopathy Protocol. You may select from our list of other recommended supplements for dogs with DM, that can be found on our Degenerative Myelopathy page to use in addition to our Core Package or rely on these four supplements for DM alone. We are here to help so feel free to Contact Us if you need more assistance.

The Core DM Package is designed to provide the supplements for your dog with degenerative myelopathy to get you started. You will not need to purchase the entire package at the same time again. Instead, you will purchase individual supplements/herbal remedies as you need them because they last varying lengths of time. You can also purchase larger sizes of the supplements/herbal remedies as larger sizes have discounts incorporated into their cost. 

*Please note when reordering in the future: In order to use the REORDER feature from your account to order individual supplements found in a package, you will first have to order each product individually and then the next time you order you can use the reorder feature for those particular supplements.

Core Degenerative Myelopathy Package Sizes

Small Package (Recommended for animals up to 25 lbs)

Myelin Sheath Glandular - 45 grams (*will last 900 days (5 lbs) to 180 days (25 lbs))
Nerve Tonic - 2 oz (60 ml) (*will last 120 days (5 lbs) to 30 days (25 lbs))
Immune Balance - 2 oz (60 ml) (*will last 120 days (5 lbs) to 30 days (25 lbs))
Daily Multi Plus - 3.5 oz (99 gram)(*will last 250 days (5 lbs) to 50 days (25 lbs))

Medium Package (Recommended for animals 25 - 50 lbs)

Myelin Sheath Glandular - 45 grams (*will last 180 days (25 lbs) to 90 days (50 lbs))
Nerve Tonic - 4 oz (120 ml) (*will last 60 days (25 lbs) to 30 days (50 lbs))
Immune Balance - 4 oz (120 ml) (*will last 60 days (25 lbs) to 30 days (50 lbs))
Daily Multi Plus -  3.5 oz (99 gram) (*will last 50 days (25 lbs) to 25 days (50 lbs)

Large Package (Recommended for animals 50+ lbs)

Myelin Sheath Glandular - 90 grams (*will last 180 days (50 lbs) to 90 days (100 lbs)
Nerve Tonic - 8 oz (240 ml) (*will last 60 days (50 lbs) to 30 days (100 lbs))
Immune Balance - 8 oz (240 ml) (*will last 60 days (50 lbs) to 30 days (100 lbs))
Daily Multi Plus - 12 ounces (340 gram) (*will last 85 days (50 lbs) to 42 days (100 lbs)

*Time frame estimates above use minimum suggested serving size and can vary depending on animal weight and serving size/frequency used.

Degenerative Myelopathy Help Sheet for Dogs

A copy of this information is included with your package purchase!

1). Daily Multi Plus

This is the supplement that provides the enzymes and probiotics necessary for proper digestion and immune system health. It also provides organic, whole food nutrition to improve the overall health of your dog or cat.

How much should I give?

Provide 1/2 teaspoon in each meal per 30 lbs. Mix with water so it is not dry. Serving size does not have to be exact. Err on the side of more rather that less.

How long should I provide this supplement?

This supplement should be given with every meal for the life of your pet.

2). Nerve Tonic

This formula provides a highly-researched blend of nervines that help to repair and protect damaged nerve tissue as well as circulatory tonics that help to improve circulation throughout the body - from the brain to the hind quarters.

How much should I give?

Provide 1 ml per 25 lbs three times daily. Squirt directly into mouth by pulling out lower lip at corner of mouth. Do not tilt head back because your pet can breath some in. If this is difficult dosage can be placed in a small amount of special food or even main meals if necessary. It is best to give away from meals when possible. When your animal’s condition improves you may be able to reduce the frequency to two times daily. On the other hand if your animal does not respond as hoped increase the dosage by 50% three times daily.

How long should I provide this supplement?

Use daily for one month then go on a 5 days on 2 days off schedule. Use this schedule for the life of your animal. If your dog shows a decline on off days you may have to give only one day off weekly or even use daily if necessary depending on your dog’s condition.

3). Immune Balance

This remedy is used to help balance your animal’s immune system in the presence of an autoimmune condition.

How much should I give?

Provide 1 ml per 25 lbs three times daily. Squirt directly into mouth by pulling out lower lip at corner of mouth. Do not tilt head back because your pet can breath some in. If this is difficult dosage can be placed in a small amount of special food or even main meals if necessary. It is best to give away from meals when possible. When your animal’s condition improves you may be able to reduce the frequency to two times daily. If your animal does not respond as hoped increase the dosage by 50% three times daily.

How long should I provide this supplement?

Use daily for one month then go on a 5 days on 2 days off schedule. Use this schedule for the life of your animal. If your dog shows a decline on off days you may have to give only one day off weekly or even use daily if necessary depending on your dog’s condition.

4). Myelin Sheath

Myelin sheath provides bio-identical nutrients that can help to support the health of myelin tissue and nerve transmission in dogs with DM in a safe and natural manner.

How much should I give?

Provide one 1/8 tsp scoop per 20 lbs of animal weight daily. This is a minimum suggested serving and may be increased 2 - 3x with more severe needs.

How long should I provide this supplement?

This supplement should be given for the life of your pet.

Other Recommendations

Diet

It is important dogs with DM are fed a very nutritious diet that contains high biological value protein (meat!). This can’t be accomplished with a processed kibble diet so we strongly suggest a whole food diet for your dog with this condition. This can be a commercial raw (recommended) or cooked diet, involve a premix with your own raw or cooked meat or a home-prepared diet. If home preparing please research how to do this properly and make sure to add a calcium source like our Seaweed Calcium. Read our article How to Feed Your Dog in the Education Section of our website for more information.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

This mushroom is a powerful natural brain food that helps to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) and regenerate damaged nerve cells.

How much should I give?

Provide 1/2 teaspoon daily per 25 lbs. Divide equally between meals if convenient. Mix with a little water before adding to meal or when in food dish and then blend into food well. If necessary you may safely increase dosage by 50%.

How long should I provide this supplement?

This supplement should be given with every meal for the life of your pet.

Biopreparation F3

This is a highly regarded supplement that can greatly benefit those animals struggling with DM. We recommend the F3+ Forte for this condition. It feeds cells on a cellular level providing thousands of natural nutrients directly into cells without the need for digestion while helping cells to efficiently detoxify. This can be placed in with meals, a little meatball made with a favorite food or in a little water used with a syringe. Follow the recommendations below for the Maintenance Phase for the life of your animal.

Chia Seed Oil

Myelin sheath is composed largely of fat. By supplying a good source of omega 3 fatty acids you are not only supporting nerve tissue but also helping to reduce inflammation in your animal’s body which can help reduce tissue damage caused by an autoimmune condition. Provide 500 mg of omega 3’s (not total oil content) per 25 lbs from a high quality chia seed oil or fish oil supplement with meals. Provide this supplement for the life of your animal.

GLA from Borage Oil

GLA is a fatty acid that is difficult to get from the diet alone. In addition, many animals do not efficiently synthesize this fatty acid from linoleic acid (LA) especially as they grow older or suffer from degenerative conditions. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of this fatty acid it can greatly benefit those animals with DM. Provide 240 mg GLA daily divided into morning and evening doses. Most supplements come in capsule form so puncture the end of capsule with pin or knife and estimate dosage as best you can. We will be providing our own organic borage oil in the near future, but as of now you will have to purchase this elsewhere.

Elk Velvet Antler

This is a favorite joint supplement that contains all recommended nutrients for joint maintenance and repair only in a natural, whole food form. Degenerative Myelopathy is not a painful disease but can put extra stress on front knee and shoulder joints. Some veterinarians will prescribe a pain drug, but this can have side effects that interfere with the function of a DM dog - elk antler would likely be a good alternative. In addition, and very importantly, elk antler also contains growth factors that can help energize the body and repair damaged nerve tissue. Provide 1/8 tsp per 15 lbs daily for the life of your animal.

Systemic Enzymes

These are enzymes taken between meals. When this is done the enzymes enter the blood stream where they digest debris and moderate inflammation. Systemic enzymes have also been shown to help break the antibody-antigen bond responsible for autoimmune activity. Use according to instructions on bottle or website.

Whey Protein Isolate

This is a highly bioavailable source of protein that can greatly benefit DM dogs. Biological Value (BV) pertains to the body’s ability to utilize nutrients. Much of the protein found in commercial kibble pet food is low-value and low-protein to boot! Adding whey protein to a lower protein diet, whether that be a kibble or home-prepared diet, can greatly benefit all animals and especially those with DM. Use according to instructions on bag or website.

Acetyl L-Carnitine

This is a supplement that may help to improve neurotransmitter activity in the brain and cellular energy in DM dogs. This is a supplement we recommend for those dogs that are not responding as well to our “Core DM” products and need more help. We do not carry this supplement and recommend 500 mg per 25 lbs daily with meals.

Colostrum

This is the Mother’s first milk that is a vital source of antibodies and blood proteins so important to new born mammals and is considered to be an “anti-aging” supplement for those that take it later in life. Contains anti-inflammatory peptides that help to balance the immune system that can be beneficial in the case of autoimmune conditions like DM. Colostrum also contains important growth factors that can help to increase lean muscle and repair damaged tissue. Use according to instructions on bottle or website with meals.

Exercise

Exercise is a very important part of a holistic approach to helping an animal with DM. It is very important for maintaining lean muscle, lubricating joints, maintaining the mind-body connection, maintaining lymphatic flow etc. Exercise, such as walking, should be structured for your animal’s conditioning. Your animal should not be pushed to the point of obvious stress and exhaustion.

About Medications

There are no known medications that help with DM. That is why veterinarians believe there is nothing they can do, because that is true. It is also true that there is no “cure” and that this is a condition that has to be managed. However, we don’t promise a cure, and instead we provide your animal’s body with the high-value nutrition needed to heal damaged tissue and rebalance itself for as long as possible.

Common Causes

Nothing “just happens”. There is always a catalyst. Even if your animal is genetically predisposed to DM there is always a “straw that broke the camels back”. Autoimmune conditions are caused or precipitated by an insult to the body, most commonly from a chemical or toxin. This can happen quickly as with autoimmune anemia (IMHA) or over time as with DM. Flea and tick pesticide treatments are a major factor. Reactions will be seen within hours or days of application. Vaccinations are another major factor with reactions generally seen anywhere from days to months after exposure. However, if your animal is more sensitive, household cleaners, lawn chemicals, mosquito fogging exposure and even skunk spray can be a trigger for an autoimmune condition to occur, or to occur at a younger age than in normally might have.

Please keep in mind that if your animal is predisposed to DM or has developed this condition, any exposure to the above will “super-charge” the autoimmune response and the destruction of nerve tissue. Speak with your veterinarian about an exemption from future rabies vaccinations. We recommend avoiding all vaccinations and instead titer and also to avoid any exposure to topical flea and tick pesticide products including collars.

Please Note: The majority of our supplements are basically herbs and whole foods, so a little more or less will not harm your animal. When determining the dosage estimate as best you can for the weight of your animal from our suggested serving sizes.