Table 1.

Clinical grading scale of disease progression in DM affected dogs.

Clinical Grade	Clinical Signsa
1	Paraparesis and General Proprioceptive Ataxia •Progressive general proprioceptive ataxia •Asymmetric and spastic paraparesis •Postural reaction deficits in pelvic limb •Intact spinal reflexes (patellar reflex may be decreased)
2	Nonambulatory Paraparesis to Paraplegia •Mild to moderate loss of muscle mass in pelvic limbs •Reduced to absent spinal reflexes in pelvic limbs •+/- urinary and fecal incontinence
3	Paraplegia to Thoracic Limb Weakness •Signs of thoracic limb weakness •Flaccid paraplegia •Absence of spinal reflexes in pelvic limbs •Severe loss of muscle mass in pelvic limbs •Urinary and fecal incontinence
4	Tetraplegia and Brain Stem Signs •Flaccid tetraplegia •Difficulty with swallowing and tongue movements •Absence of spinal reflexes in all limbs •Reduced to absent cutaneous trunci reflex •Generalized and severe loss of muscle mass •Urinary and fecal incontinence

^aThe presumptive diagnosis of DM for dogs was based on the presence and progression of these signs. Early stages include grades 1-2, and late stages include grades 3-4. (Adapted from Coates and Wininger 2010; Shelton et al 2012)