Degenerative Myelopathy

 dang -- typed this all and lost it.

 Dr. Roger Clemmons is a world-renown expert on DM -- and he's the head neurosurgeon at the University of Fl at Gainesville.  Dr. Clemmons also is on the faculty/staff of the Chi Institute http://www.tcvm.com .

Acupuncture is incredibly helpful for DM to hold the advancement of the disease back.  I have several dogs who have had acupuncture/TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) - it is absolutely amazing what it can do.  

 If you want to email me (my email is in the bottom right of my signature picture below) I will help you locate a vet up there who does TCVM and help you know what goes on and what to expect.

 There  are several qualifying agencies for acupuncture.  In my experience, TCVM via the Chi Institute is the best.  I've actually had acupuncture on ME (and honestly?  it was because it worked so well on my dogs that I started going to get it on ME) so I can tell you, honestly how it feels, etc.  There are a lot of vets out there who are using "electronic acupuncture" -- in my experience that is a very very poor distant 2d -- it just doesn't work as well.  People tend to gravitate toward it because of "no needles" -- but acupuncture just doesn't hurt.  (I've even got a video of one of my dogs getting needled!)

HOller if I can help.

A rear end harness for support walking and getting up will help him a lot as the disease progresses.

 I want to also make the point I am **not** talking about leaving your vet -- not at all.  Acupuncture/TCVM would be in addition to whatever else you are doing.  (Most TCVM vets don't WANT to be your regular vet -- often they specifically choose to treat chronic illness)

Although I don't have any personal experience with it, I've heard from a few people that swim/water therapy can be very helpful for dogs who have weakness in their hind legs.  It can't stop the progression of the disease itself, but it can help by providing an opportunity for some gentle exercise and muscle use without the dog having to bear all its own weight.  Maybe you can find a vet clinic or dog training center that has a therapy pool in your area; they could tell you if it might help your dog.

Best wishes for your pup!

I lost my post, too! I've used acupuncture, electro acupuncture (using the traditional acu needles), herbs, etc. It may help with the treatment plan if you can figure out what's causing the weakness. The harness is a great idea! (We have a lot of stairs and that was an issue.)

Here are the two closest vet schools--each is about 2 1/2 hours away, but they may be able to set up a consult with your grand dog's vet:

 DM is sorta kinda the dog version of what humans have in MS.  But it's more centered in the neck area (which is where the neural thing originates for the turned under toes in back).  It's another disease as tough on the humans loving the dog who has it as it is to have it I think.  But it CAN be slowed.