ADVERTORIAL
This One Hack Saved My German Shepherd from Degenerative Myelopathy
The brutal truth about degenerative myelopathy that every at-risk breed owner needs to know before it's too late
⚠️ If you own any breed prone to DM, this 4-minute read could save your dog's ability to walk.
My name is Rachel, and what I'm about to share will either terrify you... or save your dog from a devastating fate.
Two years ago, I thought I was doing everything right for my German Shepherd, Atlas...
Premium foods. Daily exercise. Regular vet checkups.
He was only 8 years old and still running like a puppy.
Then I joined a German Shepherd Facebook group...
That's when I saw the posts that made my blood run cold:
Photo after photo of beautiful, strong dogs – just like Atlas – unable to stand. Unable to walk...
Dragging their back legs in carts and slings...
I started researching obsessively at 2 AM. And what I discovered made me sick:
The nerve damage that causes DM starts YEARS before you see the first symptom.
By the time your dog stumbles or drags a paw? It's already progressed too far.
That's when I learned the horrible truth about breeds like German Shepherds, Corgis, Boxers, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks…
They're all walking around with a genetic ticking time bomb.
Up to 35% of German Shepherds carry the DM gene mutation. Some studies say even more.
And here's what no vet will tell you upfront:
By age 8, the "rust" is already spreading through their spinal cord.
I'm not talking about arthritis. I'm not talking about hip dysplasia.
I'm talking about a progressive neurological disease that literally kills the nerves that allow your dog to walk, run, and control their back legs.
Think of it like ALS for dogs.
Except most owners don't know it's happening until it's too late to do anything about it.
I stared at Atlas sleeping on the couch that night, and my heart shattered.
Was he already losing nerve function?
Was I watching the clock tick down without even knowing it?
I couldn't just sit there and do nothing.
So I made a decision that changed everything.
What I Found at 3 AM Changed Everything (And What Your Vet Probably Doesn't Know)
I became obsessed.
Every free moment I had, I was buried in research papers, veterinary journals, DM support groups, anything I could find.
I read heartbreaking stories from owners who'd spent thousands on wheelchairs, physical therapy, acupuncture...
Anything to buy their dogs a few more months of mobility.
But here's what haunted me most:
Almost every single one of them said the same thing:
That's when I stumbled across something that changed everything.
It was 3 AM... I was deep in a Reddit thread about degenerative myelopathy when someone mentioned a breakthrough compound being studied for ALS and nerve regeneration.
The compound? Lion's Mane mushroom.
I clicked the link with shaking hands.
Study after study showed Lion's Mane stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF) production—the biological signal that tells your body to grow and repair nerve cells.
The same compound researchers use in Alzheimer's and ALS studies to help regenerate dying neurons.
Then I found more.
Curcumin extract—shown in a 2021 clinical trial on Pembroke Welsh Corgis with DM to significantly improve mobility outcomes compared to dogs who received nothing.
Turkey Tail, Reishi, Cordyceps—medicinal mushrooms with documented neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.
My hands were shaking as I read.
This wasn't about joints. This was about protecting the NERVES themselves.
The Brutal Truth About DM That Most Vets Won't Explain
See, here's what most people don't understand about degenerative myelopathy:
It's not a joint disease. It's not muscle weakness. It's not "old age."
Degenerative myelopathy is nerve death.
The myelin coating around your dog's spinal cord nerves—the insulation that lets signals travel from brain to legs—starts breaking down.
It's like rust spreading through electrical wiring.
First, the signals slow down...
Then they misfire.
Then they stop completely.
And every single day that passes? More nerves die.
Once they're gone, they don't come back.
That's why vets say "there's nothing we can do."
Because by the time they diagnose it, the damage is already catastrophic.
But here's what I realized at 3 AM, sitting in my kitchen with tears streaming down my face:
What if you could protect those nerves BEFORE they started dying?
What if you could slow the "rust" from spreading?
What if there was a way to give at-risk dogs a fighting chance—not after diagnosis, but BEFORE symptoms even appear?
The Research They're Not Telling You About
I looked at the studies again.
Lion's Mane for nerve regeneration and NGF stimulation.
Curcumin for stopping toxic protein buildup (the same SOD1 protein that kills nerves in ALS).
Medicinal mushrooms for immune modulation and inflammation control.
The science was there...
The research was there...
But when I searched for a product that combined all of this specifically for DM?
Nothing existed.
Sure, there were joint supplements. Fish oil. Generic "senior dog" vitamins.
But nothing that actually targeted the REAL problem: dying nerves and degenerative spinal cord damage.
That's when I made a decision that would change Atlas's life—and eventually, hundreds of other dogs' lives too.
I was going to create it myself…
How I Went From Terrified Dog Mom to Creating a Formula That Actually Works
I wasn't a veterinarian. I wasn't a scientist.
I was just a terrified dog mom who refused to sit around waiting for DM to steal my best friend.
I reached out to a holistic vet who specialized in neurodegenerative diseases.
I showed her everything I'd found—the Lion's Mane studies, the curcumin trial, the research on medicinal mushrooms.
She looked at me and said something I'll never forget:
"Rachel, this is exactly what we need to be doing. But no one's done it yet."
Together, we developed a formula combining 7 specific medicinal mushrooms plus pharmaceutical-grade curcumin...
Each one chosen to target a different aspect of nerve protection…
Lion's Mane to stimulate nerve growth factor and support healthy nerve cell function.
Curcumin extract to stop the toxic SOD1 protein buildup that kills spinal cord neurons.
Reishi and Turkey Tail to modulate the immune system (DM has an autoimmune component—your dog's body attacking its own nerves).
Cordyceps, Chaga, Shiitake, and Maitake for antioxidant protection against the oxidative stress that accelerates nerve damage.
We created it as a soft chew with a flavor he'd actually want to eat.
Not a bitter pill Atlas would spit out…
Because here's the thing: a supplement only works if your dog takes it consistently.
I started giving Atlas these chews every single day.
Not because he was sick.
Not because he was showing symptoms.
Because I wanted to protect him BEFORE the damage could start.
What Happened Next Changed Everything…
Atlas stayed strong. Stayed mobile. Stayed... Atlas.
While other German Shepherds in that Facebook group were getting diagnosed at 8, 9, 10 years old, Atlas kept running.
He's now 10 years old. Still hikes with me. Still chases squirrels. Still has that rock-solid coordination and powerful stride.
I'll never know for certain if he would have developed DM without the chews...
But here's what I do know:
I'm not waiting around to find out.
I shared his story in that German Shepherd Facebook group—the same one where I'd seen all those heartbreaking posts.
Within 24 hours, my inbox exploded.
I made a batch for a few people. Then a few dozen. Then hundreds.
That's how Mushroom DM Defense Chews was born.
GET MY DM DEFENSE CHEWS NOW
Why This Works When Everything Else Fails
Here's what makes this different from every joint supplement or "senior dog vitamin" on the market:
We're not treating symptoms. We're protecting the nerves themselves.
Joint supplements help arthritis. We target degenerative myelopathy.
Generic supplements hope for the best...
We address the actual disease mechanism—nerve death, protein aggregation, immune-mediated damage.
And most importantly?
We designed this for PREVENTION, not just treatment.
If your dog is already showing symptoms, these chews can help slow progression.
But if your dog is an at-risk breed with no symptoms yet?
This is your chance to protect them BEFORE the damage starts.
Because once those nerves die, they don't regenerate. But if you can shield them from breaking down in the first place?
That changes everything.
GET MY DM DEFENSE CHEWS NOW
This Isn't Just For Dogs Already Diagnosed—It's For Every At-Risk Owner Who Refuses to Just "Wait and See"
If you own a German Shepherd, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Boxer, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bernese Mountain Dog, or any other breed prone to DM...
If your dog is over 5 years old...
If you've ever laid awake at night worrying about that genetic time bomb...
You need to read this next part carefully.
The nerve damage causing DM starts years before the first visible symptom.
By the time your vet diagnoses it, 60-70% of the spinal cord nerves may already be damaged.
That's why waiting until you "see something" is too late.
DM Defense Chews give you a way to fight back proactively—to protect your dog's nervous system before it's compromised.
Every day you wait is another day those nerves could be silently breaking down.
I'm sharing this with you because I remember the terror I felt reading those Facebook posts.
I remember the helplessness.
And I refuse to let another dog owner feel like there's "nothing they can do."
Because now? There is something.
Here's What You Need to Do Right Now
I'm not going to sugarcoat this.
If you're reading this and you own an at-risk breed, you have two choices:
Choice #1: Close this page. Tell yourself your dog will be one of the lucky ones. Hope that wobble you saw last week was nothing. Wait until your vet says those three devastating words: "It's degenerative myelopathy."
By then, the damage is done...
The nerves are dying...
And you're left with the same heartbreak I saw in those Facebook posts.
Choice #2: Do what I did. Refuse to gamble with your dog's future. Start protecting their nervous system TODAY—while their nerves are still healthy and strong.
I know which choice I made for Atlas.
And I know which choice thousands of other dog parents are making right now
GET MY DM DEFENSE CHEWS NOW
What Dog Owners Are Saying About DM Defense Chews
Jennifer K., Corgi mom
Verified Buyer
"My 6-year-old Corgi, Biscuit, is my world. After watching my friend's Corgi get diagnosed with DM last year, I wasn't taking any chances. Three months on DM Defense and I finally sleep through the night without worrying. She loves these chews—thinks they're treats!"
Mark T., German Shepherd dad
Verified Buyer
"I lost my first German Shepherd to DM at age 10. When I got Duke, I swore I'd do everything differently. He's 8 now, still running like a puppy. I'll never know if he would've gotten DM, but I'm not stopping these chews to find out."
Lisa M., Boxer mom
Verified Buyer
"My vet actually asked me what I was giving my Boxer after his last checkup. His neuro exam was perfect—strong reflexes, great coordination. I told her about DM Defense and she said, 'Whatever you're doing, keep it up.' That was all I needed to hear."
Why You Can't Find This Formula Anywhere Else
When I created DM Defense Chews, I had one goal:
Make the most comprehensive neuroprotective formula for dogs at risk of DM.
Not the cheapest. Not the one with the biggest marketing budget.
The one that actually works.
That's why we use:
Pharmaceutical-grade curcumin extract (not cheap turmeric powder)
Lion's Mane at clinically meaningful doses
7 medicinal mushrooms specifically chosen for nerve protection
Soft chew delivery that dogs actually want to eat (because consistency matters)
CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT NOW
Your Dog Deserves Better Than "Wait and See"
Most companies won't do this. It's expensive. It's complex. It's easier to slap "joint support" on a label and call it a day.
But I didn't create this to build a supplement company.
I created this to save dogs like Atlas.
Here's the truth:
Right now, while you're reading this, your dog's spinal cord nerves are either healthy... or they're starting to break down.
If they're healthy, you have a window to protect them.
If they're breaking down, every day you wait makes it harder to slow the damage.
I can't tell you what to do. That's your decision as a dog parent.
But I can tell you this:
Two years ago, I was exactly where you are now...
Terrified. Desperate for answers. Wishing someone had told me about this sooner.
Now Atlas is 10 (going on 11), and he's thriving.
I don't know if these chews are why. But I do know I'll never stop giving them to him.
Because when it comes to my best friend's ability to walk, run, and just BE a dog?
I'm not willing to gamble.
Are you?
Get DM Defense Chews for Your Dog Today
If you're ready to stop worrying and start protecting...
If you're tired of feeling helpless while DM looms over your dog's future...
If you want to do everything in your power to keep your dog mobile and strong for years to come...
Click the button below to get DM Defense Chews delivered to your door.
CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT NOW
Every chew is packed with the 7-mushroom blend + curcumin formula that Atlas gets every single day.
And every order comes with our 90-Day Mobility Promise: If you don't feel confident you're doing everything possible to protect your dog's nervous system, just let us know and we'll refund every penny.
Because I'm not here to sell you something you don't need.
I'm here to give you the one thing I wish I'd had two years ago...
Your dog can't protect themselves from DM. But you can protect them.
Don't wait until it's too late.
— Rachel & Atlas
Vet Recommended:
4.9 | 8,247 Reviews
Pets Are Kids Mushroom Chews
30-120 Day Supply Per Jar
7 Mushroom Extracts
90-Day Money Back Guarantee
25% OFF Senior Dog Discount
Check Availability >>
