Arthritis in 1 year old GSD?

[Ann]

Well my beautiful girl recently became acting really tired and seemed to sit down slow and become a little stiff after laying down. She just turned 1!

I took her to the vet and she saw swollen joints in the ankles. She wanted to take X-rays. While waiting 3 days to get in for x-rays, she seemed to get worse, this dog is always jumping on our bed and getting excited to see us and jump on the couch, play in the snow etc. She was so sad looking, barely getting up, but trying her best.

The xrays came back and she said that she saw mild HD in one hip. She said that shouldn't be what was causing the pain right now. She saw swelling in her "hocks?" ankles and wrists. (human terms). While I was waiting for results, she put her on an anti-inflammatory and Boston perked up that night. She was "back to normal" a little slow sitting down, but back to jumping on the bed and being herself. ( It was almost like, "Guys! I'm back!")

She now has been put on doxycyclin in case its a tick born disease. (She was negative for 2 tick diseases.)

The vet is waiting to see what happens when she is just on doxy and off of the anti-inflammatory.

She's still a little lazy, but seems better. We just started the doxy tonight.

Poor baby. She's 1.

I will say that I live in Indiana and the weather has been 20, 45, 10, 40, 32, etc. This pain seemed to start on our first really cold snow. The weather has been crazy changing ever since.

Is it possible to have arthritis at 1?

We are still in the process of figuring this out. Does this sound familiar?

She also just started on Dasuquin for joint health.

I love this girl more than anything. Anyone experienced this before?

[Emoore]

It certainly is possible to have arthritis at that age. I would definitely go ahead and start her on fish oil if she's not it already. It's a natural anti-inflammatory. If she's normal weight, get her lean. Also look into green-lipped mussel and Zeel.

[Ann]

Ok great. She is really lean. 70lbs (Not sure how tall) They say she is on target even a little skinny. I will look into those supplements. Thank you.

[Gwenhwyfair]

Sounds like it could be a tick born/auto immune issue going on. I thought there were some blood tests which could be run for tick borne diseases?

I'd be surprised if weather would cause changes like you describe especially in such a young dog.

I'll second Emoore's suggestion, get some good salmon oil.

Two good brands are Bear Treats and Grizzley brand salmon oil. Available on Amazon.

Vitamin C (get ester C to avoid stomach upset) probably would be beneficial as well.

Until you get a more definitive diagnosis it's hard to know the appropriate supportive management...but the above suggestions are good for the H.D. as well...

Best wishes for your girl (and you!).....

[Emoore]

Ann, did they do the SNAP3/SNAP4 test? If I were you I'd ask for a true blood panel including Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever-- the "big 3" tick diseases. The in-house tick tests, as you've discovered, don't test for everything and aren't always reliable.

[Gwenhwyfair]

...oops missed that testing was done on my first read ....."neg for two tick borne diseases."...

[kbella999]

Hi Ann,

First, sorry to hear about this. I know how hearbreaking it can be. My 2 year old was diagnosed in December with arthritis. I have him on Dasuquin, Grizzly Salmon Oil, and I have just changed over to a raw diet. I'm hoping for the best outcome. I would also suggest swimming if you can find a place.

[arycrest]

So sorry you're having this problem! Hopefully the Doxy will resolve the problem!

Mac had a nasty infection in his ankle ... Forget the antibiotic he took but was on it for an extended period of time. He also took something for an immune problem(forget the name), but the infection recurred. Finally the problem was diagnosed as an e-coli infection of the blood caused by a small, undetected piercing of the intestine. He was given the appropriate antibiotic and it cleared up. This took several years to resolve.

[Ann]

Thanks guys,

Yea, my vets not sure because Indiana ticks are usually not the kind that would cause this, but I guess we will see how the doxy works. (She hasn't been out of the state.)

She is still slow today but more alert. She just struggles to get from a laying position, back up.

My vet did recommend a snap test after she completed the doxy.

I hope we figure out whatever it is. I just want her to feel like she can have fun if she wants to.

I will try the fish oil as well.

Thanks for the support. I will hope for the best and love on her a lot.