Couple of issues, any ideas?

Greg · 06-23-2010, 09:08 AM

My GSD Lucy, who will be 8 Sept. 18 decided she did not want to run with me anymore last fall. Took her to the vet and she thought x-rays should be taken of her hips which showed arthritis. The vet said her x-rays "are terrible" but that she has seen worse. OK no more running, used to do 4 miles every other day from the time she was 2 to 7. She is fine with short walks (have not taken her over 2 miles) since and give her 2 baby asprins before and 2 after, seems like it has done the trick and she is very happy with that. Her other issue and I wonder if anyone else has seen this in there dogs is since she was about a 1.5 years old during walking or playing ball she would lose motor control, first in the hind legs then on the front when its bad and at its worst she would actually end up on her side. This does not of course happen on every walk, seems to sneak up every four months or so, sticks around for a few days and then she is fine again. Had her to the vet several times and blood test showed nothing remarkable. Dog is alert but anxious during these times. Really at wits end on what to do? Has anyone seen this before.

**JKlatsky** · 06-23-2010, 09:16 AM

My first thought is neurological...Maybe DM? Or could it possibly be some kind of seizure? Some kind of Spinal problem? Some kind of tick disease?

Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherds
Dr Graves
http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/t...-dogs_761.html

arycrest · 06-23-2010, 11:09 AM

In addition to what's been mentioned, I would also think about a heart condition. Too had SAS and would keel over every so often - similar to the way you describe. Used to scare me to death, nothing could be done when it happened, but was hard to live with. She also had vestibular syndrome and this would also cause her to keel over BUT she had head tilts with it along with a weird look in her eyes.

Greg · 06-23-2010, 11:40 AM

Thanks Gayle, Lucy "does" have head tilts always to the left but not always prior to these events and for sure not all the time. I never noticed anything strange w/ her eyes. Had lucy to the vets several times for this, blood work every time and they listened to her heart, I was never told her heart could be suspect. She breathes heavier now during walks, I was thinking that was due to she is not in the shape she used to be in (not running anymore) but perhaps not. Thanks for your reply, your the first person I have talked to in six and a half years who has seen something like this.

Gib Laut · 06-23-2010, 09:20 PM

I just wanted to add that you should be very cautious giving aspirin over long periods of time (even if it's children's)....my previous boy had bad arthritis from a break and from 2 ACL surgeries...he was diagnosed with cancer and as a result I changed him to a home cooked anti-cancer diet high in omega 3's.....it was incredible, but his arthritis all but disappeared and he didn't have to wear boots outside in the winter for the first time in years.....just an idea for you....diet can have a dramatic effect on inflammation in the body.

doggiedad · 06-23-2010, 09:32 PM

take Lucy to a specialist.

LisaT · 06-24-2010, 01:48 AM

Is this dog on joint supplements yet? That shoulda been the first step.

Run tick titers.

See a chiropractor, follow that with acupuncture.

If none of those help, then consider the more drastic options, like a more serious neuro condition, heart, etc.

Greg · 06-30-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gib Laut

I just wanted to add that you should be very cautious giving aspirin over long periods of time (even if it's children's)....my previous boy had bad arthritis from a break and from 2 ACL surgeries...he was diagnosed with cancer and as a result I changed him to a home cooked anti-cancer diet high in omega 3's.....it was incredible, but his arthritis all but disappeared and he didn't have to wear boots outside in the winter for the first time in years.....just an idea for you....diet can have a dramatic effect on inflammation in the body.

Thanks for the diet idea, I will look into that. If you have any suggestions as to where I would get that I would appreciate it and will look on line. Its been a week since I have posted but she is not having problems walking no longer?? It at times does clear up in a few days and seems to have done just that. We shall see. And thanks again.

Greg · 06-30-2010, 04:11 PM

Thanks Lisa for the reply and yes Lucy has been on joint supplements and they have helped. Her problem with the losing motor control has passed as it normally does after a few days. I have never heard of Tick titers but will find out, generally I have followed the vet's advice most of the time, perhaps I need a second opinion.

Jax08 · 06-30-2010, 04:19 PM

Go to any grocery store and pick up fish/salmon oil. I would give her 2000 mg daily for the Omega 3's. Supplement with 400 iu of Vt E if you give her fish/salmon oil. Start her on glucasomine and chondroitin and MSM. I use Springtimeinc.com , Joint Health. I double the dose for my dog. Start her on at least 1000 mg of Vit C daily.

I"m going to start my dog on hyaluronic acid but can't attest to the results of that. I can to the above though.

All of these will help arthritis. There are study's out there that show supplementing fish oil has a better affect than pain killers. Also, get her on a good food without grain or corn. These have Omega 6 in it. The body needs some Omega 6, which causes inflammation when the body needs it, but to much will cause a lot of inflammation (according to many good studies). That will help both the arthritis and her heart.

06-23-2010, 09:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Greg Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 25	Couple of issues, any ideas? My GSD Lucy, who will be 8 Sept. 18 decided she did not want to run with me anymore last fall. Took her to the vet and she thought x-rays should be taken of her hips which showed arthritis. The vet said her x-rays "are terrible" but that she has seen worse. OK no more running, used to do 4 miles every other day from the time she was 2 to 7. She is fine with short walks (have not taken her over 2 miles) since and give her 2 baby asprins before and 2 after, seems like it has done the trick and she is very happy with that. Her other issue and I wonder if anyone else has seen this in there dogs is since she was about a 1.5 years old during walking or playing ball she would lose motor control, first in the hind legs then on the front when its bad and at its worst she would actually end up on her side. This does not of course happen on every walk, seems to sneak up every four months or so, sticks around for a few days and then she is fine again. Had her to the vet several times and blood test showed nothing remarkable. Dog is alert but anxious during these times. Really at wits end on what to do? Has anyone seen this before. Last edited by Greg; 06-23-2010 at 09:10 AM.

06-23-2010, 09:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	My first thought is neurological...Maybe DM? Or could it possibly be some kind of seizure? Some kind of Spinal problem? Some kind of tick disease? Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherds Dr Graves http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/t...-dogs_761.html __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02

06-23-2010, 11:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
arycrest Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 8,092	In addition to what's been mentioned, I would also think about a heart condition. Too had SAS and would keel over every so often - similar to the way you describe. Used to scare me to death, nothing could be done when it happened, but was hard to live with. She also had vestibular syndrome and this would also cause her to keel over BUT she had head tilts with it along with a weird look in her eyes. __________________ Gayle & the Hooligans Mac, Slider, Bruiser, & Faith MY BRIDGE KIDS: Andy, Abbey, Tasha, Tex, Echo, Yukon, JR, Too, Niki, Bo, Ringer, Kelly, & Honey The Hooligans Photo Albums!

06-23-2010, 09:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gib Laut Master Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Muskoka, Ontario Posts: 529	I just wanted to add that you should be very cautious giving aspirin over long periods of time (even if it's children's)....my previous boy had bad arthritis from a break and from 2 ACL surgeries...he was diagnosed with cancer and as a result I changed him to a home cooked anti-cancer diet high in omega 3's.....it was incredible, but his arthritis all but disappeared and he didn't have to wear boots outside in the winter for the first time in years.....just an idea for you....diet can have a dramatic effect on inflammation in the body. __________________ Dexter-male, sable GSD, 2 yr. old rescue "My impetus is an unfulfillable debt to animals entrusted to my care before I recognized the extent of our advanced industrial and societal hypocrisy (i.e. the extent of my own ignorance and participation)." -Euan Fingal RIP Kato- 12 yrs, GSD, forever my friend Kelsey- 15 yrs, GSD, an inspiration

06-23-2010, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,853	take Lucy to a specialist. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

06-23-2010, 11:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Greg Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 25	Thanks Gayle, Lucy "does" have head tilts always to the left but not always prior to these events and for sure not all the time. I never noticed anything strange w/ her eyes. Had lucy to the vets several times for this, blood work every time and they listened to her heart, I was never told her heart could be suspect. She breathes heavier now during walks, I was thinking that was due to she is not in the shape she used to be in (not running anymore) but perhaps not. Thanks for your reply, your the first person I have talked to in six and a half years who has seen something like this.

06-24-2010, 01:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
LisaT Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern CA Posts: 17,002	Is this dog on joint supplements yet? That shoulda been the first step. Run tick titers. See a chiropractor, follow that with acupuncture. If none of those help, then consider the more drastic options, like a more serious neuro condition, heart, etc. __________________ K9 Tick Disease Information http://www.rabieschallengefund.org

06-30-2010, 04:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
Greg Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 25	Thanks Lisa for the reply and yes Lucy has been on joint supplements and they have helped. Her problem with the losing motor control has passed as it normally does after a few days. I have never heard of Tick titers but will find out, generally I have followed the vet's advice most of the time, perhaps I need a second opinion.

06-30-2010, 04:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	Go to any grocery store and pick up fish/salmon oil. I would give her 2000 mg daily for the Omega 3's. Supplement with 400 iu of Vt E if you give her fish/salmon oil. Start her on glucasomine and chondroitin and MSM. I use Springtimeinc.com , Joint Health. I double the dose for my dog. Start her on at least 1000 mg of Vit C daily. I"m going to start my dog on hyaluronic acid but can't attest to the results of that. I can to the above though. All of these will help arthritis. There are study's out there that show supplementing fish oil has a better affect than pain killers. Also, get her on a good food without grain or corn. These have Omega 6 in it. The body needs some Omega 6, which causes inflammation when the body needs it, but to much will cause a lot of inflammation (according to many good studies). That will help both the arthritis and her heart.

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