9 Year Old German Shephard Bad Legs - Help

[candrew]

Hello

My mother has two german sheperds the oldest is now 9. This dog is the size of a St Bernard (no joke). The dog is slightly over weight and is having trouble getting up and down stairs.

I am hoping that someone might have a suggestion as to a supplement he might be able to take to help with his legs. He is very alert and besides the legs there is nothing wrong with him.

My mother lost her husband (my father) about three years ago and she now does everything with this dog. You won't see one without the other.

I am really hoping that someone might be able to give some advice as to a way to prolong his life even if its only for one more year.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Claire

[KZoppa]

glucosamine joint supplements for dog and vet prescribed pain meds. Rymadel (sp!) is actually pretty cheap monthly and works very well for pain management. we had my 6 year old female on both for her hips. but definitely contact a vet about it. they'll be able to give some good ideas as well.

[JakodaCD OA]

has she taken him to the vet? could be a number of different things, not just one thing specifically and a vet would probably be my first thing to find out exactly what's going on

[Stevenzachsmom]

The dog should lose weight. Even a "little' over-weight is hard on the hips. I asked my vet once the best way to get an owner to put her pet on a diet. She told me that on average, a lean dog lives 5 years longer than a fat dog. Seems like pretty good incentive to me.

[candrew]

Thanks for the advice I will tell my mother about the Rymadel she has an appointment to take the dog next week for a series of injections. I also heard a lot of good things about glucosamine.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin for Dogs - friend told me about this one

I have also heard that Omega 3 is good for joints. I think that they are probably getting this as we add cod liver oil to their dinner.

Thanks again for all the help. If I knew how to down load a photo I would show you a picture as he is such a beautiful dog.

Claire

[JakodaCD OA]

some dogs don't do well on Rimadyl, but there are alot nsaids out there, metacam, duramaxx, previcox to name a few.

[KZoppa]

yeah. if rymadyl doesnt work there are other pain killers and "pain easers" the vet can prescribe. Hope you guys get it figured out! good luck!

[Cassidy's Mom]

I agree about taking some weight off the dog:

Originally Posted by candrew

My mother has two german sheperds the oldest is now 9. This dog is the size of a St Bernard (no joke). The dog is slightly over weight and is having trouble getting up and down stairs.

A GSD the size of a St. Bernard is more than "slightly overweight"! An older dog is going to have a harder time getting around than a young dog even without carrying extra weight. Supplements should help too, and he may need medication, but start cutting back on that food, he does not need the extra stress on his joints. Good luck!

[Gib Laut]

number three for take some weight off....personally I think Rimadyl is a last resort, I very much dislike that drug, especially for a senior. Building ramps was a great help for me with my last boy; I live in a raised bungalow so 12 stairs in and out, the ramp over the stairs helped with going outside. Also, my education in diet came when he was diagnosed with cancer at 12. I learned quickly I had be doing a disservice to him in what I had fed him and changed him to a completely home cooked high protein, low carb, high good fat diet, supplemented with a variety of products....he had two ACL surgeries and broke his hawk as a pup so had a fair amount of arthritis. When I changed his diet, his arthritis disappeared for the first time in over 3 years, he didn't limp, didn't have to wear boots in the cold and energy similar to a pup.....despite popular belief seniors have a higher need for quality protein in the diet....just my experience.

Although this article: Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherds
is about DM, it does overlap some with issues of arthritis and the impact of stress/disease on the body and explains how a holistic approach to treatment can benefit; looking at exercise, diet and treatment

[Jax08]

Getting the weight off is very important. It's a double edged sword...hurts to much to exercise so they gain weight which makes it hurt worse.

1) Vit C - Start with 500 mg and work up to 2000 mg.
2) Fish Oil - probably 2000 mg. Look for the highest EPA/DHA and compare prices. If you have to feed 2000 mg to get the same as another 1000 mg pill then you are spending more.
3) 400 iu Vit E - have to have that because the body uses it to process fish oil so have to replace it
4) Joint supplement - I use springtimeinc. If you buy the specials it averages out to about $13/mth. Less if you use by the instructions. I double the dose so it averages to the $13.
5) Get the dog off of carbs as much as possible. Feed a higher quality food without grains. I can't remember exactly what the sugars do but it aggravates arthritis/HD. I would have to find the article I read.
6) Possibly Hyaluronic Acid. I haven't used it but others have and had had success with it.

Not a fan of rymadol or any pain killers. There is a new laser therapy out that is just as inexpensive as the pain killers over the long run and doesn't have the nasty side affects.

Buy the supplements/vitamins from vitacost.com. They have great prices. Supplements and a chiropractor made and amazing difference in my 2 yr old who was diagnosed with mild HD.