ChatterBank7 mins ago
Dog Stumbling And Falling
15 Answers
I've noticed my dog, whose getting on a bit now, being a bit stiff in the limbs especially first thing in the morning or after he's been sleeping or resting.
After his morning walk, he seems to be a bit more supple and steadier on his feet.
He was particularly unsteady tonight and is off his food and drink too, which is unusual for him.
I felt his back legs, which felt hard and knobbly under the skin.
Any ideas, what the problem could be please ?
After his morning walk, he seems to be a bit more supple and steadier on his feet.
He was particularly unsteady tonight and is off his food and drink too, which is unusual for him.
I felt his back legs, which felt hard and knobbly under the skin.
Any ideas, what the problem could be please ?
Answers
Graham-W what a load of rubbish! The vast majority of GSDs bred for showing do not have 'dodgy' hips! It is the pet bred ones where the breeders don't bother hip score or take notice of poor results that produce dogs with dodgy hips! It was the showing fraternity that developed the hip scoring system which was then taken up by other breeds. In most cases GSDs with...
20:59 Thu 09th Oct 2014
I'd say arthritis too, but I too can only speak for cats. Our No. 1 Son started to get very stiff, particularly first thing, and limped going down stairs. Suitable injections and pain control liquid has soon sorted him out. See your vet, they do a couple of tests, then you can hopefully get treatment for him.
-- answer removed --
Graham-W what a load of rubbish! The vast majority of GSDs bred for showing do not have 'dodgy' hips! It is the pet bred ones where the breeders don't bother hip score or take notice of poor results that produce dogs with dodgy hips! It was the showing fraternity that developed the hip scoring system which was then taken up by other breeds. In most cases GSDs with dodgy hips would not make old bones anyway, what they do suffer from is CDRM which is a degenerative condition of the rear end, and tests are now available to ascertain if a dog is at risk of this and so it can be avoided in carefully bred dogs. As for the OP, I suspect it is just old age as 14 is a very good age for a GSD. Your vet will be able to prescribe something like Metacam which will ease the poor old boy's joints, and you can get Yumove or anything containing Glucosamin & Chondroitin supplements. You could also get a Bioflow collar which works on magnetic impulses and helps the blood flow. All of these will help him but at his age you have to expect some stiffness.
sqad, I know it's a painkiller. He's a big old boy and clearly he was falling over because his joints were so painful - and he struggled to get back on his feet again. Half the time he'd just lie there looking at me waiting for me to help him get up again. It's really helped him, so I thought it might be useful for others to know.