German Shepard . sore back legs and ears

[lilacben]

My daughter has a beautiful German shepard bitch, 9 years old. SHe has alwas had terrible trouble with her ears,blocking up,smelling and hurting. The vet has had her in and put her under a few times to clean the ear right out but the problem just keeps coming back. Now she cries if you touch her ear. The vet got out a lot of gunk and blood on friday again. Also her back legs are sore to touch. Thing is the vet has left it with my daughter to decide to put her down or not and she has asked me. I do not want her to suffer nor do I want to say put her down. Has anyone else any experiance of this in a dog of theres.?

[Schutzengel]

lilacben. Your daughter should have a serious discussion with the vet, as to whether there is any possibility of the dog's health problems improving. 9 years old is quite a good age for a german shepherd. Could you go with your daughter to the vet to discuss the longer term prognosis, and if this isn't good, then you would be there to support your daughter in making the right decision for the dog. It is always very hard sayng goodbye to a faithful friend, but in this instance it is what is best for the dog, not how painful it is for the owner that is the important thing. I do feel so sorry for your daughter and you, as I have been down this road myself. Schutz.

[lilacben]

Many thanks Schutz, the vet has said the ears would carry on being the same, she could have an operation �800, they arent insured. but there is still a chance it wouldnt do any good. and her back legs have got arthritus in them. She looks at you with her big eyes and looks sad. Oh dear I love her like my own and even know I am getting teary.

[Schutzengel]

lilacben. At her age I don't think it would be a good idea to even think of putting her through an operation which may not improve matters, and added to which her heart might not stand up to the general anaesthetic. That of course is apart from the cost. As for the athritis in the back legs, this needs to be seriously thought about, as if left too long she could lose the use of them altogether, which would be unbelievably distressing for the dog, and heartbreaking for the family. (I have seen this happen recently to a neighbour's dog, and would never wish to see it again). Hanging on too long out of love for the dog, and not wanting to part, is a misplaced love. What any animal needs is the love that puts her needs first. Love to the family from a teary Schutz.

[kita1]

I would see another vet (a different practice) for a second opinion.

GSD's don't often have trouble with their ears, but saying that I had a BSD that had a similar problem to what you describe, I tried everything from the vets - courses of antibiotics etc. but it kept returning. A guy suggested I try Earex drops from the chemist (for humans) and they really worked!! Might be worth a try. But I would really be asking the vet what is causing the problem and what they intend to do about it. They took a scraping out of my BSD's ears to find the antibiotic that would sort it out and try and pinpoint what was causing the problem.

Is the dog on any medication from the vet? The sore back legs could be caused by many things, without seeing the dog it is impossible to speculate what is causing the pain, but I would have expected the vet to prescribe something? (Metacam is a common painkiller/arthritis treatment).

I really would be looking to get a second opinion, vets are usually more definate if an animal needs to be put to sleep (they know most people need a gentle push in that direction). They don't usually just 'leave it up to you' if an animal is in pain.

If it is easy then I would definately go to another vet and ask their opinion.

[lankeela]

I agree with getting a second opinion.

For the ears, try Thornit, a powder which cleanses and soothes irritation.

If she is going off her legs, i.e. they are actually letting her down, then maybe the time has come to let her go. However. if she is just stiff when getting up, and just a bit wobbly, then you could try either a Bioflow Collar, and maybe either Denes Greenleaf tablets, or one of the Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements from any of the online vet pharmacies (Pet Dispensary, Vet Medic, Canine Chemist).

I lost my first GSD at nine, he totally went off his legs one day, so I know how you are all feeling.

[rinkins]

Same here. Lankeela I lost my first GSD the same way. She was thankfully not in pain but one day she just did not have the strength to stand and we knew it was time - she would have had no quality of life whatsoever. Glucosamine is good stuff like cod liver oil.

As far as the ears thing, my current GSD is about the same age (rescue so not absolutely sure), he has the same problems with his ears - always has since we had him 4 years ago. When they flare up we use a bit of antihistamine cream and we also trim some of the hair off the inside.

[tamborine]

if the dog has irrepairable spinal arthritis then it should be 'put out of its pain'. With a spinal/back problem the dog cant operate naturally.

[kita1]

I have used Green Lipped Mussel tablets for arthritis and had alot of success with them, they have kept my present dog going for a few years now (he is now 13 average life expectancy for the breed is 11).

I usually get them from Holland & Barratt when they have a half price sale (I stock up 6 months worth at a time!):

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product _detail.asp?pid=416


The vet also advised an operation for my BSD, but I did not want to put her through such a major op. and kept her condition (with the ears) at bay using the Earex. The Thornit that lankeela mentions is also very good and well worth trying.

I think you know in your heart when the time is right to say goodbye, if your daughter still feels like the dog has a good quality of life and the dog is still eating and wanting to go for walks etc. then it is worth getting a second opinion from another vet and see what they suggest. If they endorse what the first vet has said then at least you will have a better idea of the situation and you will feel more certain you are doing the right thing.

[DC50]

our gsd x collie was on an adult dose of glucosamin chroditon and msm as recommended by our vet for the last few years of her life she was nearly 14 when she died she also had a bioflow collar

[lilacben]

Many thanks to you all. But now I sit here with tears streaming down my face as my daughter has just phones to tell me , dear Sadie, has gone. my son in law took her back today to the vets and they decided it was for the best. one of her ears was laying flat because it was full of blood through shaking her head so much. I only saw her yesterday and gave her a long brush,she loved it. Can't write anymore now.just thought I would let you know.

[gelda]

So sorry Lilacben, R.I.P. Sadie :{

[ruthann58]

oh so sorry lilacben how heartbreaking for you all she is at peace now and free from pain and running free in the sunshine at rainbow bridge xxx

[lankeela]

So sorry to read this, know just how you are feeling but remember, better a day too soon than a moment too late.
This is the one last act of love we can do for our precious pets.

[rinkins]

Sorry lilacben

Lankeela that's a lovely way of putting it. I suppose we feel guilty and we can always say " they had a nice life" but I've never looked at it that way before x