Slowing Down? - Page 1

I had posted a while back about my concern over my 5 year old female's hips.  We had taken her to the vet because she was slow at rising, a little wobbly in the back end and was having difficulty getting up on the bed.  We took her to the vet and had her hips and elbows done.  They came back as OFA good.  I was relieved and we chalked up some of the lameness to a soft tissue injury from playing with her indestructible ball in the backyard.

She is still having difficulty so now I can't conclude it was a soft tissue injury.  Some days are better than others.  Is there something else maybe I should be looking for?  Maybe this is normal for a 5 year old dog and maybe I'm just not ready to see it because she's slowing down?  She is my first GSD. 

She'll be going to the vet next month anyway for her thryoid re-check.  Maybe something is off with her meds?  At any rate, I'll discuss my observations with the vet.  I was just curious on a few of the questions above.  Thanks!

X-ray her spine..

Ditto the spine  ......DM or a spinal injury overlooked and could be a deg situation like kioanes said....

Thank you all for your input.  I have made a vet appointment for her on Thursday afternoon.  I didn't want to wait.  Obviously, hopefully it's something other than DM.

I'll be going over the following observations on Thursday with my vet.  She has lost a lot of muscle mass.  Even her dermatologist commented on it in March and suggested we put her on Platinum Performance.  She does fall (forward) at times when running after her ball or frisbee - almost skidding forward.  Same with her rear legs when chasing the ball or frisbee.  She doesn't appear to drag her toes or knuckle under.  Her rear nails look about the same as my male GSD's nails as far as being worn (fairly even - no uneven wear).  

She doesn't venture upstairs as often as she use to.  When she does get up from laying down - she can be "growly" with my male GSD and doesn't want him by her.  Normally, they get along very well.  If she's not laying on the bed, then she's laying curled up on her memory foam pillow.  Bottom line.  She just is not the active high drive dog that I never thought I could tire out.  When I throw her ball or frisbee - she will only actually run after it for about 2 throws and walk back.  Just last year, she couldn't get back to me quick enough for the game to begin again.

I am also going to look into a set of steps for navigating the bed as well as a ramp for my SUV.  Is there any company that you liked that put out a quality product for steps and/or ramps???  I may post this inquiry separately since it's at the bottom of my long ramble :)

Thank you, Blitzen.

 I am sending you a PM.  Enjoy your weekend!