Hip Concern ??? - Page 2

Blitzen: Hello! She's doing pretty good with her allergy shots. I've even gotten better at giving them (LOL). Her fur is growing back so she's actually looking like a GSD again. We're at day 47 with the injections and have now gone from 3x per week down to 1x per week. She'll visit the dermatologist after day 61 for another evaluation. Just knowing was 1/2 the battle and a comfort finding out what was going on with her! Take care :)

Hi Crazee, She's responding quickly compared to my dog. I think your derm vet is using a more aggressive schedule that did the one we used. Its sounds like she will be a big success story. She's a big girl all right. Both of my GSD's ended up very tall too. Blitz is around 28", weighed 96.7 at his last vet visit. My first was very big boned, 28", 126 lbs. Let us know how you make out with her at the vet.

If your vet thinks it may be degenerative spine, consider going to a neurologist for 2nd opinion - since myelopathy is prevalent in GSD's, damaged discs (which can be repaired), are misdiagnosed with alarming frequency. Also, I would not take my dog to a chiropractor, especially with an unknown spinal cord problem as I would be afraid of compounding the problem without a rock solid diagnosis.

I think there is a blood test available now to diagnose DM.

I'm pretty sure it is still in the development stages, but hopefully soon! Definitive test to differentiate DM from other disc issues is myleogram.

Blitzen: Thank you for asking about my girl. I'm happy to report everything checked out ok. Geriatric profile workup was well within normal limits. The x-rays of hips, elbows and spine looked good as well. I did opt to send them to OFA. We'll see what they come back as. I need to check OFA's website to see how long this process takes. Maybe it was soft tissue damage causing her problems? Who know?!?! 10 days before all of this started she was in the yard playing with her 14" indestructible ball - batting it around with her front paws and rolling it around with her nose. Maybe she did something then or just over did it. At any rate, I'm relieved to say the least. The morning we went to the vet - she flew into the back of my SUV. My husband and I looked at each other and said "nothing is wrong with this dog". She was back to her wild self. Sheesh! Take care :)

Better to check and know then to wonder. Glad to hear she's back to herself.

Crazee, I am so glad to hear that. Hearing happy success stories like yours is the only thing that keeps me logging onto this board anymore. It's not hard to recognize who is a true dog lover like yourself and who is not.

Animules: I totally agree! Better to be safe than sorry. I'm glad it turned out like it did. Whew! Blitzen: Awwwww, you are too sweet. I was almost embarrassed to post an update until you asked. The vet did leave me a message that her T-4 was at 4.4 so that's elevated. Maybe that's why the weight gain that I couldn't explain??? Anyway, he and I will chat about this in a few hours and adjust her thyroid dosage. How's Blitz doing???

Crazee, I'd have done the same, don't feel embarassed about taking good care of your dog. It's refreshing to hear that. Blitz is well, thank you. He a PIA sometimes and can be very demanding, but he has a very funny and quirky personality that makes me laugh. This past summer he adopted a baby robin and cared for it for a few days until it disappeared. Tried to get it to play with his tennis ball and favorite stuffed toy LOL. I think he needs a playmate.