gracilis myopathy - Page 1

Has anyone had to deal with gracilis myopathy?  I was able to do the research to find out the pathology behind the problem but no long term prognosis. My dog is 6 years old with the energy of a puppy.  My vet advised keeping him active and letting him do what he wants. But should I let him continue the Schutzhund training that he loves so much??? Any insight of first hand knowledge would be very helpful.

I also had a schutzhund dog diagnosed with this and I chose to retire him because I noticed that he was beginning to not clear his jumps like he used to.......the affected leg did not tuck up as well as the other rear leg and he would sometimes nick the jump.  I was afraid he would hurt himself .  However, my vet said I could continue to do what I wanted with him as long as he was able......cele

The condition will continue to affect the dog for the rest of it's life, what sort of prognosis wer you looking for? 

We discovered that my dog had the condition in the process of a TTA.  NSAIDs and through warm ups are important to maintain flexability.  Do not ever ignore even the smallest sign of pain, there is some evidence that gracillus contracture is the result of repeated micro injury.  When I work my affected dog I make sure to warm those legs up slowly and completely, the same way I cool him out. 

By all means, continue with your dog, just understand that it may take longer to title him as you must stop to let any small injury heal.

Good luck!

Lorri

Some Obedience   competitiors have  told the GSD Info Group about this probelm. 

Especially observed when participating in left  turns curves and then going straight.

It does not appear  to have anything to do with lines or breeding, for the  animals  are well spread over the UK

The Vet college  after examination have said

"That it could be due to the position that  is expected when working looking up and  slightly curved , " 

Some  it does not affect others it will.

It is important to warm the dog up like and athlete.

Most have continued working,

  Superdog.

What exactly is it?

-Calvin

The gracilis muscle runs from the pelvic floor to just below the knee in the inside of the rear leg. The myopathy is where the muscle becomes hard and fiberous. It is not normally painful to the dog. The dog will have very distict odd gait to one leg as it is moved in the forward direction. The real reason behind the cause is still being researched. Many have been linked to a specific injury like my dog. As someone else posted, make sure you dog has FULLY healed from any injury. It is a rare condition that mostly affects European GSD but has also been seen in other working dogs. There is no cure. My vet has been doing his own research to see if maybe stem cell replacement might work $$$$$.