ankylosis/tail defect - Page 1

I normally am not a poster, but I am hoping more of you know about this issue than I do.  I have never actually seen a case of ankylosis in a GSD, but I believe I have one now.  I have two puppies that I imported a couple of weeks ago, and I know the breeder didn't know there was a tail issue with the male puppy.  The puppy's tail is a little short (coming right to the hocks), but more importantly there is a bony knot mid-way down the tail.  At first I thought perhaps it was broken when he was very young because of the way it looked.  At that bony knot, he flips the tail up.  My vet said the only way to know for sure was an x-ray, and I didn't think it was that big of a deal to do that.  Now, two weeks of growth later, I noticed at the end of his tail another bony knot and a tiny flip after it.  I now know it wasn't broken but is far more likely to be ankylosis.

This is a beautiful puppy, and he did have show potential.  This doesn't matter to me anymore as he will just do performance and be neutered now.  What I am more concerned about ....does ankylosis only affect the tail? If he has this in his tail, are there any other associated (like with the spine) problems that any of you have seen? I just want him to be a healthy and happy puppy/dog.  I'm assuming no, but does anyone know if there is a way to stop or fix it?

Thank you!

'Only' do performance. Hmmmm

"'Only' do performance. Hmmmm"

This is why I don't normally post on here.  Why must everyone always make assumptions about what they read but don't know?

Actually, I am a performance person.  This puppy had the potential, minus the defect, to be a very, very nice conformation show puppy too.  This wasn't an either or.  He was going to do both, but now he will only be able to do performance. 

If anyone has anything helpful to add, as I'm worried about the overall health and longevity, those types of comments would be appreciated.

Just curious , is the puppy linebred on Held Ritterberg?

Without saying the pedigree ....no, there is no linebreeding on that.  It is a closely linebred pedigree, but different than that. 

At this point I'm assuming it's ankylosis, but if anyone knows of anything else that causes bony knots in the tail, let me know....

Why not get a diagnosis from a qualified person, like a veterinarian? Much better than opinions or diagnosis by consensus. If the vet exrays the tail, you won't have to guess any more and vet can likely give you a prognosis. The tail is an extension of the spine, so the spine already is involved.

I have already seen and spoken with my vet.  I would NEVER come here instead of that.  She is not fully familiar with, as she called it, spontaneous ankylosis, so she is doing research into it.  I'm not trying to diagnose anything on here.  Instead, I've been in the breed over 30 years and never personally seen it....just thought maybe someone else had.  At some point, we may x-ray, but my vet didn't feel it was warranted right now as he is only 10 weeks old.  Sorry to have bothered everyone....I just figured perhaps someone knew something.  If you google ankylosis, you'll see there isn't much info available. 


 

Sorry to have bothered everyone

Hold your horses dear and do not rush things, you did not bother everyone, on the contrary this is a rare case and very interesting and opinions should be educating to everyone, opinions are starting to flow, be patient, maybe some can shed some light on this and soon. Good luck to you and the puppy.

Ibrahim

Find a vet with more experience. Try a vet school, they usually have knowledge of things that vets don't. Not a bother, but you asked for opinions. The longer a vet can drag a problem out without a diagnosis, the more money they make.

Thank you Ibrahim....I do hope more thoughts come in on this.  You mention it being a rare case ....this is part of what I am wondering.  As I've not seen it before, I am wondering how common it is, even though it is listed as a serious fault for the breed.  I am hoping others have seen it. 

Joanro, my vet is not money hungry as some worry on this board.  She is actually quite the contrary and always acts on the modest end of it.  She buffers the more expensive emergency/specialty end, which I've had to do a few times.  I had considered a vet school and may contact an orthopedic specialist to ask as well.  Whatever the case, the puppy has a home with me and will get to do fun stuff.  I'm hoping it is limited to his tail.  

I do want to know more about it so I can also let his breeder know more details for his program.   

I'm sorry if I seemed short with the bother comment I made earlier.  It comes from comments like the first one I received and others that I see on the board where things are assumed and said.  Just looking for helpful stuff ....not a slam on show vs. performance, etc.