Hip Concern ??? - Page 1

My 5 year old female GSD has been displaying some signs that have caused me to be concerned. Whenever she gets up from laying down (moreso from when she's been laying on the bed) she slow to get up and her rear legs shake. She would much rather "low crawl" than to physically get up and change positions. She does not appear to be in any sort of outward visible pain. However, she does seem a lot more tired than her usual energetic self and naps more often. I am making a vet appointment tomorrow just to ease my mind and have her hips x-rayed. Would you bother even sending them to OFA or PennHip? I was also curious if anyone else has had their GSD display similiar symptoms? I hope and pray it is not HD. I hope I'm just over-reacting and it's nothing.

I would be concerned about some neurological issue, not just the hips. If you have a good vet, he/she can check that as well. It could be as simple as her leg/s are asleep from bloodflow being compromised or nerves pinched by being on the bed. If you really feel she is more tired, some simple bloodwork would also be something to consider. If she is not a breeding female and is spayed, you can have your own vet read, but sending the x-ray to OFA is the other option. Good luck. She is probably fine and maybe just getting a little arthritic. Make sure you keep her lean.

Thank you for the reply, Hodie. I hope it is something as simple as her legs being asleep. I was also going to have her teeth cleaned while she's under for her hips. At her last dermatologist's visit, they requested that I ask my vet for a geriatric profile when I have her teeth done. Truthfully, I'm not sure *what* a geriatric profile consists of but I'm guessing it's a more indepth blood workup. She has been spayed so that was why I was wondering if sending the films to OFA was necessary. Sorry I didn't mention that in my original post. As a matter of fact, I'm working on taking some weight off of her. The dermatologist's scale weighed her at 78 lbs at the end of November and the vet's scale weighed her at 90 just a few weeks ago. I was stunned (and perplexed) to say the least. Thank you for the well wishes.

Have her thyroid checked and have her checked for diabetes too. I do not know how tall she is, but I can tell you that at either weight, and particularly the last one, she is too heavy. Since she is spayed, there is no real reason to send the films to OFA unless there is a question about them. For geriatric profile they will be looking at liver and kidney function, in particular. Hopefully, she is simply overweight, needs more exercise and is really, otherwise ok.

While you are xraying be sure to do her spine and look for spondylosis (spell?). The only time any of my dogs' legs actually shook it was spondylosis and it came on very suddenly. Although she is rather young for it you could look for spinal myleopathy (spell? again). There is no pain associated with that just progressive degeneration of the hind quarters. Usually, dogs will turn there rear toes under when they move and sometimes rub them raw - but that is not always the case. I hope your dog is fine and does not have any of these problems, but if she does you might consider an holistic vet who does acupuncture. I have found it very helpful for spondylosis but not so much for myleopathy. There is a new thing called Betacom that may do more fpr myleopathy and a whole host of other things - kind of puts the body back in proper balance I think.

Crazee, I would encourage you to send the X-rays to OFFA simply because it is not expensive. It's some where in the ball park area of $25-30. The vet bill will be much more then that. Sometimes it's obvious but if not then remember that evaluating hip X-rays is their business, either way, it's nice to know how they are rated. Vets are much less experienced in evaluating hips. Hope all works out well for you and your girl.

Aw, I hope it's just a minor thing with her, Crazee. How she's doing with those allergies?

Hello Crazee I hope everytthing went well at the vets office. I know it can be scary not knowning. I have to agree with Olskoolgsd about saending them in for the same and different reasons. Different because there is a need for every one to send in with the OFAs So down the road it can help better the breed and history of the good and bad on the GSD hips. JMPO

Hodie: She's a tall girl - 27" at the withers. I do agree she is too heavy though if the scale is correct at 90 lbs. I would like to get her down to about 80 lbs. She's been on thyroid meds for about 3+ years now. It's been 3 months since her last thyroid blood work up so another one is due. Hopefully, no adjustment to her meds. She's stayed pretty consistent. Just a little tweaking here and there with the thyroid meds. Thanks - as always for your input.

Judy: I'll talk to the vet this am and give him the symptoms. I'll be taking her in on Wednesday as they are open late and I can come home from work and go over everything with the vet and my husband. Thank you for suggesting that the spine get x-rayed at the same time. Hopefully, it's nothing. I'm expecting the worst but hoping for the best. I have another vet that I use for chiropractice and she also does accupunture so we'll be set in that department. Thanks, again :)