Genetic GSD Issues, are they, are they not. - Page 1

I am looking to gain some information about some issues that popped up with our GSD.  At 5 months, diagnosed with IBD (via the following testing:  2 ultrasounds, x rays, bowl studies and GI series (multiple).

Diagnosed wtih DM via neurological exam and testings via neurologist

Prior to 2 years, diagnosed with Micro Cardia, via testing, heart EKG's (2).  Dog collapsed during routine play running.  Trainer had noticed a cough on the pet at 6 months old, we thought it was due to the pet being a tad overweight.  Now on a broncho dialator, theophylline, prednisone and special food.  Gotten progressively worse this past week, drinking huge amounts of water, was taken to vet for another check and heart rate is very slow, three soft beats and a pause, continued with three soft beats, pause, etc.

My vet who prodominently see's GSD's said in most cases, these are genetic.  Pet has limited Also has developed Calcinotis Cutis (skin disorder, missing hair).  

We are awaiting urine for tests on kidneys, specific gravity and additional bloods to check levels...I should have these back tomorrow...tuesday at the latest.

Doubt pet will make it, but a fighter.  Still eating however, but all muscle mass has deteriorated in the head, neck, chest...basically the entire body. 

Vet says our dog is like that of not a 2 y/o GSD, but a 14 y/o GSD. 

Are these issues genetic for the most part?  If so, how can I prevent someone else from having to go through what we are going through?  Sad situation, but our best friend has always been in good hands  and always has had the best care, regardless of cost as we are in this for the long haul. 

Serious responses and posts, please.  

Dog just turned 2 years old.

 Link to pedigree?
From what I can recall, some of those issues can be genetic and some can be congenital. Did they treat the IBD with corticosteroids? If so, that could be a contributing factor in the Calcinosi Cutis.
Checking with owners who have littermates would be a good start.
Annette

Gee Annette, thank you.  I asked the vet, and yes, the IBD was treated with, originally 5mg of prednisone...she did well on that for a few months, but it needed to be increased to 10 mg...she is on 15 mg. a day now.  He did say the skin issue is definitely secondary due to the use of the steroid.  Unfortunately, when I tried cutting it back, she got sick again with vomiting and the runs. 

I just got her new bloods back today, and they are all perfect...just a slight elevation in something, I forgot what he said, but he said it is only a slight elivation due to the steroids, he said all looks very good and the urine does not show any sign of kidney failure, etc.  The main issue is her spine / DM issue, and the heart.  The new EKG done shows a very faint heart beat, about 50 beats per minute,,,it was 30, so they repeated it, as the other vet said it could not be possible. 

However the use of the theophylline is helping.

I did call the breeder to tell them, not that I wanted anything for this, just to let them know that there could be a 'possibility' of a problem in their breeding program.   I was told by breeder that they have no issues with their dogs, and a mere uncaring "thank you for your call" was what I received and also a "gee, ,thanks...we will put this in your file...we are sorry we could not help you with another puppy."  I did not want anothre puppy from them, as one was purchased from Errinor Kennels. He is now 1 year, and we adore him.  He's a nice boy, and I was hesitant at first, but very happy.  He is hard and dominant, not meant for first time owners, but I like him so much I would actually get a female from them, if ours passes on. 

As far as girls heart and spine, we just have to wait it out.  I called AKC and asked them if they could help me try to find my girls litter mates, as being I could not get anywhere with the breeder, I figured there would have to be someone out there who actually has one of my girls brothers or sisters, but they said they could not help me with that.  I guess there will never be a way of finding out, and although I offered to send all the test results from the past two years to them, they did not want them.

I really was only trying to help, as if her issues did occur due to bad genes, I was hoping tha tthey would actually 'want' to know, as they could possibly stop breeding the male or the female, but they do not wish the records.  Nothing more I can do though, I did try.

How would I obtain information on the litter mates, other than the breeder or AKC?  I did a search on the list of the damn and sire, and under "progeny" I see nothing at all...I would have assumed that people would post there pets there.  I would have posted my girl, as she got her TC in May, and was working on her BH, but we can't do any more work with her, she just can't.  She is our house girl now.  I did try training class again but physically she needs to be loved and rested.  I pray for her daily.  Just wish I knew how to obtain litter mate information if no one will offer the information to me.  I suppose its some type of privacy act...just not sure at this point.

Thanks again...I was hoping to get more responses to my post, but I only received yours.  I thank you very very much for taking the time to write to me, its very much appreciated!

Mark

hello Mark, that is a lot of issues for one dog and it is for sure that most stem from careless breeding.

These things are not only heart breaking for the owner and dog, but are also a "money pit. Many of us have been there.

As far as not repeating in choice of future dogs, my only advice is choose a reputable breeder. Research carefully. Even this is no guarantee that there will not be issues, but you will not waste a phone call in discussing if something gone wrong.

A good breeder with several generations of their own dogs, is working every generation to eliminate the things you find in your dog, not ignore them.

Best,
Rik

I can not make diagnosis I am not expert on this but I always check basic stuff first.
1. worms
2. test thoroughly  cocci and giardia. ( Giardia is hard to find in basic tests. )
3. switch to cooked food of meat (skim the grease) and pasta (50/50) and raw blended vegetables Greek live yogurt. 
Pumpkin puree. 
I may be out of whack here but I would try it for a few weeks. It will not hurt.
Prager Hans.
http://www.alpinek9.com  

Hi, you mention this dog is diagnosed DM at less than 2 years of age? I was told that age is too young for that diagnoses, except I swear I lost my 14 month old to something exactly like that. His paralysis was fairly rapid within 2 weeks. The poor dog was absolutely miserable and we did the only thing we could to stop his suffering. We spent $$$$ trying to find exact cause and came up empty handed.

This was a solid black rescue dog we got as a pup at 10 weeks, so I have no idea of a pedigree.

Have your vet test for all tick related illnesses as they can sometimes present with paralysis. Prednisone will make your dog thirsty, and can have acid stomach. Our vet gave us lowest dose pepcid ac for the dog to counteract these symptoms.

I wish I could be more positive, I truly hope your dog will get better.

I'm very sorry to hear you are going through all of this.  That is a young age for DM, and I believe currently the only way to know for sure 100% if it is DM is through autopsy after the dog has passed.  I'm sure your vet has probably tested for everything under the sun, but have they checked for muscular disorders like Myasthenia Gravis or other diseases?  Those are diseases that cause muscle wasting, and remember that the digestive tract and the heart are all muscular in nature as well.  Hope they can find out what's wrong for you.  Good luck!

Thank you Rik, yes, it surely is a lot of issues for one dog who just turned two.  My vet is great, and we've just repeated all tests...bloods are fine, except for slight elevation due to the use of the prednisone, and urine is fine, no signs of kidney failure, infection, etc.  She just can't run and do the things like she used to do, but we keep a close watch on her.  If it were not for our K9 Vet, Dr. Jiao, we would have lost her last October.  Our other dog, Barbar, is great with her, and he is sensitive to her, and will only really initiate play with her, if she wants it.  Not much more I can say, but she is eating, but the muscle deterioration we can't control, nor when she runs and walks sideways.  Whatever time she has in fact have left, we are making that very nice for her...its pretty much like living with a sick child...you know they are going to die, but its a waiting game...the vet said most likely that she will die in her sleep.  For now, she does have an appetite and still is guarding, but we can't work her anymore, she can't handle it.  The heart has three soft beats, then a long pause, so we are not sure how much time, but for now, she seems happy.  Just not fair, you know?

 Hi Granville, hum...yes, he's checked for all of that.  I was just looking over her very first test at 5 months...they did an upper GI,and then I asked them to repeat it...there was an area of question, to them, it was a sort of "scar tissue," but then after that, we switched over to Dr. Robert Jiao, who is in Mount Vernon NY.  Great vet, knows the GSD in and out...one does not become the K9 area vet for all our of working police dogs in the area.  He is quite exceptional in my book...love the guy, would never switch.  We've known she has been sick since 5 months old, but we always contributed her issues to nervous bowl issues.  Its been long, and sad.  Honestly, she is a great dog...I don't blame anyone, but I still don't and will never understand, how one dog out of a large litter can be this sick.  She is well taken care of, and its a waiting game, as I just explained to Rik.  We love her, and were happy to have her get her TC in May.  She was ready for BH, but its just too much for her.  She is pretty, great dog, will miss her terribly when she is gone...so will our new boy, Barbar.  People keep telling us she is just a dog, but for us, she will be irreplaceable.  Thanks for your response, very  much appreciated.

Hi Beetree, yes, she was diagnosed with this just a few months prior to her second birthday, which was July 2008...yes, probably too young, but realize she also has a full myriad of other medical issues too...so much for proper breeding.  Yes, too young for this diagnosis, but also too young for her heart condition too...its been sad, but with our vet behind us and always being their for my calls at 2 AM?  That is priceless for us.  He treats our new boy the same, and in fact any GSD walking into his office is treated equally, with much care and compassion.  

From what I am hearing from the posts and private messages it just seems that one issue began after another.  I still wonder if vaccinations were the cause of this but I'm not a doctor...I do know that she's been ill since 5 months, and her first hospitalization was January 2009 when she was six months old.  We originally thought it was the food she was eating, and blamed that, but it went much further than simply food.  

...and yes, we've done all the tick related illnesses too, completed every test in existence.  One thing I do have to do, and it will be done today, is just a repeat of stool test...although they were always done, I was advised by a kind person just to double check, but at this point, we are happy she is eating...her rib case is enlarged, as the heart is trying to work, but she basically has so much adrenaline and high drive, that its hard to get her to stop running.  Last night she was out running with our male boy that is one now, and she eventually stopped and decided laying in the grass was a better option.

She will always be our baby girl angel.  I asked my priest "why" but here are no answers...he just said that sometimes god puts our little angels here to do a job...something they were born for.  When there job has been completed, he takes them back.  I know she will eventually, when its her time, can only hope she will be in a better place.  Thank you for your post, its very much appreciated.