My beautiful GSD has had hip problems from birth with badly formed and on one side nearly non existent sockets. She has managed to reach 9 years with the help of Carpodryl but she has been getting more pain over the last few days. Last night she slipped on a small ditch about 12 inches across that she normally walks over with no problem, and her back leg went down the hole. She continued and I didn't think any more about it. About midnight she started crying and getting distressed and when I went to her I found her back legs were collapsed under her. I have been up with her all night trying to comfort her. I phoned the emergency vet and she told me to give her a double dose of Carpodryl and to leave it a while to see if she settles. I did this and with the help of a towel as a sling for her back half got her out to wee, and now she is back on her bed ( a new memory foam bought last week) that she loves. The  tablets have taken the edge off the pain and now she is sleeping, but I am not sure of the outcome later when the pain killers wear off as she cannot have another dose today. I will call the vet our later as she is too heavy for me to carry, although they have advised that there is not much more they can do except try and keep her comfortable. I need to think about what is best for my dog although I don't feel like giving in just yet.
Sorry I just needed to talk to people that understand these feelings.

Aw, Sue, I didn't just want to read and run.  My heart goes out to you and I know exactly how you are feeling as I have been there myself with failing legs due to HD.  Maybe you will come through this as it sound just like an injury rather than the hips 'going'.  I do hope so.  You know yourself when the times comes.  This is coming from someone who is nursing an old boy with advanced CDRM, testicular cancer and signs of spreading to the lungs.  As long as they enjoy there wander round the block and their dinner, I'm happy!

Get well soon!!

My heart goes out to you.  I do hope your current problems are just because she slipped and that your lovely dog recovers soon.  I understand completely what you are going through, i lost my 10 year old GSP a year ago with degenerative myelopathy.  He was hobbling around quite happily and then one night he woke us up with his crying, and he couldnt move.  We had to get the pet ambulance to take him to the vet as we couldnt move him.  The hardest decision i have ever had to make was to let him go to the Bridge that night, but also the kindest decision.  Fingers crossed for you.

I hope she's gonna be ok for you, best wishes.

I hope she picks up after some meds and rest. I have recently had to make the hard choice for our GSD of 12 years, her body had just had enough so i chose to let her go........heartbreaking but sadly sometimes its the only thing left we can do for them.

Please let us know how she gets on.......sending positive thoughts your way x

Sue. Thinking of you both, do you have a dog basket, last year when I couldn't lift my dog (30 k) to get to the vet, left him in his basket and got a friend to help me with it to the car. Hoping that things are improving, Lacy

Hi,
My vet visited around 11 this morning and has given her a couple of jabs, one is anti inflammatories and the other I think was ABs but not sure ( I'm a little brain dead) he said she has a reasonably high temperature so said it could poss. be a virus that is effecting the joints, but only time will tell. I spoke to him again tonight and he will call round again in the morning to try a different kind of jab if she is no better, however I must not give any pain killers at all otherwise he won't be able to use a different approach.
She is drinking a reasonable amount ( not excessive) and has eaten a little and between us ( her and me and a towel) we have managed to get outside a couple of times for her to have a wee, although movement makes her cry with pain she seems pain free when on her bed. Her back feet are both together in the middle taking up the same footprint instead of being side by side if that makes sense.
I will take one hour at a time and see how she is in the morning, I have a wonderful vet who although he won't see a dog in pain he will try everything in the book to cure her before admitting defeat and I trust him completely
Thanks for all your thoughts

Sorry to hear this news, which area are you?

How's your dog doing today Sue?

Hi,
The vet came round again this morning and felt that she had gone downhill a little after yesterday when he saw her, and felt that with the amount of meds she had been given that he would have seen some improvement. Added to this she had a high temperature and was in considerable pain and cannot get off her bed, so he admitted her to the hospital part of the surgery. He is doing xrays under full anaesthetic and blood tests to see what the fever is all about. He is looking to see if there is a light at the end of the tunnel and so we can make a decision on what is best for her. If there is no light then I know what must be done.
I can't settle today waiting for the results, but will update you when I know.
Thanks to you all for being there and understanding.

Fingers crossed for good and positive news.

Ive just read this I so hope she will be ok. My fingers are crossed and I will look in again. Its so upseting when they cant tell you whats wrong.

I hope it will be that with a rest and meds she will recover - bless and HUGS to you, look after yourself and get some sleep whilst she is away.

I hope the vet can give you some answers soon.  Fingers crossed for you and hugs to your girl.  I will look in again tomorrow and hope for good news for you.

Sending positive thoughts for better news later.

I really hope you get positive news soon.

All fingers and paws crossed here for some positive news.

I do so hope for good news for you and and your dog. Positive thoughts winging their way for you both.

Hi,
I have just heard the results, and so far so good. The xray shows that she has very badly formed hip sockets but has had this from birth and coped reasonably well so far, and apart from this he cannot see any damage, fractures, dislocations or tumours - so nothing new that could cause all these problems. BUT she does have a very high temperature and blood tests show a nasty infection in the blood. He is still going down the thought that it could be a viral infection causing joint problems and collapse. He is changing the ABs and she will be staying in with him so he can keep a check on her and adjust all meds as needed. At the moment he feels there is a light at the end of the tunnel however he has advised that we will have to get the pain under control if she is to have any type of quality in her life and we must take each hour as it comes. I am happy for her to stay in (as much as I miss her) but where I think she will be in the best place for treatment until we have got a few answers.
I will call him again in the morning for an update, although phoning is a stomach churning moment, never quite knowing what I am about to hear - I'm sure you all know exactly what I mean.
Thanks for all your kind words

Yes I do know exactly what you mean and im very sorry for you and your girlie.
Hope for more positive outcome tomorrow.
Will be thinking of you both x

I know that feeling even when they are fit.  its a worry.

Big healing hugs to you both.  so pleased she is coping.  I'm sure the vet will find the cause of the infection.  could it have been caused by a trauma as she fell, a sctatch or something.

You must have been on tenterhooks all day! Hope even better news tomorrow. Did she drink anything while you were out? What is her colouring - just so I can picture her more clearly. Keep well for when she comes home.

I hope she gets well soon.

Hope she gets well soon

Oh better news I couldn't open the computer quick enough. Fingers crossed she will continue to improve

HUGS

Viv
X

Sorry to hear your girl has been so poorly, have you thought about acupuncture for pain relief?

I hope you get good news. Having been through a very traumatic 2 months, I know exactly how you're feeling & my heart goes out to you. (((((Big Hugs)))))) xxx

Just an update. I have just spoken to my vet and she has managed to get outside (into their doggie area) by herself with no assistance. Still wobbly but she did not cry out and was determined to get there under her own steam, Also her temp has gone down and she is a lot more comfortable and taking an interest in what is going on around her. They are very pleased with her although they are keeping her in for another night. I can visit tomorrow morning and if she has had a good night and is still improving I can bring her home with me with meds to use at home.
I am so excited I think I just might have to camp in their car park over night !!!
A couple of days ago I was so down as I thought she would have to be pts and now I am talking about bringing her home, I am so happy and intend to enjoy every minute with her as you never know how much time she may have left as her hips may not hold out long term, but every extra day is a bonus.

I am hoping to find out the reason for the fever when I have a good talk with my vet tomorrow.

Thank you all so much for your support and kind wishes.
ps. I have used acupuncture on a previous gsd and would consider this again and will ask my vet about this. I have also used an animal healer for the same previous dog so am prepared to try anything that could help this one. I have changed my piccy to show her.

She's just gorgeous.

So pleased to read the update, hopefully she will continue to improve and you can find some useful therapy to help support her and keep her comfy. Give her a huge hug from us.

> I have also used an animal healer for the same previous dog so am prepared to try anything that could help this one.

i still do, i'm convinced it helps.  You have to get a genuine one of course.

So pleased she is healing and will keep everything crossed for you bringing her home.  Great news.  it makes them even more precious.

I an so pleased to read the good news. Have been thinking of her on and off during the day. What a relief for you,I know just how you feel.  She will be home and pleased to be there with you.  Glad you put the picture up, she looks just like the bitch I have here.  Be interesting to read what the vet thinks.  Kiss on the head for her from me. So wanted to reply earlier but visitor has only just left. 

She's home.
I collected her this morning, she is still very wobbly and back legs still very weak, I have to keep exercise down to a minimum, but she is so happy to be home. The vet said that if I can't cope with her then she can go back in, but feels that she will improve quicker in her normal home environment and I know I will cope whatever. She is on 4 prednicare a day ( last time when she was on 2 a day she became incontinent so I think maybe snorkel and flippers are in order now ) but if it's good for her it's ok with me. She is on her bed and all the other dogs have welcomed her home and now she is sleeping.

Thank you to a great forum with wonderful people, when these things happen you need to express your fears and emotions to people that understand because they have been there themselves, and even though I don't actually know any of you, it was like having a whole gang of friends to speak to. So greatly appreciated.

Sue

ps. still waiting for the results of the blood tests to find out what the infection was.

I'm so pleased to read this, Sue :)

You must be so pleased to have her home.

:)

Just seen this for the first time...how traumatic for both of you.  What a tough cookie she is, sending all best wishes for her speedy recovery.  Will be intrigued to learn what the infection was???
Suze :)

SO PLEASED SHE IS HOME. HOW IS SHE? lET US KNOW AS SOON AS YOU HAVE RESULTS.  STILL SENDING OUT GOOD THOUGHTS FOR YOU BOTH.

So very pleased you have your girlie home with you again.
Best wishes for her good recovery x

Sue.  So pleased she is home with you, fingers and paws crossed for the coming days will be thinking of you both.

Pleased to hear she is home with you. Love Lois xx

Brillant news glad she is on the mend!! made my day!!

Hi sue
Just wondering how your girlie is getting on.

Hi,
I spoke to my vet this morning and he has told me that he believes she has muscle damage. As her joints are so bad she has developed extra muscles to hold the leg instead of a non existent socket and she has now damaged these muscles. He also explained that some dogs will heal with time and some will not and only time will tell which group she will be in. He also said that he feels that the fever was a completely separate issue and not the cause of the lameness and the ABs have sorted that. Obviously if she doesn't heal then a decision will need to be made..... At the moment I get her up every 4 hours day and night for a wee and to move the legs but she yells with pain for about 10 seconds where she has stiffened up, and then she hobbles on 3 legs to the garden( I have put a ramp to avoid the step) I dread the pain she suffers when she first gets up and hope each time she will soon get up without the yell. But she is happy when laying on her bed and takes interest in the normal home goings on and even barks when someone comes to the door, she eats well and wags her tail. So really one day at a time with a little prayer.

Would time in a hydrotherapy centre work? You have the pool, look for one with a hoist.. Dog Spa's are also wonderful for the dog.

Are you/can you use a sling for her backend to help her up?
Last year I had a dog paralysed for a while whilst she recovered from a ventral slot op. I put a harness on her front and was given a sling for the backend. You could improvise with a canvas holdall cut down the sides. I found that it was more comfortable getting the dog up without too much manhandling it seemed to distribute the weight more evenly.
Best of luck, fingers crossed for you.  

The sling is a good idea, I have been using a long towel  in the same way, although when she is lying flat it is hard to get the towel under her without moving her too much, and she is very big and heavy ( 48kg) although quite skinny at the back and all muscles at the front, so I tend to allow her to get up in the way that she prefers although I am there to assist if she needs help, and once there is a gap under her I can get the towel through like a sling
Re the hydrotherapy, I have discussed this with my vet and he prefers to let her heal first and then use hydrotherapy to get the muscles moving at a later date. At the moment she must not move or exercise any more than the occasional wee, he wants complete bed rest for the time being. Although thank you both for your ideas and thoughts.

How about green lipped mussel? Waltham ran clinical trials with very good results which you can read on line.  There is a link somewhere on here to MAXAVITA,they supply glm. is more expensive than most of the others available,but I think is the only1 which is cold pressed.  Check with your vet that would be ok with other meds she taking.  I seem to remember it worked more quickly than glucosamine and chondroitin alone.      Poor darling,I do feel for her, have a few aches and pains in the joints myself at times and dont think would be wagging my tail, if I had 1, when the ole fingers etc., hurt. Dogs are amazing,wonderful creatures. You must be feeling exhausted.   Healing thoughts to you and your dog. 

I don't know how far you are from Wales but there is a brilliant physio clinic there who work with dogs straight after ops such as spinal surgery and hip replacements.  This place is run by a specialist vet team who are absolutely fab.  If you are close enough then look them up, they are called Smartclinic and I can thoroughly recommend them (as can many of the working dog fraternity).  The correct physio treatment straight after surgery is of paramount importance as regards healing.

My gsds have all benefited hugely from Lowrie Davies and her team.  The exercises are very subtle initially, hence the reason they are so suitable after surgery.

Could you use a heat lamp on her for a few minutes to warm up the muscle, you can get them easily, I use it for my back and shoulder its surprizing how it helps. 

Is it a torn muscle?  could they stitch it mend if it doesn't heal on its own.

We had a slightly different issue with our old cat, he had a wound that wouldn't heal, they sewed the skin either side, apparrently the wound then sorted its self out and knitted back together.  i know in humans if you're famous they can stitch muscles and ligamnets together, if you're a bogstandard nobody you have to suffer.

Wishing her lots of get well thoughts and recovery.

I use a cloth harness so that I can help the front end up and then slip a scarf under the back end. I can then support the front and back end as they walk along.

I thought I would give you lovely people an update.

She was still in a great deal of pain and didn't want to get off her bed at all and I must admit that I came so very close to giving her peace by calling my vet to have her pts, but kept thinking that although she had no quality of life and was yelling in pain each time she tried to walk, she had not given me 'that' look, as if to say 'I've had enough mum' so kept thinking 'one day at a time. Then on this board I saw a discussion about bioflow collars, and thought I will try anything. So I ordered and it arrived the very next day.
That was 3 days ago, and I know this sounds unbelievable but today after wearing the collar for only 3 days she chased a rabbit, ok a bit wobbly, but she ran about 50 yards, and then mooched around the field for 15  minutes instead of her usual need to get back on her bed asap. She also got down AND up a high step that she hasn't managed for a very long time, well before her recent mishap. She does not appear to have pain any more and is improving daily. I cannot believe a bioflow collar could do this, but the change has been so remarkable I cannot think of any other reason for this improvement.
I think maybe I will wear one as well !!!