Hi. My year old GR has started to scuff her 2 middle nails on one hind leg when walking, she also appears to really sway her rear end when walking, aseason as she goes I to a trot she stops doing it. There is no sign of pain or stiffness. Any thoughts appreciated.

if mine I would get her checked out.

I'd get her checked over by your Vet to be on the safe side. Dogs, especially Goldies, are very good at hiding pain. She may just have pulled something, but it doesn't sound quite right to me.

Have you considered having her hip-scored? It may be nothing to do with the current scuffing, but you will be able to rule out hip problems. I wish I'd had Hamish scored as a youngster but he only showed problems as he got older. During his younger days he did agility but at around 9 he started knocking poles down and had difficulty in getting up after resting. He had some x-rays done to see what was going on and was found to be very dysplasic on his left hip and mildly affected on his right. He also had spondylosis and was generally pretty arthritic. As a young dog he never showed any symptoms at all and was regularly complimented on his movement. I've always said that whether my Goldies are going to be bred from or not, I will have them scored as a youngster and can adjust their exercise requirements and management depending on the results.

Hi. I have got an appointment with the vet for the morning so hopefully he may shed some light on it. Fingers crossed.

The vet said that her movement is not right and she is having X-rays on her hips and stifles on Monday to try and see if there's a problem or not. He did say that it could just be that she dosent move particularly well, so will know more after Monday. I am very worried about her, she is such a great dog and we have done everything right, good hip scores from parents, limited exercise, never climbed the stairs ( except for a bath) dosent jump up or on furniture, good large breed diet, not sure what else we could if done. Vet said even having done everything as we have sometimes they just have bad hips. He also asked if we wanted X-rays sent off to be scored? We are not breeding from her so what do people think? Thanks.

It would be good to send them off to be scored, if not for you then for the breed. The breed average scores are worked out from all those done and if people don't send off the bad as well as the good it gives a false average. If you are willing to pay for scoring then my suggestion would be to do it...for the good of the breed. She has given you so much it would be nice to help the breed out like this. It may be her hips are OK and there is another problem. I know the first sign of CDRM in GSD'S is tipping toes over like this.
Hope it is something less serious and you can get to the bottom of it.
Aileen

As Merlot has said it would be good for the breed to have the x-rays scored and apart from anything else you will be getting a panel of experts looking at the plates rather than just the interpretation of a general vet.

I hope she doesn't turn out to have any major problems but at least you'll know what you're dealing with.

Let us know how you get on on Monday.

Paws and fingers crossed here x

Thanks, we will have them sent off, what's the rough cost? Not that it matters as she's worth every penny, but I have no idea.

The current cost is £45 incl VAT, details can be found here http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/313

Don't forget you will need to take in her registration certificate and microchip details for your vet to fill in the details on the form for submitting.

Thank you. That is much less than I expected, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome.

Tha actual scoring cost £50.00 inclusive of VAT is not that much http://www.bva.co.uk/Hip_Scheme.aspx, it's the Vet takign the x-rays (which your having anyway) that costs so much.

It's gone up to £50

I stand corrected. The KC need to update their website!

I just happened to pick the BVA link rather than the KC one.

How did you get on with the x-rays yesterday, bracey?

Hi. Well we had a good chat with her breeder on Sunday and she knew what I was going to say as soon as I mentioned the X-rays! Her Mum and sister(which they kept) also move with the swagger when walking exactly as our girl does and her mum has fab hips. The scuffing I feel is laziness as she only does it when walking slowly and not constantly. As we can safely say there is no pain or stiffness and that the swagger is only when walking we have put it down to just being the way she walks, and as her mum and sister also do it we are no longer worrying! Obviously if there ever appears to be any pain or stiffness etc then she will he straight back, but as the vet said when examining her that he could feel no restriction when extending the legs etc and really was only wanting to X-ray due to her movement in walk, I wonder if he just saw GR must be bad hips! Thanks so much for asking, these dogs are sent to worry us, but gosh don't we love them!

Glad to hear there appears to be nothing to worry about!

As I said previously, I will now hip score any Goldie I have, whether to be bred from or not, so that I am clear in my own mind that the hips are OK, especially as I do agility and gundog work. It may be worth considering in the future for your girl, but that is obviously up to you.