Our 4 year old GSD X has just been diagnosed with spondylosis, the vet has said that having her pts is a good idea. He mentioned painkillers but said they don't often work and the dog can still have painful spasms and may attack it anyone is around at the time of the spasm. We took her in as she had started attacking our other dog. But has anyone had a dog with this and what have they done? We don't know much about it nor does the vet, so we're going to be asked to be referred to a specialist. I know it can't be cured but can they have a good quality of life? I don't want her to suffer at all.

I have had 2 dogs with this. The 1st was a dobe & he 1st showed signs age 4......he would occassionally not be able to stand up from lying down...it got progressively worse & he would get very angry if one of the others knocked him & I ended up having him pts age 6 because he found it hard to cope. My 2nd was a hound who would have weeks at a time of being paralysed, then be ok for many many months at a time.....she lived a full natural lifespan with strong painkillers and accupuncture. Good luck.

My sister has a heinz 57 with this. It obviously isn't too bad a case because he doesn't need permanent medication, but has an attack now and again.
I would do exactly the same as you though in your circumstances, in getting a second opinion from a specialist.
I've found from experience, that some vets don't always know what they're talking about.

I'm glad that they don't suggest that to us humans!! I know that I had some heat treatment and strong painkillers when I was suffering quite severely from it and I'm only a young un.

Good luck in your search and let us know how you get on.

Hi
Yes my GSD had this, it was found in an x-ray for hip dysplasia. She was on metacam for many years and coped very well up until last year, and it started affecting her more severely, and she was losing sensation in one of her back legs. Ultimately it caused overnight paralysis, and we sadly had her pts on 3 December last year. Having said that she had it for over 5 years and managed exceptionally well on medication. We saw a specialist for her hips (Gary Clayton-Jones) and he said that many dogs have spondylosis and never show any symptoms, it is usually found as a result of x-raying for something else.

I would definitely see a specialist, to make sure it is spondylosis and try with the medication. Symptoms can be diagnosed as spondylosis but can be something else. Has she had x-rays? It seems a very drastic measure to suggest putting her to sleep without trying medication etc.

During my shepherds latter years I too used acupuncture, and osteopathy, both of which helped her a lot, especially the osteopathy.

Good luck let us know how you get on.

Kat