Discussion
I took my aunt's elderly GSD to the vet yesterday and while i was there i mentioned that her back legs seemed to be getting weak
He did various checks and concluded that she had arthritis in her hips and lower back and also suspects she may have CDRM as when he knuckled her back feet over she was slow to correct them.
A blood sample was taken and we should get the results in about 10 days.
I know there's no cure for this and what the eventual outcome will be but would be interested in other peoples experiences, how they and the dog coped and if anything can be done to help her if she does have it.
Hopefully it will turn out to be something less serious...
I put a couple of pics of her in the pic thread if anyone's interested
He did various checks and concluded that she had arthritis in her hips and lower back and also suspects she may have CDRM as when he knuckled her back feet over she was slow to correct them.
A blood sample was taken and we should get the results in about 10 days.
I know there's no cure for this and what the eventual outcome will be but would be interested in other peoples experiences, how they and the dog coped and if anything can be done to help her if she does have it.
Hopefully it will turn out to be something less serious...
I put a couple of pics of her in the pic thread if anyone's interested
I had this happen to my GSD some years ago. We managed to keep him going for about 2 years or so and tried everything to help him. From memory acupuncture did actually seem to delay the process. He coped very well with it while he still had mobility although we had to put little boots on his rear paws to protect them. It’s a heart breaking condition, my Luke was as bright as a button mentally but in the end he simply couldn’t walk anymore so we had to make the decision. That was the saddest period of my life.
You need to look into a good Rehab Centre that can provide physio, hydro, acupuncture, etc. Basically these things will help memory for movement and retrain the dogs brain to lift up their feet etc.
It is not going to stop progression but it could help slow it down, a good place will know how best to help an individual case.
It's what I did to try and help my whippet when he was diagnosed with a degenerative neuropathy. He was given 3-6 months by a neurologist, we gave him 6 months and I think the therapies helped give him quality during those precious months.
CDRM is usually much slower progression over years and they are stable for a while then have a period where they worsen before stabilising again but usually in a sl worsened state.
It is not going to stop progression but it could help slow it down, a good place will know how best to help an individual case.
It's what I did to try and help my whippet when he was diagnosed with a degenerative neuropathy. He was given 3-6 months by a neurologist, we gave him 6 months and I think the therapies helped give him quality during those precious months.
CDRM is usually much slower progression over years and they are stable for a while then have a period where they worsen before stabilising again but usually in a sl worsened state.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 29th June 10:27
I can't recall a blood test to confirm it but that certainly doesn't mean there isn't one. It's possible that they may do some DNA type tests for it in America (hence the length of time for results) but I could be wrong.
Don't be afraid to question your vet, find out exactly what they have checked/tested for etc.
MRI may be an idea, if nothing else it'd rule out other possible causes.
Don't be afraid to question your vet, find out exactly what they have checked/tested for etc.
MRI may be an idea, if nothing else it'd rule out other possible causes.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 11th July 22:21
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