Young dog stiff when getting up
Discussion
Looking for some vet input here please, we will see our own vet soon if necessary but just looking for thoughts.
We have a male GSD, almost 3 years old now, and he's usually fit and happy. He's pretty active, spends a fair amount of time outdoors, loves to run, loves to chase a ball - all pretty normal. I didn't put GSD in the thread title as I didn't want an instant dysplasia response!
Just over this week we have noticed that if he's been lying down for a while, he seems to be having to make a bit of an effort to get up. Pushes himself up on his front legs before standing up at the back. He's not showing any obvious sign of distress and not making any noise when he does so, although he does seem a little subdued; not massively, but slightly noticeable. However, once he's up and about he seems OK again, and he's still happily jumping up into the back of our Defender (which has a slight suspension lift, oh and a V8, this being PH
).
Twice in the past 18 months he has been hospitalized overnight, both times for gastric issues, and both times, the day he came home he was extremely unsteady on his feet, although he wasn't anaesthetized either time. It was almost like he had a dead leg. The first time, we took him back in but they couldn't find anything wrong at all, and both times it cleared up within 24 hours. We wondered whether lying in a cage/crate and not moving was the reason for this.
We've had him from a pup and he came from a reputable, long-standing breeder (he was from a 7th-generation litter). Both parents KC reg, and their hip scores were 6 and 13 respectively, so we've not been overly concerned about his hips to date. We've never wanted to have him scored because I know it's not unintrusive, and we don't plan to breed from him.
Current thoughts are to rest him for a few days, lead walks only, and see if he's better, and if not then it'll be off to the vets, but I imagine they will want to x-ray him, which will mean sedation, which we'd rather avoid if we can. If anyone has any thoughts, or possible diagnoses, would appreciate it. Thanks.
We have a male GSD, almost 3 years old now, and he's usually fit and happy. He's pretty active, spends a fair amount of time outdoors, loves to run, loves to chase a ball - all pretty normal. I didn't put GSD in the thread title as I didn't want an instant dysplasia response!
Just over this week we have noticed that if he's been lying down for a while, he seems to be having to make a bit of an effort to get up. Pushes himself up on his front legs before standing up at the back. He's not showing any obvious sign of distress and not making any noise when he does so, although he does seem a little subdued; not massively, but slightly noticeable. However, once he's up and about he seems OK again, and he's still happily jumping up into the back of our Defender (which has a slight suspension lift, oh and a V8, this being PH
).Twice in the past 18 months he has been hospitalized overnight, both times for gastric issues, and both times, the day he came home he was extremely unsteady on his feet, although he wasn't anaesthetized either time. It was almost like he had a dead leg. The first time, we took him back in but they couldn't find anything wrong at all, and both times it cleared up within 24 hours. We wondered whether lying in a cage/crate and not moving was the reason for this.
We've had him from a pup and he came from a reputable, long-standing breeder (he was from a 7th-generation litter). Both parents KC reg, and their hip scores were 6 and 13 respectively, so we've not been overly concerned about his hips to date. We've never wanted to have him scored because I know it's not unintrusive, and we don't plan to breed from him.
Current thoughts are to rest him for a few days, lead walks only, and see if he's better, and if not then it'll be off to the vets, but I imagine they will want to x-ray him, which will mean sedation, which we'd rather avoid if we can. If anyone has any thoughts, or possible diagnoses, would appreciate it. Thanks.
Given his previous histories and this episode then x-rays would surely seem sensible?
Unfortunately good parentage hip scores are no guarantees of off spring having good hips
If there are underlying joint issues the sooner they are identified the better chance you have of providing appropriate support needed if anything picked up.
He is acting abnormally in his movement and doesn't appear to be settling, it should be looked into.
If you don't want x-rays you could try and see if a good animal physiotherapist can identify a cause.
X-rays aren't that intrusive. But do require deep sedation or a general anaesthetic for decent pictures.
The possible other option is vet visit, refuse x-rays if offered and possibly trial an NSAID to see if that helps, which hopefully it will but want you won't get from that is a real answer. The vet will palpate and feel areas for twinges/discomfort etc to try and get some ideas for you though.
Certain good quality joint supplements can help eg yumove advance.
Make sure he doesn't lie down for too long in any one go and exercise should be shorter but more frequent walks.
Does he scuff his back claws at all?
Unfortunately good parentage hip scores are no guarantees of off spring having good hips
If there are underlying joint issues the sooner they are identified the better chance you have of providing appropriate support needed if anything picked up.
He is acting abnormally in his movement and doesn't appear to be settling, it should be looked into.
If you don't want x-rays you could try and see if a good animal physiotherapist can identify a cause.
X-rays aren't that intrusive. But do require deep sedation or a general anaesthetic for decent pictures.
The possible other option is vet visit, refuse x-rays if offered and possibly trial an NSAID to see if that helps, which hopefully it will but want you won't get from that is a real answer. The vet will palpate and feel areas for twinges/discomfort etc to try and get some ideas for you though.
Certain good quality joint supplements can help eg yumove advance.
Make sure he doesn't lie down for too long in any one go and exercise should be shorter but more frequent walks.
Does he scuff his back claws at all?
Thanks Ray & Bex.
Yes, I think it's vet time. I didn't see him get up this morning but we left the stair gate open and he bounded up the stairs quite happily. Had a lead walk earlier which was fine until he tried to pee. Lifted his right leg and his left leg wasn't having it, although he peed again a bit further on and it was ok. But I just had to nip out, came back and he looks like he's trying not to put weight on it now.
Not noticed him dragging his feet/toes/claws at all which is something to be thankful for, I'm aware of DM.
Yes, I think it's vet time. I didn't see him get up this morning but we left the stair gate open and he bounded up the stairs quite happily. Had a lead walk earlier which was fine until he tried to pee. Lifted his right leg and his left leg wasn't having it, although he peed again a bit further on and it was ok. But I just had to nip out, came back and he looks like he's trying not to put weight on it now.
Not noticed him dragging his feet/toes/claws at all which is something to be thankful for, I'm aware of DM.
Latest update - full set of X-rays yesterday and his skeleton is all good. Hips look great, spine too, and no issues with knees or ankles. He still has the condition though. Vet has put him on anti-inflammatories for 10 days then review after. He did say there's the possibility of a disc issue which could only be detected with MRI but that's fully treatable and if that is suspected he will refer us to Noel Fitzpatrick. He does seem a little brighter today but then he's full of drugs!
CAPP0 said:
Latest update - full set of X-rays yesterday and his skeleton is all good. Hips look great, spine too, and no issues with knees or ankles. He still has the condition though. Vet has put him on anti-inflammatories for 10 days then review after. He did say there's the possibility of a disc issue which could only be detected with MRI but that's fully treatable and if that is suspected he will refer us to Noel Fitzpatrick. He does seem a little brighter today but then he's full of drugs!
Wishing him a speedy recovery, hoping the pain killers do the trick.Mr Tom said:
Panosteitis may be possible. It's rare in older dogs but still in the list? Should be better with NSAIDs (pain killers)
Definitely the right breed for it though his age is a bit out that is true. If it is at least he will be recovered soon. OP really reassuring that there are no boney changes. I hope he is back to normal soon.
What's the treatment for panosteitis? He's on Metacam at the moment, a week's worth, had his third dose today (one dose per day by weight, he's 34kg which isn't heavy for a male GSD). The vet didn't mention that but we're taking him back in mext week after the Metacam is finished, so will mention it then. Is there a test for it? Bloods?
It's really odd. He's still having trouble getting up, but once he's up you wouldn't really know there is anything wrong. Yesterday evening he spent about an hour pestering me to play football with him (which he loves). I gave in and only kicked the ball short distances, and slowly, but he was very keen to chase. In fact both dogs went into the garden before bed and started charging around like mad, I had to call him in and stop him.
He's usually a complete wuss re pain, and quite vocal, but he's not making any noise at all when he gets up, it just takes him longer and is clearly more effort for him.
It's really odd. He's still having trouble getting up, but once he's up you wouldn't really know there is anything wrong. Yesterday evening he spent about an hour pestering me to play football with him (which he loves). I gave in and only kicked the ball short distances, and slowly, but he was very keen to chase. In fact both dogs went into the garden before bed and started charging around like mad, I had to call him in and stop him.
He's usually a complete wuss re pain, and quite vocal, but he's not making any noise at all when he gets up, it just takes him longer and is clearly more effort for him.
Hi Cappo, here is a useful article on Panosteitis.
http://m.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/...
http://m.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/...
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 25th May 13:04
Thanks Bex, I'll have a read and also maybe get some Yumove. I guess no contra-indications with Metacam?
We used to give our previous GSD some joint supplmenet stuff, I recall it was in a tub and you put a scoop on her food but can't remember the name offhand. She also had regular Cartrophen jabs but that was arthritis-specific, definitely helped her though.
We used to give our previous GSD some joint supplmenet stuff, I recall it was in a tub and you put a scoop on her food but can't remember the name offhand. She also had regular Cartrophen jabs but that was arthritis-specific, definitely helped her though.
CAPP0 said:
Thanks Bex, I'll have a read and also maybe get some Yumove. I guess no contra-indications with Metacam?
We used to give our previous GSD some joint supplmenet stuff, I recall it was in a tub and you put a scoop on her food but can't remember the name offhand. She also had regular Cartrophen jabs but that was arthritis-specific, definitely helped her though.
No contra indications, I would make sure you get the Advance Yu move though. I can't think of the name of the powder but I do know there was one.We used to give our previous GSD some joint supplmenet stuff, I recall it was in a tub and you put a scoop on her food but can't remember the name offhand. She also had regular Cartrophen jabs but that was arthritis-specific, definitely helped her though.
Thought I'd update on this. So far it's not good news.
The vet detected a high temperature (105 and 106 is critical??) so he treated with antibiotics and the temp came down. Otis brightened up a bit then, mid/late last week, but went downhill again over the weekend. Back to the vet today and his temperature is back up again. The vet originally diagnosed an inflamed and infected disc in the spine but he doesn't have anything to directly substantiate that.
So we have now been referred to Fitzpatrick's. They can't see us until Thursday unless an emergency condition develops.
The diagnosis will cost between £2000-£3000 (and they want 50% up front) and if he needs surgery it will increase to £6000
We're insured but it won't cover all that, not to mention what it will do to next year's premiums. Ah, he's worth it!
The vet detected a high temperature (105 and 106 is critical??) so he treated with antibiotics and the temp came down. Otis brightened up a bit then, mid/late last week, but went downhill again over the weekend. Back to the vet today and his temperature is back up again. The vet originally diagnosed an inflamed and infected disc in the spine but he doesn't have anything to directly substantiate that.
So we have now been referred to Fitzpatrick's. They can't see us until Thursday unless an emergency condition develops.
The diagnosis will cost between £2000-£3000 (and they want 50% up front) and if he needs surgery it will increase to £6000
We're insured but it won't cover all that, not to mention what it will do to next year's premiums. Ah, he's worth it!CAPP0 said:
bexVN said:
Have they checked for Lyme disease?
Not that they have mentioned directly, but they did do bloods last week and that came back with no abnormalities. I don't know exactly what they tested the blood for but the vet said all was normal. Should we mention it specifically?Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff