Senior German Shepard inactivity.

[Dorothy39]

Please Give me some Advice.

My daughter often leaves her two German Shepards with us.

The oldest one, named Hexay, is less tolarant of short walks, choosing instead to lay down behind my husband's rocking chair. I put Hexay's age at 10 years, as there are no registered papers. They are both rescue dogs.

My daughter has to leave them in her house while she works, so, they do not receive the attention I would like them to have. When they are at my house, I bathe and brush them, take them for walks, baby the heck out of them in general.

Now, I notice a big change in Hexay in comparison to previous visits to Gramma's house. She does not perk up when I say, "Let's go for a Walk". However, she did take part in a game of "fetch" with the other dogs on Father's Day. And, she is inactive today. I think she has arthritis. A few years ago, I told my daughter to give her a suppliment for her joints, I bought it at Soldans Pet Store. I also told her what a Vet advised me to give one of my own dogs for joint pain. Chrondroitin Sulfate and /or Glucosamines . Taken for 4 weeks until improvement is noticed. Then, Adult Buffered Aspiren. I twice daily as needed.

I am going to make an appointment with a Vet for Hexay while she is here. I need someone elses expertise on the subject of "joint pain " in senior dogs. What to expect on the first visit, x-rays, blood work??? I just can't let that dog lay around all day long, but, I can't make her get up if I know she is in pain. she does walk to and from the feeding area, and, she does go outside to do her business. She has been cooped up in my daughter's house . You know the old saying, "If you rest, You rust." , Well, Hexay has some rusted areas to deal with.



I worry about Hip Dyplasia occuring , of course.

[Jakesmom]

I would recomend seeing the vet. There are many reasons an "older" dog might slow down, arthritis is only one of them. If he does have arthritis, there are several medications that help quite a bit, but your should have a vet guiding you, as there are side effects you need to monitor. The other thing that is common in older large dogs is back pain, which may be caused by disc disease. My golden retriever has both arthritis and disc disease, and he has had great success with arthritis medicine (meloxicam) and accupuncture for his back. Your vet will examine the dog, and might want to do some basic blood work, and X-rays depending on what they find on exam.

Good luck.

Jake's mom

[luvofallhorses]

big dogs like gsds are prone to hip dysplasia. of course all dogs are prone to arthirits. I would definately get him to the vet ASAP to get him checked out. You never know, it could just be his age that is slowing him down. Let us know what you do find out, please.

[Dorothy39]

Thank-You so much for responding.

I do understand what you typed. My daughter is not financially capable of taking care of these two dogs. I have taken Hexay to my vet in the past. i baby her and her friend , Kasha. They get fresh, cold water non- stop, and I brushed them outside this afternoon. They need monthly grooming, but that is another luxury my daughter just can't afford . I feel better now , after getting a response. I know I can handle this situation now.

Hexay is sleeping on the living room floor right now. I have given her Buffered Aspiren untill I can see a Vet. She will go for short walks in the yard, and wants to play fetch, but, I don't want to encourage her with her favorite game right now., insulting her condition.

I will also look into a better diet for Hexay, she is a Senior dog and requires a diet rich in fiber, low in fat. Hexay loved the skinless chicken that I made for her in my crockpot :p She talked to me awhile ago, begging for more broth, more chicken!!!!! I have an aging German Shepard grand-dog that needs me.. I have to know what to do !!!

Thank-You so much for giving me your advice on this matter.

[Sudilar]

I always put my GSDs on human grade Cosamin DS (Cosequin DS..is the dog drug). This contains Glucosamine and Condroitin. With this breed, you see a lot of hip problems as they age, so I start them when they are younger. Thor is 4 or 5 and he is already on it. One pill a day. Dear departed Shiloh would take Meloxicam on days when she had leg pain (not often). A trip to the vet will help in a diagnosis, then you can proceed to medicate as necessary. Good luck!! Keep us updated!

[Dorothy39]

Thank-You Sudilar, for your expertise on this subject

the tablets that I bought at Soldan's Pet Store are labeled as such:

Arthramine--for Healthy Joints and bones.--Advanced (Large Dogs)


Glucosamine HCI-----500mg
Vitamin C------------120 mg

Manganese---------- 20 mg

Omega 3 Fatty Acids--20 mg

No mentioning of Condrotin in the listed ingredients. :confused:

I will be taking Hexay to the Vet on Monday, June 26th, (My Wedding Anniversary) :D --So, I pray that means good luck for Hexay. I am so anxious from the last few visits to the Vet. I will request blood work, x-rays, temperature check, lung check, all the important procedures.

My husband was at odds with my decision to take Hexay to the Vet again. But i am not capable of deciding "what the diagnosis is" , I told him.Why give Hexay Buffered Asprin, when she can't talk to us and tell us if she even feels better. I don't like playing Vet, I told him. It's too risky!!!! He knows me all too well when it comes to sick and lame dogs. I have spent lots of money on Hexay before when she had patches of hair missing just about her tail, flea control another time, etc. I won't allow Hexay to go back home with my daughter until she (Hexay) is doing much better, then, only if my daughter will maintain the prescribed caregiving. If it comes to Hexay living with me, OKay!!!!!



Come on, you can see a marked change with Hexay. And he reasoned with the logic. $$$$$$$$$$--Oh well, I'd rather spend money on a dog that needs it.

I have to admit that I am scared, after loosing Foxy Jean . Our Vet bill was over $500.00 then. I am afraid the Vet will give me bad news.

I'm going in, just the same. Keeping my chin up.


I have brushed Hexay again, trimmed the hair from around her privates (so they can take a temp and not become disgusted), now I need to trim her toe nails, give her a bath, and LOVE her !!!!!!I think my daughter knew that I would take Hexay to a Vet all along. I am a push over for animals.

Hexay's mobility is better on carpeted floors, as I've taken her to my in-laws next door and she walks so much better there. We have pine wood floors with area rugs, not her cup of tea.

Wish me luck Sudilar!!!!! As I am thinking of your Shiloh.

[Dorothy39]

Sudilar, What do you feed Thor?

among many areas that I plan on addressing with Hexay, is, her diet.

I have since bathed her, trimmed the hair on her feet, cut her toe nails, but, her diet is something that I really have to address. I will certainly ask the Vet about Eukanuba for Senior dogs. I dislike the dog foods that are sold in grocery stores. My daughter left a 20 lb bag of Beneful, Healthy Weight. Hexay no longer comes out to our dining room to eat it. But, she sure welcomes table scraps :confused: If I bring her dish of Beneful, she will eat it, eagerly. I can't figure her out. I hate waiting for her Vet appointment, darn!!! I massage Hexay 3 times or more a day. She loves it. she will roll over onto her back and allow me to gently massage her!!! I have since looked up the proper care for German Shepards. Hexay is a wolf mix. Very bushy hair that is soft, and of course, the double coat that is common with this breed. I wish I could add a picture of her along with this reply :confused:

[Sudilar]

Sudilar, What do you feed Thor?

Thor eats Salmon A La Veg by the Fromm Family. I also add some canned wild Salmon to the kibble. He LOVES it.

How did Hexay's vet visit go?

[Dorothy39]

Thank-You for sharing Thor's diet. I've thought about giving Hexay salmon.

she does get around better since I clipped her toe nails :) She has since walked into our bedroom to make me get out of bed the last two mornings, just like she used to. The massages are helping too!!

Her Vet appointment isn't till Monday afternoon. I will keep you posted on how it turns out.

[Dorothy39]

Hexay was taken to the Vet this afternoon. She was examined by a very nice Veterinarian while an assistant pet Hexay and gave her treats. :p

Hexay was weighed, wow, she weigh 104.3 pounds!!!! Man, no wonder my back hurts from bathing her, brushing her, & helping her get up in the morning.

We waited for the x-ray results, which disclosed mild dysplasia, but, no evidence of arthitis, except for a small area in her left leg, left foot.


We were advised to give her Synovi G3 Soft Chews. , combining Glucosamine, MSM, Creatine Monohydrate, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Antioxidants, Vitamins and Minerals. Initally giving her the required amount for her size and weight for the first 4-6 weeks, then, then, maintaining it with 2 each day there after.

Of course, no more table scraps, at all, not even a bite from our table. She will eat 2 cups per day.

Hexay is a very gentle and loving dog. she will occasionally beg by whining, and then yelping louder if I she doesn't get my attention. I have massaged her at these times , giving her a belly rub and hugs, lots of hugs.


She is doing better and better each day, and now that she has been seen by a Vet, I feel so much more at ease while caring for her.

I will add some other " items" to her diet, slowly. Like Salmon, skinless chicken, etc. :D

[Sudilar]

Glad to hear that Hexay's vet visit went well. I hope she continues to feel better and better each day!!!

[Dorothy39]

Believe me, I am so relieved that Hexay was diagnosed with "MILD" hip dysplasia. I can relax tonight for the first time.

That dog is such a LOVER GIRL!!!

Thank-You for your encouragement, and for responding to my questions.

I can't wait to introduce Hexay to Salmon!!! Let me know which kind to give her, okay?

[Sudilar]

I buy canned wild Salmon. Don't buy it at $5 a can though, because it can get that high in price! :eek: You can usually find it on sale around $1.50 a can somewhere....then stock up! Wait for the sale!
Good luck!!

[Dorothy39]

Oh yes, I am aware of the price. I'm the only one in this family who loves to eat Salmon. Now I have a Salmon buddy who will help me eat it.

[Dorothy39]

I have recently done some math on the cost of maintaining Hexay on the Synovi G3 soft chews from the Veterinarian .

To reach maintainence, will take the entire amount I purchased, then, to keep her maintained will be 40.00 ea. month there after.


:eek:

Is this expected for her condition? I mean, in terms of the expense, because I intend on budgeting my monthly spending accordingly.

The dog food that I bought for her , Eukanuba Senior, contains gluecosamine HCi, not less than 375 mg/kg and chondroitin Sulfate not less than 35 mg/kg.


the chews contain not less than 900 mg of Gluscosamine HCI
MSM *( Methslyulfonyulmethane) :eek: , not less than 800 mg

among several other ingredients.

What do you think so far? Back to the Vet after a few months? or perhaps shopping around for a comparible product that fits the same need?

I need to get her weight down, and keep it down. I know that much.


She is doing well with 1 cup of Eukanuba senior for breakfast, with fresh water, then a short walk, a massage in the yard or in the house. She lays around while I do my chores, you wouldn't even know she is even here .I give her Bufferin as needed, making sure she has just eaten before doing so. The vet told me to use adult buffered asprin :confused:
That is scary stuff to me.I wish Hexay could talk, or, that I could understand her when she does try to communicate with me about her pain threshold.
I brush her twice a week, and I will give her another bath in a few more weeks. Gosh, her coat has come a long way. The fur blows upward in the breeze now , and is shiny again. This dog is so beautiful!!!!! So gentle, so intelligent. I am determined to get her back on the right track!!!! Her close friend, Kasha, looks on with a degree of jealously. Kasha would benefit with the same plan . Kasha is all black, I think she is a mixed German Shepard breed :confused:

I'm feeling overwhelmed right now, so of course , I go on line and head for Pet Talk. ( yipe!!! Yipe! Yipe!) I don't know what I would do without Pet Talk!!! :p

I will never give up!!! Okay!!! I Just need reasurance, from someone who knows this breed, that I am on the right track with a German Shepard Dog who needs ME!!!!

I'll post their pictures later.