Advice sought re: elderly GSD

[Sealine]

I don't post in this section very often but I would like some advice for how best to help my 12 year old GSD who has a number of health issues. He's been slowing down, as you'd expect in an elderly dog, but things came to a head a couple of weeks ago when he yelped out on a walk and then he was struggling to lay down/get up. The vet diagnosed generative myelopathy and arthritis and he is now on Metacam and Gabapentin. He is alot better after two weeks on these meds and he will stay on them for the rest of his life. We already knew that he has a very irregular heart beat and vestibular disease. He drags one of his hind toes a little but at the moment it's not causing any problems and it's not sore.

With all this in mind I'm taking a step back and reviewing things and wondering what else I can do to help him. I noticed his teeth are very worn particularly on one side. He's currently fed Skinner's chicken and rice mixed with some wet food. He's a fussy eater and often needs encouragement to eat but he is the correct weight and I don't want to put weight on him. Should I just feed wet food or is there such as thing as soft kibble that he may find easier to eat? Also, are there any shoes/boots/socks that you recommend? He's a sensitive soul and they would need to be easy to put on and for him to wear or he'll be traumatised by them He has 2 x 20 mins walks a day when he happily potters around a field nearby. I'm sure he'll let me know if it's too much for him.

Apologies for all the questions. I've had GSDs before but I lost them both due to other issues and neither got to this old age. Why do they have to get old?

If this works, here's a pic of him asking for a biscuit on his walk the other day.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The only time we tried boots (for a Staffy), they were really more bother than they were worth. Could you soak the kibble in warm water for a while before giving it to him?

He is a handsome dog!

 

[Sealine]

The only time we tried boots (for a Staffy), they were really more bother than they were worth. Could you soak the kibble in warm water for a while before giving it to him?

He is a handsome dog!

Good idea. I think I'll try just a little to moisten the food rather than soak it.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I don't know if this would help in your situation but my 9yr old malamute x gsd has regular hydrotherapy sessions and is doing great with no pain relief needed

 

[Sealine]

I don't know if this would help in your situation but my 9yr old malamute x gsd has regular hydrotherapy sessions and is doing great with no pain relief needed

Thanks. A friend takes her St Bernard for hydrotherapy locally so I'll look into it further.

 

[paddy555]

Thanks. A friend takes her St Bernard for hydrotherapy locally so I'll look into it further.

a neighbour takes her older rescue GSD for hydro and it has made a lot of difference. He wasn't too great when he first came but movement was a lot stronger after hydro.

 

[meleeka]

For the future, mine ended up on Codeine. It was cheap and did the job well until something unrelated got her.

Are you aware you can buy medication online with a prescription? It’s usually loads cheaper to do it that way.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Lovely dog x

As the D part of the name suggests, DM is degenerative and he will eventually lose all power in his rear. Although there is no pain associated with it, I would bear in mind the over-compensation he will have to do on his front limbs/if arthritis is also present.

Ruffwear do good slip on velcro boots.

Having had dogs with DM and DM plus an historic injury at the front end, I don't personally hold with prolonging things when a dog cannot get up/move around/toilet unaided (obviously you're not at that stage yet) but if that is something you are comfortable with, I do know friends who use yoga bands and towels as slings to help move their dogs around when things are difficult with them.

I know people will disagree but 40 minutes for a 12 year old with mobility problems sounds a wee bit much for me. That's about the same if not more than my 12 year old and ten year old with no apparent lameness.
It is my experience of the breed that they generally *won't* tell you they've had enough as drive will carry them through discomfort and then you'll see signs of soreness later.
I know it's mooching but I'd maybe break it down into smaller sessions if possible?

I'd have a lot of mats down in the house to prevent any slippage on shiny surfaces, if there are any, minimise steps/stairs/on and off furniture/in and out of car. And be very careful in this weather.

Best of luck!

 

[Sealine]

Yea I’m getting the meds by prescription and can’t believe how much cheaper they are.

We’ve already discussed calling it a day when he loses bladder/bowel control or can’t get up unaided. I don’t know how long it will take to get to that stage and I’m not sure I want to know the answer right now.

I’ll shorten the walks. We have a big garden he can mooch around in so it’s not a problem. We don’t have any stairs to worry about and he only goes on the car to go to the vet and we’ve been given a ramp.

Thanks everyone for your help and honesty. X

 

[skinnydipper]

Also, are there any shoes/boots/socks that you recommend? He's a sensitive soul and they would need to be easy to put on and for him to wear or he'll be traumatised by them

I bought Ruffwear Skyliner boots for my dog who had degenerative myelopathy, whilst they are good boots for a dog without mobility problems, they made it more difficult for him to walk.

What did help were Pawz reusable rubber dog boots. Soft, flexible and protective. If necessary you could reinforce the top of the boot where his nails drag with a strip of duct tape.

He has 2 x 20 mins walks a day when he happily potters around a field nearby. I'm sure he'll let me know if it's too much for him.

This is good for his mental enrichment and well being, will help to prevent muscle loss and will also lubricate his joints with synovial fluid and reduce pain in his arthritic joints.

I hope you can keep him happy and mobile and are able to enjoy his company for a while longer.

 

[Moobli]

So sorry to hear about your lovely boy.
One thing to bear in mind is that degenerative myopathy can only be definitively diagnosed on necropsy after death. If it is DM (the disease affects the spinal cord, and results in progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis) it is painless.
There is no effective treatment at present but treatment of other concurrent problems such as arthritis or hip dysplasia may provide some relief from pain or discomfort. It is really important to avoid weight gain, so diet and walking and swimming are imperative. You want to try to maintain him as physically active as possible, for as long as possible. Obviously that doesn’t mean overdoing it but pottering, sniffing and mooching to his hearts content will also provide mental enrichment as well as regular hydrotherapy if he will tolerate it.
Bladder and bowel control may be affected eventually as his mobility becomes restricted and as the spinal cord degenerates. Some people use a mobility cart to good effect to improve quality of life in the short term but that is a very personal choice often based on the temperament of your dog and the environment you live in.
Wishing you all the best.

 

[fidleyspromise]

I lost my GSD at 14 earlier this year. He started swimming last year - thoroughly enjoyed it and it helped him to exercise without weight on his joints.
He had arthritis and was diagnosed with a tumour around his heart (the vets didn't think he'd make it past the weekend with months at best but we had him for another 18 months until he deteriorated).
I'm sorry to hear about your boy x

 

[Goldenstar]

He’s a lovely boy .
just wanted to say if he’s staying in metacam ( which does the job well )you might what to speak the vet about protecting his stomach .

 

[rara007]

You could soften his existing kibbles by soaking them?