GSD with neurological problem

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Delta99

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Took my 11 yr old GSD to the vet for his booster this morning and to have his hips looked at - given his age I thought it would be the usual arthriticky problems GSD's are prone to but sadly it turned out to be a neurological issue.
Basically the vet said the dog is losing feeling in his hind legs and doesn't know where his paws are anymore. Apparently this will gradually get worse and lead to incontinence and other problems. It's specific to GSD's apparently...

Has anyone had any experience of this? Any recommendations for supplements, exercises etc would be greatly welcomed.

His diet is raw with cod liver oil (vet said spinach might be good??)

Had a horse with wobblers a couple of years ago which responded very well to steroid injectctions, is it worth doing this for an older dog or is it just more traumatic for him?

It sounds like the main problem will be the fact that the dog's backend will go completely but the frontend will be perfectly healthy... And worst of all, this will probably happen in the next 6 months...

So, what I'm looking for is any way to keep the poor guy as comfortable as possible for as long as possible... ( must add that he is not in pain, just has no feeling in his hind legs).

Thanks
 
Sadly, yes, older GSDs can fall victim to CDRM, and some other breeds too.

As you have said, it is a neurological thing where the messages from the brain do not reach the back legs.

Far too many people confuse it with/dismiss it as hip dysplasia so good on your vet for spotting it.

We have had two bitches with it.
In my opinion, to expect a large, weightbearing dog like a GSD to drag it's weight around, is not fair.
My mother's bitch was kept alive about two years too long (started symptoms at ten, PTS at 12), so our next bitch, the minute we spotted her struggling to her feet at 14 years old, we called the vet - she had already broken a leg in puppyhood and we could not do that to her. Her hips were perfect, 0:0.
It usually characterises itself at first as the back paws clenching and you can often hear them scuffing off the ground when walking on concrete.

No idea about supplements/injections etc but some people, particularly in the USA, use wheeled carts so that the dog can keep mobile. Not something I would do personally. Dogs can get very upset when they cannot toilet themselves and I don't think that is fair.
Dogs, especially ones who have had an active life, do not understand things the way we do, all they know is that they cannot run and jump or even move the way they used to and it is very confusing for them.

However, they usually let you know when it is their time to go, I am very sorry your dog has this horrible condition and I hope you can find an answer to keep him and yourself happy for as long as possible.

If Harkback is still around, that user was very informed about the condition/current research, you could maybe shoot them a PM, or search some of their previous posts for more advice.
 
Our old Ridgeback had CDRM, but she never became unable to toilet herself.

She was kept alive too long if I am brutally honest but she was kept comfortable untill her last day.

CC is far far more full of info than I am!
 
Our old lab had this:( It was very sad. He never totally lost his backend, but he did need to wear protective boots as occasionally he would drag his back paws for a few steps. He also had metacam and chondrotin which helped a bit. He did also become fairly incontinent:( However, he was kept happy until the end. Eventually he fitted and was pts the next day.:(

I'm sorry that you are having to go through this.
 
Sorry to hear this :(
Very specific to GSDs unfortunately :( as CC said, usually diagnosed as HD or similiar.
Your dog will tell you when it is time you know then more than anyone - our GSD's back end never went fully but when she couldn't toilet by herself she became very distressed and we knew it was time then.
I hope this helps and your dog is kept comfortable and happy for as long as is possible
K x
 
Not much to add to the others really. It is a horrible, horrible condition, and I have lost more of my GSDs to this than anything else. The only good thing, if you can call it that, is that the dog is not in physical pain, therefore painkillers don't help, but owners do have to make the awful decision when they feel the dog is suffering mentally. If your dog is only showing early signs 6 months is maybe a pessimistic prognosis, but sadly he will deteriorate. I kept one bitch for longer than I should, but even so I have never had one that has had more than the occasional accident in the house, never totally incontinent. I know people who have used wheels, but it is something I could never do, once my lovely dogs are unable to do more than stumble out to the garden I have made that dreaded phone call to the vet.
The only thing that I think can delay the condition is to give regular on lead exercise, this does seem to keep the mobility a little longer, but of course that cannot continue if the dog is making their paws sore.
I am sorry we can't be more positive for you, I hope you have your lad for a good while yet.
 
thanks for all the good advice.
I've been reading up on this on the internet and it seems that exercise is the only thing to do to slow the progression a bit - he has plenty of walks and I will try to take him swimming.
I just hope I'm gonna be strong enough to make that awful decision when the time comes... : - (
 
Sorry to hear about your dog. My dogs go to a hydrotherapy pool and I am aware they have GSDS in with CDRM. I know they feel it makes quite a difference to the dogs quality of life for a while so definitely worth looking into swimming.
 
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