GSDx - hip or knee pain? Arthritis?

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Nightingale

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Hi, this is my first ever thread! My five-year-old GSD x lurcher (or similar) will run and run and shows no sign of discomfort, but after he's been lying down for a while, his back legs can't support him enough for him to get up and when he eventually struggles off his bed, it's as if he can't put his hindlegs down for a stride or two. Then he'll loosen off and begin walking normally.
Hip and spine X-rays didn't show anything drastic. Knee X-rays showed a small bony growth on one knee but nothing that would reflect such severe stiffness.
Metacam helped at first bur really upset his stomach and 2 x 50mg rimadyl doesn't seem to have made any difference.
He also definitely has back pain, if you press the area either side of his spine above his hips, he doesn't like it at all. As his spine X-rays were OK, the vet concluded this must be muscular pain caused by gait problems to do with hips or knees...
Has anyone else seen similar symptoms in their dog? The vet seemed to imply that his x-rays should have been much worse in relation to his symptoms. Now he's talking about cruciate ligament damage as a possible cause and is suggesting ana MRI scan. Kerrrrching!
 
Our Goldie is similar - she will run as far as her little legs can carry her, then when we reach home will flop. After a while, she really struggles to get up and walks almost like a robot with her back legs stiff and straight - she then eases off after a while. However, she has severe HD and is on seraquin (1 tab a day) and metacam before a long walk, plus hydrotherapy which has really helped.
Its a pity he can't tolerate metacam as it does help - I fully recommend hydrotherapy to help muscles :) sorry I can't be more help
K x
 
I would say it would be unlikely to be cruciate injury as you would tend to find that the lameness shows during exercise not after rest and in that respect it sounds more arthritic in nature or muscular/spinal disc problem. To be honest if he's insured and/or you can afford it I would go down MRI route as you'll at least then know what the exact problem is rather than fumbling in the dark if you get me.

Hydrotherapy is also a definate route to go down but a good hydrotherapy unit won't swim your dog unless you have a definate diagnosis, especially if it may be spine related as you can make things a awful lot worse (I run a hydro pool and I'm a qualified VN)

Hope you find a answer soon xx
 
Can I also add that pain is relative to each animal, I've seen dogs that on xrays have the most horrendous joints yet they are acting as though nothing is wrong but I have seen animals were the xrays show only minimal problems yet they are in agony. Scientific research has been done on sighthounds (ie greyhounds/whippets etc) and their nerves are alot more sensitive to pain hence why you get some that scream even when you just touch them xx
 
As you've had x-rays, then an MRI (about £1800 at the RVC) is the next logical step. Is it neurological or his legs? (quick check, if you turn his toes over and he takes a minute to correct that, that's almost a sure sign that it's neurological-I presume the vet has already done this?)

What age is the dog? Are you insured?

One of mine is on trocoxil, also an NASAID like metacam/rimadyl, but once monthly and without the sometimes drastic side effects of metacam/rimadyl, also a hell of a lot cheaper if bought online with a prescription from your vet. Has the vet suggested conservative management and supplements?
 
Thanks everyone! He's six years old and is probably crossed with a lurcher or greyhound so the comments about him being 'sensitive' certainly make sense - he really is a whimp! He is insured with Petplan so i guess an MRI is the next step. The vet hasn't mentioned any supplements or hydrotherapy. Although Dies loves to swim, so I am sure he would enjoy it.

I don't remember the vet doing anything specific to his toes... How do you 'turn his toes over'? I'll try it and see what he does... (sorry to sound so stupid!)
Thanks again
 
Gently take a hind paw and turn his toes under his foot. If he stays like that and doesn't immediately correct it, then it is highly likely to be neurological according to the specialist I saw at the RVC. Let us know how you get on. There are some fab supplements out there, turmeric being the current wonder 'drug'.
 
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