Need advise for my german shepherd

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manda666

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Hi,
I have a German shepaherd who has worked all is life as a loyal police dog. He has always had trouble with his hind legs but now days is more stiff than ever. His not insured and i don't have the money for expensive drugs. Any idea's you wise wise people?
Magnetic beds/collars any good?

A
 
Metacam (which you can get from your vets) is relatively cheap and works very well with arthritis. I imagine you could spend a lot more on magnetic beds/collars (which I have nothing against, but if you are trying to save money it might be better to spend it on what is most likely to work).

What has your vet recommended?

Also, would it not be possible to get some help with vet fees? I don't know your circumstances but I think there are charities that help people out with vets fees.
 
What age is he?

If it is his hips and joints, there are affordable drugs and supplements available (I will not advise as I have never had a dog with this problem) and as mentioned, the magnetic products.

Does he ever 'scuff' his front or back feet off the ground (hard to tell unless he is on concrete and you can hear the 'scuffing') or carry his hind feet flexed in tightly?
This may point to another condition called CDRM, which affects the nerves and how brain messages compute to the muscles, and is not to do with the joints.

However if as you say, he has always had problems, it is probably not this.
 
Oh, and welcome to the forum
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Welcome to the forum, GSD numbers are certainly increasing.
As usual CC has beaten me to it regarding CDRM, sadly pain relief won't help if it is that, but as he has had a hard working life more likely to be just general stiffness. Definitely worth getting him checked over by your vet, as suggested metacam is good but is prescription only. I give Vitapet RA to my oldies as a general supplement.
 
Thank you. His eight and a half now and he was on metcam but has moved onto prebicox (not sure that the correct spelling). He is in too much pain to go without these pills. I will try out your suggestoins...fingers crossed he has a heart of gold!
 
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