Monday, April 30, 2012

Is Your Adolescent German Shepherd Limping?

German Shepherd owners  often complain that their adolescent German Shepherds are limping. This might be something that can be of real concern for the owners! Both panostitis (pano) or hip/ elbow displasia - two most dangerous genetic disorders, can be the cause, although it's not always true.


Panosteitis in the GSD used to be too common, as for some of the other large breeds like Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Labradors, Mastiffs and Great Danes to mention just a few...  With the rising awareness and consciousness, the diseases like displasia, panostitis (also called long bone disease, shifting leg lameness and growing pain disease) have brought under control to a great extent through selective breeding. Not to be confused between the two, dysplasia is caused due to looseness occurs in the the hip or elbow joint(s), while panostitis is inflammation of long leg bones. Although with selective breeding and planned breeding programs the chances of having displasia and pano are very rare these days, but still dogs bred by novice, irresponsible and illiterate breeders can produce progenitors with such disorders. If your young or adolescent German Shepherd is limping or exhibiting signs of pain in his bones, chances are their that s(he) is suffering from the shifting leg lameness. It is essential to check out the other symptoms in order to confirm that your GSD has displastic hip or pano.


Symptoms of Panosteitis in your young German Shepherd

Firstly consider the age... the onset of panostitis in GSD is noticed between 6 to 18 months of ages. However middle-aged German Shepherd Dogs may be afflicted to the condition, though not very common. Other symptoms include:
a) pain is acute and noticed suddenly.
b) pain causes lameness
c) pain gets shifted from one leg to the other.
d) your dog may be reluctant to go walk
e) intensity of the pain can be fluctuating
f) your GSD can suffer loss of appetite
g) your dog may have an increase in the numbers of white blood cells. elevated white blood cell, accompanied with fever and sometimes tonsillitis


Symptoms of Displasia in your GSD

a) displasia - both elbow and hip are caused by deformed joint (looseness) and results in arthritic changes in the joints
b) the mobility of your dog will be compromised
c) cause inflammation, accompanied with joint pain
d) the pain is maximum in the morning at the time of rising
e) your dog will have problem during small jumps
f) your GSD will stop eating, causing weakness


These are the most common and talked about inheritable orthopedic conditions, that are of really issue of concern of you, if your GSD exhibits all or most of these symptoms. After the thorough examinations, the vet may recommend the suitable medication. But the prime most important thing is that, physical exercise or work will worsen up the conditions. However, Hydrotherapy sessions can help your GSD puppy recover from the the hip displasia. Check out the other common genetic ailments in German Shepherds.

You may love to read How Intensive Hydrotherapy Session helped German Shepherd Puppy, Fred to Recover from Hip Displasia


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3 comments :

Jenna May 30, 2012 at 9:28 PM  

Nice stuff! I'm enjoying reading your blog here!

Unknown August 27, 2012 at 2:54 AM  

My dog doesn't exhibit pain, but his limp is worse in the morning. I have started to give him glucosamine and have noticed a difference. Should I give him liquid vs pill form? He doesn't mind taking pills, but thought the liquid might work faster.

Mode Dog August 29, 2012 at 1:20 AM  

Same here thanks for the post!

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All you need to know about German Shepherd Dogs. Read out what I have to share with you regarding the amazing German Shepherd Dog breed. Are Alsatian dogs and German Shepherd Dogs same? Who was Max Von Stephanitz and What is SV? Also learn a bit more in depth on German Shepherd Dog training tips, German Shepherd puppy care tips, German Shepherd Dog behavior, German Shepherd instinct, German Shepherd Dog standard and history of German Shepherds.

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