Something's Wrong - Page 3

Degenerative Myelopathy.  It is similar to Multiple Schlerosis.

http://www.mzjf.com/signs.html

This lady has been a big advocate for getting info out about medical/genetic problems with German Shepherds, starting with DM.  Seems it's another very serious problem quite prominent in this breed that no-one talks about.

This isn't to scare you.  Just to give info both to you and others.

Just as a side note, anyone who's vet suggests their dog has DM needs to go to a neurologist for further tests, such as a myelogram,  for confirmation.   The symptoms of broken discs mimic  those of DM.  Unless a vet knows what to look for,  it can easily be misdiagnosed as DM.  This is tragic because broken discs are a simple surgical fix for a good neurosurgeon, but if  left untreated, broken discs  press on the spinal cord eventually causing permanent paralysis.

 As Blitzen already said, DM does NOT affect dogs who are 10 months old. There is another explanation for the problem here, but it is difficult to guess since none of us saw the dog fall. As stated before, it could be something minor, it could be more. gsdlvr2 has enough sense to know whether the dog is in acute distress or not and the fact is that she says she closely supervises the dog. So while not impossible, it is unlikely this is related to some toxin.

She will know more later.

The vet does not think it is pano, a neurological problem (like DM)  or related to ears or seizures. The heart sounded good of course that doesn't rule out a dysrhythmia but that seems unlikely. 

The physical exam was negative except for the first time the vet palpated the right leg the pup withdrew it at first. When the vet re-examined it the puppy didn't withdraw it. He isn't lame but his gait still look odd. he has not fallen again but i will keep watching him. No  x-rays were taken today, the vet didn't feel it was necessary based on the exam. The vet palpated the spine and nothing looked painful.

So, I don't know anymore than I did $45.00 ago.

I once bought a puppy that became unstable in gait at about 6 months old.  He tilted his head, drooled and couldn't walk  normally.  Turns out he had a stroke in the brain.  Very rare but in his case lethal.  Started out with weakness and progressed within about 24 hours.  If a dog seems weak upon getting up it could be hypotension caused by heart problems (conductance irregularities--rare but genetic) or maybe mild aortic arch stenosis (also genetic and hard to hear in mild form).  Pano can make some dogs very sick and lame and cause an elevated temop too in some cases.

Plant poisoning from eating moldy leaves or certain toxic berries is always a possibilityy too, as is ingestion of antifreeze which is highly toxic and hard to diagnose.   Also cvould be mild subclinical form of some bacterial infection or virus, making the dog weak.  A blood count (differential) would show virus in some cases as decreased white count and a bacteria would show increased bacteria.  Toxicology studies can be slow to get results back on.  Keep us informed on his progress. 

Not being able to flip the foot is called CP deficits- it indicates neurological or spinal problems.  I saw a 10 month old pup that had a severe case of spondolosis, walked wobbly in the hind end and would fall down, you really should take xrays.  Did the vet at least prescribe an NSAID to see if it helped?  I agree 100% with Molly, young healthy dogs do not just collapse for no reason...

 When the vet did the exam,along with flipping the feet it was normal. I did mention that to the vet. He said that, that particular exam reveals a problem by the dog being indifferent to it.  The vet didn't prescribe anything. I agree with Molly too that young dogs do not fall for no reason. Which type of x-rays should I ask for?   I could give enteric coated aspirin to see if that helps, I have to check on the dose. I think it's one adult aspirin 325 mg. Anyone know for sure?

I would personally start with a complete blood panel and urinalysis, checking for tick-borne diseases, toxins, kidney/liver function, thyroid, and EVERYTHING under the sun.  X-rays won't reveal anything, if he was normal before and just started falling down (collapsing) it isn't bad hips or anything joint-related (that would show lameness instead, pain getting up/down but not collapsing).

molly

Make sure the dog sleeps in a roomy dog-house. One of my German imports had to spend long hours in a Vari-kennel due to airline abnormalities during her transportation here. When i eventually took her out of the box she was limping very badly. I was worried of course , and took her to the Vet.To cut a long story short she had bad crampsbecause of the way she was lying down in the box. So before you embark onto something more drastic give the pup a chance to relax in proper accomodation. I dont know if this could happen ofcourse but as i dont know where and how it is kept. But if it could happen have in mind that cramps could be a reason.

 It sounds like pano. its a disease that attacks the legs and is very painful but not life threatening, my suggestion is take him to a vet just to confirm it so you dont do anything unecessary, if it is pano. then our vet told us to give our dog aspirin, if your dog doesnt take the aspirin then wrap it in some american cheese or something he loves and he should take it, remember only one aspirin, aspirin ONLY, no ibeproben, that means no tylenol or anything, just regular dollar store ASPIRIN ONLY.