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by gautam1972 on 31 August 2012 - 04:08
Thanks all. I am so glad that my problem has been identified. It is now upto me to implement all the things that will be good for mervin. Hopefully in a couple of months I should see a healthy and active Mervin 
by gautam1972 on 31 August 2012 - 04:08
I will keep all of you updated with mervin's photos and videos.
by aaykay on 31 August 2012 - 05:08
Gautam, what kind of exercise do you provide to your dogs, other than walking alongside the hard tarmac (road) with the dog, as shown in the video ?
As an expat in India, with a couple of GSDs of my own that flew in with us, I get to see how these dogs are raised/exercised in India and my personal take is that unless you have at least a couple of acres of open space (grassy or wooded areas), or are living in a rural/semi-rural setting with a lot of ground, it is just not advisable to get/raise highly active breeds like the GSD. I see pure misery in the eyes of these dogs that are raised in tiny flats or places with little to no space for the dog to run around freely, and then paid servants take the dogs out for a brief walk, mainly to allow it to relieve itself than for any kind of real exercise.
I am located in a closed bungalow community in the western part of India and thus have space for my dogs to move around freely, but by and large, what I see around here is just miserable dogs with miserable owners who don't spend any kind of time or effort on their own dogs.
The dog you show above, has extremely weak pasterns like flippers (let alone the weak hind-quarters), showing how little exercise he is getting. This kind of exercise may be perfectly fine for a conformation Lab or some such sedentary breeds but an active breed like the GSD needs to have some really vigorous exercise to maintain optimal health. By "Exercise", I don't mean running him along hard-tarmac (roads), since that will ruin the joints of a young GSD and result in premature ED/HD - but you need to find some softer ground (like a grassy playground) or some such location and spend some quality time EVERYDAY in providing him some good exercise.
The other day, I saw a couple of morons (probably servants paid to do so) on a motor-scooter, with a 3-4 month old GSD puppy running beside it on a hard-road, with the pillion rider holding a string in his hand, with the other end around the pup's neck. I am assuming those idiots were "exercising" the puppy and in the process, totally ruining his joints for the rest of his usable life.
As an expat in India, with a couple of GSDs of my own that flew in with us, I get to see how these dogs are raised/exercised in India and my personal take is that unless you have at least a couple of acres of open space (grassy or wooded areas), or are living in a rural/semi-rural setting with a lot of ground, it is just not advisable to get/raise highly active breeds like the GSD. I see pure misery in the eyes of these dogs that are raised in tiny flats or places with little to no space for the dog to run around freely, and then paid servants take the dogs out for a brief walk, mainly to allow it to relieve itself than for any kind of real exercise.
I am located in a closed bungalow community in the western part of India and thus have space for my dogs to move around freely, but by and large, what I see around here is just miserable dogs with miserable owners who don't spend any kind of time or effort on their own dogs.
The dog you show above, has extremely weak pasterns like flippers (let alone the weak hind-quarters), showing how little exercise he is getting. This kind of exercise may be perfectly fine for a conformation Lab or some such sedentary breeds but an active breed like the GSD needs to have some really vigorous exercise to maintain optimal health. By "Exercise", I don't mean running him along hard-tarmac (roads), since that will ruin the joints of a young GSD and result in premature ED/HD - but you need to find some softer ground (like a grassy playground) or some such location and spend some quality time EVERYDAY in providing him some good exercise.
The other day, I saw a couple of morons (probably servants paid to do so) on a motor-scooter, with a 3-4 month old GSD puppy running beside it on a hard-road, with the pillion rider holding a string in his hand, with the other end around the pup's neck. I am assuming those idiots were "exercising" the puppy and in the process, totally ruining his joints for the rest of his usable life.
by maywood on 31 August 2012 - 11:08
I know it’s hard to believe for all you hypochondriacs out there who take your own fears out on your dogs but as I said, rarely is it necessary to take a dog to the vet. Of course vets are necessary and so is a yearly checkup but most of the time, and this is one them, people have a tendency to overreact over the slightest of problems. According to you guys, I must be the luckiest guy in the world since I have had only a few cases over the past 30 years where my dogs have REQUIRED medical attention. Those of you who think this dog requires medical attention just based on the 2 videos shown are really the ones that need the medical attention yourselves.
If I were to make a guess, it appears to me this dog was simply over-exercised and now his bones have gone soft. Of course this was never mentioned in the thread and is only a hunch but it appears to me the OP probably put this dog on a leash while riding a bicycle and ran this dog into the ground at a very young age.
If I were to make a guess, it appears to me this dog was simply over-exercised and now his bones have gone soft. Of course this was never mentioned in the thread and is only a hunch but it appears to me the OP probably put this dog on a leash while riding a bicycle and ran this dog into the ground at a very young age.
by Blitzen on 31 August 2012 - 11:08
IMO breeders everywhere should print out aaykay's post and put on on their refrigerator for daily reference. Placing a dog is not only about the sincerity and devotion of the buyer; it's also about that buyer's having easy access to the right environment, vet care, and diet. I feel for the OP, he obviously loves his dogs and does the best for them he is able to do.
by Blitzen on 31 August 2012 - 11:08
Maywood, I was a vet tech or a long time and you are right in that some owners do take it way too far and some vets take advantage of their fears. However, I suspect more dogs suffer from too little vet care than from too much. The advice given here IMO was not over the top and came from some experienced dog people. I've seen a lot of dogs of all breeds and looking at the video posted here that was my first thought - if there is a competent vet or GSD breeder in the area, get that dog there ASAP. He's not going to survive much longer in that condition.
by hexe on 31 August 2012 - 16:08
maywood, it's really quite simple: anyone who considers it acceptable to subject an animal to having to "...play through the pain..." is not fit to HAVE any animal in their "care". Neglect is not a valid course of treatment for an animal in pain, and in most places, failure to provide adequate and timely veterinary care is defined as neglect, and is a chargeable offense. You're clearly close-minded about the subject, so I have nothing further to discuss with you.
by Abby Normal on 31 August 2012 - 21:08
Of course this was never mentioned in the thread and is only a hunch but it appears to me the OP probably put this dog on a leash while riding a bicycle and ran this dog into the ground at a very young age.
It was mentioned on the thread above yours, and not in relation to the original poster. You have simply decided arbitrarily that that is what the OP did. Seems you are big on wild assumptions. It might be polite to ask what the OP has done in terms of exercise as Aaykay has done and offer positive suggestions for the future. I have a GSD that hasn't needed vet care other than routine visits for the 8 yrs of his life so far. With the problems that beset the GSD as a breed I consider that lucky actually. My other girl has HD so she has had more frequent visits as she has medication because I chose not to let her 'play through the pain' and lead a life of misery. Unfortunately nature forgot to equip her with the ability to fight that off, and no - I didn't over exercise her from a bike on a bit of string either.
Gautam, please ignore the remarks from Maywood, as you are definitely taking the right course of action for your pup. To do nothing would not only likely cost your dog his life and break your heart, but would be neglectful - which you clearly are not.
It was mentioned on the thread above yours, and not in relation to the original poster. You have simply decided arbitrarily that that is what the OP did. Seems you are big on wild assumptions. It might be polite to ask what the OP has done in terms of exercise as Aaykay has done and offer positive suggestions for the future. I have a GSD that hasn't needed vet care other than routine visits for the 8 yrs of his life so far. With the problems that beset the GSD as a breed I consider that lucky actually. My other girl has HD so she has had more frequent visits as she has medication because I chose not to let her 'play through the pain' and lead a life of misery. Unfortunately nature forgot to equip her with the ability to fight that off, and no - I didn't over exercise her from a bike on a bit of string either.
Gautam, please ignore the remarks from Maywood, as you are definitely taking the right course of action for your pup. To do nothing would not only likely cost your dog his life and break your heart, but would be neglectful - which you clearly are not.
by gautam1972 on 01 September 2012 - 06:09
Hi to all
I never excercised my Mervin till do date on a hard road along side a bicylce. I used to take him to the ground and walk. I had 2 GSD so far and all of them were hardy. I know that exercise along a cycle should be done after 18 months or atleast 24 months. It is just that Mervin started to go down after 6 months of age. Till 6 he was fine. I cannot afford to hire a servant who just takes a dog for passing stools and urinating. I clean the bowls, wash the kennels, and comb them every day.
Regards
Gautam
I never excercised my Mervin till do date on a hard road along side a bicylce. I used to take him to the ground and walk. I had 2 GSD so far and all of them were hardy. I know that exercise along a cycle should be done after 18 months or atleast 24 months. It is just that Mervin started to go down after 6 months of age. Till 6 he was fine. I cannot afford to hire a servant who just takes a dog for passing stools and urinating. I clean the bowls, wash the kennels, and comb them every day.
Regards
Gautam
by gautam1972 on 01 September 2012 - 06:09
It is in my destiny to face a problem like this. Only time will reveal whether the result will be positive or negative
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