Elderly German Shepherd

[Tilly2]

My 11 year old Gsd seems to be slowing down a bit and that is understandable. However, just now as she was following me down the stairs she began to whimper about half way down. I can see that shemight have trouble going up but why would she have trouble coming down. Is it her hips?
She will be taken to the vets at the earliest opportunity but is there anything I can give her to ease her apparent pain?

[wolf63]

My last dog was a lab/German shepherd cross. He developed arthritis in his shoulders and the main problem was going down the stairs. He lived until he was 14. Hope you get on okay a t vet.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, wolf. I've just made an appointment for tonight. Now I'm worried about getting her into the back of the car. I recently bought a dog ramp but she won't use it. I need to train her but I can't do that in one day.

[RATTER15]

I think the acute angle of stairs could easily cause problems with an elderly dog, going up or down. Hope she is ok.

[wolf63]

The problem is that big dogs are just too heavy to lift. I hope that she is otherwise well.

A trip to the vet is "fun" I was there a couple of weeks ago we both my avatars. The trip started with me dragging him out from under the bed, all I could get a hold of was his scruff.

[lilacben]

I know just how you feel. My rough collie is 13 in oct. and his back legs keep going. The vet has put him on a pain killer and muscle relaxant. He also has Yumove tabs each day. Hope you get on alright at the vets with him. xx

[Tilly2]

She seems o.k. going up, ratter. she takes it slowly. This is the first time she's shown any difficulty coming down.

[friedgreentomato]

Have you considered suplements like cod liver oil and some warm water therapy?

My grandfather had a GSD that lived to 15 and he gave him cod liver oil and swimming therapy everyday.

[paddywak]

I'm sorry to say it Tilly but it's old age creeping up on your old lady I had the same trouble with both my GSDs and there's not much you can do apart from try and make life easier for them. For example you could try and prevent her from going up stairs and get a ramp to help her into and out of the car and of course when you've been to the vets they may be able to proscribe some medicine to help. You must remember that 11 is a fair age for a GSD Max was only 10½ when we had to have him put to sleep but on the other hand our first was nearly 15 when we lost him and he was quite fit for his aged right up to the last week when he deteriorated rapidly, so there's no reason why you shouldnt have her for a while yet. Keep your eye on her and love her while you can but please if she gets really bad don't hesitate and prolong her suffering it's the last act of love you can do for your friend

[Tilly2]

There is no way I would let her suffer, paddy. I know how awful it is but I wouldn't hesitate in letting her go. Let's hope painkillers and anti inflammatories are all she needs for the moment.

She's been having a cod liver oil tablet every day for the past few years, fgt. I#m sure that's why she's stayed so fit.

[friedgreentomato]

try a hotwater bottle in her bed or a small electric blanket - its when she gets cold and stiff that it is difficult for her to walk around.

[Tilly2]

Just got back from the vets and it is arthritis in hips and elbows.
Can anyone reccomend a website where I can get Youmove or Seraquin a bit cheaper than the vets are charging? Thank you.

[wolf63]

Try Glucosamine tablets, they are said to be very effective.

I don't know about getting drugs on-line. Frankie was prescribed a human inhaler for his asthma and I bought that from the local chemist.

[Tilly2]

I found some Yumove tablets on Amazon. £34 for 300 instead of £60 which the vet would have charged.
(The vet did tell me I could find them cheaper online. That was nice of her I thought)

[lilacben]

Hi tilly. Glad you got on ok at vets. Yumove are the ones we give Ben. I would start him on double dose like they say on the tube. It gets to work quicker. They love the taste of them so mine thinks he is having a treat. X

[Tilly2]

Thank you lilacben. I also got her some glucosamine tablets. I feel a bit happier today, than I did this time yesterday.

I also managed to get her to walk up the ramp into the car after a few false starts. I used to take her to agility classes when she was younger and she must have remembered how to walk up a ramp. She's a clever thing.

[paddywak]

Glad to see things are looking up Tilly, I hope you and your old girl have many more happy years together.

[Chipchopper]

I've used a product on my dogs call '4joints' to good effect. You may like to check it out.

Just add the liquid to the water bowl.
Good luck - Chip

[Tilly2]

Thank you, chipchopper. I'll have a look for that
Thanks to all who have responded to my post. I was really upset about her yesterday and reading your replies reassured me somewhat.