It was my dog with the "tick/spider" mess. He developed Immune-mediated Polyarthritis. It almost killed him. Very quickly. He lost a tremendous amount of weight in no time. An infection or bite of any sort can set the immune system into overdrive. (Sometimes the cause is unknown.) Treatment is high doses of Prednisone. Kathy, perhaps your friend should mention this to the vet. Paulette McGuirt, GSDCA Member Wellborn-Allemande German Shepherds Qui Me Amat, Amat et Canem Meam ----- Original Message ----- From: "Norma Ramey" <gsdramey@xxxxxxx> To: <rbuffdogs@xxxxxxxxx>; <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 8:23 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Need suggestions young bitch with limb problems , weight loss Remember the tick /spider mess someone had a while back? I'd say this might just be the same type of problem they had. It was so strange with these odd symptoms of movement etc. You just never know and if you recall, those folks hadn't even realized until we started suggesting things, they remembered a few things with that dog. Please don't rule this out, though it may not be a "bug bite" it's worth checking out. I just can't think immediately of any other thing it could be. Norma no L ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathy Tank" <rbuffdogs@xxxxxxxxx> To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 6:37 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Need suggestions young bitch with limb problems , weight loss Hi Guys A friend of ours called me today, concerned about his two y/o intact bitch. A few weeks ago, she decided she didn't want to eat , so he immediately thought "bad food" changed the food, no problem she has eaten very well , 2x a day ever since. She was a little lame in the rear, wobbly, but good other than that. Xrays negative for dysplasia or injury. She got much better, then the other day she was let out to play etc and she came back trembling, weak in the hind and now also in a front leg, and with a lot of muscle wasting having gone on. She eats normally. She has perfect poops She has not vomited or shown signs of digestive upset other than the failure to eat one day. She has not been exposed to toxins, sprays, fleas, ticks, or recently turned up dirt. We are at a complete loss for an answer. She is having blood work done, and her owners are very concerned. Any help/suggestions you can give that may save them time and money on testing would help? Anyone heard of this before?????? I am just stumped. Thank you all in advance Kathy http://www.victorygermanshepherds.com PUP-DATED: FEB 19, 2009 HOME OF: CH. Elvaston's Nations Cup TC, 26 BOBs CH. Victory's Leviathan CH. Garter's E-Male of Fran-Jo Anne Isle WE SUPPORT DRUG AND DYE TESTING ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================