[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Spinal Issue with Rescued GSD
- From: Jen Proud <proudk9@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Sander-Haus <sanderhaus@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:39:16 -0600
> he is well below the age that this disease develops and one of the main
> clinical symptoms is obvious pain.
>
> susan
Susan, I'm sorry you may have been misinformed on a point; but yes, clinical
disease most often happens with adult dogs. There have been young pups/dogs
who become affected clinically, due to severity in the individual & husbandry
of that individual. Unfortunately, this little pup has had a rough ride in life
so far- but yay(!!!) now has his chance.
Many spinal problems cause very little pain at all; due to spine compression &
pressure on the nerve roots, often a dog feels no pain at all (nor anything
else sensory, and loss of motor skills to follow).
One of the earliest case studies concerning CES (which is caused by many spinal
deformities, IVDD, stenosis, transitional vertebrae, spondylitis to name a
few), was a bitch who finished 4 agility titles shortly before surgery, not in
a competitive fashion, but good runs, and her nerves were so compressed her
tail became dead (one of the definitive ways to dx when the disease is clinical
and progressing), she had both bladder atony & mega colon from the loss of
nerve function.
This dog had spine surgery shortly after the agility trials, as it was a
continuing thing to figure out her problems, until a doc made all the
connections. (BTW, this was a few years ago, before we had the knowledge we do
now!). Many more have saved their dogs through early intervention due to
experiences & sharing of dogs just like the above case- and I must mention that
all the dogs I speak about are GSDs.
The surgery is meant to stabilize the spine & prevent progression of the
damage; the hope is that due to the relief of nerve root compression, the dog
may gain back some lost functions.
If this were a pup I was caring for, I would surely be doing just what is being
done, exercise, conditioning, and bringing the poor guy back to health-- then
reevaluate his performance at the time--- but the radiographs don't lie- even
OFA (occasionally) notes those transitional vertebrae and stenosis because it's
plain as the nose on their faces to see and comment on.
Spinal diseases ARE INHERITABLE GENETIC DISEASES.
Check out the research done on the Isle Royale Wolves (.org) site for more
details done on an isolated population (perfect for genetic studies) on an
island in Lake Superior for an in-depth study paper- which includes pictures of
malformations that happen not only in the wolves, but the GSD and many other
breeds of dog.
A proactive owner and treatment can give this pup a mostly normal life; at
least besides the condition of his hips that "aren't so great but seen worse"-
but gratefully, we have repairs for that.
I would also consider going to an orthopedic veterinarian to further evaluate
both his spine and hips- if his hips are what are truly causing the issues at
this time, he's of a perfect age to have many of the remodeling surgeries
available; the last being a total hip replacement as an adult, but FHO & TPO
are both best done before 1 year of age.
But then, what do I know as only a vet tech, avid researcher & fellow breeder?
JP&P
JayDee's Proud-Haus Shepherds/Proud K911
www.jaydeesphs.com
Committed to the Total Dog you can be Proud of!!!
AKC Breeder of Merit
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