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German shepherd dog with arthritis in back

Posted By Kay (Jacksonville, Fl/usa) on 04/30/2012

I have a German Shepherd who is now 9 1/2 years old. About 5 months ago, I notice a weakness in her back legs, as every now and than she would collapse. She doesn't appear to be in any pain as no crying, etc. She weighs about 80 lbs. I have read on this site about giving the dog ACV in her Water which I started 2 weeks ago, which for a little while seemed to help. Than we read about Black Strapped Molasses and Glucosamine which we have started 3 days ago. So far she seems be about the same. About two years ago the Vet had taken Xrays concerning another problem she had which she no longer has, and discovered a little Arthritis in her back. I, do have an Eastern Medicine Vet and a Western Med Vet. I spoke to the Homeopathic Vet who recommended Acupunture and Laser Treatments which may help. I would do anything for my big baby, but this was extremely expensive and quite frankly I do not have the money.

Should I take my baby to a special Orthopedic Vet? I was thinking, to take her to my regular vet for up to date xrays to make sure about what she has or doesn't have. If it is Arthritis, than go forward from there. Before I got this Baby, I had another GS who back legs starting collapsing about a month or so before she passed away from fluid around her heart and lungs. She was 11 years old. This Baby eats good, plays and doesn't appear to be sick. Any suggestions?

Replied by Lilly (Margate, Florida) on 06/07/2012

My pit had somewhat the same issue, but I didn't get a DIAGNOSIS frm a vet, my theory was because it happened less than a week after giving her a topical flea solution, that was the problem (it poisoned her and give her nerve damage). We were out walking when she just went down. Her back legs no longer worked. I tried to run home to get our truck to pick her up (just a block away) but saw her pulling herself across the ground w/her front legs. That broke my heart so I tried to pick her up (80lbs) to no avail. Finally a neighbor w/a truck saw us and give us a ride home. I immediately give her a couple capsules of activated charcoal, she was down for the rest of the day. The next day she was walking again but w/a limp. I encapsule my own activated charcoal and give her another one. I also start feeding her raw calf liver to strengthen her. I give Diatomatious earth for worming and she is like a puppy again. She's almost 6yrs old, I still give her capsule of activated charcoal because I read it was also good for arthritis (google it).

I no longer feed her store bought food of any kind. I make a crockpot full of beans for night and she gets raw diet and boiled eggs for the morning. Raw eggs may depleat your dog of a vital B vitamins. Hope this helps. PS: I give my dogs store bought raw meat (heart, liver, etc) if its good enough for us its good enough for them, I always freeze it first.

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