I have a pure bred male german shepard, he is approximately 7 years old and he is in good health. However, just yesterday when I called him over to me, he started to run toward me and he yelped. Then he started walking, and I noticed that he was not putting any pressure on his back right leg. My mom said that she thinks he may have arthritis, could this be possible? He's had it before too, but only in cold weather. We just got snow here on friday, and it's been below freezing temperatures. Could it be the weather?
2006-12-04 09:27:36 · 16 answers · asked by ? 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
In snowy weather check the pads of his feet to make sure ice crystals or rock salt are not stuck between them. Imagine walking around with a pebble in your shoe! Trim the fur between his paws with a blunt scissor to keep ice from building up.
Sprained ankle would cause him to limp, no matter how slow or fast he would be going. Usually it heals ina few days on its own.
Arthritis is a common problem, particularly in large breeds and some pure breeds. Some breeds are also prone to pelvic instability. But that problem presents in the early years. A quick check for arthritis is to feel the joints as you move them slowly. Arthritis joints creak under your hand (crepidations). Arthritis does flare up during periords of weather change. Something about the drop in baromettric pressure, or increased humidity triggers them. The only thing is, with arthritis the dog will still put pressure on the leg, just walks a lot slower than usual.
Anyways, as a rule of thumb... if he is still limping the next day, take him to a vet for an exam.
2006-12-04 09:42:23 · answer #1 · answered by A A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is VERY possible it is the arthritis. More so if this has happened before. Cold weather and rainy weather makes arthritis act up, why? Honestly I'm not sure, and havent met anyone who knows...yet. Though I do know arthritis in some cases causes such pain sometimes vets think the leg has been broken. I would suggest giving your dog 2 alieve, Alieve is great for Arthritis pain. Also, arthritis is extremely common in older and large breed dogs. You can read on the back of an Alieve bottle and give the meds. as if you were treating an adult. Since you have a large breed dog. Here is a web site explaining a little about why cold weather may cause arthritis to act up.
http://www.allaboutarthritis.com/AllAboutArthritis/layoutTemplates/html/en/contentdisplay/document/condition/arthritis/generalArticle/Cold_Weather_Causes_Aches_and_Pains.htm
Good Luck and hope this helps
2006-12-04 17:44:25 · answer #2 · answered by o_state05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Arthritis and similar diseases do not happen overnight, usually there should have been some warning signs before now.
Perhaps he could have been caught up in a fight and bitten by another dog.
But to be certain that all these possibilities are ruled out, take your dog to a Vet for a thorough check up.
I don't think that the cold temperatures would affect just one area of his body
2006-12-04 17:38:01 · answer #3 · answered by Seeanna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think arthritis would come on that fast!
He must have some injury to his foot, perhaps some glass or other foreign object in his paw, or maybe a bite from another animal.
Have a look, press the area of his foot (not too hard) till he yelps and then have a look to see what you can see.
If it looks nasty, take him to the vet.
note: I often ring my vet and ask a question over the phone to see if it's necessary to bring my animal in or not.
2006-12-04 18:28:14 · answer #4 · answered by Ambience 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be several things, a sprain, a hurt paw or paw pad, arthritis, hip problem, knee problem. My best advice would be to make a visit to his vet and have him looked at. Good Luck.
2006-12-04 18:06:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh I feel soooo. Bad! :( He more than likly has a stiff joint or possibly arthritis. I would call the vetright away to make sure it is not a sprain or fracture.... I hope this helps and that he feels better. :)
2006-12-04 17:33:42 · answer #6 · answered by bunnbunn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can be many things! he is kinda young for arthritis unless he's had a injury to the leg!! he may even have hip displaza! has he been hip tested? if not, I'd take him to the vet.! this is the only way to know for sure!!
2006-12-04 17:32:18 · answer #7 · answered by rblankenship_rblankenship 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Err for something like that I think you should take him to the vet rather than assume. There's alot of owners out there who assume it's only something minor and take their time to go to the vet when it's pretty much too late to fix anything.
2006-12-04 17:33:19 · answer #8 · answered by lyssaria 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be. You might want to try feeding him a dog food with Glucosamine and Chondroitin or ask a Vet about adding that to his diet. It may help.
http://www.royalcanin.us/dogfood/germanshepherd.html
http://www.itzarion.com/dm-gsd.html
http://www.germanshepherdsociety.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42
2006-12-04 18:26:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should take him to the vet and have him checked out for hip dysplasia. This is a disease common in large breeds.
2006-12-04 17:35:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋