My german shepard very suddenly developed a leg problem. Saturday night when he went to bed he was fine. They stay in their room all night. Sunday morning when we went to feed him he seemed to have lost control of his right hind leg. We called the vet and brought him in right away.
His leg doesn't seem to have too much feeling in it. It wasn't bending well at the knee during the day. In the evening and this morning I could bend it much better. His foot when he walks has a tendency to drag, the toes are pointed back rather then forward as they should.
The vet said he did not have any fractures, but it may be a ligament problem. He said that he had some feeling in his toes, but not much. They took x-rays but they won't be developed until today. In the mean time he gave me Metacam to give to him for pain. However, he doesn't seem to be in pain. Do I need to be giving him the drug when he isn't in pain, is it worth the possible side effects? Thanks for any advice you might have.
GS with leg problem
Re: GS with leg problem
My advice is to ask the vet, immediately. I would also get a second opinion if that is in any way possible. Sorry, but I just don't like the sound of a vet prescribing pain meds for what may be a neuropathy problem. GSDs IMO are one of the most complicated of all dog breeds - perhaps because they are so "brainy" or "almost human" 
Meanwhile, if you can get on it, go to this good GSD board:
http://p197.ezboard.com/bgsdlounge
If you cannot get on, PM me and I will look for some e-mail addresses. No one has responded to my membership renewal (feelings were hurt a couple years ago - my fault as usual
) And I no longer have a GSD anyway, but IMO these folks are among the best online re GSD expertise.
Good luck - please don't delay re the professional advice.
Dot B
Austin, Texas
still `Eowyn's Hobbit after 1 year and 4 days.
Meanwhile, if you can get on it, go to this good GSD board:
http://p197.ezboard.com/bgsdlounge
If you cannot get on, PM me and I will look for some e-mail addresses. No one has responded to my membership renewal (feelings were hurt a couple years ago - my fault as usual
) And I no longer have a GSD anyway, but IMO these folks are among the best online re GSD expertise. Good luck - please don't delay re the professional advice.
Dot B
Austin, Texas
still `Eowyn's Hobbit after 1 year and 4 days.
Re: GS with leg problem
First of all, metacam is an NSAID, often used in pain relief because it has anti-inflammatory action, i.e., reduces inflammation that causes pain. It is also commonly used in orthopedic pain management.
Providing the dose was oral, and dosed small, it is most likely safe to use. Injectable metacam is also considered safe, but as with any NSAID, you'd have to watch for adverse reactions: vomiting, diarrhea, GI tract upset, lethargy). For extended or prolonged use, bloodwork should be checked regularly to monitor kidney and liver enzyme alterations, this is true for any NSAID, corticosteroid, etc.
Don't give ANY other pain control medication, aspirin, etc while using metacam. Follow your vet's advice and instruction.
If there's a ligament problem, it should show up on xray, but if your vet isn't experienced with ligament ruptures, ask him to refer you to a veterinary surgeon or orthopedic vet who is. This could also be a pinched nerve problem (as indicated by the knuckling), and not always associated with the affected limb, it could be a spinal problem as well....so give your vet a chance to review the xray and if he's uncertain at all, get a referral to an orthopedic vet.
Don't assume the condition is not painful for your dog. There's every chance it is in fact, painful. Especially where inflammation is concerned.
Providing the dose was oral, and dosed small, it is most likely safe to use. Injectable metacam is also considered safe, but as with any NSAID, you'd have to watch for adverse reactions: vomiting, diarrhea, GI tract upset, lethargy). For extended or prolonged use, bloodwork should be checked regularly to monitor kidney and liver enzyme alterations, this is true for any NSAID, corticosteroid, etc.
Don't give ANY other pain control medication, aspirin, etc while using metacam. Follow your vet's advice and instruction.
If there's a ligament problem, it should show up on xray, but if your vet isn't experienced with ligament ruptures, ask him to refer you to a veterinary surgeon or orthopedic vet who is. This could also be a pinched nerve problem (as indicated by the knuckling), and not always associated with the affected limb, it could be a spinal problem as well....so give your vet a chance to review the xray and if he's uncertain at all, get a referral to an orthopedic vet.
Don't assume the condition is not painful for your dog. There's every chance it is in fact, painful. Especially where inflammation is concerned.
..........Traci
Re: GS with leg problem
Thanks for your advice. E, I tried that gsd site, but to logon you need to accept cookies and I only have access to a computer at work, so I can't do that.
I guess that Metacam may have helped loosen up his leg so that we could bend it. He recommended 35 cc's and Kujo is 78 lbs. I was also wondering if pain could cause his gums to lighten. I have been keeping an eye on him for the last couple of days because they didn't look as pink as usual. At the vets they were bright pink, but he didn't like the 1/2 hour car ride in and his heart rate was elevated. Yesterday evening when he was relaxed I checked again and the were a more normal pink. I'm just wondering if he was hurting prior to Sunday and we didn't know it. X-rays still haven't been developed yet!! I wish they would hurry.
I guess that Metacam may have helped loosen up his leg so that we could bend it. He recommended 35 cc's and Kujo is 78 lbs. I was also wondering if pain could cause his gums to lighten. I have been keeping an eye on him for the last couple of days because they didn't look as pink as usual. At the vets they were bright pink, but he didn't like the 1/2 hour car ride in and his heart rate was elevated. Yesterday evening when he was relaxed I checked again and the were a more normal pink. I'm just wondering if he was hurting prior to Sunday and we didn't know it. X-rays still haven't been developed yet!! I wish they would hurry.
Judy, you need to call the vet with that doseage!
Typical dose is 0.045 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg) body weight. So for a 78-lb dog, the dose should only be about 3.5 mg given once a day (your prescription should only state to give a couple drops, once daily).....what ml amount does the bottle state?
Also tell him that Kujo had pale gums, this may require testing to rule out other things that may or may not be related to the leg...like tick disease, autoimmune disorders etc.
Typical dose is 0.045 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg) body weight. So for a 78-lb dog, the dose should only be about 3.5 mg given once a day (your prescription should only state to give a couple drops, once daily).....what ml amount does the bottle state?
Also tell him that Kujo had pale gums, this may require testing to rule out other things that may or may not be related to the leg...like tick disease, autoimmune disorders etc.
..........Traci
Re: GS with leg problem
Oops, I lied. The syringe does not indicate cc's or mg's or anything. It shows the amount to be given for the weight of the dog. We were told to give him 35 kgs, but we only gave him 30. I talked to the vet and he said that this was correct. The syringe came with the medication and I checked the dosage and that's what it says to do. Now you have me worried!
They finally looked at the x-rays. It showed that there was no broken bones, but they didn't turn out properly so he wants me to bring him in again!! He hates travelling inside the car and gets really stressed. But we'll work something out.
They finally looked at the x-rays. It showed that there was no broken bones, but they didn't turn out properly so he wants me to bring him in again!! He hates travelling inside the car and gets really stressed. But we'll work something out.
Re: GS with leg problem
I'm really concerned, the total daily dosing should only be a couple/few drops of the medication. Just because your post is so confusing, I would NOT give any of this medication until your vet has explained this "30-something", and exactly what this "30" is, is it mg, ml, or?
Kgs are a conversion to pounds, so you do not give 30 kgs of medication (which would amount to 66 pounds)!
What size is the syringe?
Because I have no idea the starting dosage your vet used, or how he calculated the end dose, or the ML amount of the bottle, the directions given you may in effect, be incorrect. Is there a decimal in there somewhere?
This is just too scary and difficult on an internet message forum. The bottom line, is that your dog should only be getting a few drops of medication, once a day.
When you take him in, ask about bloodwork, and look for obvious signs of a wound, puncture, ask about testing for tick disease etc, and if your vet isn't experienced, see a new, more experienced vet immediately.
Kgs are a conversion to pounds, so you do not give 30 kgs of medication (which would amount to 66 pounds)!
What size is the syringe?
Because I have no idea the starting dosage your vet used, or how he calculated the end dose, or the ML amount of the bottle, the directions given you may in effect, be incorrect. Is there a decimal in there somewhere?
This is just too scary and difficult on an internet message forum. The bottom line, is that your dog should only be getting a few drops of medication, once a day.
When you take him in, ask about bloodwork, and look for obvious signs of a wound, puncture, ask about testing for tick disease etc, and if your vet isn't experienced, see a new, more experienced vet immediately.
..........Traci
I double checked the bottle and the syringe. On the box it says that there is 1.5 mg of meloxicam per ml of Metacam. We have been giving him 2.5 ml of Metacam so he is getting 3.75 mg of meloxicam. Does that sound right? He seems to be trying to alleviate some itching all over on the odd occasion throughout the day, could this be related to the medication?
I also checked his gums last night and they looked a pale pink again, but this morning they looked healthy. Is that normal?
I don't know how experienced this vet is. We have the one clinic in our area and our regular vet just hired this new guy to help her out. I didn't want to be one of those people that won't give him a chance, but I am a bit worried about his knowledge.
Thanks so much for your help. I hate not fully trusting my vet, but I am too concerned about my kids to completely accept everything they tell me. I'd love to take him to another vet, but the nearest one is 3 hours away.
I also checked his gums last night and they looked a pale pink again, but this morning they looked healthy. Is that normal?
I don't know how experienced this vet is. We have the one clinic in our area and our regular vet just hired this new guy to help her out. I didn't want to be one of those people that won't give him a chance, but I am a bit worried about his knowledge.
Thanks so much for your help. I hate not fully trusting my vet, but I am too concerned about my kids to completely accept everything they tell me. I'd love to take him to another vet, but the nearest one is 3 hours away.
According to Kujo's weight, the dose should only be 3.53 mg total. So your vet's recommendation is a little high. It probably won't hurt to have the dose where your vet has it, but I would definately monitor Kujo for signs of vomiting, GI tract upset, etc.
The pale mucous membranes could be anything, from dehydration to poor blood flow, to various other things. Make sure you are examining his gums when his head is eye level, not extended upward. If the gums remain pale for a significant amount of time (i.e., for over 8 hours or more at a time), then your vet should address this. As I mentioned before, since he only took an xray and no bloodwork, he really needs to be checking blood parameters to rule out other things (you need to have bloodwork done anyway when on Metacam!). Since the xray wasn't clear and he has yet to determine why Kujo suddenly went lame in the leg, he needs to be more agressive and attentive to the problem. Any time there is sudden lameless, poor nerve/pain response, etc, warrants xray evaluation, palpation for bone/ligament issues, checking spine for lesions or disc problems, checking for punctures/abcesses, ruling out tick bite/disease, etc. If it were only a minor sprain (i.e, he overexerted himself outside with exercise or fell or something), then a dog will most often simply raise the hip or limb and favor it, keeping the paw pad above the ground (as in limping). Whenever dragging and knuckling the paw is present, there may be a deeper issue going on that demands immediate, further investigation.
This occured sometime between Sat nite and Sun. Today is Tuesday, your vet should have had this effectively diagnosed by now and should have been on top of further diagnostics. If your primary vet is available, call him and request he/she see Kujo immediately for further diagnostics. At that time, he/she can evaluate Kujo's vitals, gum color, dehydration status, determine if bloodwork or xrays (or both) or a tick serology, etc should be done.
Always trust your instincts, if you're not comfortable with the new vet, by all means, talk to your primary vet and request it is he/she that works with your dog specifically.
The pale mucous membranes could be anything, from dehydration to poor blood flow, to various other things. Make sure you are examining his gums when his head is eye level, not extended upward. If the gums remain pale for a significant amount of time (i.e., for over 8 hours or more at a time), then your vet should address this. As I mentioned before, since he only took an xray and no bloodwork, he really needs to be checking blood parameters to rule out other things (you need to have bloodwork done anyway when on Metacam!). Since the xray wasn't clear and he has yet to determine why Kujo suddenly went lame in the leg, he needs to be more agressive and attentive to the problem. Any time there is sudden lameless, poor nerve/pain response, etc, warrants xray evaluation, palpation for bone/ligament issues, checking spine for lesions or disc problems, checking for punctures/abcesses, ruling out tick bite/disease, etc. If it were only a minor sprain (i.e, he overexerted himself outside with exercise or fell or something), then a dog will most often simply raise the hip or limb and favor it, keeping the paw pad above the ground (as in limping). Whenever dragging and knuckling the paw is present, there may be a deeper issue going on that demands immediate, further investigation.
This occured sometime between Sat nite and Sun. Today is Tuesday, your vet should have had this effectively diagnosed by now and should have been on top of further diagnostics. If your primary vet is available, call him and request he/she see Kujo immediately for further diagnostics. At that time, he/she can evaluate Kujo's vitals, gum color, dehydration status, determine if bloodwork or xrays (or both) or a tick serology, etc should be done.
Always trust your instincts, if you're not comfortable with the new vet, by all means, talk to your primary vet and request it is he/she that works with your dog specifically.
..........Traci
Re: GS with leg problem
I took Kujo back to the vet yesterday to retake the x-rays. He said he could already see an improvement in Kuj's leg! I was thinking the same thing, but wasn't sure if it was wishful thinking. There are definately no broken bones and no hip issues. There is some nerve damage, but even that was better then on Sunday. He also looked at his gums and said that the colour was normal. I guess I am a worry wart, my family is telling me that all the time!
I guess the damage could take a while to heal, but he should be good as new in a month. The vet did suggest that I continue to give him Metacam, but I'm not sure that I will. His itching makes me nervous. I had an allergic reaction to medication and itching was a symptom. I will keep an eye on him and take it a day at a time.
Thanks Traci for all you advice.
I guess the damage could take a while to heal, but he should be good as new in a month. The vet did suggest that I continue to give him Metacam, but I'm not sure that I will. His itching makes me nervous. I had an allergic reaction to medication and itching was a symptom. I will keep an eye on him and take it a day at a time.
Thanks Traci for all you advice.