My Old GSD has serious health issues

Naul · #1 23-01-12, 03:50 PM

Hey All,

I've recently started having problems with my dog, Brutus who's about 10 years old now, today when I went to check up on him he was disoriented, had his head slumped to one side and couldn't really balance at all, so he couldn't walk without falling down, over the past couple of months, his hind legs giving out, I suppose this was foreseen for as his breed is prone to it, also I noticed this bulge on the side of his front leg, I've attached some pictures to show you what I'm talking about, but all I'm really trying to do is make him more comfortable, I've asked the vet and he said to bring him over so he can have a look at him hopefully he can diagnose the problem, but usually these guys tend to suffer through their last years which can be quite sad. Has anyone had this happen to their dog(s) before? Is there anything I can do in the mean time?

Here he lying down:

Here are some of that lump thing on his leg:

Here I'm trying to straighten his head but he really won't let me:

I'm on my way to the vet an hour or so I should have some medication to get him on, I just wanted to hear peoples comments on him since one of his sibling recently passed away but his sister seems to be doing alright (knock on wood).
Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks.

Tedsmum · #2 23-01-12, 03:56 PM

Hi there,
the most common reason for the head tilt and poor balance in older dogs is a stroke.
This is not as bad as it sounds and many dogs will recover partially or completely in time.
Another tell tale sign of a stroke would be nystagmus, which is involuntary movements of the eyes. When you look into his eyes you will find they are flickering from side to side slightly all the time.
As for the lump, then that really does need professional investigation so you are doing the right thing going to your vets with him.
I hope you are able to get some treatment for your old boy and please do let us know what the vet says. x

gsdlover4ever · #3 23-01-12, 04:00 PM

Do you think he might have had a stroke?
And that’s why he can't walk properly and he is keeping his head to one side?

It could also be something simple as an ear infection, again this could be the reason why his head is to one side, and he can't walk properly.

Does he shake his head at all?

Also how quickly did the lumps appear?
Can you move them about?

sami · #4 23-01-12, 04:01 PM

The lumps are probably nothing to worry about shepherds are very prone to fatty lumps as they get older and a good vet should be able to tell this from feel without biopsing every lump. Having said that obviously I cant guarantee this.

Regards his other problems if his legs have been giving out gradually this is likely to be degenerative as you guessed and at his age should progress slowly but there is no medication that is known to help.

The disorientation from today is more worrying, it could be any number of things such as a stroke which they can still recover well from or it could be blood sugar related i.e diabetes type thing. No real way of knowing I would expect your vet will want to do a full range of blood tests to see what shows up.

Try not to worry too much it is very hopeful that he will have a few more yeasr with you yet, let us know how you go on at the vet.

Stuart · #5 23-01-12, 04:52 PM

Hi and welcome,... poor Brutus, he does look a grand old lad,..I agree with the idea od a stroke as a possibilty,.. other than that, has he been able to eat or lick something he shouldnt, a mild poison would also make him wobbley

.... but he doesnt look to be in any immedient danger, so please let us know what the vets says,.. we will all be interested

Moobli · #6 23-01-12, 05:02 PM

Aww what a lovely old boy, thanks for sharing his photos.

I would agree with the others that a stroke could be likely - looking at his head tilt and how he was disorientated, although it could also be an ear infection. The vet will be able to tell you.

I don't like the size of that lump, especially in the photo taken from above. It looks huge. I have a ten year old GSD bitch and she has a number of fatty lumps all over her. Can you get your fingers around the lump, or does it feel attached?

I do hope the vet can give you some good news and that you will have many more happy years with your lovely old gent

Please let us know how you get on.

hippychickuk · #7 23-01-12, 05:04 PM

id definalty take to the vet..even for peace of mind

Naul · #8 23-01-12, 06:05 PM

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all the input, I just got back from the vet with him, he stills weighs in at forty five kilograms which the vet said is alright but he certainly looks a lot thinner. As for his symptoms well firstly about the lump, its attached and it doesn't move around, the vet suggested that I use a hot compress of salt water and press it (not hard though) over a couple of days and it should begin to dissipate on its own. Any other methods to try to remove it would do more harm than good at this point in his life.

As for the disorientation, the lack of focus and as Tedsmum mentioned he did have that eye shifting going on, like he's trying to come out of a dizzy spell. But after some more examination the vet determined he has some sort of nerve damage thats causing his nerves between the inner ear and the area that controls a dogs balance (quite technical was his description and I was more worried as to it being treatable than understanding every word he was saying) is having problems. Thank God its not a stroke, I had to hand feed him when we got home which was a task in itself, he kept dropping his head to the side and wouldn't eat out of his bowl. The vet prescribed two types of medication for him over the course of the week, a small yellow tablet and a white one to give him thrice daily.

The degeneration of his legs is and I quote, "inevitable for this breed", which some part of me already knew but he did say supplementing his diet with a glucosamine product will ease joint problems.

Lastly, he told me that I "will" at some point, be it today or tomorrow or some months in the future have to decide whether to euthanize him, as it only goes down hill from here... although he did sound hopeful that Brutus would pull through this bad spell.

I suggest that all GSD owners with older dogs make sure their diets are up to par and include supplements such as glucosamine and a multi vitamin to keep their health up.

I'm really attached to the old boy and hope he pulls through. Sorry for the long winded post! I'm glad I found this site.

Thanks for the support people!

Stuart · #9 23-01-12, 06:13 PM

I am very pleased that you didnt get bad news, and that he will pull out of this.

If Brustus is suffering with his hind legs, then of course I agree with the vet, but if he is bright enough in himself there are other options available,.. it maybe a long time yet before he losses the use of them completly,..and even then you could think about wheels for him.

In the mean time, try him with raw fish, if he will take it the oil in the fish will do his joints a world of good

Lets us all know how he gets on please

sami · #10 23-01-12, 06:17 PM

Thats pretty good considering.

To try to reassure you I will tell you about my Sami who I had to put to sleep last weekend. She was just shy of her 14th birthday and had started with the same probs as Brutus with her back legs 2 years ago.

Up until the sunday morning we lost her she was still happily going for walks and trotting quite happily now and again. She only collapsed all of a sudden on the sunday morning and I think her heart was starting to give out too which was a factor.

I tell you this to show you that yes you will have to make the decision at some point but there is no reason why you cant enjoy another couple of years with him.