I am so frustrated. I have read on this site and other places about not over-exercising puppies. I have owned 2 GSD's to date. The last one had severe bilateral hip dysplasia, diagnosed initially at about 8mo old when she was fixed, confirmed when she was a little older. My current GSD, now 2 1/2y/o, was diagnosed with bilateral elbow dysplasia and had surgery at 1 y/o.

Since his surgery, and arthritic elbows, we've limited his activity. He generally gets one to two 2 mile walks/day, and during that walk a short ball playing session (kept short because we understand it stresses his joints, but he enjoys it so much.) Once in awhile we'll take him on a long hike, but he never appears to be exhausted after it, perhaps a little more sore only.

Now he has developed this left rear leg limp/ drag, and the vet is pretty certain it's ACL tear. He said ball/ frisbee playing is often the culprit of this injury, and while it's fairly common in dogs, it's not the most common in GSD's.

Is this just the nature of dog ownership? Am I doing something wrong? Is it the nature of owning a purebreed? At this point me and my s.o. are ready to say no more GSD's, we'll go to the pound from now on and get a good, sturdy mixed breed.

I'm interested to know what kinds of exercises others do with their dogs. We got these GSD's from two different breeders, after much research both times. Both had *all* the usual insane amount of vaccinations as a puppy (I've since learned better.) Could that have something to do with faulty joint development?

I most certainly don't want more surgery on this poor dog. We see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow, the one who did his elbow surgeries, but I intend to wait and just restrict his activity rather than jumping into immediate surgery. One of the posts on this site included a website that highly recommends waiting at least 2 months on restricted activity to see if the joint will stabilize itself instead of compromising it with surgery.

Frustration....

Stephanie,

I am so sorry for both you and your dogs. Dealing with these kinds of chronic issues must be maddening, frustrating, and emotionally wrenching (not to mention expensive).

I don't have any experience with ACL problems, or HD, in my own dog. But, my GSD does have spinal issues (spondylosis and arthritis), and what I strongly believe in is keeping any dog as well-conditioned as possible to support the joints and muscular system, so that it can be as functional and active as possible.

You may want to consider finding someone who specializes in sports med for dogs. In agility circles, these folks are known and if they're good, well-used. I've taken my GSD for a couple of consultations with such a vet, and have been given great directions for conditioning and strengthening my dog. A lot of it is very simple...walking backwards, fetching from a down position, and pulling with a harness on all strengthen the rear assembly. There are other things that strengthen the back muscles, other stretches and exercises that one can use. I am not suggesting that these specific activites would be appropriate for your dog, but that there are going to be many things you can do to keep your dog as well-conditioned as possible beyond just walking, that would most likely enable it to be able to play a little fetch much more safely.

Another thing I have found is that if you go to a surgeon, don't be surprised if the recommendation is for surgery<g> (human MD or vet). I'm not saying your dog doesn't need surgery, but just voting again for a consultation with a relevant specialist (the sports med/rehab kind of vet) that may have other options to offer you.

Good luck with this difficult situation.

leih

How very frustrating Stephanie! My sister has a 12 year old (almost 13 now)working German line GSD that still has TONS of ball drive but suffers from arthritis and some spinal issues. She takes her dog to the lake and throws the ball out into the water for him so he has to swim to get it instead of run. It tires him out (yes, he still needs this!) but does so without stressing his joints. He's a very happy ol' guy after a visit to the lake. She also does two short walks a day with him to get him moving but not long enough for him to really get tired or sore. I know she stays away from pain medication because his digestive system is really touchy, but he's pretty cheerful and doesn't look his age (except his teeth are nubs). If your dogs like water, swimming might be the way to go.

My sisters dog had a lot of vaccines too (hey, what we didn't know ten years ago, eh?) but when he was very small she didn't allow him to jump or climb stairs, and was always quite hyper vigilant about this. I don't know if that would make a difference or not? I've never worried about stairs with our Doberman puppies, but then in Dobes hip and elbow problems are much less common.

I spoke with a friend who had her dobe's ACL repaired, and it was $3,600!!!!!!!!! With the elbow surgeries for his elbows (2 total) and all the consultations with specialists/ xrays/ meds/ ect... we've tallied up about $10,000 already spent on this 2 1/2 y/o dog.

I am a huge hearted person. I care very much about the animals that have been in my life. I know no one can answer this for me, but seriously, how much is enough? We don't have a house or a family yet because this dog has been a huge expense for us, with more on the horizon, apparently. Then of course there's the big chance the same thing could happen to the other leg. I'm not only talking about "how much money is enough" to spend on a beloved pet, but what about the emotional turmoil for the humans witness to the long recovery and most importantly the pet, who already has had behavioral issues, no doubt in part because of the past surgeries and resulting arthritis and pain?

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies. I just feel very hopeless as I watch my miniscule house savings further diminish and my loving pet turn into Cujo as his pain and physical problems pile up. I wish he could talk rationally to me, just for a few minutes.

Stephanie,
i am so sorry. that is a very diff situation and there just isnt a universal "right" answer. each of us has a diff limit to what we can take emotionally as well as financially and also what the dog can take, weighing quality of life issues as well.
all their lives we have to weigh what kind of exercise, what is age appropriate and physically appropriate and yet still fun for the dog, but safe and genetically what they can/should do. they are so willing and eager to please that they will hurt themselves in their exuberance....
please keep us posted and goodluck.

jen

 Quote: stephanie biros

I know no one can answer this for me, but seriously, how much is enough? We don't have a house or a family yet because this dog has been a huge expense for us, with more on the horizon, apparently. Then of course there's the big chance the same thing could happen to the other leg. ... the pet, who already has had behavioral issues, no doubt in part because of the past surgeries and resulting arthritis and pain?

I will spend every cent I can on caring for my dogs when it makes sense.

If you had a pretty good idea that another surgery would be the last and that the dog had a good chance of good quality of life after it, that would be one thing.

You don't.

I know that I would make the decision based on the best info I could get, including the vets' ideas, not of what can be done but what they would do in the same situation, and then I would not second-guess myself.

Guilt has no part here. Guilt will make for poor decision-making. JMO.

And I would not look back and tell myself that I had made a cold-hearted financial decision, either. For one thing, finances are a huge part of every aspect of life, and for another, I don't believe that straight finances really will make the decision for you.

Weigh everything. Decide. Don't look back. All we can do is our best at the time.

 Quote: stephanie biros

I watch my miniscule house savings further diminish and my loving pet turn into Cujo as his pain and physical problems pile up. I wish he could talk rationally to me, just for a few minutes.

He did. That's why you are asking this.