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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Behavioural issue or something else?

24 replies

blummineck · 26/11/2023 11:29

Morning,
I have a 3 year old GSD who for some time now (perhaps a year or more) has been very lethargic, reluctant to go for walks and doesn't engage in play much, despite our best efforts. We've had xrays and bloods done and nothing has shown there. We have been working with a behaviourist to help with her anxiety as she can be lead reactive to both other dogs and humans, but give her plenty of space etc and she can cope ok and we are using the techniques provided to help us and her when walking.
However I've always had a niggle about her walk, her gait sometimes seems off and I managed to get a video of it recently and showed it to the vet, who agreed something didn't quite look right, so they are going to do a scan of her to investigate further (not sure what type yet) but they are getting an expert in and I'm just awaiting confirmation of when they are available. In the meantime she was given an injection of pain relief just in case.
She is up and down with her food, at the moment she is not eating much.
I guess the question is, has anyone else had a dog that displayed similar symptoms and get an answer as to what is causing it? my poor dog seems really depressed all the time, we really do try with different forms of play etc but I can't help but think something physical is going on and hopefully we will get some answers after the scan.
If there are any relatable experiences or questions I should be asking the vet, I would love to hear from you.
Thanks for getting this far 🙂

OP posts:
margotrose · 26/11/2023 12:32

Large breeds like German Shepherds are prone to joint problems like hip dyplasia or luxating patella. It could even be arthritis despite her young age.

I have no direct experience but it sounds like you're doing all the right things. If she's in pain and lethargic I would be inclined to limit her exercise until you have some answers. I hope it's nothing too serious, bless her.

Peacheroo · 26/11/2023 13:14

You're doing all the right things but no this cannot be explained as normal. I have had some very, very lazy dogs including one who wouldn't go out in the rain BUT even with bone cancer and / or sore joints and ligaments, they are excited for a walk. All GSD size and similar temperament.

Fraaahnces · 26/11/2023 13:21

There is also a heart condition called “GSDiva” that can cause issues in young dogs too. Worth finding out if there’s a murmur.

Anonanonanon1 · 26/11/2023 19:12

I would ask the vet for a pain (drug) trial, and see if this makes any difference to the behavior you are seeing

ThistletoeAndGrime · 26/11/2023 19:18

Yes - but it turned out to be under active thyroid, combined with some cruciate damage - both of which are common and easily ruled in/out by the vet so I would hope yours would have already picked up on either of them if they were at play here.

Original poster
blummineck · 26/11/2023 20:07

Thanks all, thyroid issues were ruled out. and xrays I believe ruled out obvious signs of hip displasia.
She is on a pain trial at the moment, injection which lasts the month, librela I think? not seen much change to be honest and that was about 3 weeks ago....

OP posts:
EdithStourton · 26/11/2023 20:38

Librela normally works quite quickly, within a few days. Does she have back issues maybe?

Autieangel · 26/11/2023 20:45

Have they check his heart? An arrhythmia can cause lethargy

Motorina · 26/11/2023 21:06

Librella is specific to arthritis and, as @EdithStourton has said, works within days.

My girl had similar symptoms, plus a reluctance to do a sport she had previously adored. We saw multiple specialists with no diagnosis reached, and it was all put down to being behavioural. Eventually, a sports injury specialist reached a diagnosis and, very rapidly, she was back to her old self.

I don't know where in the country you are but, if you can get there, I would strongly recommend The Renew Centre (https://renewcentre.co.uk/) - they gave my girl her happiness back.

margotrose · 26/11/2023 21:08

Hip dysplasia and joint issues aren't always picked up on x-rays unfortunately. Were her elbows etc. checked too?

Original poster
blummineck · 26/11/2023 21:19

I'm hoping a further scan will pick up on any back issues x

OP posts:
Original poster
blummineck · 26/11/2023 21:21

Autieangel · 26/11/2023 20:45

Have they check his heart? An arrhythmia can cause lethargy

only the standard listen to the heart, would that pick an arrhythmia?

OP posts:
Original poster
blummineck · 26/11/2023 21:22

Motorina · 26/11/2023 21:06

Librella is specific to arthritis and, as @EdithStourton has said, works within days.

My girl had similar symptoms, plus a reluctance to do a sport she had previously adored. We saw multiple specialists with no diagnosis reached, and it was all put down to being behavioural. Eventually, a sports injury specialist reached a diagnosis and, very rapidly, she was back to her old self.

I don't know where in the country you are but, if you can get there, I would strongly recommend The Renew Centre (https://renewcentre.co.uk/) - they gave my girl her happiness back.

Can I ask what the diagnosis was please? Thanks for the site I will check that out c

OP posts:
Original poster
blummineck · 26/11/2023 21:24

margotrose · 26/11/2023 21:08

Hip dysplasia and joint issues aren't always picked up on x-rays unfortunately. Were her elbows etc. checked too?

Yes the elbows were checked, the vet actually called the day the xrays were being done and asked if he could also xray the elbows as one felt a little stiff (I think) when manipulating.. but nothing came up in the xray, perhaps one to pick up again with the vet?

OP posts:
Motorina · 26/11/2023 22:30

She had a chronically inflamed tendon. So nothing showed up on xray, or CT scan, and it was too small for the MRI slices to pick up. Finally diagnosed by ultrasound. Responded very rapidly to shockwave therapy and she's now back to normal.

I'm not saying that this is what your girl has. Just that vets tend to think bones and a lot of stuff simply isn't, and so doesn't show up on xray.

Fingers crossed you get some answers soon.

Autieangel · 27/11/2023 06:05

@blummineck re checking the heart. - I don't know, it did with our dog. It might be worth mentioning heart issue though just in case .

Newuser75 · 27/11/2023 06:45

I know you mention a specialist vet but does that mean a referral to a veterinary hospital?

If not then I'd ask for this. You want to be looking for a place that has vets that hold higher qualifications such as diplomas in medicine, neurology and surgery as well as have equipment such as ct and mri scanners.

This kind of place will be best suited to figure out what is going on. Good luck.

Ylvamoon · 27/11/2023 06:57

I second physio. If she's done some sort of K9 sports it's possible she has some soft tissue damage.

But still go ahead with specialist referral.

Original poster
blummineck · 27/11/2023 21:53

Newuser75 · 27/11/2023 06:45

I know you mention a specialist vet but does that mean a referral to a veterinary hospital?

If not then I'd ask for this. You want to be looking for a place that has vets that hold higher qualifications such as diplomas in medicine, neurology and surgery as well as have equipment such as ct and mri scanners.

This kind of place will be best suited to figure out what is going on. Good luck.

The vet wants to bring in a specialist to do the scan so I'm hoping that will cover it, but good points raised thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
blummineck · 29/12/2023 10:12

Morning all,

I hope you had a lovely Christmas, I thought I'd pop on to give you an update...

Following an ultrasound scan and xrays last Friday we think we have found the root cause of the issue... turns out there was a foreign object in her abdomen so they had to open her up to get at it.... turns out it was a surgical swab from when she was spayed 18 months ago!!! They have opened up an internal investigation and I should get all the costs back I've spent on investigations over the past year...

I'm a mix of emotions.. sad that she has had to go through this, angry at what has happened but relief to know that I wasn't going mad and there was something affecting her. I'm really hoping that once healed she becomes a happier dog and starts to enjoy walks again.

Thanks for all your feedback I really do appreciate it.

Have a fab New year xx

OP posts:
Peacheroo · 29/12/2023 13:03

Oh wow! That's amazing that you knew, you're an amazing dog owner and she's very lucky to have you!

I'm glad they're covering the costs - it's quite despicable.

Wishing a quick recovery ❤️‍🩹

margotrose · 29/12/2023 13:06

What an update! Bless her (and you) - all that worry for something that was completely unavoidable.

Hopefully she's back to her usual self soon! :)

Whattheheckcarer · 29/12/2023 13:07

Oh dear, I bet they were shocked. Very unimpressive of vets but I'm glad you've found the cause.

VelvetandLace · 29/12/2023 23:50

Oh blummineck, your poor dog. Hoping she will soon be fit and enjoying life again.

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