She is 6 years old, usually very active, lives in a hot climate.
Answers:
do you mean you dont know what arthritis is, or are you asking what it means for the dog in terms of health long term?
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she will soon start limping or favoring her back leg the vet has some medicine that will help her Good Luck
If her leg is really bothing her, ask the vet for arthritis meds. my Shepherd had arthritis in her back, she couldnt walk real well. when the vet gave her the meds, she was like a new dog.
6 seems somewhat young for arthritis in a dog. But really, with the proper treatment and medications and keeping her checked up at the vet regularly im sure she will be ok for now. She might slow down a bit and not seem as active, so be ready for that.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your dog has arthritis in her hind left leg.
German Shepherds are notorious for rear-leg diseases of all varieties. Arthritis is a condition that involves calcium deposits in the joints, usually caused by improper contact of the joint ball and socket.
This means you have a few options: Because your dog is still relatively young, it is not too late to consider surgical correction of the joints in question (hips, knees, whatever). Correcting the dysfunction will improve your dog's mobility, reduce pain, and delay further disease for many years.
Another option is pain and joint management through medicine, i.e. non-steroidal anti-noninflammatory and joint supplements with Glucosamine, condroitin, and MSM. This is not a solution to the problem, but can be effective in treating the symptoms for many years. Choosing this route is cheaper in the short term, but long-term treatments add up to be costly, as well as risking liver and kidney function.
Good luck, I hope whatever you choose makes you and your dog happy and pain free.
Oh, I forgot to mention! Please make sure to keep her at the proper weight for her size - even a few extra pounds can cause unnecessary pain in the already painful joints.
ive had 3 german shepherds and all but one has been diagnosed with arthritis my vet said that arthritis is very common i the breed. so look into it.
I've had 9 German Sheppards,3 at the moment,and none of mine have had arthritis.1 had her hips give out at around 10,it's common,but not as common as some think.8 of the 9 I imported from Germany,the other one I rescued from a shelter at Ft.Hood( hubby deployed and wiffey didn't want to raise a sick pup,so I took him,he has a heart murmur,but he will go out to the pasture and " walk the horses" all day long if I and the horses will let him.If your vet is a trustworthy vet then follow the advice from him/her,good luck.
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