How long do German shepherds live with hip dysplasia?
My GSD is 6 years old and has had hip dysplasia for 6 months. He is getting worse quite quickly and cannot even walk for 5 minutes without nearly collapsing. How long will he live before his back end totally collapses?
Also does anyone know if veterinary medication does much to ease the pain caused by hip dysplasia.
November 26th, 2009 at 10:26 am
As it gets worse the meds probably need to change. You might want an xray from the vets to see what stages you are in. Also, I used to use an old bath towel, and I put it under the dogs belly, and held an end in each hand, and lifted the dog that way to help it walk.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:11 am
It can live alright, but it will be in sooooo much pain. I’d suggest a surgery for it.
Good Luck for you two !
November 26th, 2009 at 11:17 am
One of my GSDs had dysplasia. He lived to be over 11 years old. He was diagnosed around 4 years. First we gave him glucosamine with chondroitin. That helped for a couple of years. Then we had to add Rimadyl, which is prescription. There are other drugs.
My current GSD also has joint issues. We see a holistic vet and our regular vet. She is on GlycoFlex II, a MSM supplement (Vita Flex MSM 1 g/day), Vitamin C (Ester C, 500 mg/day), fish oil (1000 mg/day). We recently added a yucca supplement (Azmira Yucca Intensive … I mix the drops with plain yogurt). We tried going off the MSM and she got worse. And I’m convinced that the yucca has helped her a lot. Jury is out on the fish oil and vitamin C.
She also gets swim therapy which gives her no impact exercise. Now she is strong and healthy. No one would know she has had problems! Good luck! There is hope.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I’m sorry to hear about your boy.
Dogs can live indefinitely with HD, but obviously you want them to live as pain free as possible.
There are neutraceuticals, pain medications, surgeries, and Adequan injections that can all be used to manage the pain. I have an HD dog and we have done quite well managing her on Glucosamine supplements, and Adequan Injections. You may talk to your vet about this.