Dealing with Arthritis in Older Working German Shepherd Dogs

by V. Norberg.

Many times we hear about and discuss our German Shepherds when they are in their prime younger years. Most times we don’t hear much about our dogs when they get older and the ailments that might plague them.

Arthritis itself is a nonspecific term which refers to inflammation of a joint. It is a debilitating disease that greatly affects your German Shepherd’s health. In normal joints, cartilage serves as a buffer between the bones. Normally the body replenishes cartilage as it wears away. Arthritis is the breakdown of that protective cartilage which covers or buffers the ends of the bones at the joint. This disease is most common in older dogs which are 7 plus years of age and much more in larger breeds such as German Shepherds. As your dog ages the bony joints begin to move less smoothly and bony spurs may develop in the body’s attempt to stabilize those joints. Joint instability and this bony development cause pain.

Believe it our not arthritis in dogs is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians today. A survey done of Canadian veterinarians has shown that on the average 10% of Canadian dogs have some form of arthritis. Veterinarians and dog owners seldom notice the warning signs of arthritis in their dogs because dogs don’t complain like humans do. Dogs may experience arthritis pain just as their human counterparts do but unlike humans, most pet arthritis develops almost immediately after a injury to your pet’s body. The onset is often within weeks of even a minor injury as opposed to years like in humans. So as you can see this disease can also affect many younger working German Shepherd Dogs as well.

There are 3 types of arthritis common to our older working German Shepherd Dogs.

Osteoarthritis which is by far the most common plaguing millions of companion animals. Approximately 25 - 30% of all family pets suffer from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the protective cartilage deteriorates faster than the body can replace it. Symptoms are often progressive with age.

Rheumatoid Arthritis which is a severe inflammatory form of arthritis that damages the protective cartilage and surrounding tissues. In this form of arthritis the dog’s immune system actually produces antibodies which fight against the body’s own protein.

Septic Arthritis is an infectious form of arthritis. This is a bacterial, viral or fungal infection in your German Shepherd’s joint(s). This form of arthritis is usually treatable, if caught early, with oral antibiotics.

There are many different causes for arthritis. Some of which are genetics, injuries or trauma, infection, immune system problems, poor nutrition, overweight puppy during the growth process, Lyme disease, and excessive strain brought on by repeated activity and exercise.

Symptoms? Inactivity, reluctance to lie down, get up, walk, run, eat, climb stairs, jump or play. Soreness when touched, even hours after exercise. Changes in behavior that may seem to indicate pain such as grumpiness. Swelling and inflammation of the joints, limping and decreased activity.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for most forms of arthritis. The best you can honestly expect is a decrease in pain sensation. Management is the key factor and there are a number of treatments that you can choose from today.

Drug Therapies include Steroids and NSAIDs (aspirin, motrin, etc.) which don’t promote healing of the joint tissues but only manage pain. Long term use of many of these drugs can have very harmful side effects so please use caution if you choose this kind of treatment.

Arthritis can sometimes be halted or even prevented by surgery. X-rays would indicate that there are joint malformations which would be operable. There are different types of surgery with different risk levels, depending on the extent and location of arthritis in your German Shepherd. A consult with your veterinarian will help you decide which type of surgery and if surgery is applicable.

Diet change and control of you dog’s weight is very important as excess weight can put pressure on your dog’s joints. Special attention should be paid to the diet of puppies. Too rapid weight gain during the growth process has been known to be one cause of arthritis. Nutrition is the most important thing you can do for your German Shepherd. Most holistic veterinarians feel that herbs are not as effective as nutritional manipulations and bodywork. Proper nutrition is a major preventative to aid your dog from developing arthritis.

If a joint in the dog’s body (and this is true in humans as well) has a significant structural change from normal, no amount of consumed nutrients in any form will fix that structural change. Supplements to the dog’s diet will assist in decreasing inflammation and thus improve the body’s repair and strength tissues. That said I will bring up two of the most popular supplements Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. Many studies have been conducted worldwide which show us that many symptoms of osteoarthritis can be minimized and possibly eliminated with Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. Both of these supplements have been examined in clinical trials and have shown impressive results. I have used these myself with one of our older German Shepherds who has osteoarthritis and have been very amazed at the difference in him.

Low-impact exercise such as swimming and walking are a very important preventative and management measure. The kind of exercise we are talking about is the kind that does not overtax joints but helps maintain overall mobility and flexibility. This type of exercise helps to maintain muscle strength which is important for joint support.

Consider getting your German Shepherd a new bed. It can be as simple as warm blankets fresh from your dryer or a fancy orthopedic bed. Some say bedding should be warm, some say cool. I say both. Consider alternating the warm and cool. Warmth soothes the joints and cool brings the inflammation down. Bedding should be kept dry and away from drafts and damp areas. Here’s something to consider, many arthritic dogs will seek a cold, hard surface for sleeping such as a concrete floor. These dogs are probably tolerating the hard surface for the relief they get from the cool temperature which helps bring down the inflammation. Cool and soft would be better. A good nights rest is imperative for your dog.

Consider giving your German Shepherd massages. Gentle daily massages can reduce pain and stiffness. Use your thumbs and fingertips to massage your dog’s effected joints. This will help relax your dog and sooth his/her sore muscles. There’s some added benefits as well, it allows you to check your dog for unusual lumps and it helps you bond. What better reason is there then bonding?

Arthritis in our older working German Shepherd Dogs doesn’t have to be the devastating disease it once was. As you can see there are many newer treatments out there and I would encourage you to research them and discuss them with your veterinarian. Don’t let your dog, who has given his best years for you, live in pain.

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