[nbethn]

My Blitz is 8 months old. He is a purebred Shepherd from good lineage. The people that owned him found they did not have the time for him and I adopted him 6 weeks ago.
This past weekend I had him at the park with my other dogs,we were playing ball and Blitz ran alot.Well that evening he was whimpering and he was walking funny. Of course I have not run him since. Just walks in the backyard.
This evening he was playing with his toys and ran into the living room on the hardwood floor and started yelping.
My Question is , is he too young to have hip problems. I assumed they are something that come later in life.
I contacted the prior owner and was assured he had no injury. He also does eat Iam's puppy food.

I will be bringing him to the vet for X-Rays.

Just looking for some advice, Thank you.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by nbethn

My Blitz is 8 months old. He is a purebred Shepherd from good lineage. The people that owned him found they did not have the time for him and I adopted him 6 weeks ago.
This past weekend I had him at the park with my other dogs,we were playing ball and Blitz ran alot.Well that evening he was whimpering and he was walking funny. Of course I have not run him since. Just walks in the backyard.
This evening he was playing with his toys and ran into the living room on the hardwood floor and started yelping.


My Question is , is he too young to have hip problems. I assumed they are something that come later in life.
I contacted the prior owner and was assured he had no injury. He also does eat Iam's puppy food.

I will be bringing him to the vet for X-Rays.

Just looking for some advice, Thank you.

Unfortunately as this breed is susceptible to hip dysplasia it can actually occur in young dogs. It is best that you wait to see what the vet finds with x-rays though before assuming anything. good luck.

[Mr. Vega]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Unfortunately as this breed is susceptible to hip dysplasia it can actually occur in young dogs. It is best that you wait to see what the vet finds with x-rays though before assuming anything. good luck.

Great advice. I've seen young dogs with those clinical signs have anything from hip dysplasia to completely detached tibial crests. Go for the x-rays asap.

[CorkyMax]

Am pasting a post I did in here earlier on German Shepherds and Nutrition. I am sorry that you think Iam's is a good dog food! And as far as hip dysplasia---Check on Vitamin C as an aid to try to prevent this--Should be started as a very young pup! Of course I'm not sure if it too late for this now! Mr. Vega--What is your take on vit. C for this--Ever hear of it? Here is the info on the need for proper nutrition especially of concern for German Shepherds:
Attention-german shepherd/and gs mixes

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I feel that it is very important that all of you are aware of the problem that German Shepherds have with being able to get the nutrients from their food. German Shepherds have more 'breed specific health problems' then any other breed. They also die sooner than other breeds. I just know it is because they are not getting the nutrients out of what they eat----which means their immune system is compromised--which means they are susceptible to everything and are not in the best of health--or over a period of time it will break down. (Teenagers who eat a lot of junk and seem very healthy until they get older start having "age-related" problems--not the healthest immune system by now) The immune system 'is where it is all at' I am posting here a post I did back on Jan. 17-09 because I love all dogs and want to see them live a healthier, longer life!!

Came back in here to stress this point--A young dog will prob. not show that it's immune system is being compromised---but when the immune system can no longer function properly, then there may be a breakdown and the immune system can no longer 'protect' the dog from diseases and other probs.---THE IMMUNITY IS GONE!! It may appear that the dog is sick overnight and start going ' down hill' fast! Please make sure your GSD is getting the proper nutrition now---NO MATTER HOW HEALTHY IT APPEARS AT PRESENT!!

Just want to get this info out from a book I have (Earl Mindell's nutrition & Health for Dogs)---German Shepards are prone to a digestive enzyme defiency that causes many intestinal problems, including poor digestion and the inability to absorb the nutrients from foods. Nutrient deficiencies cause a long list of chronic problems, including skin problems, allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting. A diet of fresh, raw foods would be all these German Shepards would need to properly digest and absorb their food. For severe cases, there are digestive enzyme supplements for dogs. Digestive enzymes help break down your dog's food enabling the nutrients to be absorbed. Normally, living creatures begin life w/plenty of digestive enzymes, which may be depleted if they are never given any fresh, raw food. The enzymes in raw food do not replenish your dog's reserves as much as they digest a portion of that food so that your dog's body does not use as many.(end of quotes) Of course much of this info is for the good of all dogs!! And a raw food diet is what I feed my 2 cockers.

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[cherylmartin]

Please let us know the outcome of the X rays. And please, please research any drug your vet prescribes before you give it to Blitz! I did not do this. I gave my Jasmine ProIn July 9, 2009 and I had to help her to The Bridge 09-04-09. I did not reaserch it and still carry the guilt.

Please keep us informed about Blitz. We do care.

Cheryl and Angel Jasmine

[nbethn]

Thank you all so much for the info. As far as the Iams food that is what the Breeder had told his original owner thats we he feeds his dogs. I was just folllowing suit.

[CorkyMax]

Just found this---to 'back-up' what I posted about above!

Ester-C

New Forms and New Uses in Dogs

by L. Phillips Brown, D.V.M.
The common wisdom is that humans, other primates, guinea pigs, and a few birds need to get vitamin C in their diets. Since the rest of the animals produce it within their own bodies, they no doubt make enough, right? Well, maybe not. In this article, a doctor of veterinary medicine looks at the effects of vitamin C supplementation in dogs and its benefit in fighting arthritis, and other ailments.

Dogs of all ages suffer with various joint and spinal disorders, including hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, non-specific arthritis, osteochrondritis, spondylitis and spondylosis. Treatment often consists of rest. surgery and/or steroids, nonspecific anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), aspirin, penicillamine or methotrexate. Many therapeutic compounds produce only short-term benefits and may actually accelerate the progression of joint destruction.

Nutritional Considerations

Vitamin C is a vital nutrient in bone and cartilage metabolism. Although dogs, unlike humans, can manufacture their own vitamin C, they may not produce enough to counter the effects of aging, stress, inherited dysfunctions, environmental irritants and poor quality or high fat pet foods.

In fact, early studies in dogs and horses suggest that daily vitamin C supplementation might be beneficial in reducing chronic inflammation. Unfortunately; ordinary vitamin C may cause gastrointestinal upsets i dogs. A form of vitamin C that would promote higher levels of intracellular ascorbic acid without negative side effects would be a useful and unique product.

Clinical Study

The effect of different forms of vitamin C on various locomotor dysfunctions of dogs were investigated by veterinarians at The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Over 100 case studies were evaluated, using varying strengths and combinations of mineral ascorbates, ascorbic acid and microcrystalline cellulose during a six-month period. The results indicate that a patented vitamin C ascorbate / vitamin C metabolite complex, administered orally, may have application for the reduction of discomfort associated with nonspecific, chronic inflammatory disorders of dogs. The vitamin C ascorbate / metabolite complex used in the study was Ester-C.

Product Background

According to the manufacturer, Inter-Cal Corporation, of Prescott, Arizona, Ester-C is a patented ascorbate supplement containing calcium ascorbate, naturally occurring dehydroascorbate and the vitamin C metabolite, threonate. Threonate permits ascorbate to be more rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, to cross cell membranes more efficiently, reach higher cellular levels and be excreted more slowly than ordinary vitamin C. Ester-C ascorbate is pH neutral and believed to be water and partially fat soluble.

Mechanism Of Action

Vitamin C may act as an immunoresponsive and chrondrogenerative agent. In degenerative (i.e., aging) or inflammatory conditions, collagen breakdown is excessive, resulting in joint discomfort and skeletal changes. A product that would provide high and prolonged levels of ascorbic acid would help compression resistance of cartilage, mobilized white blood cells to the site of inflammation, and enhance prostaglandin synthesis. The net result would be increased comfort and mobility.

Conclusion

78 percent of the study dogs receiving Ester-C calcium ascorbate showed improved mobility within four to five days.

The consistency and degree of response demonstrated that Ester-C calcium ascorbate provided symptomatic relief to the study dogs suffering from selected chronic joint and musculoskeletal disorders. The findings that the condition of many of the "improved" dogs deteriorated rapidly upon discontinuance of Ester-C ascorbate further verified its usefulness as primary or adjunctive therapy. These studies reinforced the earlier observations that supplemental Ester-C calcium ascorbate corrected mobility problems of dogs and horses.

The findings suggest that, although dogs can manufacture endogenous ascorbic acid, the amount produced my not be sufficient to prevent or counteract stresses associated with aging, injury or joint malpositioning.

From the results of this study, there is significant evidence to recommend oral Ester-C calcium ascorbate in the management of non-specific musculoskeletal disorders of dogs.

(c) L. Phillips Brown, DVM

References

Adkins, T. O. and Kronfield, D.S.: Diet of racing sled dogs affects erythrocyte depression by stress. Canadian Vet. J., 23:260-3, 1982

Allen, T.A., and Hand, M.S.: Conditionally Essential Nutrients. Proc. 8th ACVIM Forum, pp. 809-811, 1990

Belfield, W.O.: Chronic subclinical scurvy and canine hip dysplasia. Veterinary Medicine/Small Animal Clinician, 1399-1401, 1976

Berg, G.E.: Polyascorbate (C-Flex), and interesting alternative by problems in support and movement apparatus in dogs. Norwegian Veterinary Journal 102:579-581, 1990

Dockter, C unpublished data.

Donoghue, S., Kronfeld, D.S. and Banta, C.A.: A possible vitamin C requirements in racing sled dogs fed a high fat diet, In: Nutrition Malnutrition and Diet in Dogs and Cats ed. by meyer, H and Kienzle, E. pp. 110-114, Hanover, Tierarztliche Hochschule, 1988.

Fay, M.J.: Possible effect of ascorbic acid metabolites on the cellular uptake of ascorbic acid and other compounds. A dissertation for degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of Mississippi, 1992

Goodman, S., Vitamin C; The Master Nutrient, Keats Publishing, Inc. Connecticut, 1991

Kronfeld, D.S.: Stress supplements: Protein and vitamin C, Purebred Dogs / Kennel Gazette, 100.10:8-9. 1983

Lewis, D.L., Morris, Jr. M.L., and Hand, M.S.: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Mark Morris Assoc., Kansas, 1990

Newman, N.L., unpublished data.

Smith, C.: Moro on vitamin C, Natural Pet, Vol2, No. 6:18-19, 1993

Stein, D.: Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats, The crossing press, California, 1993

[Pet food store owner]

DR Wendell Belfield, a student of Linus Palin(sp?) has been doing studies on the effects of Vitamin c for over 30 years. He also is the person who Natura named their non invasive testing facility after. Take some time and google his name and find out about him as he is a very interesting person. I feel that is probably his hips as well. You may want to look into omega fatty acids as they help reduce any infammation that may be occuring.

[Pet food store owner]

Sorry, just caught the referance to belfield in the above post. Anyway met the man about 10 years ago and is a wealth of information. He was the catalist to getting John Radamaker start making the Natura line many years back.