Worried about my Alsatian

[Simba]

About 6 months ago, my dog started losing his footing on his front paws. After a while that stopped so I suspect that was an injury. Now this last week, his hind legs are giving way, he fell on the stairs last Sunday and today he just totally fell flat on his belly about 5 times. He is 13 years old and he is an Alsatian/Collie cross. Just wondering from any dog lovers out there if they have any advice for me. I don't want him to suffer, he can walk albeit slowly and he seems happy within himself, he doesn't appear to be in any pain either.

 

[Black Sheep]

It, unfortunately, sounds like age but might be worth taking him to the vet just to get things checked.

 

[Becs]

Definitely take him to a vet, if it's something like neck arthritis they'll be able to prescribe him some anti-inflammatories that may make the rest of his life a bit easier and more comfortable.

 

[Globalti]

Can you smell alcohol on his breath?

 

[Cheule]

Unfortunately Alsatians are more prone to leg trouble later in life, my partner used to own one with the same problem. Get it to the vets for a look-see. And give him a kiss on the nose from all of us.

 

[Panter]

Definately straight to the vets. And a big kiss on the nose from me, too (the dog obviously, not you )

 

[newb]

someone has said it above already but german shephards are well known for having problems with there hips. It sounds like your dog is having similar problems. A vet could prescribe something to relieve the pain. I have a shephard and was advised to never to let him use the stairs as it puts un-necessary pressure on his hips.

Good luck with it all though, it could be something simple like an infection in his bladder which hurts when he walks so a trip to the vets is a definate.

Best of luck

 

[ThePainInSpain]

Unfortunately Alsatians are more prone to leg trouble later in life, Get it to the vets for a look-see. And give him a kiss on the nose from all of us.

This is very true German Shepherds, Alsatians and Retrievers are all prone to back end problems in their later years. Get him to the vets.

But, although it saddens me to say it, at 13 years old, start preparing yourself for the inevitable.

Good luck, and keep us posted....................

 

[nosherduke996]

As above, we had a alsation that developed hip problems and it developed very quickly. It sounds as if your dog has had a good long life. You will know, that you wont want the dog to suffer. And you will do the right thing when the time comes.

 

[Norm]

An Alsation of that age should not, IMO, be allowed to climb stairs, certainly not when they have shown signs of problems. Hip Dysplasia is the likely cause here, keep the dog fit and active, running him in straight lines, try not to let him run in circles and certainly don't let him climb or descend stairs.

 

[yello]

This is very true German Shepherds, Alsatians and Retrievers are all prone to back end problems in their later years. Get him to the vets.

That's my experience too. Sadly.

He's getting on a bit now, happens to us all, so such things have to be expected. To be frank, it doesn't sound good to me at all that he is collapsing totally - but I'm no vet. It's positive that he's in good spirits, that is a good sign imo. I've seen the look of distress in a dogs' eyes before (when they don't understand what is happening) and it's heart breaking.

Take him to the vets, see what they say. Be prepared to make some decisions. Not necessarily 'end of the road' decisions but change of life ones. If his hips are gone then maybe one of those mobility trolleys is an option.

And give him a cuddle from me. I love dogs.

 

[Simba]

His walking seems a lot better this morning, a good nights sleep seems to have helped him. I blocked off the stairs so he cant go up them anymore. I will monitor his walking over the weekend now he isn't climbing the stairs. I am hoping it was just a slight injury.

 

[Panter]

His walking seems a lot better this morning, a good nights sleep seems to have helped him. I blocked off the stairs so he cant go up them anymore. I will monitor his walking over the weekend now he isn't climbing the stairs. I am hoping it was just a slight injury.

Is there any reason you can't get him to the vets? hopefully you're right, and it's nothing serious, but it would be awful if it was and something could've been done before it's too late.

 

[Becs]

At his age it's much more likely to be something like arthritis than an acute injury in which case some sort of long term pain relief will be beneficial (you may not know that he is in pain until you see how much better he is on painkillers!). Dogs with arthritis will get acute flare ups that make them appear worse on some days and better on others but the underlying problem will still be there. That said collapsing completely could be something different entirely, it could be his heart, he could have some sort of virus/tumour, if he's weak in all 4 legs it could be his neck; the bottom line is you won't know unless you get him examined. Doing it sooner rather than later may even save you an emergency fee when things get worse out of hours.

P.S. I am a vet (albeit one that now only treats horses)

 

[Simba]

Reason I can't get him to the vets is I am not driving, sold my car ages ago. He appears a lot better today, he is now on Glucosimine, it's just getting him to take it hehe.