http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm

I emailed my friend with your question and she emailed me back with this....

the GSD I had before MoJo, was afflicted with Degenerative Myleopathy. I thought at first he had arthritus maybe in his hips...but it was DM....I put him on the vitamin regime proposed by Dr. Clemmons at the Univ. of Florida, and saw a lot of improvment at first.....I think it probably extended his life by maybe 6 months. It was his shoulders that took the real beating from the loss of strength in his hind quarters....DM isn't painful...but the parts of the body that have to carry the weight seem to wear out....

I used to carry him by his tail....he wanted to go do horses so bad, so I'd hold up his tail and give him balance....It was exhausting, but worth it.....he was a great dog.

Nowadays one can make or buy wide carry straps to help support their weight and their bodies become paralyzed to. A friend up in Michigan with her Esky is doing it now, as Neeko is getting into his finals days.

hey all..hows everyone doing? Wanting to keep this thread alive...anything new or exciting happening? Any interesting or funny animal stories?

GREAT TOPIC !
We do love our pets in the USA and spend big bucks....
"They are worth it"! Unconditional LOVE

Check my picture of 'Bo' in my profile... ( I don't know how to upload on topics...
I have 2 dogs Momma 'Shelby'(13) and one of her pups 'Bo'...turned 6 yrs. old this year I might add.
Also have 2 female cats,Tink & Callie (no pics)

I like my dogs better than I like most people!!!

thank you so much for information about DM. i will let you know what i find out. i know it is very common in GS dogs.
however, we did not do extensive tests. the dog was unable to walk, and incontinent, and so he was put to sleep. this was after an hour of consultation. there was anexoria involved, but the dog's coat was beautiful. just severe weight loss. it could have been cancer.

i will never know if this was the right thing to do, but the pain and suffering is over.
Tony, if you are reading this, rest in Peace.

as your beloved pets owner, only you know what was best as only you and him lived and experienced what was going on....no one judges you and shouldnt....obviously you loved yout sweet dog!
I am so sorry for your loss!

I hear ya on that one!!!

GREAT PICS!!!! What a beautiful dog!!! :)

I've got a german shepard I love him to death. But I've also got a corn snake(corncob 10yr) a ball python(charlie 9yr) a king snake(hershy 1yr) a bearded dragon(drake 3yr) a savannah monitor(monty 1.5yr) and 2 sugar gliders(skitz 2yr and gizmo 4yr) and some fish lol all probably close to 2yrs since I've had them. I'm attached to all of them. I know most people say eww to reptiles but you wouldn't believe the personalities they have. Your probably thinking personalities yea right but they really do.

Every now & then you hear that someone died and had it in their will to euthanize their pet to go with them. I think this is not fair but wondered what y'all thought.

same here.i trust dogs easier than i do people!

I agree, its amazing how smart and human like some animals are.
I had rats and most people hate them, but thay are such lovable sweet animals....

I think its unfair. I understand that an older animal who has had one owner forever will probibly miss ya and may be depressed and sad, but what right do we have to kill that animal just because we died? They may go on to another great home and be just fine....ya never know.

animal chat...well how about MOO?

Well, tonight I am nursing my idiot dog Chatka. She bailed off for a day and two nights. Showed up this morning looking like Hell!!!!

She scrounged up a rattlesnake to bite her on the face and took a header into a paddle cactus. Miserable would describe her look. Sore. Walking like she is 500 years old. Reminds me of dates I've had.

So, I am using pantyhose to snag out the cactus needles I can find. Fixed her and Black Betty some eggs with hamburger and queso along with a bowl of milk with honey in it. (Betty is extatic). Chatka is barely touching hers but she is doing better....but, I can tell she is ignoring all my advise about "stay home where it is safe".
Oh well, time for another shot of whiskey then continue the hunt for cactus needles. (Yay)

Poor Dog, you sound like such a good mom to her tho...
LOL sounds like some hell of a few dates if you ask me LOL
Good luck on the cactus pulling, something we dont have to worry about here in Mn and ND lol

No kitties allowed!

rattlesnake bite in the face? she needs more than whiskey..
and usually u take cactus needles out with pliers not pantyhose...