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From: bfoss@desteng.UUCP (Brad Foss)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: german shepherd osteochondrosis
Message-ID: <129@desteng.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 2-Oct-85 12:43:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: desteng.129
Posted: Wed Oct  2 12:43:59 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 5-Oct-85 07:16:04 EDT
References: <13200007@hpfclp.UUCP>
Organization: DEST Corporation, Milpitas, CA
Lines: 57

> 
> 
>   Any vets or vet students out there?  I just found out my 2-year-old
>   female German Shepherd has "osteochondrosis"--I think that is what the
>   guy said.  One of her shoulders did not calcify properly, and now she
>   has a flap of cartilage that causes occasional minor lameness.  If 
>   left untreated, it could tear and cause major damage.  It usually is
>   found in young (7-10 mo.) dogs, and usually males.  Anyway, my alternatives
>   are surgery--for which the prognosis is excellent-- and three months
>   of enforced rest (NO RUNNING or JUMPING).  Then if the rest doesn't do
>   it, surgery is recommended.  
>   
>   Mary Sue Rowan
>   hpfcla!marysue

This is not meant as a flame, so I will start with my experiences with my
dogs (Golden Retrievers)

It is amazing how a dog can put up with all kinds of surgery. I hope that you
can help the problem with nutrition, but don't be afraid of surgery if it can
take care of the problem, and the dog can lead a more normal life.

Now the informational flame. Mary, if this does not apply to you, please don't
take it to heart. I only mean to inform the un-informed.

Bone disorders (osteochondrosis,hip displasia,...) are predominately carried
on through the genes, and the only way to get rid of the problem is through
carefull breeding. Too many people feel that they have a great dog, and "Hey,
there's a good looking dog", so lets make puppies. Everybody likes puppies,
and everybody sees this as a way to make money.

The fact is that the work that needs to be done for puppies means that on an
hourly basis, any money made is less than the minimum wage. As for the result,
the puppies carry unknown bad traits that will be seen later when they are bred.

The German Shepard breed is a strong example of the problem. They have a
reputation as an excellent guard dog, so who needs "papers"? Besides being a
"snob sheet", to show the show dogs in a dogs lineage, the pedigree also lists
the dogs as being "OFA cleared". Other information could include eye checks
for junior cataracts (in Golden Retrievers).

So before you decide to buy a dog, check with the local club for the breed that
your interested in, go to dog shows, and inspect the pedigree. 

If you don't want to pay a lot for a dog, don't want a show dog, but want a 
specific breed, check with the local club for that breed, and find out about
their "Rescue Service". Many clubs try to rescue their breed of dogs from the
pound, and find good homes for them. Our club has had to have beautiful dogs
"put down", because there were no homes for them. All you have to pay for
is for their neutering, and any medical expences that may have been incurred.

I hope this has helped somebody, and Mary, good luck with your Shepard. I'm
sure that she will be fine.

Brad Foss

 


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