Dutch Shepherd Forum

So yesterday it was pointed out to me that Fender has serious weakness in his rear end. I had wondered/feared/worried, and was hoping my trainer could tell me there's nothing to worry about. But she couldn't. She was pretty upset about his condition too. Apparently he starved himself in the shelter and lost 15-20lbs, all muscle and conditioning. His hips are just bones and his muscles seem slightly atrophied from sitting in the kennel doing nothing all day, day in, day out.

She figures he hurt his back at some point, possibly when he got neutered and had his legs spread out, or during sleep, or it could be sitting wrong, anything. I'm so worried that during the times we did play, maybe we played just too hard and I somehow hurt him.

He has a hard time climbing into the car/onto the couch/etc, and he seems to have a hard time getting up from a down. He doesn't correct his back feet if they are in a funny position, and when he walks sometimes he drags the top of his back feet.

Anyway...I'm taking him to the vet on Tuesday to find out exactly what is going on with his back end, if it's a pinched nerve, slipped disk, HD, or what have you, and I'm beginning to up the protein in his diet so he can put on some weight.

She told me to do some mild balance exercises such as lifting his legs for a couple seconds, both left legs, then both right legs, then opposite legs. And she said to put him in a proper sit and guide a treat so he leans back and reaches for it, stopping just before he loses his sit. Is there anything else i could be doing for him that could build his muscles as well as his rear end awareness?? He seems to not even realize he exists past his front shoulders. LOL.

I've stopped using the kennel today so he doesn't spend so many hours cramped up in one space. It's a HUGE crate, but still, not being able to pace or stretch totally out, i figured he'd do better with more room. So he slept free in my room last night and he was really good, and so today when i left for work i left him in my bedroom so he could move around freely. when i went home i discovered that he is, in fact, an angel dog. nothing was disturbed. yay!!

I'm crossing my fingers that it's something that can be fixed with TLC and exercise, and not neurological...which is what i'm fearing due to the dragging feet.

*sigh*

Jennie, i am so sorry to hear that your beautiful pup Fender has a problem. maybe others will have more direct comments on the physical aspects, but 2 supplements could not hurt and would almost certainly help overall, whatever the diagnosis is. 1000mg/day Ascorbyl Palmitate [ a form of vit c that you can get at Vitamin Shoppe ] and glucosamine/chondroitin [ either Cosequin DS which is made for dogs but is expensive or Walmart's Spring Valley gluco/chondroitin which Christie says is the same EFFECTIVE formulation].

if Fender has ANY troubles now like you describe - even if hopefully they turn out to be ''nothing'' at the moment, it would be an especially good idea that he get both of these supplements every day for life.

also, making sure he is getting enough high-quality Omega-3 fat would also be wise. you could add the oil directly - like fish, krill, etc. - or add a daily nutritional supplement like Platinum Performance CJ which has VERY high quality Omega 3 and additional joint and tendon helpers.

good luck with your sweet boy.

Try some Satin Balls for putting on weight. Let us know how you do at the vet.

If you YouTube rear end awareness exercises some good stuff should come up. To teach a focused heel rear end awareness is a huge part. I think I searched for competition attention heel. I'll see if I can find the video we used. It was really great!

I would see what the vet thinks. If it's HD I'd ask what sort if exercises could be used. If it's simple muscle atrophy I would lower the play intensity a bit (tough but these guys adore playing hard) and try some muscle massages along the way. H adores when I give him massages.

For training treats I would use high protein ones to help with the weight. Boiled chicken, jerky, dehydrated treats (like Stella and Chewy's or Primal). Some will be richer so may be used in moderation, and hot dogs can get a lot of fat, which is good and bad. As a side note I was always told to boil hot dogs to get the salt off them, don't know if that's true or not. Basically as much good stuff high protein to help with some weight gain. I would also build the weight slowly and surely rather than rapidly to avoid any osteo problems - I'm sure the vet may have some good ideas too!

Let us know what the vet says!

How long was he in this kennel? Was it a short stay, or is this before you got him? Is this something new?

Until you know what is up with his rear end, I would not put too much weight on him. the extra weight can stress a problem. I would be easy on him until you get what is going on from the vet. With out knowing what is going on back there, you could be hurting him or making it worse.

If it is HD, you want him light, Sadie has double HD and I keep her thin, although she does a good job herself by being so crazy.

Get xrays to see what is going on as well.

Keep it basic until you see the vet.