I have owned Mastiff’s for the last two decades. I have a 3 year old who is very large, approximately 120 lbs., not overweight. We keep our dogs exercised regularly. This dog, presents lame in his front shoulder and seems very stiff in his hips. Due to his breeding, he is very lazy and laid back, but I question, whether it might be due to pain. I have just moved and have not found a vet in the area, but am sure they would want to run a series of x-rays. I strongly believe, the aches and pains this dog is experiencing, is due to his build and possibly, breed. Although, the 4 mastiffs I have owned, this is the first one to show this amount of discomfort at such an early age. I contacted the breeder and she recommended that I start him on Elk Antler capsules. She says she has heard that dogs that are near being euthanized due to arthritis, rebound to a near puppy behavior. I am really surprised that a 3 year old would be exhibiting this amount of discomfort. He has no other health problems. Does anyone have any recommendations, outside of the x-rays and veterinarian advice, regarding supplements or certain exercise regimens? As soon as it warms up, I will get him swimming daily. Not wanting to be pessimistic, I feel that at this rate, he will not live a long, healthy life.
Well…what sort of health screenings did the sire and dam have? Hips clear or no? Certainly sounds like dysplasia could be a possibility.
I’d recommend adequan if the issue is arthritis.
I was thinking adequan as well. I was going to place a phone call to my equine vet and see what his feelings are about adequan for the dog. Screenings for both parents were negative for hip dysplasia. I know the breeder personally and they are very professional and efficient with the grading of the puppies and vet maintenance. This dog has never experienced any trauma at all that could explain his physical discomfort. I will try a few things before I incur the expense of full x-rays and vet exams.
It could also be a tick born disease or something like immune mediated polyarthritis. Do any of the joints appear to have effusion? There could also be a component of elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, lumbosacral disease etc… I’d go to a veterinarian and be sure they address all these possibilities. I would want CBC, chemistry panel, possibly joint taps and radiographs to rule out these possibilities.
[QUOTE=cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony;6337573]
It could also be a tick born disease or something like immune mediated polyarthritis. Do any of the joints appear to have effusion? There could also be a component of elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, lumbosacral disease etc… I’d go to a veterinarian and be sure they address all these possibilities. I would want CBC, chemistry panel, possibly joint taps and radiographs to rule out these possibilities.[/QUOTE]
Ticks could be a possibility. Before I go full steam ahead with a new veterinarian, I want to explore a few supplements and exercises on my own. I have spoken with the breeder and she is sending me a supplement to try. I know the next step is consulting a vet. If I hadn’t just moved, I wouldn’t hesitate to take him to my vet.
Thanks for all the advice.
Is this an English mastiff? If so is the 120 lbs a typo? Because a show quality large mastiff is upwards of 220 lbs. I dont say this to dis your dog, ive had several small rescue mastiffs that are every bit as wonderful as the show quality dogs, Reason I ask is if this is an English mastiff it is not well bred one, thry just arent that small, and there fore more prone to all the health issues that reputable breeders try to breed out, top of that list is orthopedic issues, thyroid issues, kidney and heart issues. Many other types of mastiff, cane corso, bull mastiff etc come in the 120 pound range but those are typically far more active than their larger English cousin. That said, I have a 250 lb male who is active, fit and athletic at almost 6 years old, so no what your dog is going through is not normal and needs a vet visit to figure it out and prescribe treatment. I am a big fan of adequan for dogs. I give it to mine similar to horses, as a preventative, however my sisters leader dog has arthritis and adequan has worked wonders.
I think before you can treat, you should get a diagnosis.
Elbow and shoulder OCD’s are fairly common in large breeds. Often a scope is all theyneed to remove fragments before they become arthritic. Hip dysplasia could also be contributing. Might be worth consulting with an orthopedic vet to discuss diagnostics and then treatment options.
Usually (but not always) gait abnormalities in young dogs are due to things like OCD’s UAPs, before general arthritis. OA occurs rapidly if fragments are not removed.
He is a bull mastiff. He was weighed a year ago, so might be in the 120-130 lb range.
Sorry but trying things on your own and waiting will probably not be in your dogs best interests. If there is a possibility of tick borne or immune mediated problems waiting the 2-6 weeks for supplements to kick in could cripple the dog from what could have been a very treatable condition. Could it just be hip and elbow arthritis, sure, but less likely like Squish already explained.
Angie’s list has vet references too, so that might be a good place to look for suggestions on picking a new one in your area. Or put a call in to your old vet to see if they know anybody near you.
So I know I am sounding like a broken record since my dog’s diagnosis, but ask your vet to run a blood panel and consider Addison’s disease. My 3 year old dog had months of chiro for stiffness before his bloods became abnormal, and he quit eating. (Stiff and normal blood work in November, diagnosed and abnormal blood work in April). In that space of months, dog would have good days, but he was overall NQR. I think as horse people, we notice this more than other dog owners.
Good luck!
I will take him in next week for a blood panel. That is a good place to start.
[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;6337698]
I think before you can treat, you should get a diagnosis.
Elbow and shoulder OCD’s are fairly common in large breeds. Often a scope is all theyneed to remove fragments before they become arthritic. Hip dysplasia could also be contributing. Might be worth consulting with an orthopedic vet to discuss diagnostics and then treatment options.
Usually (but not always) gait abnormalities in young dogs are due to things like OCD’s UAPs, before general arthritis. OA occurs rapidly if fragments are not removed.[/QUOTE]
Agreed!! There are lots of bone disease etc in young large breed dogs. Please take him to the vet and have lameness/orthopedic exam done on him.
Sounds like Lyme disease to me. Of all other things posted it’s the easiest to test for and easiest to treat.
Hips and elbows
[QUOTE=daisyduke;6337552]
Screenings for both parents were negative for hip dysplasia. [/QUOTE]
The tests I know of for hips and elbows don’t say positive or negative. They give a rating on a scale that compares other dogs of the same breed.
Unless I saw paperwork (and thus was able to research the company the rads are sent to), being told hips are “negative” for dysplasia would be a giant flaming red flag. Such an affirmative statement might make the company legally vulnerable. Like I said, I’ve never seen a report say yay or nay.
Check elbows, too.
Elbows are normal or grade 1/2/3 dysplastic–basically pass/fail.
Hips are Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe.
This info is on the OFA website, and you can also look up dogs that have been tested and graded:
[QUOTE=Simkie;6338754]
Elbows are normal or grade 1/2/3 dysplastic–basically pass/fail.
Hips are Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe.
This info is on the OFA website, and you can also look up dogs that have been tested and graded:
www.offa.org[/QUOTE]
There is also PennHip which (in my opinion) is a better method for detecting hip issues. They give an actual measured # for distractions (laxity),then group your dog into a percentile for that breed. Of course, if you are not looking to breed your dog a basic VD extended view will show you if there is obvious disease there.
I agree, vet - bloods and palpations for lameness.
