Help me help my best girl

[Live_Wire]

I have a 14 year old German shepherd - I’m biased but she’s the best dog in this world. Fortunately she’s been good to her body and is still fairly mobile. She had a vestibular attack last year that took a toll on her, but she bounced back as best as she could.

I’m realistic, I know we’re on borrowed time. I manage what I can that’s fair to her, but will not do anything selfishly.

A few years ago, she started experiencing rectal prolapse. We were hesitant to put her under because she has a mild heart murmur, so we’ve been managing it the best we can with topicals and anti inflammatories as needed. Recently it seems to be giving her a lot more trouble. I’m just seeing if anyone has any suggestions on what else I can do/incorporate to keep her comfortable. Appreciate any insight.

For the record, we do work very closely with our vet and trust them wholeheartedly. They’ve been so good to us and better to her. He encouraged me to do some research and get some ideas and we could have a meeting of the minds and determine a game plan.

[JumpWithPanache]

I don’t have any suggestions for rectal prolapse, but just want to send hugs to you and jingles to your girl. Hopefully some COTHers have good ideas for you. I also have a 14.5 yr old GSD who wasn’t as easy on her body but we’ve been managing her arthritis as best we can and have borrowed a lot of extra time. Good luck and enjoy the extra love and snuggles with your girl

[Laverne77]

I don’t have any suggestions for your situation, either, but do want to send some good thoughts and jingles. I had a German shepherd and she, too, was the best dog in the world.

[beowulf]

I have no advice, just sending some cosmic jingles to help your best girl ever.

[Live_Wire]

Thank you guys so much. I hate this part, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world either. It’s a great honor to be her caretaker - I just hope we can keep her comfortable so she can go on her own terms when she’s ready.

[MunchingonHay]

I do not have any experience with rectal prolapse.

Sending you and your best girl all of the positive vibes.

[NaturallyHappy]

I don’t have any experience w rectal prolapse, either. However, one of my GSDs did develop a problem in the rectal region…I can’t remember what it was called but it involved antibiotics which made him very sick. We then went to a cream I applied several times a day to his rectum and he recovered. It’s been at least 10 years but I’ll try to remember what it was called. A university vet school diagnosed it. Is there any chance you need a second opinion?

[JBCool]

Unfortunately, no advice, but sending a ton of jingles from one GSD lover to another. A GSD taught me to walk

[NaturallyHappy]

Replying to myself as it is easier than editing. It was perianal fistula, and considered quite rare. I hope this is helpful somehow.

[Live_Wire]

So! This is actually might be the source of the problem… we’ve fought infections for years. Super common in German Shepherds for God knows what reason. I got myself in such an emotional tizzy I forgot what it was until you said something so thank you so much for chiming in!

I actually started her on carprovet and cephalexin last night so I’m hoping that will get ahead of it. I’m wondering if the tissue is just so inflamed it’s spreading. Fingers crossed.

[Live_Wire]

I figure I owe you all some tax for being so kind. Here’s our girl just a few weeks ago.

[Annie10]

aw what a pretty happy girl

[NaturallyHappy]

I LOVE sable shepherds. That’s all I’ve ever had. I was told perianal fistulas were common, but I thought they were rare. I’ve had eight of them and only one had the problem. He was so good to care for. I sure hope this helps.

[bingbingbing]

Love her!

[Live_Wire]

We have five altogether and luckily we haven’t had to deal with it with any of the others.

Since starting the carprovet and antibiotics, she hasn’t had any accidents on herself! She’s been an angel about letting me clean her and trim her even thought I know it’s very uncomfortable for her. I’m so glad you chimed in - thank you.

@bingbingbing thank you, she’s just the best. She’s a friend of a lifetime.