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sarge
 Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:24 pm |
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My Bandit is Lame
Bandit went to the vet today. He hurt himself on Sunday while running with his brother and slipped in the mud. Several times in the last few yrs he has had a knee injury (ACL) and we treated it with walking him on a leash, rimadyl and alternating buffered aspirin. Sunday we did not see him fall but he has been acting sad since then. He has not been limping but not really sitting for his treats and acting generally sad. He will go lie down instead. Bandit has been out of breath several times after chasing his ball a few times for a very long time . I have asked the vet about this before and he really never found anything wrong with him.
Since our whole family went through a terrible time with our last GSD with a hip replacement, and soon afterwards Lymphoma and bone cancer our vet was very optimistic when we got Bandit. We would have gotten a rescue if we had not been so much heartbreak with our last one. We shopped around and got a pup whose parents were OFA certified.
Bandit is going to be x-rayed on Monday. The vet says it is his hip and his knee. I wonder if it is from an injury rather than genetic. He is also going to do a c-pap while he is under sedation to check his oxygen level. He pants a lot and is short of breath sometimes. My son went with me to the vet. He owns his brother and he has never had any health problems.
I am very concerned about him and just hope for the best. Bandit is a wonderful companion and a very sweet and smart dog.
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Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 5171
Location: georgia
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:28 pm |
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For you and Bandit...
  
Sounds like a spectacular doggy and a wonderful pal/companion. Best of luck on the next vet visit! Poor guy. You have a lot of history and memories with this fella, huh? May everything be okay and Bandit get well! ~xo~
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 12374
Location: Kentucky
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| Hannie
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:35 pm |
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I'm sorry to hear that sarge. I hope everything will be ok. 
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li'l Shango's Mommy
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 23202
Location: The Hague, The Netherlands
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| danascully
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:36 pm |
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Oh, Sarge. I am so sorry about Bandit. I know how much you love him. I am heartbroken for you & your family, and hope all will go well on Monday. You know I share your love for the GSD; they are wonderful animals, and loving companions.
I'll be thinking of you....and please keep us informed.
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Smoke Stack
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 3092
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| jade
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:37 pm |
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I hope everything turns out ok for Bandit, sarge.
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 1386
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| gwen
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:41 pm |
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Sarge, sorry to hear that. Hope the tests on Monday turn out well!
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AKA Gagal_05
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 15239
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:43 pm |
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Sarge, I'm very sorry to hear about Bandit not feeling well.
How old is Sarge now? Could it be that he is not so playful anymore as he is getting a little older? Is he overweight or in a good shape? That can also make a difference. And the weather: our temperatures are in the mid 80s already, its humid as we had some rain last night and the sun came out in full swing, our guys prefer to stay in the house and where it's cooler, we have the doors open so they can go in and out. As you might remember, we have seven German Shepherds. Plus one Akita and a Belgian Shepherd (mix?). And a cat.
I would keep Sarge quiet, let him rest until the Vet saw him and determines what's going on. And nice cushoned dog bed would probably be good for him. We bought several orthopadic dog beds for our guys, they love it.
Please keep us updated what's going on with your boy.
I'll keep you and Bandit in my thoughts.
CK
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Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Topsider
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:47 pm |
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I'm very sorry to hear this but hope it has a good outcome
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Joined: 08 Dec 2007
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Location: On Hiatus Beach
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| pax
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:49 pm |
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Sarge I am so sorry to hear about Bandit. You and Bandit are in my thoughts. Best of luck to you.
Last edited by pax on Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:50 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
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Location: Wish You Were Here
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| sarge
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:50 pm |
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Thanks, all of you. I am feeling bummed tonight and it helps to have your support. Bandit is much loved by the grandchildren and all the family.
He was 5 in Sept. He weighs 109 which is about 10 lbs too much.
He hurt himself first when he was about a year old. His vet says that he is starting to put his weight on his front legs to get the weight off his back hip and leg. It is causing them to start turning in.
Cherokee Kid, have you ever had any hip or ortho problems with your Shepherds?
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Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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Location: georgia
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| luvslalom
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:51 pm |
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Re: My Bandit is Lame
| sarge wrote: | Bandit went to the vet today. He hurt himself on Sunday while running with his brother and slipped in the mud. Several times in the last few yrs he has had a knee injury (ACL) and we treated it with walking him on a leash, rimadyl and alternating buffered aspirin. Sunday we did not see him fall but he has been acting sad since then. He has not been limping but not really sitting for his treats and acting generally sad. He will go lie down instead. Bandit has been out of breath several times after chasing his ball a few times for a very long time . I have asked the vet about this before and he really never found anything wrong with him.
Since our whole family went through a terrible time with our last GSD with a hip replacement, and soon afterwards Lymphoma and bone cancer our vet was very optimistic when we got Bandit. We would have gotten a rescue if we had not been so much heartbreak with our last one. We shopped around and got a pup whose parents were OFA certified.
Bandit is going to be x-rayed on Monday. The vet says it is his hip and his knee. I wonder if it is from an injury rather than genetic. He is also going to do a c-pap while he is under sedation to check his oxygen level. He pants a lot and is short of breath sometimes. My son went with me to the vet. He owns his brother and he has never had any health problems.
I am very concerned about him and just hope for the best. Bandit is a wonderful companion and a very sweet and smart dog. |
Sorry to hear Bandit is not well. I hope the tests turn out okay and it's just a minor setback.
For Bandit:
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Joined: 25 Apr 2007
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Location: hamster...damn
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:12 pm |
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| sarge wrote: | Thanks, all of you. I am feeling bummed tonight and it helps to have your support. Bandit is much loved by the grandchildren and all the family.
He was 5 in Sept. He weighs 109 which is about 10 lbs too much.
He hurt himself first when he was about a year old. His vet says that he is starting to put his weight on his front legs to get the weight off his back hip and leg. It is causing them to start turning in.
Cherokee Kid, have you ever had any hip or ortho problems with your Shepherds? |
Yes, Sarge. We took a young German Shepherd in, she was only two years old when we got her. We found out she was hit by a car when she was a seven months old pup. Her left hip is basically shattered and only hold together by muscles. If a Vet sees her X-Rays, they can not believe she can even walk. But she is the fastest from all our dogs and will run along the fence like crazy. She is now six years old. She is still doing well without surgery or meds. She loves going in the pool which makes her feel good and is an excellent excersise. So far, a very good Vet I showed the X-Rays recently, recommended not do do anything. A complete hip replacement would be very difficult as she is very energetic. And there is NO guarantee that it would be successful!
What I would highly recommend for Bandit: loose weight!
My guys are between 80 and 85 lbs. I believe if Bandit would be 85 lbs, he would still not be skinny but it would be much easier on his hips and knee!
We have three German Shepherds which are on the heavy side: a three year old girl and two of our older boys, one being 10 years and our oldest being 14 years. All our dogs are on "Purina Pro Plane Rice and Chicken" dog food, the once with the weight problems are on "Purina Pro Plan Weight Maintenance". I feed them twice a day, one scoop of the plastic cup which I received from the representative of Pro Plan. All our dogs are looking great, clear eyes, beautiful fur. And they love their food. I add some canned dog food as an appetizer. Well, they are just spoiled! 
Another thought: if Bandit has weight problems, his Thyroid might be off. A blood test done by your Vet and sent to their lab should clear that up. My two older dogs are on Thyroid medication, NutroVet, 0.4 mg every 12 hours.
Hope that info helps, Sarge.
Please give Bandit a hug for me. Hope he feels better soon.
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Joined: 11 May 2006
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| tulsad
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:23 pm |
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Sarge, I am so sorry that Bandit isn't feeling well - I know how dearly you love him.  I'll be thinking about Bandit, you, and your family - and hoping that the tests show that this isn't serious.
Bandit and Smokey are two of my favorite avs - they are both beautiful dogs and I love German Shepherds. Your Refs family has pretty much fallen in love with your big, furry guy - I'm so glad CK could share some of her insight; and we're all hoping for the very best for him. Be sure to tell him.
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Sparkly Tree
Joined: 19 Aug 2006
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| sarge
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:28 pm |
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Thanks, CK and .  to all of you, means a lot.
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Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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Location: georgia
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:40 pm |
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You are most welcome, Sarge! 
In case you want to check out the "Purina Pro Plan Weight Maintenance" dog food, Petsmart has it.
And the orthopedic dog beds as well. Here is a link, the right size would be 36"x48":
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2750699
Btw: Jada, our German Shepherd with the very bad hip is a large girl but weighs only 75 lbs. The Vet recommended to keep her weight down and let her swim in the pool as often as she wants. She loves her dog bed (the one in the link above) and has the habit to sleep on her back with her little feet sticking into the air!  
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Joined: 11 May 2006
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| DocTar
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:50 pm |
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Sarge...pets are precious. One of my sisters once said she liked her cat better than most people.... I will pray for Bandit and your family.
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Joined: 26 Mar 2006
Posts: 2007
Location: one toke over the line
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| sarge
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:09 pm |
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Thank you, DocTar.
I like that bed, CK and it is not so expensive either.
Any Purina food makes Bandit itch. His brother is the same.
My son works for Pedigree so gets it for me free. I probably just need to decrease his amt.
I don't know how this got on the front page. I thought I posted it under animals. You all are sweet and I appreciate your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. We do all love our pets so much. They are our companions and our friends too.
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Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 5171
Location: georgia
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| danascully
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:28 pm |
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| tulsad wrote: | Sarge, I am so sorry that Bandit isn't feeling well - I know how dearly you love him. I'll be thinking about Bandit, you, and your family - and hoping that the tests show that this isn't serious.
Bandit and Smokey are two of my favorite avs - they are both beautiful dogs and I love German Shepherds. Your Refs family has pretty much fallen in love with your big, furry guy - I'm so glad CK could share some of her insight; and we're all hoping for the very best for him. Be sure to tell him. |
Awww, thanks, Tully.
Sarge, for you & Bandit: 
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Smoke Stack
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
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| ~kaRN
Posted:
Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:31 pm |
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I'll be thinking of you and your beautiful bandit Sarge and sending all my best wishes and thoughts. Please let us know what happens on Monday.  
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Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 3498
Location: Behind this guy!
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| olympic
Posted:
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:08 am |
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sarge......couple of people who worked with me had to put their shepherd down......one was operated on several times on their knees, and hip...the other one on the hip....something about shepherds and their legs one person was telling me.......sorry, i can't remember the details now...the link may not relate to bandit, nevertheless quite interesting.
hope all turns out the best for bandit.
http://www.leerburg.com/gsd-gate.htm
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| tulsad
Posted:
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:57 am |
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| danascully wrote: |
Awww, thanks, Tully.
Sarge, for you & Bandit: |
Hey Dana! You know that I'm always happy to see you and Smokestack! 
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Sparkly Tree
Joined: 19 Aug 2006
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:26 am |
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Sarge, one more thing what might be important:
Glucosamine to support the joints.
All my dogs, if young or old, are on "Nupro Joint Support". I give a scoop twice a day, just sprinkle it on their food. They love it and it's very good for them as it has not only Glucosamine but also Vitamines and Minerals.
Here is the link:
http://www.nuprosupplements.com/
I always order it online as it's not available in our stores.
Please let Bandit know that all fingers and paws here are crossed for him!
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Joined: 11 May 2006
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| resigned
Posted:
Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:38 am |
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sarge, I hope that it turns out to be nothing serious with Bandit. You will both be in my thoughts as I know how great a companion our 4 legged buddies are to each of us.
To a speedy recovery and many well wishes...
pathenry
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Click your heels together...
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 28580
Location: "Onboard" pathenry's desk
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| yankee-in-france
Posted:
Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:08 am |
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Sarge, I am so sorry to hear about Bandit and hope that everything goes well on Monday.
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YIF
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
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Location: France
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| chance
Posted:
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:59 am |
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Sarge I hope Bandit gets well real soon. I love Shepards.
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Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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Location: Deep in the heart of Texas
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