German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

[charlieo]

Today the Vet tells me my 3 year old GWP has advanced arthritis in both elbows. This is my 4th GWP and best hunter. I've never hear of this problem before. Does anyone have any experience with this or comments? Help.

[cheerio]

Your dog may have arthritis without having a dysplasia...
Elbow dysplasia is not commun in GWP, but they can afflict any breeds, large and small. It is usually noticeable by the way the dog holds his elbows outwards, far away from his body. Said simmply, when standing or sitting, you have the feeling that the elbows sticks out on each side.

If your dog has arthritis, whether due to dysplasia or not, you may consider giving him one to two tablets of Glucosomine, that you can by off the counter at any pharmacy. It was once believed that Glucosamine was good to prevent further deterioration of the joints, it is now proven that not only this is true, it also repair damge already done. It will not however get rid of all arthritis, but it will make it a lot better and prevent further problems. If the arthritis is so bad as to have created a lot pof inflamation of the adjoining tissues, you may ask your Vet to prescribe some Metacam. It is the newest non-steroid anti-inflamatory which has the advantage to be safe on a long term basis, unlike all others. It also acts as a pain killer without any side effect.

Finally, arthritis usually limits the activity of your dogs due to pain. Moderate excercise is in fact beneficial. Once under control, your dog may be able to go hunting with you.

Good luck and let us know how thing goes.

[charlieo]

Cheerio,
After my initial shock I questioned the Vet further. Your comments were completly correct. We have started the dog on the Glucosomine and the Metacam. I expect not to use the Metacam every day, but the Glucosomine will be a constant daily supplement. I still plan to hunt the dog on a limited basis. Since I'm 58 I don't chase birds the way I use to. So the dog and I should have about the same endurance level for the next few years.
I hunted doves with him three weeks ago which is how I noticed the limping. It is unknown how he will do on pheasant and quail later this year. I will post to let you know. Thanks for your reply.

[cheerio]

Well it seems like you are doing every thing you can. I wish you and your dog many hours of happy hunting.
May I suggest one more thing? If your dog does indeed suffer from elbow dysplasia, would you report it to your breeder? Breeders rely on owners to learn of the health and temperament problems that may pop up in the bloodlines they work with. How else copuld they improve on the breed?...

[charlieo]

I agree about informing the breeder. As soon as we receive a full report from the specialists about Mason's condition(now that I've given the dog's name, the breeder who is a member of this forum knows) we will officially inform them. However the Vet we use has stated this condition is the "luck of the draw" type, so the breeder may not be in a position to do anything to prevent future problems of this kind. However, the breeder is also in the position to know if other dogs from the same litter or same breeding have had any similar problems. I feel the breeder would not knowingly breed dogs that have a potential for having pups with joint problems. This may be the first time this condition has manifested itself. But, informing them is prudent. Again Cheerio, thanks for for your reply and I will update all of you as this situation changes.

[charlieo]

Well the team of vets has given me the group opinion. Elbow Dysplasia. The treatment and management of the problem remains the same. The dog will not hunt as long in terms of hours on the groung and years in the field.