[panthersa]

Hi All,

My baby went down last week Wednesday. She was walking fine, turned around to go back to the house and went limp in her right back. Took her to vet immediately and over night she got worse her left leg also went limp her whole back and basically reading up and discussing with vet, I decided on the surgery, Lilu and I packed up and off to the specialist for surgery. Specialist informed me that there were two popped disks that they had to fix as well as some bulging cushions as well. So the initial diagnosis changed after they saw her back when they operated on her.

Lilu lost deep pain sensation and 5 days after the operation she has some pain sensation in her right leg but nothing in her left leg or her tail. She still can't walk (8 days today) and she can't go the toilet by herself, the nurses have to extract her bladder etc. for her. She is getting physio 4 times a day and she is crate bound. She is still with the specialist and he has said that the next 2 weeks are crucial in her treatment. It's a waiting game. My question, has anybody gone through something similar to give me some guidance what to expect. Forgot to mention Lilu is 11 years old, weights 24 KG at the time of the operation. Has been very healthy. I didn't see any of the symptoms before this happened. I though it was just Lilu getting older and slowing down a bit because of her age. I now know better.

Any feedback / assistance / guidance will be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Mikey T]

NO surgery but melody went down almost two years ago strict crate rest steroid and tramadol for pain. She was having seizures ever night no control of bowels or bladder but did have deep pain response, It was determine the cause of the seizures was the tramadol and slowly gained bladder and bowel control Two month later she was moving around with the use of a wheel chair. about a year later with exercise and hydro therapy she was waking again not stead but walking.

 

[TeazelsMum]

Back problems

We've never had one with disc problems, but we did have one who had spondylitis and went off his back legs at around 8 years of age. He had pain response (foot back to the right position when tested) and he had control of his bowels and bladder. At the time, after x-ray gave us a diagnosis, because he was in pain, and also he was a big hound, our then vet, who I trusted inplicitly, wanted to pts. I knew Ben wasn't ready for this, and I wanted to give him time, if the pain could be controlled. We put him onto PLT tablets which did that, and although it was hard work getting him out to do his biz (big towel slung under his belly) we coped. We tried a K-crate (no way was he getting into that!!) which the Club here had available on loan at the time (until somebody decided to keep it!!). Over time he wasn't getting any better really so after a lot of hard thinking, I made the call. He was in the room and heard me - started licking himself and GOT UP. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, other than I had always been convinced Ben was different - somebody I'd met before in another life - even beyond the fact he was my only lemon/white!! I cancelled the appointment and from that day on, much as he never walked well, and had a roached back which he'd not had before, he had acceptable quality of life until we called in, for a general deterioration, in his 15th year. Occasionally he had to go back on the PLT tablets when I knew he was feeling some discomfort, but that was all.

Just to say hang in there, be advised by your vet (knowing as I did that you know your hound best always) and if you truly feel enough is enough, you'll know! Good luck - I hope there's a good outcome.

 

[Mikey T]

There were many times we contemplating putting her down seizure, lack of bladder control and the mess and irritation it cause basically quality of life. Melody is a tough old bird and nothing through the ordeal said she was ready to go but each dog is unique along with each situation and you need to treat it as such

 

[PollyEster]

No experience with this, had a large breed old fellow go down in the rear, managed with meds and supplements. There is also a doggy lift harness which is easier than the towel sling.

Also ran into someone who was about to put a dog down that couldn't get up, but the vet on duty happened to be a "sports" vet and was trained in chiro and acupuncture. After those treatments, the dog could walk again....he was in for continuing treatment when I met him....walking really well for a very old golden. I was very impressed. I would check this out if things don't improve for you.

 

[Soundtrack]

Two websites I recommend are Dodger's List and K-9 Backpack. Both of them have a lot of information on IVDD.

The only one I've done surgery on was Myrtle many years ago. She recovered use of her legs although she always looked like she was coming home from a bar. Recovery can be VERY slow. Back then all I had were sling walking and passive physio exercises to keep up her muscle tone. Myrtle did go down again a couple of years later, but recovered without surgery and had no episodes after that.

In Melody's case, swim therapy (once she was using her legs again) seemed to help a lot.

I have seen enough dogs recover from back injury, even when vets said it was hopeless (my vet told me Myrtle would never walk again if we didn't do surgery the second time) that I don't give up easily on an IVDD dog. My opinion is that if the dog is not in pain, and you can get a handle on the bowel and bladder issues, there is no reason not to go on, even if the dog can't walk I've know enough dogs that use carts to know that they still get joy out of life.

 

[PollyEster]

Just remembered two meds we used with Ralphie. Metacam and later Phycox. The latter really worked wonders for him, helped boost the nerve signals.

 

[panthersa]

Hi All,

Thank you for you feedback. I've looked up the "wheel chairs" for dogs and the specialist has mentioned that if required where we can purchase one. At the moment he is saying we should remain hopeful and not give up yet. Recovery will take quite a while. Lilu is getting physio 4 times daily and we go and visit every day. Lilu is walking around very enthusiastically with the help of a towel to carry her behind / legs. She does jerk her right leg a little when you touch between the foot pads so we holding thumbs that all will get better !!

Thank you again for your time and info shared.

Amanda

 

[Mikey T]

melody In her wheel chair for first time
https://www.youtube.com/user/toughynutter



http://bestfriendmobility.net/

 

[PollyEster]

Mikey T....I almost cried when I saw that tail come up and wag when she got the hang of it! Thanks for the post!