[BubbaLeroy]

We just got home from the vet with Bogie, and he can use some healing drool .

On Dec. 29th he began acting a little odd, not excited about walking or going up the ranp to get in the car to go for a ride which he loves. The 30th he acted stiff when moving and limped some on the left front. We were thinking he had pulled something on his rips and runs around the house. We had some Dermaxx left from a prior incident and gave him 1/2 a dose which perked him up. Meds wore off and back to the stiff, hang dog, miserable Bogie. The 31st he seemed perkier, and we are thinking he is on the road to recovery. Eating, alert and once up and moving his walking was more normal. Then yesterday got us up whining at 1:30 AM, and couldn't get up without help. The rest of the day really moving slower, head down, back slightly hunched, and all day laid in his bed unless nature called. Wouldn't even lift his head to try to get up, but once on his feet walking sorta OK. He was till peeing, pooping, and eating, but we knew we had a dog in a lot of pain.

The vet, who is the back specialist with the vet group we go to, gave him a thorough exam and said he had the classic symptoms of "cervical intervertebral disc disease." He also said Bassets are pron to this. Bottom line he has a disc in his neck causing the pain. Bogie is on Tramadol HCI for pain; Methocarbomol to relax the muscles; Dexamethasone an anti-inflammatory/immunosupressive; and strict crate rest for 10 days. Then Bogie goes back to be rechecked. If no improvement surgery is the next option. Hopefully we won't have to face this with Bogie and the meds and rest will work their magic.

Poor boy has been through so much in his four years with us. He'll be 5 in April. We use ramps, he does not jump on furniture, but we do use a collar for walking. He doesn't pull and heels nicely. The vet said no more collars and we are to walk him with a harness from now on so there will be no pressure on the neck area. Anyone know of a good harness to use with Bassets?? Also has anyone here delt with this disc problem with their Basset? Any input appreciated.

So please keep him in your thoughts. Thanks!! Connie

 

[Mahna]

No experience with the exact same thing, but when my Bogie had his limp leg problem and was crate ridden for a month with anti-inflammatories and pain meds, he came out of the crate and hasn't limped since. We hope your Bogie has the same success!

 

[AmyB]

Best of luck to Bogie. I hope the meds work.
Amy

 

[murraysmom]

I hope the crate rest works- poor Bogie!

 

[2hounds]

Pretty much what Gibbs went through on Christmas Eve. The emergency vet didn't do a complete exam bc based on our descriptions, seeing Gibbs walk/collapse himself and turning his neck carefully back and forth he determined that Gibbs had a neck/back injury. Gibbs is doing fine now (fingers crossed that it continues). He was on the same meds you described. He now only has 1 med left that he takes 1/2 a pill every other day up until Jan. 15th. Sunday was his first day completely med free and he was totally fine. I feel lucky that he's doing well and I hope your Bogie does well too. Sending drool your way (from the dogs not me of course )

~Heather

 

[Mikey T]

The vet said no more collars and we are to walk him with a harness from now on so there will be no pressure on the neck area. Anyone know of a good harness to use with Bassets??[/b]

sporn no pull harness and simillar devices are not a good choice because it has an around the neck collar.

Head halters like gentle leader and halti also cause train on the neck

Sensible Harness would be a good choice for a dog that does not pull or more importantly backout of collars. This device is not as secure as a traditional harness but it is easier to put on and off and does not create a tendency to pull like a traditional harness. For dogs that slip out of the sensible harness there is a fix but it requires a flat buckle collar so it defeats the purpose of the harness

traditional harnesses work well for bassets provided the straps are completely adjustable, Otherwise it is almost impossible to find one that fits well. the take quite a while to intially fit.


All these are relatively inexpensive. However if you are looking for a harness in which you can assist the dog say climbing stairs ect amuch more expensive style is needed.

there are good review of the Double Back Harness by ruff wear though it is actual a moutaineering harness

The Help em up harness with hip lift

Webmaster Harnes

Guardian Gear Lift & Lead 4-In-1 Dog Harness

Get-a-Grip! Harness






I do not recomend full time wearing of a harness They have so much surface area they are just bound to cause chaffing and skin irration if worn for prolonged periods.

 

[BubbaLeroy]

Mikey T: Thanks for the suggestions on harnesses and your input!!!!!

 

[Yogi's Mom]

Poor Bogie! He sure has been through a lot in his four years! Hope that he recovers and doesn't need to have any more surgery.

 

[Beverly Anne]

I have to laugh (not at Bogie, though) because I hurt my neck last spring and was on almost all the same meds as the poor little guy. They relieved the symptoms really, really well but I have to have surgery soon for a diskectomy and "clean out" for spinal stenosis
Poor Bogie, it's so sad when you have a dog in pain because I always get the feeling that our pups think that since you take care of all their other issues you can automatically make the pain go away. When Francis was frequently hospitalized for his glaucoma I used to feel AWFUL because I couldn't explain why Bevy was leaving him alone in a place where people "hurt" him. I can imagine that must be how parents feel when the little ones are sick.
Good luck with the med. regimen. Heck, it worked for me!!

 

[twobassets]

Poor fellow. Our first basset Sasha had a slipped disk and it was terrible. I remember the vet telling us "no movement - and when I say no movement I mean no movement!" We had to use a sling under her backside to take her out for potty breaks and then it was right back to bed rest. She did heal without surgery and the meds worked great. I would say the hardest thing was keeping her still but I think it probably made a huge difference. I hope Bogie get's well soon and we all send lot's of healing thoughts his way.