We went to see the specialist and basically he said forget about the spondylosis, it’s not the problem and it wouldn’t affect anything. So after messing about with her for a good hour he came to the conclusion that she has …. Disease (don’t ask me the word as it was a long complicated one!) Anyway basically one of her discs in her spine (the one low down her back by her pelvis) has swollen and is pressing on her spinal column causing pain when she jumps and also losing control of her backlegs a bit, especially the one leg. So he told us we have two options, the first being painkillers, but the disease can become progressively worse then nothing could be done, or surgery. Her being so young and the fact that she has suddenly got quite a lot worse with her back legs we’ve decided upon surgery. Basically they take the swollen disc out and nail the vertebrae together so she can’t move that part of the spine, but it won’t affect her doing most things, just not up and down stairs etc. which she’s not allowed to do now. So we’re going in for an MRI scan soon just to make sure that it is a swollen disc and she doesn’t have any more. All I can say is thank goodness for insurance! He said we’re looking at £3,000! At the moment she is comfortable and on metacam. Thanks for everyone's best wishes
Gina

Hiya Gina, this is quite often misdiagnosed.
I had one that was diagnosed with wind, she had exactly the same. It has several different names, one being degenerative disc disease.
Who is the specialist that you have been referred too? Where abouts in the country are you?
I've had three with this problem, one just had anti-inflammatories, the other two both had the op. One didn't make it, but i believe that was down to her character. The other is still with me and doing well. She's had no problems since.
They both went to different surgeons (which i believe is also a factor).
There is an excellent specialist up in Blyth, i don't know if thats too far for you, but i would really recommend him. He really knows what he's talking about. he told me that he has done the same op, four times on one dog (to remove different discs).
I hope everything goes well, please keep us posted. DDD is not the end of the world, and i'm just so glad that you went for a second opinion.

Edited to say: how much? It cost me a third of that. Mind you Biddy is smaller than a cat.
Good luck.

Hiya
She is going in for an MRI scan on Monday as he wants to make sure it is that. Without the myeopathy (sp?) it will be just under £2000, £880 for the MRI and about the same for surgery, the consultations I believe are £100 as well. We'vbe gone to Liverpool as it was recommended by a couple of people I know and we're consulting with Mr O'Neill. We're near Wolverhampton so it takes us a good two hours to get up there. Dizzy has a brilliant character and really is a fighter, so hopefully the operation will help her.
Gina

I'll keep my fingers crossed for her.

Any news Gina?

Hiya
Dizzy had her MRI scan Monday and yes she has got Degenerative Disc Disease. She stayed over Monday and had her op yesterday, operation I am told went perfectly and now we just have to wait and see whether it was successful or not. The specialist is ringing me every evening to give me an update, they don't want to send her home too early. Fingers crossed it will work for her.
Gina

Hiya Gina.
I tried to reply yesterday, but i don't know whether there was a problem with my computer or whether it was the CD site.
Biddy was allowed home the day after her op, to my surprise. I thought she'd have been in longer. I thought she'd have to have cage rest, but the vet said no. No walks for a couple of days, then lead exercise for two weeks after.
I asked about taking her swimming, and the vet said she didn't need it. All i had to do was exercise her back legs when she was lying down (sort of rotation, like riding a bike).
I don't know whether Dizzy might be home now or not. Have you been to see her?
I'm really hoping all's gone well for you both. Let us know.
x.
P.s. What breed is Dizzy?

Hiya
Diz came home yesterday, she is on strict cage rest for 6 weeks! On a lead to go to the loo in the garden and that's it. The disc they took out was at the end of the spine (next to the pelvis) so if she moves her back legs too much she could break the bone graft and the pins that are holding the vertebrae in place. As it's an area of the spine used a lot, if it had been further up she probably would have been okay in a couple of weeks. Swimming I think when the 6 weeks are over will be very important in her recuperation process as she will have lost a lot muscle tone by that point. She's a GSD X Rough Collie, she is a laid back dog anyway so the cage rest doesn't bother her, whereas if it had been my collie, she would go insane!!

Gina

I'm glad to hear she's home. She'll probably make a quicker recovery now she's back in her own surroundings.
Here's hoping the 6 weeks goes quick for her.

I've been thinking about Dizzy, Gina.
How's she doing?