I've had which is likely the worst day of owning dogs on Saturday and I'm hoping someone here will have some advice for me. Nothing unusual about Sat. Walked the dogs in the morning and was out in the garden that evening. I was throwing the frisbee for my cocker who is 4. He is my special dog and I would say he means the world to me and then some. Anyway suddenly he began to show signs of weakness in his back legs. I was at the vets within half an hour. He told me it could be a number of things but likely a disc issue. He gave him non steroidal tablets and told me strict rest. Well I wasn't so pleased and even called to my vet for serious stuff who I couldn't contact earlier for a second opinion. He said steroids plus rest. He is in good form and still wants to run around and go upstairs where he sleeps with me. So he has had to go to my parents bungalow. I'm so upset over it. I've had many tears shed the past 2 days. If he doesn't improve the first vet said he'd refer us to a spine specialist. Has anyone dealt with this before? 

Don't take any chances with disc problems. My 'dog-in-a-million' damaged a disc back in November; he was wobbly on his back legs for two or three days, had a steroid injection and was lead-walked. On the evening of the third day his hind legs were completely paralysed, and they never regained their use. After three weeks of intensive steroid medication and therapy we tragically had to put him to sleep, which broke my heart.

Harry's story.

So do all you can to avoid what happened to us.

We have recently had this problem with our Clumber spaniel (5 years old), he became very weak on his back legs and had a lot of pain particularly when trying to get up. Our vet prescribed metacam and Toby had strict cage rest  only coming out to relieve himself. Also on the advice of some one we know in the breed we put cold peas on his back for no more than 5 minutes at about hourly intervals. After 4 days he was able to get up without causing him to cry out and it was a fast recovery from then on. We have a couple of small steps in the garden which have now been replaced with ramps and we now use a ramp to get the dogs in and out of the car all the time.Previously we had only used the car ramp for the landrover, now we use it for our smaller estate car too as having had one incidence of disc problems he is vulnerable to another, also we hope it may reduce the possibility of our other Clumbers having the same problem. I hope your dog improves and recovers as well as Toby has.

Have they done xrays? I had a similar experience and would advise going to specialist sooner rather than later. Hope all goes well

For me personally I would seek medical help from the vet and then get my dog straight to someone qualified to treat my dog naturally with accupuncture etc.  I have heard great recovery stories from natural treatments.

Kate. Our wonderful BH suffered spinal truma this time last year. Took him to the vet in the early hours, told it was a muscular problem, rest & good old rimidyl. Within 12 hours carying him round the house, still told to rest him. I waited three day until I lost it and took him back in another vet by then stated the obvious that he was paralised from behind the shoulders. I ended up rushing him to a specialist whom we had had dealings with before. Find a specialist now and go, even if your vet does take X rays there is nothing that they can probably do and your dog will have to go through the same procedure at the specialist. Your dog is young, there is more help and knowledge at a specialist than at your local Vet. Lucas is now up and about, it was a period of rest and containment (he had to be on lead) even to go outside, I wish you all the best.

I've booked an appointment with the spinal orthopedic specialist for 9am in the morning. I've spent 2 days of hell waiting and watching but not aiming for anything. He hasn't gotten any worse but not much better. I cant take any chances. I'm too soft when it comes to my dogs, especially Alfie. I'd much rather it was my own back- it'd be easier!! I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for understanding. I dont think some people realise how precious our dogs are to us.

Kate.
You have done the best thing and if he is still on his back legs it is a good sign. Anyone who has had a dog with a spinal problem will know what you are going through. It was a week of hell for us untill one morning her was found standing in his cage at the specialists, wept with joy Should have stayed a further week or so but got 'released' early due to 'baying' at night! Keep Alfie quiet, can you contain him, take him on lead for a wee. Even when Lucas was found standing it was 7/8 weeks of rest and slowly building up from 5 min walks, but keeping fingers crossed for you all. Let us know how you both get on. PS I was also told a cold compress would help, but difficult to be sure where to apply.

So pleased that you have got an appointment so fast.  Fingers crossed that all goes well.  Do let us all know how he gets on.

I had a GSD bitch who had a ruptured disc. 

My girl was strictly cage rested, only allowed "time out" when one of us sat on the floor with her. We had a sign on the front door asking people not to knock, as being a GSD that would make her jump up from snoozing to standing. When she was taken outside to relieve herself, she was on lead and had a towel under her stomach to support her. After a couple of week she started to deteriorate so underwent surgery. Once home we went through exactly the same restrictions for a long time.

It was a long hard haul, but 7 months after the surgery she went on a caravaning break in the Lakes. Sadly we lost her 12 months after the surgery with heart failure.

Good luck with your referral. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

This sounds a lot like the symptoms my dog has...all happened suddenly after he took a fall on the stairs to our flat...can't sit up, or stand, back legs are weak...the vet also gave him steroids first in a jab and now in pills. The vet hasnt said its a disc issue, we've in fact been told its about 6 different things by 4 different vets which is infuriating. I just want an answer! :(

I'm going to ask the "vet" about the possibility of a disc injury, I hope your dog gets better :(

Laura

Thinking of you both this morning kate

Kate.
Thinking of you this morning, hope you get some answers and all goes well. Lacy

Well heres how today went. I googled the vet and he is a world expert on spine related issues in dogs so I'm happy he knows his stuff!! It was an amazing set up, so professional. My appointment was for 9 and he came out for us precisly at 9. He examined Alfie so thoroughly and did countless exams on him and his reactions to stimuli, literally from head to toe. He then drew me various diagrams to explain the 6 degrees of disc prolapse. Grade 1 is pain, 2 is ataxia. 3 is parasthesia, 4 is paralysis, 5 is paralysis with incontinence and 6 is as 5 with a loss of deep pain sensation. So he diagnosed Alfie as being grade 2 but not a severe 2. He said steroids I had were of no use and were actually worse if he needed immediate surgery. He will have to wait til Thurs morning to change meds now. Anyway he said that I must ensure Alfie has strict rest for 28 days to allow the disc to heal. 2 ten minute lead walks daily. He will have to stay at my parents to ensure this. He is on pain relief anti inflammatorys for 6 days. He will see him again Friday morning to assess him again. He says there is a 90% chance of complete recovery. I can honestly say I was never more relieved!! Thanks to everyone for your support.

That's good news. :-) Please make sure your parents understand the vital importance of following the instructions to the letter - no allowing him to run around the house freely or anything like that because they feel sorry for him. There is a chance that activity could cause further damage, so cage rest is best.

We tried the crate over the weekend and he went crazy in it. The vet said that confining him to the kitchen hall would be better that him hurting himself in the crate. He has his bed there and sleeps away quite happily. He has nothing to jump on.

That's good. Your parents might have to spend some time sitting in there with him during the evening so he has a bit of company and doesn't go stir crazy.

Believe me when I say that losing a healthy dog to a spinal injury breaks your heart.

We'll all be with him for the evenings. I'll take my other 3 for a walk and go to Alfie as he tends to miss me. My poor other dogs dont know what to make of it- no walkies, no top dog and a very upset owner!!

I absolutely feel for people in this situation. I felt so useless watching him and he's only 4 so it was just devastating.

Know what you mean JG!! My boy was a 6 when I had him pts at 3 nearly broke my heart. So glad that things are sounding good for your boy Kate{{{hugs}}}

Kate.
Have just got in and read your good news. Delighted for you all. As mentioned you must keep him rested and don't over do the exercise. Let us know how Alfie progresses and good luck.

That's wonderful news, I hope his recovery goes well. You must be so relieved.

When I arrived back home and dropped Alfie off at my parents, I sat with a cup of tea watching my hens and other dogs and realised how tired I was! I had a couple of hours of sleep. Funny how being upset etc drains you. Anyway we're back up Friday morning to see him again and we're on the road to hopefully a full recovery. I'm very lucky he is only an hour away. Thanks again for all the good wishes. I really do appreciate them.

Well we had our follow up visit this morning with the specialist. He is pleased with Alfies progress and we dont have to go back anymore unless there is a problem. No charge for todays visit. I cant speak highly enough of this vet and his attitude to both me and Alfie. So hopefully we're on a problem free road to recovery.

I'm so glad for you. :-) :-) You must be so relieved. I was having horrible memories of how my Harry just got worse and worse, ending up at Grade 5 after three weeks of treatment, having been at Grade 2 for two days. That was when we had to put him to sleep.

So pleased to hear of your news, just take things slowly. The specialist who has treated both of ours was also fantastic,  always said that we can phone him when ever we have a question however trivial and he has responded. Also asked that when we are next in the area to ring in advance as he would like to see them again! All the very best and let us know how Alfie is progressing.

Like JG I am so pleased for you :-)

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd update you all again. Alfie has continued to improve and is 80% back to normal. He is walking fine now and you'd hardly notice he had been knocked out. He has even been able to come into my house for the odd night. He was quite the lad at my parents house and was grumpy every evening when I had to leave him! He used to spend literally hours lying in the kitchen looking at the door waiting for me!! A new method of keeping him quiet. So in one more week he will have the all clear and can return for short walks again and more importantly reclaim his spot on the foot of the bed!!

Kate, you must all be overjoyed, I can't remember how many weeks it is was since Alfie first went off his legs but even when he comes home be  careful. So please for you, we had so keep ours quiet for two months and then begin building up from 10 mins aday. The joy of getting back to our former walks, places that I thought he would never get to - all that you have to look forward to! All the very best to you and Alfie.

So pleased to her that Alfie is doing really well, long may it continue.