Well back again from yet another visit to the vet. As it was Sid was overweight for the L.K.A,but on Friday we noticed he wasn't his usual self and took him to the vets. They diagnosed a back problem, since then he has been on cage rest and give Metacam. Over the last day or so he has slowly deteriorated whereby he yelps and walks along dragging his back feet. We have been told that he has Group 1/2 disc problems and that we need to cage rest him for maybe another 3 weeks, and he has also been give Par Pardale. The vet has also said that a course of ultrasound might help, but not while he is in an acute stage.
Has anyone else had this problem with their dogs, and what treatment/remedies do you know of?

My dog's havn't had this type of problem (unlike me) but would hydrotherapy help him as he could be exercised while being supported by water?

How about a ten's machine if he in acute pain. Again I have not heard of it being used on dogs but that little tingle can be very comforting - you would probably need to shave him a little bit to get the pads on tho@

Hope he feels better soon - do you think he is telling you he really does not want to go to LKA :-) :(

Christine

Your right Christine, I think he is telling us that he doesn't want to go.
Good idea with the Tens machine, never thought of that. Has anyone else you this on their dogs?

There is a form of Tens machine for use in dogs, friend of mine bought one and was pleased with it, I could getmore info if you want
Anne

Anne,
That would be handy if you could

I have phoned my friend and left a message on her answering machine. Will get back to you asap,
Anne

Thanks Anne

This is the website Here
Anne

I thought that hydrotherapy would be good for him, unfortunatly I don't think there isn't a pool near us.

Poor Sid :( My MIL has problems with her back and has had some discs fused together. She found accupuncture to be wonderful as had a friend of mine who had a slipped disc due to kick boxing.

Most insurers include accupuncture in their policies so your vet should be able to recomend someone.

Fiona
x x x

I don't know what to do for the best at this stage :( even though he's in a cage the spasms still cause him to yelp, and he looks very very miserable :( :(

Heat is very good for back pain - would a hot water bottle help him?

Fiona
x x x

His cage is up against the radiator some he's getting some heat from that, probably get a hot water bottle tomorrow

I find Diazepam very helpful when my back goes - I float instead when I can get rid of the pain

Christine

When I worked in a vets years ago I remember a Dachshund called Heidie who had disc problems. Heidie was very friendly until this disc problem whereby she was in so much pain she had to be muzzled when cleaning her kennel out :-( Anyway to cut a long story short she was on strict cage rest for (from memory) a good 2 - 3 weeks, also given medication, but I'm sorry can't remember which one. Anyway she left the vets as good as new :-) Just wanted to share that with you in the hope it perks you up :-)

Hi.
I recently lost my dog with a back problem. If I were you I would not do ANYTHING except cage rest the dog. One thing I would suggest if he begins to improve is acupuncture. Hope he gets well.
Dawn.

My friend has had back problems a few times with her dogs ( sausage dogs ). One she unfortunately lost following spinal surgery and a couple recovered after cage rest. One she has now has also had surgery to remove a shattered disc and made a full recovery after cage rest. Off the top of my head I don't think they got any other treatment.
Hope your dog gets better - it's not very pleasant for them :(

Hi I have recently had disc problems with my boy..

We took him to an orthapaedic specialist, He was graded as Grade 1, but I was told that it could develop to a Grade 4/5 in a matter of hours when it would be necessary to operate, he advised total cage rest for 6 weeks, and it was total, only allowed out in the garden for the briefest time possible to enable him to do his necessaries. He hated it, and had one more episode of spasm a week after the first one. If he had to picked up we were only allowed to do it by putting a hand between his front legs, and a hand between his back legs, enabling us to keep his spine straight.

This was about 3/4 months ago, and although as the specialist warned us the damage already done to the nerves will never improve, he has lost some reflex in his back legs, touch wood he has only had slight pain very occasionally since coming off cage rest, we have prednisolone tablets and one of those when he shows pain seems to work fairly immediately.

I have to say though it is like living with a timebomb, the only relief being that we have been able to put the money away incase the operation becomes necessary, I tend to grit my teeth everytime I see him out playing too hard with the others in the garden, but my feeling is let him enjoy a quality of life rather than quantity.

By the way although the specialist advised us to stop his show career, he loves it so much that I took the risk and took him to a Breed Club show last month and he won Best Veteran!!!!

wouldnt it be worth seeing a chiropractor---ive gone in crippled, in agony and come out loads better, -they might be able to help . sorry to hear it :D

Thanks for all your advice...................What a night we had with Sid last night :( he yelped every 5 minutes till I gave up at 4am and took him into our bed, and that didn't help.
On top of a sleepless night I had to travel to Inverness and back, and in snow, so won't need rocking tonight :) Will leave his medication till he goes to bed hopefully we will all get some rest.
Gus says he has been a little better today, but has been caged up all day.

Sid's no better :( :(

It will take a long time, I know its hard not to see immediate improvement, but give him time.
Dawn.

Hi.

How old is he and what breed?

Our past dog had spine problems which came to light when he was 121/2 and we managed through a lot of nursing and rest for him to keep him going for a year - but upon reflection don't know whether being fair to him - as he must have been in pain even though on pain killers (any one with a back problem will know that sometimes the pain does not ease up even though dosed up with pain killer and anti inflams).

Our dog had wobblers syndrome plus damaged discs further down back and he was a dobermann

Hi Karen,
Sid is nearly 7 years, and a miniature wirehaired dachshund.
He had us up again at 4am and still in acute pain.
His condition has deteriorated today with marked weakness of the back legs, when out to do only the necessary.
He is young but fingers crossed that he recovers.

Sid's a lot worse today and has totally lost the use of his hind legs, having to support him out in the garden. I suppose we shoukd go back to the vets tomorrow, although I don't know what they will do at this stage

I do hope he gets better, don't give up.
Dawn.

Sorry to hear that, I would go back to vet, ask for referal if you aren't happy. There is a good orthopedic specialist who takes referals down here in Fife
Anne

Sorry to hear about Sid's deterioration :(
The specialist that dealt with my friends dachshunds is at Blyth, Northumberland *allegedly* is one of the best in the country and takes referrals from as far away as London.
Fingers crossed for Sid
Lara

I hope all turns out well for you.
Poor Sid :(

any news today?
Dot

Hi All,
This morning he has deteriorated further, he is incontinent and has little use of his hind legs. We took him to the Vet and an immediate appointment was made with a spinal specialist in Fife.

Gus has just rang to say that he is now Grade 4 heading towards Grade 5. He will have a mylogram at 17:30 today followed by surgery.
The vets says there is a 70% chance of a reasonable recovery, but should things not go well, he recommends that he is put to sleep.

Fingers crossed

Oh Elaine,:(
I'll keep everything crossed. 70% is quite high but whatever happens you'll know you've done everything possible to help the little guy.
Dot

Elaine,
This is the man my dog was referred to, he is a really nice chap and well thought off in his field.
He will give you the honest truth as to what he feels is best for the dog. What impressed me about the waiting room was the dozens of thank you cards from people who had been referred to him, I'd never seen that before, all the staff are really nice and good with people and dogs.
I am hoping that everything will be OK, thinking about you, keep us posted
{{{{Hugs}}}}
Anne

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