my female bulldog of 7 months old, has a slip disc in her back. has anyone experienced this and will it resolve itself.
the vets has told us if it get any worst, she has to have an operation for it, has anyone been through this and was it totally successfull.

marie

Stuart McGregor is a Registered Osteopath who works on humans and animals.  He also trains other Osteopaths to work on animals.  He would be able to tell you the nearest TRAINED Osteopath in your area.

The Wantage Clinic
Little Orchard House
Portway
Wantage
Oxfordshire
OX12 9BU

Phone: 01235 768033
 

Sometimes complete rest for several weeks (crate rest, no walking at all, not even to go out to wee, the dog is to be carried out) can sort it out, somtimes surgery is necesssary. I had a dog with it, it took about 6 weeks but he came right and he's never had a problem again.

My staffy x had a slipped disc he had a myleograph and an operation as his back legs stopped working immediately the disc slipped.  It depends what symptoms your bulldog is showing and how violently the disc slipped and how much damage it has caused to the spinal cord. 

My staffy x didnt pull through and was pts when the damage to his spinal cord started to track towards his neck causing his front legs to be affected.

I researched this topic extensively online and it seems the earlier you catch it and take immediate action the better in alot of cases especially when the dog is young cage rest will do wonders.  But in some cases the bowel and bladder function can be damaged if the disc caused damage to the spinal cord causing incontinence.  I even researched getting my dog wheels if he showed improvement.

I have got all my fingers crossed for you and your little girl and she will be fine as you have had her to the vet and hopefully the disc didnt slip as aggresively as in my little mans.   I hope I havent scared you.  Please join and you can give more details.

xx 

" it seems the earlier you catch it and take immediate action the better in alot of cases "

An Osteopath would agree with that LeanneK.  They are trained to 'see with their fingers' and their treatment is not invasive like surgery. 

Val I wish I had visited an oesteopath with my Billy, it all happened so quickly with him and I was told the best place for him was L'pool uni hospital as they are specialists with spines.  It breaks my heart now to think of what happened to my little man.  The first vet I visited at the emergency centre pushed really hard on his spine and Im sure this caused more damage, I can only now think of the whole process without getting upset and frustrated.  I think Billys disc had broke into pieced and not just slipped so different again from the OP.

I hope the OP has a completely different experience.

LeanneK, I've made dog decisions that I've regretted with hindsight too, with similar consequences to yours!  And my favourite ever bitch too. :(  We can all only do what we think is best at the time, and try to stop others making similar mistakes.  That's as good as it gets. Don't beat yourself up girl. :)

I just had an excellent Chiropractor out to my horses and myself - she treats dogs too. Join and send me a Private Message for her details.

HI CHLOE,

SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY IN REPLYING. THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL IF YOU COULD. WE LIVE IN BRADFORD AND WONDERED IF THERE WAS ONE CLOSE BY

MARIE

Hi

She would be too far away - but I will ask her who she recommends. Just to point out that she is not McTimoney - she is a traditional Chiro and she would recommend a reputable, traditional, chiro to you :)

Thanks

;)

One of my GSD's went through spinal surgery in January this year.  It started as a slipped disc which we treated conservatively, confined to cage rest.   But then it ruptured compressing the spinal cord.  It affected his hind legs, neurological deficits; in fact his hip joints sank to the floor.  He had a MRI and an op.  Made a complete recovery and function in the hind legs returned to normal which was a miracle.  He had a steroid injection within 1 hour of the disc rupturing and surgery was 2 weeks later.    Good luck with your girl.

My boy had a slipped disc after he retired from the show ring (he was only 3)  Immediate surgery was receomended, although we were told the chances of him walking againn were not good - they thought he might have to have one of those little wheeled things.  However, he made a wonderful, if not quite complete recovery.  He was fully mobile, but not with the same very extravagent movement as before - when running full speed, he used to put his hocks together to turn, whcih gave the impressions he was doing a slalom!  He lived another 7 years, sired several litters, and was a very happy boy.
bye
Gwen

thankyou for your message, we have her confined to a crate and carry her out for her to do her business. her right back leg seems to give way alot which is very worrying. she is due back at the vets at beginning of the week, so we'll know more then.

marie