What could this be?


Kirp

Kirp

New Member
So, a little update: He's a lot more alert today (yesterday he seemed to be giving up). He managed to poop on his own. Gross, but awesome news. lol! He hadn't gone for almost a week.
I sat outside with him for awhile earlier so he could get some fresh air and watch the other animals.

He wasn't as interested in food but still ate some, and drank plenty of water. Someone also suggested giving him Vitamin C, so he got that hidden in a treat. Anyone else give this to their dogs? Does it do much for them?

Sadly he seems to have completely lost feeling in his back legs now. Before he would turn around to lick his foot if someone squeezed his toes.
 
Kirp

Kirp

New Member
He's acting like himself again. :D And eating again. No more pain when I move him out of his kennel to clean it. He's going absolutely mad having to stay in there, but I don't want to risk him hurting himself again already.

His legs still don't quite work, but it seems they're getting a little better everyday. I think with enough time and rest, he'll be back on his feet.
 
Kirp

Kirp

New Member
So he still can't walk, but his legs aren't as stiff and he's using the muscles in them a little more. I rub his back and legs a few times everyday, and get him to stand for a few seconds at a time. I also started giving him glucosamine/chondroitin and vitamin c tablets everyday.

Poor guy is getting more restless everyday since I don't want him moving much still. Last night he actually chewed through his kennel to get out of it... I'm watching him pretty closely to make sure he didn't swallow any of the plastic from it.

I'm waiting on a WiggleLess back brace to get here for him, if anyone is interested in hearing how well it works or anything, let me know. :)
 
DeafDogs

DeafDogs

Alberta Region Moderator
I am so glad he's getting better! Hopefully, he recovers fully, and is back to normal in no time!
 
Kirp

Kirp

New Member
Another update:

Got the back brace for him. I was pretty disappointed with it since it's too flimsy to actually support his back much when he tries to stand. But it at least keeps it straight while he's resting, so maybe it will heal better than if he curls up to sleep/arches his back like he had been doing. The first day after having him wear it, he could wag his tail as much as he used to, and stand a little better.

Now he still can't walk, but he's been kind of lifting himself on his back legs more, and when someone helps him up he can stand pretty well. He also took a couple of steps earlier when I was helping him stay up. :D Hopefully in another week or two he'll be back to walking.

I also started having him swim for at least a few minutes a day. He's not too happy with that, but it's helping.
 
vizzla

vizzla

New Member
Hope he gets well soon. I just had a rupptured disc myself and it is hell! cant imagin how it feels
for
a dog that you cant explain it to...
 
DeafDogs

DeafDogs

Alberta Region Moderator
I feed mine Salmon Oil and Promrose Oil, both help with inflammation. I also give a joint supplement (Glucosamine, Chondroiten, MSM and Hyaluronic Acid) as a preventative.
 
Kirp

Kirp

New Member
So he suddenly started getting a lot worse... After starting to learn how to walk again and being able to take a few steps a day, he dropped back to not being able to feel his feet and can't even stand.

He's so depressed about it now...sits there crying all day no matter what we do. And he's getting really skinny because he just refuses to eat.

The vet suggested putting him to sleep, but I'm having trouble accepting that. What would you do if it was your dog? :(
 
Wandering Man

Wandering Man

Member
We did surgery on our dachshund the first time he went down with great success. But not everyone can afford the surgery.

The second time he went down, we were faced with the decision to put him down. He was unhappy, we were miserable, there was no likelihood of his regaining function.

We made the decision to put him down. It was a question of quality of life. This was a dog who could catch birds and squirrels, fight off possums and skunks. Those activities, as well as all the other little things in his life were gone. Including the dignity of not soiling his bedding.

We were devastated, but know we made the right decision. I was able to hold Henry in my arms as he went to sleep and went down. It was an amazing, emotional experience. Painful, relief, and satisfaction that if he had to die, he did so with the love of his family close by.

Whatever you decide, it will be the best one for your cirmcumstances.

-WM
 
DeafDogs

DeafDogs

Alberta Region Moderator
Can you find someone who does Acupuncture there? I know they can be tough to find, but it's really worth it. My friend's Beagle had a severe case of IVDD, and needed surgery. But she tried acupuncture first. 3 sessions and her dog is back to hiking and dog parks, no surgery.
 
Kirp

Kirp

New Member
Thanks for the suggestion. We're going to see if we can find anywhere nearby that does it. Worth a try, at least.
 
Kirp

Kirp

New Member
Found a vet really close that does acupuncture. :) Plan to make an appointment pretty soon to see if they think they could help him at all.
 
Kirp

Kirp

New Member
So we had a different vet come to the house today to check him. They said the first vet we took him to was wrong.

We got a referral to a specialist now, and plan to get some x-rays done to see if the surgery he needs would be possible. And apparently if it is, he has a huge chance of getting better. So if it's possible and we can manage to pay for it, we're going to try that.
 
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