My Little Moo

[Angelina]

My little Moo, had a disc problem last year, he was on anti inflammatorys and crated a little while, and he came really good.

Yesterday, nearly a year later, when I got home, he was walking like a camel, all humped up in the middle, yelping, terrible pain.

Took him back to the vet, he's really bad again, he is back in the crate, back on anti inflammatorys.

We will see how he goes.

He said, if he deterioriates it is either surgery or pts.

Has anybodys dog has this sort of surgery done.

He is a little maltese cross (4kg), 7 years old.

[poodlefan]

My little Moo, had a disc problem last year, he was on anti inflammatorys and crated a little while, and he came really good.

Yesterday, nearly a year later, when I got home, he was walking like a camel, all humped up in the middle, yelping, terrible pain.

Took him back to the vet, he's really bad again, he is back in the crate, back on anti inflammatorys.

We will see how he goes.

He said, if he deterioriates it is either surgery or pts.

Has anybodys dog has this sort of surgery done.

He is a little maltese cross (4kg), 7 years old.

I'd be looking at some manipulation... a good dog chiro might make a big difference here.

[Poodle wrangler]

Dunno about dogs, but back surgery in humans isn't hugely successful.

I shake my head whenever I see very overweight people having back surgery and/or cortisone injections.

Things you can do to help are:

* Keep him very lean (slightly underweight) to ease the strain

* Medications- anti-inflammatories together with other types of pain relief. Discuss this with the vet.

I'd definitely try a dog chiro.

Is not overly expensive.

I'd try all other options before surgery. Even then, I'd be thinking long and hard about it.

Has the vet given you an idea of total costs for surgery and aftercare? What rehab is needed?

Are you prepared for the aftercare and risks of a poor result?

[Angelina]

Dunno about dogs, but back surgery in humans isn't hugely successful.

I shake my head whenever I see very overweight people having back surgery and/or cortisone injections.

Things you can do to help are:

* Keep him very lean (slightly underweight) to ease the strain

* Medications- anti-inflammatories together with other types of pain relief. Discuss this with the vet.

I'd definitely try a dog chiro.

Is not overly expensive.

I'd try all other options before surgery. Even then, I'd be thinking long and hard about it.

Has the vet given you an idea of total costs for surgery and aftercare? What rehab is needed?

Are you prepared for the aftercare and risks of a poor result?

No, my normal vet is on holidays, and is back next week, this guy was filling in for her.

Last year, she suggested no surgery because of the things you mentioned. she was actually surprised at how well he recovered, but he had strict rest, the anti inflamatory's and he came really good.

This guy was saying it can be successful, although he did say, this disc was a different disc from last year, and may occur again, in yet a different location.

At the moment, he is crated again, Mum is down looking after him, on the anti inflammatory's, and I am just hopeful, he comes good again.

I was concerned this morning, as he appeared to be having difficulty in going to the toilet. So, I think it is fingers crossed for the next couple of days.

Edited January 31, 2008 by Angelina

[Angelina]

I just wanted to attach a picture of my poor little boy (this is him in good health)

Edited January 31, 2008 by Angelina

[Angelina]

He was pretty bad this morning, and Mum says just been lying very quiet all day. Not really moving.

When I took outside for toilet this morning, he took a long long time, and to be honest, I couldn't even see if he went.

I take him back to my normal vets on Monday, but I am hoping he will respond to the medication, and he will be able to manage on medication and rest.

[poodlefan]

He was pretty bad this morning, and Mum says just been lying very quiet all day. Not really moving.

When I took outside for toilet this morning, he took a long long time, and to be honest, I couldn't even see if he went.

I take him back to my normal vets on Monday, but I am hoping he will respond to the medication, and he will be able to manage on medication and rest.

If you don't treat the underlying problem Angelina, it will reoccur.

How slim is he.. a lean dog tends to get less back issues.

[Angelina]

Hi Poodle Fan

He's pretty only approx 4.5 kg.

I think the problem is he has this disc problem, which as you say, will reoccur (and it has), but its deciding on whether to go the surgery route.

My normal vet, last year, told me she didn't think we should consider the surgery, but this vet indicated maybe we should consider.

So at the moment, I'm just giving him the anti-inflammatory's and will take him back on Monday, and have a pretty long talk with the vet then, asking lots and lots of questions.

[poodlefan]

See a good qualified chiro before you decide on surgery if you can - it may open up other avenues of treatment.

[Angelina]

Yes I'm definitely going to look at the chiro's.

Yesterday, I noticed a thread on Chiro's in Brissie, so I am going to contact one of them.

(Because at the moment, he looks all crooked and humped in the middle)

thanks

[poodlefan]

Yes I'm definitely going to look at the chiro's.

Yesterday, I noticed a thread on Chiro's in Brissie, so I am going to contact one of them.

(Because at the moment, he looks all crooked and humped in the middle)

thanks

Don't delay.. muscles and ligaments start to alter position quite quickly after injury.

[Angelina]

Will do, will call them this afternoon

[Dogsfevr]

Has the vet considered doing a Myolgram dye x-ray to see the exact damage??

Would your vet do the surgery or would you be referred to a specialist(many do refer so the cost is way more)?

I wouldnt consider surgery until you have completely understodd what it about,the outcomes bad/good & all the after care etc etc.

It is important if you do take this path that you are fully aware

I have had a dog that did have back surgery.He walked in but couldnt walk out.After 6 months he still couldnt use his back legs by 9 months f=after intense Physio by us at home he started to walk again.

During his time of not walking he also couldnt toilet & we had to do that for him.wrap his back legs to not allow drag sores & keep him functioning & not lay around due to bed sores fluid build up etc etc.

This was a very fit,lean dog who was in peak condition but the surgery went horribly wrong.

Luckily due to his condition prior to going in & the fact we worked from home we could give him alot of rehab time but it wasnt easy & very time consuming.

What did i do wrong .didnt believe my doggy chiro who was right wait & be patient .

[Angelina]

The vet was talking about referring him to a specialist.

To be honest, I don't think we will go the surgery route.

I am hoping anti inflammatory's, chiro and rest will work.

My normal vet is back on Monday, so I have an appt at 9.15 am, and will have a good chat then, about pro's cons, everything.

Thanks for sharing your experience it does help.

Also, guess what, he just did a little pee (WOO HOO)

[Angelina]

Went to the vets today, and my normal vet is back.

She has put Moo on the steroids, he was on last year (he responded much quicker to these)

Gave him an enema (he was blocked up)

Gave him a needle.

I'll see her in a couple more days, but she thought he should respond a little quicker now (she seemed a little annoyed - didn't say so - about the medication the relief vet put him on).

So, I am feeling a littlel more optimistic.

[longdogs]

Went to the vets today, and my normal vet is back.

She has put Moo on the steroids, he was on last year (he responded much quicker to these)

Gave him an enema (he was blocked up)

Gave him a needle.

I'll see her in a couple more days, but she thought he should respond a little quicker now (she seemed a little annoyed - didn't say so - about the medication the relief vet put him on).

So, I am feeling a littlel more optimistic.

Angelina, your vet sounds like she knows what she is doing. I have dachshunds so am very familiar with treatment for disc problems.

Yes, steroids will reduce the swelling around the spinal cord, but he must be crated while he is on these. They will make him feel better and he will probably want to run around. DO NOT let him, he will do more damage. Keep him crated and carry him outside to toilet and have him on lead so he can't wander off.

Also start him on Vitamin C if you haven't already done so. There has been a lot of research done on Vitamin C and disc problems in dogs and it does work.

In fact my older boy has been down 3 times and each time he has returned to normal with steroids, vitamin c and 8 weeks crate rest.

I wish you well with him and feel free to pm me if you want.

[Angelina]

Thanks so much Long Dogs. I'm going to get Vitamin C tomorrow.

I am feeling so much more optimistic about this today

[Lowenhart]

If you remember back last year I replied to your thread.

We have a Lowchen who slipped a disc in her back, we didn't realise what she'd done until she was practically paralysed in the rear. Chiro (a very good one) and Raiiki didn't help, she had surgery by Richard Eaton-Wells. It was 6 weeks recovery, she was in a lot of pain for the first couple but at the end she came out super tops.

She went on to whelp 4 litters (2 where singletons) easily, she gallops and plays and is now 8 years old. We kept her on Glucosimine/MSN/Condroiton over each winter and any sign of discomfort on her part (usually a reluctance to go down stairs) she is back in a small crate with a heat pad.

Crating now is more preferable to surgery. But there are successful surgeries.

[Angelina]

Thanks Lowenhart, I do remember.

I have to say Moo responded really well to crate training and medication last year, and truly he was back to what I thought was nearly 100%

Then all of sudden last week, he went downhill fast.

And its worse, but as I said, I am hopeful that he will respond again to the medication and crating.