Slipped Disc & Sciatica Pain

[EmmaKate]

Hi,

My, almost, 7 yr old miniature schnauzer had a slipped disc some months back. In the initial phases, after veterinary treatment, he recovered quite well and is continuing with monthly cartrophen injections, glucosamine and oil supplements and veterinary check ups. However he has now had a flair up of sorts and is suffering from some sciatica pain, more than likely the flair up was caused from a holiday at the beach, so I am reducing his exercise and he is back on anti-inflammatory and a different cartrophen injection.

I am very happy with his veterinary treatment, but I am wondering if he would also benefit from some complimentary treatments- such as physio, hydrotherapy etc? Does anyone have any experience with this or any recommendations as to where? (I was looking at Aquapaws, but only because they have an advertising link at the top of this forum :)) I would nervous to take him somewhere unknown for fear of exacerbating the problem or causing him any undue stress. I am in Melbourne region, and happy to travel anywhere within Victoria within reason.

Thank you,

Emma

[cavNrott]

Hi,

My, almost, 7 yr old miniature schnauzer had a slipped disc some months back. In the initial phases, after veterinary treatment, he recovered quite well and is continuing with monthly cartrophen injections, glucosamine and oil supplements and veterinary check ups. However he has now had a flair up of sorts and is suffering from some sciatica pain, more than likely the flair up was caused from a holiday at the beach, so I am reducing his exercise and he is back on anti-inflammatory and a different cartrophen injection.

I am very happy with his veterinary treatment, but I am wondering if he would also benefit from some complimentary treatments- such as physio, hydrotherapy etc? Does anyone have any experience with this or any recommendations as to where? (I was looking at Aquapaws, but only because they have an advertising link at the top of this forum :)) I would nervous to take him somewhere unknown for fear of exacerbating the problem or causing him any undue stress. I am in Melbourne region, and happy to travel anywhere within Victoria within reason.

Thank you,

Emma

Emma, has your dog had an MRI or myelogram to assess the situation. If not, now would be a good time to have it done before you embark on any complimentary treatment that may exacerbate the problem.

Why not take him to the Veterinary Specialist Centre to have his condition assessed, your vet will probably be happy to give you a referral. The Specialst Centre has a branch in Mount or is it Glen Waverley and another in Essendon.

[Rebanne]

My greyhound has a disc problem, confirmed by MRI. Her only treatment was 6 weeks strict crate rest, which worked beautifully. If it hadn't have worked we would have had to weigh up on whether to do surgery. She isn't on any supplements because it is not arthritis. I restrict her chances to play with my other dog wildly in the backyard. Twisting and turning are what set her off.

[Dogsfevr]

Bowen is gentle & works wonders ,what people forget is the other parts of the body take on the pressure when the dog is down so it may not be the back but the neck/shoulders .

The biggest thing is life needs to change & daily activities need to be factored as to what will /won't cause grief .Also getting the dog groomed more often can help .

When my dachie went down in his back we did the myelogram path issue was the uni decided to do surgery without our permission dog walked in/couldn't walk out but after months of physio ,chiro & massage we got him back up.

Supplement wise i would use arnica tablets & rub arnica/comfry gel on the back ,good horse places have the best gel

[cavNrott]

When my dachie went down in his back we did the myelogram path issue was the uni decided to do surgery without our permission dog walked in/couldn't walk out but after months of physio ,chiro & massage we got him back up.

I had the opposite problem. We also went down the myelogram path. I agreed to immediate surgery. My dog was paralysed from the shoulders down and couldn't walk in but walked out two days following the surgery.

[EmmaKate]

I'm going to discuss all the options with Humphrey's vet in the coming weeks (he is away next week) and as part of this I'll discuss if there is a need for further diagnostic tests, such as myelogram. We were very lucky there was no paralysis, from the prolapsed disc, as the initial examinations showed it to be more severe than first realised.

At the moment Humphrey is just been kept quiet. I hate so much when he is not himself, he's normally such a happy little thing, but when something is wrong (I guess thankfully) he makes it plainly obvious. I think a longer term plan is definitely needed, I'm not considering anything invasive right now, just something to make him comfortable and best manage the problem and prevent further issues arising. I think this will definitely involve a change in how we exercise him and he would likely benefit from some skillful massage also.

Thank you for all your replies- it is very helpful to hear others experiences. I will give updates as things progress.

[Erny]

There are herbs that are anti-inflammatory and and also herbs specific to the nerves which are likely to assist. You'd need to visit a holistic Vet to assist and guide you on this, but IMO worth a try.

Acupuncture would be another alternative treatment I would seriously try.

And massage.

[Rascalmyshadow]

I would highly recommend Barry Haywood in Cranbourne, he is a greyhound chiro. My old poodle girl (no longer with us) slipped a disc in her neck he was wonderful (we had used him numerous times in the past). We had strict rest, pain killers and anti inflams but without him adjusting her she would not have healed so well.

If you are interested in his details let me know.

[Staff'n'Toller]

I would contact Dogs In Motion. I'm certain that Michelle would not treat unless she felt she had all the relevant information and imaging.

You could book an initial appointment at any rate, and then find out if further imaging is required. :)

Some vets are supportive, and others don't seem to understand the benefits I have found. But if you request your dog's history to be sent there they can't refuse.

[EmmaKate]

An x-ray at the vet today revealed Humphrey has a second prolapsed disc at the base of his spine- hence the sciatica pain. Unfortunately we couldn't see his regular vet for long, as he was crazy busy after holidays, so he was able to assess him only long enough to determine he was showing signs of another problem area and that he needed the x-ray. For now, different anti-inflammatory and pain relief and next week a follow up appointment where we can discuss everything.

Dogs in Motion looks good, even if just for the swimming pool- all regular forms of 'Humphrey loving' exercise are now off the cards so maybe some swimming alternatives would be good. I will also mention Barry Haywood, he's in the same area as Humphrey's vet.

I have a lot of faith in the vet and his opinions, so feel very comfortable talking to him about all options and I'm sure there wouldn't be any problems with referrals.

The challenge this week is keeping Humphrey quiet, the little bugger jumped of the vets table in the brief second he was free of his lead.... not exercising him is one thing, but it's all those independent things he does when he's not in your control!