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Dog owners, please help....

P

PTownshend

big-nosed cigar freak!
Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Messages
851
Location
Wheatfield, NY
Hello fellow BOTL,
My dog Mickey is now 11. Since he was 5 he's had recurrent back issues. First it would start as pain in his back, so bad he'd cry out and be fearful of jumping or walking. Rimadyl would help after 3 days. This would come and go through out the last 6 years. Lately, his hind legs are getting weak. He's been stumbling and falling down. Dexamethasone has helped, but my vet is sending us out to a neurological work up from a doctor in Rochester, NY. There's a strong belief that this is an inter-vertebral disk degenerative disease.

Have any of you dog owners out there ever dealt with this before, including getting a myelogram or surgery to correct this?

I'm pretty concerned at the moment and any thoughts and input on this would be most graciously appreciated.

Say a little prayer for my guy. We're going tomorrow for a work up.

Thanks for listening,
Darren (and Mickey)
 
Sorry, I haven't had any experience with that, but I wish you and your dog the best. I know you've got to be hurting right along with him. Prayers and thoughts are with you, my friend.
 
I had something similar with my Dane, but it was b/c of her hips, not neurological.

Good luck!
 
My friend had a dog and a cat with this kind of issue.

Never firgured it out. :(

She bought the dog a 'wheeled' helper and put its hind half in it when they went for a walk(roll).

I hope you have better luck.
 
I have been a dog lover for 50+ years and still have a K9 family member. We will keep you in our daily prayers...
 
So sorry to hear about his and your pain.

What kind of dog is he? And have you looked into SYRINGOMYELIA

My family will keep you in our thoughts.

Tim
 
Darren,

My dog had the same thing you are describing, but it was instant, not gradual. He arched his back and started crying. He was in so much pain he would crawl in my lap and then couldn't stand me touching him. I took him to the er vet and they xray'd him without any luck. They gave me muscle relaxers and pain meds for him, but two days later he was worse. I took him back to the er vet and they referred me to a specialist.

He ended up having an MRI where they found that he had Intervertebral Disk Disease. Basically its a ruptured disc were the material from the disc impedes on the spinal column. It can happen over time or be traumatic. They myelogram can sometimes show the problem, but if it can't be prepared to pony up for an MRI. :(

You are describing what my dog had almost exactly. Little Man had his surgery and it was touch and go for a few days. Then one day he woke up feeling like a champ. Within 2 weeks he was 95% better. He didn't show any discomfort but he was still a little wobbly. Its been several months now and he's probably 98%. Doc says he'll never be 100 again. His back legs are still wobbly and he sometimes loses his balance, especially when he hikes his leg. But, he's happy, he's not in pain, and it was worth every damn penny.

I hate to scare you, but in total, it cost a shade under 4k. The surgery, myelogram (sp), and mri were about 3300. The er visits were roughly $500.

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/in...sk-disease.aspx

Having been through this, I'm praying for your dog and your family. I was luckily in a position where I could afford it. But if I'd had kids etc, I'm afraid I would have had to let him go. It was a tough 3 weeks. I cried a lot, and I never cry.

Good luck, and I'm sorry bout your pup. I gots a tear in my eye just reliving my experience.

Tony
 
Not sure totally about pets as I treat humans but definitely sounds like it may be something pressing on the lower spinal cord or lower nerve roots which provide function to the legs. Degenerative disc/osteoarthritis or bulging/herniated disc should be factored in. Arthritic hips are also common in pets like others have mentioned. I have never had to send my pet to an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist so my knowledge stops there. My pet does go to the most amazing animal hospital here in NJ for chemo because she has lymphoma. This place is amazing and may have the services you need including ortho/neuro/rehab if surgery is done at some point. People come from all over and even other states to bring their pets there and I recommend them without reservation. If you are on the fence or doubt th competency of your doctors to perform any advanced procedure on your pet, maybe a trip to Jersey is in order. Red Bank Veterinary Hospital
 
I just wanted to add, the chances of it reoccurring are rare. Its not a disease that typically effects more than one disc. So chances are you'll have a healthy happy dog afterward.
 
It happened to my beagle. Like Turk's dog, it was instantaneous. Tucker was paralyzed from the waist back. He lost all bowl and bladder control. He had to drag himself with his front legs. Unlike Turk, our vet said there was really nothing he could do for an 11 year old dog. I made the difficult choice. One of the hardest things I've ever done was stay in that room and watch as they injected him. I hope and pray you won't have to experience that.

If the vet says there's nothing that can be done, find another vet. After reading Turks post, I'm now second guessing. This happened about 15 years ago, but the memories are still there.

Needless to say, prayers are offered.
 
Well, yesterday was one of examinations and a long 3 hour MRI session for his full spinal column.

The doctor in Rochester NY (Dr Speciale) walks on water as far as I'm concerned. I've never seen a vet do such an intricate job detailing and super sleuthing my dogs problems, reactions, and fact finding. Mickey and I are still not out of the woods yet. The MRI results should be back today, with Dr Speciale having them on his desk by this morning. I should be hearing from him either today, tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks for all your prayers. its helped alot.

I'll update you with any new info when it becomes available to me.

Thanks again,
Darren & Mickey
 
Best of luck and keep us informed. Positive thoughts inbound.
 
Well, good news. I got off the phone with Dr Speciale a few minutes ago. I was told that the MRI show numerous disk extrusions (counted up to possibly 7!!!) HOWEVER there is only one that is pinching off the spinal cord and this one is the cause of my dogs problems.

I breath a heavy sigh of relief because of the tenacity of my dog and his will to thrive and prosper so I know he'll do great with recovery. I still have those daddy worries because he is 11 years old, and his healing mechanisms are a tad bit slower than say a 4 year old dog. However, there IS something that can be done with him and I am moving forward to get this surgery done within the next week or two.

I'll probably be taking prayers if they are given and thank you for your constant well wishes through this situation and others that he's had in the past (including his last bladder stone surgery that you guys helped me through).

As a side note, when he was undergoing his 2 hour MRI procedure yesterday I decided I wanted to keep my brain clear of the usual worrisome things that a worried pet lover thinks about. I headed to a great cigar shopped in Rochester called Havana House. What I found there was a great group of BOTLs that were supportive and made me feel so damn good during a time when I was nearly in tears.

There are no better group of people I care to foment and share my life with. Thanks for listening and thanks for praying and thinking of my little guy.

More later when Mickey and I near the surgery date.

Sincerely,
Darren (PTownshend)
 
Darren,

From one dog lover to another, I wish you and Mickey the best. My pooch is laying on my feet as we speak as a testament to how good the vets really can be. Keep us in the loop.

Some appropriate dog quotes from throughout the ages.

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying. ~George Bird Evans, Troubles with Bird Dogs

If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience. ~Woodrow Wilson

Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job. ~Franklin P. Jones

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that. ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's. ~Mark Twain, letter to W.D. Howells, 2 April 1899

Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ~Roger Caras

And lastly, If anyone were to ever say something with 1/1000th of the meaning below, I would know I lived a good life. But only a dog could ever deserve this euology.
Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man, without his Vices. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a Dog. ~George Gordon, Lord Byron, "Inscription on the Monument of a Newfoundland Dog"
 
Now you have already solved your dogs problem, though there is still a lot of work to be done, i figured i would share my dogs situation, as it has some similarities with the arthritis and such.

I have an 11 year old Black Lab. Large pure breeds, especially labs, are known to get pretty bad arthritis in their hind legs. My dog really struggles with getting up and down the stairs, and has had a large spot on his hind leg with the worst arthritis that has been rubbed raw from having to drag his leg up our brick stairs outside... we now have to help him up stairs and have been trying all sorts of things to get it better. It seems to be improving, but slowly... he is old. It's sad to see him limp so badly on his walks, you can see the eagerness in his eyes as he really wants to play and have fun, but cant move nearly like he used to (we've clocked him at 26mph as he ran next to our car). He has some prescription arthritis medicine, and there is a definite improvement, but he is still struggling to do routine things like getting onto his favorite chair or even just walking around the hardwood floors.

He doesnt have any fur to protect the spot that is all rubbed raw (a little bigger than the size of a quarter) on his hind paw because a two years ago he was bit by a copper head and most dogs never grow fur back on the spot where they are bit if the snake injects any venom. It happened the day before we left for a week vacation... worst vacation ever... instead of going to the ranch while we were at the beach, he got to spend 6 days in the hospital and two at a friend's house. (if it was up to me, we wouldnt have gone...)

I dont get to see him nearly as much as i like, being off at college most of the time. Got him as a present for my 8th birthday, and he has been my number 1 pal ever since. I know his time is nearing but he still has a lot left in him.

It's hard to see a great dog in pain, especially when they are still so eager to please you. They truly are man's best friend. I might be a little biased, but i'm pretty sure i have the best dog ever. :p

Anyways, make sure you feed you dog top notch high quality food, especially once they become seniors... we've played around with his food some and you can definitely see some more step in him with a good food and the medicine.

Good luck with the surgery and i hope your dog gets much better!
 
My dog (14 year old black lab) is going through the same thing right now. He doesn't have much feeling/control over his back legs because of spine issues. I have to carry him up the steps at night (he sleeps in my room) and up the back steps in the morning when I let him out. We've got him on deremax right now. It's more of a pain relief/anti-inflammatory pill then anything else but it seems to be working wonders on him.
 
01/12/09 UPDATE:

Visited the Sheridan animal hospital and the doctor who will be doing the surgery. This guy is one top notch physician, coming highly regarded by the neurologist and my regular vet. I've scheduled the surgery for the 22nd of this month and was told that Mickey would have to be in the clinic for overnight purposes only. He would be able to come home the very next day. The process that will be used to fix the 2 intervertebral disks that are bulging is called hemilaminectomy. In essence the top portion of his vertebrae over the offending area will be taken off in order for a relief of pressure on the spinal column to take place (along with this is the removal of the offending disk).

Pray for my boy that he recuperates as swiftly as possible. I'm taking the week following his surgery off to help my boy do his business outside and make sure he's as comfortable and well taken care of as possible.

I can do no less....

More updates as the surgery comes up,
Darren and Mickey
 
Glad things are working out Darren!

Not to make this about "me" but so you know that I understand what you're going through.

I have a 12 year boxer (Buster) who started dragging his feet. After a butt load of really expensive tests (as you know), it turns out he has a degenerative spinal condition and has continued to get worse and worse. Luckily, he doesn't seem to be in any pain but I think he only has a few weeks left.

God speed bro, sounds like what we were wishing for!

~Mark
 
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