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Rine
03-05-2008, 06:05 PM
Today, I got up and did my normal routine. My dog, of course, decided to "sleep in." He used to get up right with me, but now he likes to sleep a bit until I'm about to leave.

When I went into the kitchen, I noticed him simply standing there, hunched over in pain. I approached him and touched his back and he yelped in pain. Of course, I started freaking out because he's never done this before. He's shaking and trembling really, really badly and I get him to lie down and he's very tense. He continues to shake and whimper in pain for the next fifteen minutes.

I called my boss and told her I wasn't coming in because I was taking the dog to the vet right away. Thankfully she understands (I think; I wasn't scheduled to come in anyways. I was going in to make up hours I missed on Monday when I had to call in b/c of car trouble.)

So, I call the animal hospital and they told me to bring him in. By now, he's a little more active and I coaxed him outside to answer nature's call. He came in and ate and drank a bit. Then, he tried to play with his "sock" but decided to lay around.

It was hard getting him into the car (he's 84 pounds). The doc looked him over and pressed her fingers down his spinal cord. He yelped in pain whenever she would get to his lower back. She also did this little test where she would take his foot and push it over or something and then she would see how long it took him to flip his foot back right. He wouldn't with his back paws, but his front ones were fine.

They took him to walk up and down the hall and his back legs were weak.

They are keeping him until 4 today to take x-rays. They think it could be number of things, but think it might be a slipped disc or other spinal related problems.

I'm hoping for the best and I'm very worried.

Does anyone know what might be wrong? It's hard just sitting here at home, waiting...:(

Princess-Snake
03-05-2008, 06:47 PM
My parents' dog frequently injures his back. The vets think it might be a slipped disk or a pinched nerve. Of course, dachsunds are prone to back problems... Hope your doggie feels better soon.

tropicsgoddess
03-05-2008, 06:52 PM
hope your doggie feels better soon.:hug:

sportsmom
03-05-2008, 07:36 PM
I have no ideas of what it might be, but here's some :hug::hug: for you and your poor doggie.

Primer
03-05-2008, 08:29 PM
Several years ago I had a rottie mix that woke up in the middle of the night, paralyzed in the back legs. The emergency vet referred me to a specialist. $2000 and a week on DMSO IVs in the hospital later, he wasn't his old self, but he was walking again, and he did make a full recovery. Keep your fingers crossed, and if he does end up being hospitalized, one of the best medicines is lots of hugs. Visit him as often as you can/they will allow.

We never did find out what happened with my dog, but he did get better.

dispatch
03-05-2008, 08:56 PM
:hug: not sure what's wrong, but I know it's gotta suck siting around not knowing what's going on. Keep us posted and stay optomistic!

I really miss my dog now!

strawbabies
03-05-2008, 09:05 PM
I hope your dog feels better soon. ((hugs)) to you and him.

Parrothead
03-05-2008, 10:55 PM
:hug: to you and your dog.

myswtghst
03-05-2008, 10:59 PM
Hugs and positive vibes to you and your doggy. Here's hoping it's something temporary and fixable!

Rine
03-05-2008, 11:12 PM
Thanks everyone very much for your kinds words. I have an update.

Well, it's good news and bad news.

The good news is that this might not require surgery (or they didn't really mention it to me because they know I can't afford it.) He has spondylosis and lumbosacral disease, both of which are arthritis type diseases. I was surprised how severe it was; I know he's been a little slow going. He is getting up there in years (he's 10.)

But what concerned the vet the most was a bulging disc. She said she'd never seen it "live" before him. So, she's ordered bedrest for him.

That means...no running, no playing, no jumping (though he can't jump much these days.) When he goes outside to do his business, I have to keep him leashed and stay out there with him.

I have to buy him a kennel and kennel train him. They want him in a confined space for 2 weeks so he can rest and hopefully that bulging disc area will improve. They want him to lose about 15 pounds. As soon as I get him off his pred meds for his skin condition, they are going to put him on some other medicine.

Right now he's on some pain meds so he's stoned out of his mind. I have him in his room (which is actually mine. It's the smallest in the house.)

I just hope he gets better. :(

BookstoreEscapee
03-05-2008, 11:19 PM
Poor doggy!! Hopefully he just pulled a muscle or something. Hugs and pats for you and him :)