My worst fear

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I just got back from the ER with Hallie. This evening it was evident she was having a back episode. I am beside myself, I really thought as limber as she was and all the lengths I went to to protect her back, she would be one of the few lucky doxies to avoid it. The good news is at this point she is just sore. She is fully mobile, she peed fine when I took her out, her proprioperception tests were fine. Her spine in the Xray looks perfect, no calcification, other organs all good. Of course disc material when there is no calcification doesn't show on an Xray so just because it looks good doesn't mean something isn't going on, which something obviously is, but at least there is no calcification at this point. I worry so much over her anyway, now that I know she is predisposed to this I am going to be off the charts!

So it's strict crate rest for 2 weeks, and meds. I have a crate here under my desk where one of her beds usually is, (that is where she is right now) and one by her window in the living room so she can look outside when we are out there. And I have a really tall X pen around our bed so we can sleep in the bed as usual. (she would never dream of jumping off normally anyway, I just won't take any chances).

I of course am immediately retiring her from all competition and training which we both will miss terribly but in the end all that matters is she is feeling good and with me. I can't imagine going on without her. To add salt to the wound, it was one year ago today my Dad passed away. :(

[Roberta]

Dee, at least you picked it up.
The lady I took Emma to for Bowen said it helps these problems, its non invasive and it cannot make it worse.
What was or has your wee girlie been up to!!
Wish  we were there to hug and help.
PLEASE keep us posted.
cuddles and hugs to you both and look after each other.
Roberta and the gang

[Cheryl]

Dee Dee...I'm soooo sorry to hear this...it's my worst fear too...but I'm sure Hallie will be fine and you will be too....I'll be thinking of you both..please keep us updated..
Hugs to you and smoochies to sweet Hallie

[Leslie]

Oh, crap!!!!!  You must be beside yourself!!!!!!!!!  I am praying for you both.  If it helps, she has youth and strength and incredible muscle tone on her side. PLUS the fact that she is so well trained that she will follow doctor's orders.  Hang in there and take it one day at a time. 
p.s.  and the anniversary of your dad!!!!!  oh my!  I don't have words...

[Rich]

What a bummer! We're really pulling for Hallie to recover completely.  For what its worth, I had a dachs that had two back "episodes" in his lifetime several years apart, recovered completely with rest and lived to the ripe old age of 17 with no recurrent problems - so some cases are not as bad as others.  Hang in there.

[Barb]

dd.......bless your heart - I know you are beside yourself......sending massive rays and prayers that our Hallie is just tired and has pulled something.  R&R is what she needs.  Hang in there - we are here with you. 

  special thoughts of your dad today.....

Hugs to you and Hallie...

[TerriL]

Oh DD I am so terribly sorry to hear this.  Your doing EVERYTHING right.  The very best thing for Hallie right now is rest and her meds and most importantly, her mama! 
Rest assured that many many prayers are being said that Miss Hallie is back to her wonderful sweet self very very quickly. 
Hugs to you!  Your the best mama! 

[Ruth in MT]

Hallie 

[Beth]

Oh, Dee Dee, I'm so sorry to hear that Hallie is having back problems.  It is the worst feeling in the world when that happens!  You did a good job picking up on it and taking action right away.  Hugs to you and gentle belly rubs to Miss Hallie.  Since she is so active and agile, we're hoping that she will bounce back quickly.

Special prayers for you today on the anniversary of your dad's passing. 

[Lori R.]

I totally understand.  I know how we all fear a back eposide.  But having learning first hand it most cases, even if you both have to go through with a operation, please know everything will be fine.

When Penny had her operation, she was just 3 years old.  She is my first dog and she is also my WHOLE LIFE.  She is like a daughter to me.  And I thought I would die!  I totally lost it.  But after the operation she came around.  In a week and a half she was walking again.  It has been almost 2 years and she is just fine.

I hope with my whole heart that this is a far as it goes for your little baby.  But if it does get worse, she will be just fine and come through this becasuse she has you and your love!

Hugs to you, you are not alone!  We are all here!

[Kari]

Major rays coming your way for Hallie's recovery! We are thinking of you today! 

[Julie]

I really hope Hallie is feeling better.  This is what all of us fear.  We will be thinking of you.

[Nikki]

Dee Dee, I am so sorry to hear about Hallie's sore back.  Having been thru sore back with Max and the surgery with Lily, I can understand how you feel.  I know we can do everything possible to protect them and still have something go wrong.  I am sure that she will pull thru this and be fine.  I had to retire Lily from doing the therapy thing because of her back.  You do what you have to for them. 

I know this really sucks as far as timing too.  I am praying and the pups are sending mega rays for you both.  Ben and Jerry also say that they are thinking about you.   

[PattyInAK]

Oh dear!!!  Sounds like when Misty went down.  The x-rays showed nothing amiss.  But now we, and you, have a good base line x-ray to compare to in the future, should anything else happen.  I do know how scary this can be.  You are doing the right thing in retiring her from competition.  I won't tell you not to worry because this IS a worrisome situation.  Strict crate rest for a couple of weeks is an absolute must so whatever injury can heal.

[PattyInAK]

Its hard to believe your dad's been gone a year already.  Its a sad anniversary.

[Brekkesmom]

Gack!  I know so well the panic you were facing, and think about!  I went through this with Fritz, Heidi just had calcification, Gretl had the surgery - that's 3 of 6.  I am so sorry this happened on your dad's Bridge Day - but maybe it's a sign he is watching over your precious HBB?    :grouphug2:

[Sandishooligans]

DD, my heart dropped to the floor when I saw your heading.  Reading, though, I have great hope!  The X-Rays look good and she's peeing.  VERY GOOD!  Probably a wise decision to just retire from competition but as friendly and lovable as Hallie is, maybe another avenue of "service" will come her way.  Companion dog, perhaps?  Well, for now, rest her well and keep an eye out.  We'll be  BIG time that she just pulled something or overdid somehow.  Don't panic.  You have your friends here to get you through.  Keep us apprised, okay?))))))))))))))))))))))) all the way from CA.

[Jenny G]

Well we are sending lots of rays to Hallie and hugs to you!  Gosh what a day for you!

[Krista]

Oh No!  Hope HBB heals quickly and competely.

I hope she's one of the ones who has one minor episode and then lives a healthy, long life with no more IVDD troubles.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks so much for the posts, I am just sick with worrying and it helped to read these. Hallie seems to be feeling pretty good and I carried her out and she pooped (with Delia on the phone to witness :)) She wags her tail and I feel she could probably run if allowed...of course not allowed. SHe's tired of her crate already, I take her out as much as I can when I can lay her next to me and actually have my hands on her. But she's one or other of the crates I set up for her most of the time and she's bored. I am thankful she is doing as good as she is. I have a tall soft sided X Pen surrounding our bed and when I first woke up this morning my first thought was, what...am I in a crib?

I will probably crate her more like 4 weeks as Jen suggested, she is going to miss most of the summer poor baby. But thank goodness she is doing really quite well right now.

[Leslie]

Dee Dee, what were her symptoms that prompted the vet visit?  Any possiblity this is a uscle strain?

[David C.]

Aw geez.  Sending mega rays Hallie's way.   I wouldn't take any chances, but I'm inclined to agree with Leslie that there is always the possibility she only suffered a soft tissue injury.   Rudy was notorious for getting these, and Max had a couple in his day, too.  The problem is that the do closely mimic the more serious problems.   I would just watch her like a hawk, and just trust your instincts, they're usually right on.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks, I'm pretty sure its her back as when the vet felt down it twice she quivered and sat when she got to the same place. She is doing ok tonight, better than I am I think! Just talked to Jen on the phone and got lots of great info though, will be calling my local vet tomorrow and going from there. Thanks for all the rays we sure can use them.

[Roberta]

If you can afford it how about a mri, they do them over here when the humans are not using it. Oliver was sensitive late last year, no be exact NEW YEARS DAY emegency vet, and it turned out to be muscular.

Big mega hugs Roberta

[Dachsmack]

Mega-rayzzz coming for Miss Hallie. Willy sends kissies, too.