Penny's Having Back Problems

[Kari]

Penny was at my mom and dad's yesterday while we were out of town from Christmas. She goes over there a lot and plays with their beagle, but something must have happened because when I picked her up today she was stiff and yelped. My mom said she had been fine and hadn't noticed anything was wrong. I took her to the vet immediately  . They examined her and it definitely is her back. She passed all the neurological tests just fine and is walking fine but when probed on her back she stiffens up and cries. They gave her a shot of Dexamenthasone SP and sent her home with Tramadol for pain and told us to confine her. They are going to call tomorrow to check on her. I'm thinking she should get an xray but our vet said it wasn't necessary at this point. I'm freaking out right now! Anyone have thoughts? She is 4 years old, a good weight, we have ramps for her and she gets lots of exercise. I think it is going to be a long night!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Oh no Kari! These kinds of posts always make my heart sink!!

The #1 most important thing is to KEEP HER CONFINED. Don't be fooled that maybe it's ok to let her out a little bit, she doesn't look all that bad...etc. It was explained to me, that at this point her disc is like a tube of toothpaste with the cap off. If the tube isn't disturbed, the toothpaste will stay in the tube. If the tube gets squeezed (i.e., she walks around or turns the wrong way, it doesn't take much for things to get worse fast) then the toothpaste (disc material) will squeeze out (herniate and/or rupture) and that is when they have bigger problems. She will feel better because the meds will do their job and bring the inflammation down but things are still weak in there and need time to heal over before you can let her out again. Just carry her carefully out to potty, somewhere she can't take off on you (I had Hallie on her harness or I stood with her in a very small x penned area to go potty) and then carry her back in.

The good thing is hers is mild right now. (that is VERY good). She is at the prime age when they have back problems, between 4 and 7 or so is the most common and from the ones I have seen it's usually closer to 4. My Jessie had her first back problem and surgery right after she turned 4. I also had ramps and kept her thin and well exercised, she had ramps and did everything "right", some doxies are just more prone to this than others (too many...) and all the things we do help but can't prevent it completely so don't beat yourself up over it!! The main problem is genetics and all the uneducated people out there breeding just for cute puppies to sell certainly don't help the problem!

Penny's chances of recovering without incident are very great with how mild she is, the hardest part will be strictly confining for at least 2 weeks. You might check out www.dodgerslist.com to get some great advice. Jen from the board here helped me a lot this summer too.

An xray can be helpful but not necessarily at this point. When I rushed Hallie to the ER they did an Xray and it looked perfect, which was good but a doxie who even has gone completely down can have a perfect looking xray. An xray will show if there are any narrowing of the disc space (which would indicate a possible rupture) and would show if there is any calcification but that added information won't really change your course of treatment much with her, as you'd be doing the same thing as you are now whether the xray showed anything amiss or not as she is obviously having a little episode with her back.

You may already know much of this but after she's recovered, it's good to avoid any kind of play where there is any kind of tug of war, or twisting (like running after a ball and turning sharply to come back with it...I would always throw the ball so it would land against a fence or wall so they had to slow down to pick it up). Everyone looks at it different but personally I would not let her play with the beagle (I know people who would though...so this is just from my perspective). I am too afraid to let Hallie play with other dogs at all. Twice my Jessie yelped and went into a full blown back episode during play with another dog. This episode with Penny may have nothing at all to do with her playing with the beagle. It may have been brewing for a while and you didn't know it.

But you really are doing everything right, she will probably surprise you at how well she heals, just keep her confined and as quiet as possible...you will get through it! Give her a hug for us poor baby girl.

[cheryl186]

Dee Dee is giving you the best advice possible.  My Zoe had back surgery this past August when she was a few months shy of 4 yrs old.  Confinement, Confinement, Confinement!!!  That is the best thing you can do for Penny right now.  I can't tell you anything more than Dee Dee already has, she has covered everything.  I belong to dodgerslist....please join....the people there are so very friendly and helpful.  There is also a ton of information on their files there from A to Z which would be very helpful for you.

Healing rays and prayers are being sent your way.....and yes it sounds like you have caught this in the early stages which is wonderful....don't blame yourself....1 in 4 doxies end up having disc problems....it is not your fault at all....God Bless you and Penny   

Please keep us updated on her progress....

[Barb]

Rays on the way for our Penny.   DD has given you all the advice that I can think of...plus much more !!!  Keeping Penny quiet and still are the most important.  I am hoping maybe she just played too rough with her Beagle cousin and is bruised.......Please keep us updated - we are here if you need us. 

[TerriL]

Oh no...  I'm so sorry to hear this.  Mega Rays coming your way for Penny's quick recovery! 

[Kari]

Penny seems to be a little better this morning. She is pretty groggy from the medications but is peeing and pooping fine. I am off this week from work which is great so I can stay home with her. I'll keep everyone updated! Thanks for all the information and help!

[Barb]

I am so glad you are able to stay home with her !!!!  Groggy is not bad - then she won't be tempted to try to do anything.  Glad she is doing the "required" stuff of peeing and pooping.  Please keep us updated -

Do checkout the Dodger list - there is a ton of information -

[AnnieofNJ]

So glad to hear that Penny is feeling a bit better, but still keep her confined.  Sending mega doxie rays to Penny for a complete recovery.

Annie & the New Jersey Gang