Help !! Back legs not working !!

buffy · May 21, 2009, 10:31:53 PM

I rescued Sherriff 2 1/2 weeks ago.They say he is 6.I had him nuetered and had 4 teeth pulled that were really infected.Tonight we found him on the floor acting strange then I noticed his legs went limp.I have given him some metacam and put him in a crate.He is sad and confused.He wants out of the crate.I know I need to keep him confined.Any advice would be appriciated.Just when he finally got settled in our family then this happens.I do not know his history so it makes it difficult but he is such a nice little boy.

Poor little Riffy

Brekkesmom · May 21, 2009, 11:19:25 PM

By limp, do you mean dragging his back legs? If so, crate rest is imperative, and he could have IVDD. I had one with a few episodes of weirdness, but she had some calcified disks, and otherwise was okay. My first boy was severely affected, it was back in the early 70s, and he was given only a 10 or 15% chance of surviving if surgery was done, so he was pts. I had a 10 year old girl dachsie - Gretl, go down one Saturday morning, and she got into surgery that same day and was gone for 10 days, and her recovery was slow. Surgery and recovery care was a tiny bit over $4,000. Many people here have/had multiple-surgery dogs. Every dog is different. I think the first 48 hours is critical. How soon can a vet see Sheriff so you know what you are dealing with?
I am so sorry you are dealing with this so soon after his arrival! Rays for Sheriff are on their way to you!

buffy · May 21, 2009, 11:52:45 PM

thanks for your response ,I will take him to the vet in the morning.He just wants to keep his neck and head pointed upward.Poor gut looks so uncomfortable.Do you think the vet can do anything for him?His legs are dragging and his tail is not wagging.

Dee Dee and Hallie · May 22, 2009, 12:30:16 AM

I too am so sorry this is happening to you and Sherriff, you are wonderful to have taken this sweet little boy in. These back problems with our doxies are so hard to go through.

Good for you for putting him in a crate, that was the right thing to do. I hate to say it but you really should try to get him to a vet tonight if he is not able to use his legs. At the very least call an emergency clinic and see what they say. If he really is paralyzed, you only have a window of time of so many hours before you might lose your chance of having him walk again. Tomorrow morning "could" be too late. This may not be the case with him since I'm not a vet or can see him but if he can't wag his tail and it sounds like he can't walk, this would be a critical situation that needs help asap.

To answer your question though, yes the vet can most likely help him...not all, but a lot of paralyzed doxies can and do make a partial to full recovery. Please let us know what happens we'll be thinking of you and Sherriff!

papbouv · May 22, 2009, 04:22:25 AM

Major Rays to Sherriff I also think a trip to the ER vet is a very,very good idea.Good Luck & keep us posted.

buffy · May 22, 2009, 09:28:05 AM

I will be taking him in @ 10:00 this morning.He is in allot of pain the Metacam doesnt seem to be enough.You never know what you are dealing with when you rescue these little sweeties.

Blessings

scootersmom · May 22, 2009, 10:51:08 AM

I am so sorry to hear this! Poor Sherriff. I will be thinking good thoughts and keeping my fingers crossed that the vet can help you today...

cheryl186 · May 22, 2009, 10:54:19 AM

on their way to Sherriff and you. Please let us know how things are asap!!!

buffy · May 22, 2009, 02:37:13 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses.The vet said he is in critical condition.He is on IV right now and pain meds it doesnt look good the vet says give it a couple of days but ......
it doesnt look good.I am not sure what to do?He is in pain even after the meds.I think I will have to put him down ? This is really hard.

Blessings to you all

JetEd73 · May 22, 2009, 03:00:14 PM

first, you need to read dodgers list

http://www.dodgerslist.com/

then I'll tell you that you should have loaded up and taken him to the emergency vet ASAP.

got money for back surgery?

can you take care of a cart dog?....cause I'll tell ya right now, most of the cart dogs I've seen look to be pretty happy.

Dee Dee and Hallie · May 22, 2009, 03:24:07 PM

Buffy you are in a hard spot....you are an angel for having rescued Sherriff. You've had him such a short time and gone through so much medically with him. If you have not read Dodgers List, the link JetEd posted would be a good place to look through before making any decisions. Can you afford surgery for him and be able to devote the time he'll need for recovery? If so, unless the vet feels differently depending on his situation, he should have a very good chance of improving to some or full extent. Most doxies who are having serious back problems are in horrid pain at this stage, so don't let his pain level alone make the decision for you. The VAST majority of them will recover from the pain! If it becomes an ongoing thing that meds cannot control until it resolves...then you do have a decision to make. But that is most likely not going to be the case with him. My last girl went from screaming pain before surgery one day to walking down the hall on her own steam the next.

Also his paralysis, is going to be hard to predict. It could be permanent...or he could have full recovery and everything in between. Depending on how many hours he was down before surgery will tell you more for his prognosis as well. So that is one decision you do have to make asap, every hour that goes by his chances go down. Surgery relieves the pressure on his spinal cord, but the longer the nerves are pinched off the more permanent damage is done and this happens by the hour...so if he is a candidate for surgery you need to have this done asap. He could come out of it walking...or he could still be paralyzed for a while and then slowly get better. Or if things have progressed too far he also could not come out of it at all but need a cart.

Did the vet have any suggestions or advice on his case and what might be expected? I wonder if the rescue you got him from could help raise the funds for his surgery, I know many on this forum donate to needy dachshunds to help them get the medical care they need. I'm just trying to think of options to help you both!

Either way you are a wonderful heart to have adopted him in the first place, and it's a real shame your relationship had to start out so rough. Please let us know what happens with your sweet little boy.

buffy · May 23, 2009, 04:54:52 PM

He is home and is not doing that great .He is on many meds but I can tell he is suffering.All I want is for his pain to go away.I saw the you tube videos and I am prepared for that but how long will it take to get the pain to go away?I cant stand to see him like that!!!

April · May 23, 2009, 07:47:50 PM

Cajsa had surgery a few years ago and she was paralyzed beforehand. She was also in a great deal of pain until they gave her some IV drugs (the equivalent of morphine for doggies!) The stuff I gave her at home didn't work to help her. Surgery is probably an option provided you can afford it and that would alleviate the pain as well and be more long lasting. Cajsa had surgery on a Friday and came home on Sunday. She had a mylegram (to see exactly where the problem was) and a few discs cleared out in her back as well as the hospitalization. All together it cost around $3000 including the ER vet visit the night before. It also happened over Easter weekend so that made for an interesting time. Where are you located as someone here may be able to tell you a good vet to get him evaluated again. I really don't think crate rest is going to fix this if he's completely paralyzed.

papbouv · May 23, 2009, 09:11:21 PM

Since he is paralyzed make sure you turn him about every two hours or so will keep bed sores from forming plus keep pneumonia at bay know you may already know this. Just did not want you to put it off because he is in pain it is something you have to do anyway.Good luck on caring for your little baby.HUGS to all.

Barb · May 24, 2009, 08:55:30 AM

Sending tons of rays and prayers. Have you talked to a neurosurgeon?

buffy · May 24, 2009, 09:45:51 AM

The vet gave me tramadol to help with the pain .I have been up all night withSheriff .The meds were not helping so I gave him alot more than prescribed.2 hrs later he seems to be resting comfortably.The vets have no clue.I wanted them to give him a sedative or something because he couldnt stay still last night and I tryed everything so I just put him back in his crate and he cryed and cryed for hours.I just couldnt stand to hear him like that so thats when I gave him more meds.He is snoring beside me now on a lawn chair,its the only thing that has worked for him to be comfortable.I tryed memory foam different blankets etc.He is in pull-ups because he keeps on peeing all over.I can tell you that this is terrible to watch and I have only had him for 3 weeks and I love him sooooooooooo much I can hardly stand it.I called the vet this morning he said I should bring him in @9 to put him down.I just do not think I can.I had to put my first doxie down @ age 5 and I was at peace with it but this little guy........I do not know what to do.I wish I had someone else that could come over and help me with him another doxie lover.I need a second opinion not one from the vet.Oh I have another doxie named Buffy she is 8 and I rescued her from a breeder she is a nice little girl.

God Bless you all
Angela and Buffy&Sheriff

Teresa · May 24, 2009, 10:25:54 AM

Where do you live and do you have an emergency vet clinic in your area? At least in driving distance? That would probably be your best bet. I'm guessing that your vet doesn't deal with this situation very often or he would have probably been more aggressive yesterday and have been suggesting surgery. I'm really surprised he sent him home in that much pain. I would look for an emergency clinic first. If that isn't possible, look for another vet close by. It's possible, if you call another vet's office, their answering machine will give you the number of a vet clinic. I'm saying a prayer for you and for Sherriff. It makes me cry to think of what you both are going through right now and knowing I can't do anything to help. I hope you get an answer soon.

Barb · May 24, 2009, 11:35:02 AM

I agree with Teresa - someone else needs to see your baby right away. Go to the emergency clinic, please. I know this is heartbreaking, but there shouldn't be that much pain. Please keep us posted -

papbouv · May 24, 2009, 01:15:01 PM

Veterinary Schools may be a good choice also UC Davis do not know what area you live in but if you google Veterinary Schools you may find one close to your home they also maybe cheaper than a ER Vet.Did you go to Dogerlist yet may find more information there also.Please do not go too far over the recommended dosage on the pain medication may build up then you will not have to worry about the dog being in pain.
The Holliday weekend will make it more difficult to find out what is going on it may be in the dogs best interest to put in to sleep we have to be strong and do what is best for them.Good Luck with your little furkid.Papbouv.

buffy · May 24, 2009, 04:59:11 PM

Well Little Riffy Boy is gone........had to be one of the worst nights of my life.I took him into a top critical care hospital in Vancouver BC and they told me his legs were gone and the sugery might not even work.He was in too much pain I could not watch it anymore.His stomach was hurting him from the meds and I had no choice.Well its been only 3 weeks with him in our life and we had some good times and he will be really missed he was a great doxie.As for me I am not sure if I could rescue another one.God bless all of you who responeded to my post

Angela

Teresa · May 24, 2009, 06:52:32 PM

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. At least you got him to somewhere that was honest with you and that you knew you could trust before making the final decision. Just know that he is free from pain now and he was held and comforted by you during his worse hours. If he had been with someone else, that may not have been the case. He was with you for a reason.
As for rescuing another-many on here will tell you, never say never. You just may be a little less likely to take one that has any medical problems next time and that would be okay with what you have been through. But, right now, you need time to heal from this loss and love on Buffy, who must be confused, too. I'm saying prayers for you as you go through the next few days and weeks. Try to get some rest and give Buffy some belly rubs.

Merion · May 24, 2009, 06:53:31 PM

We are so sorry to hear about Sheriff. We know that you did your best for him. It is so sad that it ended up this way. It is one of the hardest things we have to do for our babies.
Sending HHHH's

and PPPPPPP's

for you all!!!
Merion & the ZZ's

Roberta · May 24, 2009, 08:12:38 PM

Thoughts and prayers to you, the length of time you had him is imaterial..............love does not have a time on it. Give Buffy a big hug from us and remember we are here.
Roberta

Rich · May 24, 2009, 08:39:07 PM

Our hearts are breaking for you. Thank you for filling Sheriff's last days with love.

klsb · May 24, 2009, 11:31:00 PM

He was with good people when he died, its better then if he hadn't been rescued at all.

He was so lucky to have you, remember that!

You should feel wonderful that you helped this little guy. Even for just three weeks. Three weeks in Weiner time is longer then it seems to us.