Hi, I'm new on the site. Been reading everyone else's posts and enjoying them, but my baby is having a problem today.
Last night after her last potty break, she came inside and was a little lethargic. I noticed she was extra snuggly, and didn't move all night or even try to push me out of bed. This morning, she is arching her back when she does stand up, and when she tries to walk, she loses control of her back legs. There's nothing she could have jumped off of outside, so I don't know how she could have hurt her back, but that seems to be the problem. I'm taking her to the vet in about an hour.......... I'm scared.
Our :heart: , :pray:'s and :sunny:'s to little Bridget! Please let us know how she is doing! We're keeping our :xfinger: and paws crossed for her! It sounds like she has injured her back, or pinched a nerve, or my have a disc issue! I hope it is a strain or something! Hang in there, and best wishes! dottie
Glad you are getting her to the vet. Sounds like she hurt herself somehow. It isn't always the jumping - there are other ways for them to get hurt. Sending rays that it is minor and crate rest and maybe meds will help. Please let us know when you get back. We are here for you!
We are thinking of you! Let us know how it goes at the vet!
Thanks for all of the good thoughts. Bridget has a herniated disk in her lower back. This morning her back legs were a little clumsy, but by the time we got to the vet, they were useless, and her tail wasn't wagging. The vet put her on prednesone (sp) for a week, and crate rest for a month. If that doesn't work......... there isn't a vet in this area that does the kind of surgery she will require. Any word on how successful steroid and rest therapy are? Needing some encouragement. Not sure how the crate rest will go. She (and a crate) will go to work with me. Thankfully my boss and co-workers are serious dog lovers. But I spoiled her as a pup. She's never been crate trained. Wish me luck with that!
I'm definitely not a pro at this, but Charlie's legs gave out on him in early September. The vet took x-rays of which showed calcified areas between his discs. He put him on prednisone of which didn't seem to have much effect right away and it got to the point about a week later that he couldn't use his hind legs. I consulted with a surgeon, but decided not to do surgery due to the cost and the 50/50 odds of it working. The vet said to continue the prednisone of which Charlie has been taking twice a day. I also crated him. About a week after the consult with the surgeon, Charlie actually stood up and has been getting better ever since. I sense that he's still a bit wobbly, but wonder if that's only because I know what happened. I'm suppose to call the vet next week regarding his prednisone dosage. I'm hoping to stop giving him the prednisone, but I'm almost afraid to do so due to his doing so much better.
Our rays are with Bridget.
We're definitely sending rays to Charlie as well. The vet here didn't know much about the surgery. I didn't realize that the chances are only 50/50. Here's hoping both our babies will continue to get better. It's hard to see her not playing, and trying to take down my yellow lab Joy. She's just quiet. She wants to get up and go, but her little body is just not working with her. Thanks for the info, and ear scratches to Charlie.
Hi Louise,
I'm Ruth, owened by eLlIe ....... and we live in Kalispell. Welcome to the board. You will find lots of info and support here.
:pray: for your little girl. Is there any chance that Scott out at Ponderosa Vet does this kind of surgery?
Will be sending rays in full force that the pred and crate rest do the trick. My Rudy has had several episodes with his back and with pred, muscle relaxers and crate rest he is doing ok. He had never been crated before and I was so worried the first time. But he did ok. You are so lucky to be able to take her with you !!!! Be aware that when the pred takes hold - she might think that she is really feeling better and will try to do more. Don't let her !!! She will HAVE to rest. Hang in there-we are here with ya. Ruth listed above a dr in your area that might know about the surgery if it ends up that way. Start looking now - just in case. Please keep us posted on her progress.
Hi Ruth, we're in Columbia Falls. I work in Whitefish, and took Bridget to Scott Smiley at Alpine, since he was available. I have to admit that I don't think he knew a lot about what he was doing. I've actually learned more from reading posts here than he was able to tell me. Sooooooo, I think I'll talke her to Charlene Esch. She's always been wonderful with our little ones. Ellie is a cutie. Maybe when miss Bridget-Louise is feeling better the 2 will get to play. Thanks for the prayers.
Lisa
Date Posted: October 16, 2005, 03:44:11 pm
Ok, have patience with me, I promise not to monopolize the board, but I wanted to reply to everyone. Next time I'll do it all in one place. Bridget is a little perkier today, and her tail works!!!!! It's not as active as usual but it still works, and she has sensation in her feet. She's tried to walk around a couple of times, but is doing a pretty good job of listening to her little body. My big concern right now is that she hasn't pooped in a couple of days. She's peeing ok, and seems to know when it's going to happen. I AM so lucky to be able to take her to work with me. I don't think I could handle being away from her when she's hurting.
Please don't feel that you are monopolyzing the board.....when are babies are sick, I think we all find comfort here - for the support and for the knowledge. If she hasn't pooped by tomorrow - call your vet - they may recommend something that will help get things moving. You might try some canned pumpkin in with her meals - the kind that is plain pumpkin, not pie filling. This seems to help when they are constipated and have diarreha. A tablespoon full. Don't let her try to walk outside - just carry her to her pp place and back inside. Keep us posted ! Smoochies to that sweet baby girl!
Awrr, hope Bridget's back gets better soon. Best of luck with everything.. sending rays! :heart:
It's working!!!!!!! We've kept her still, and given her the meds, and she now has a little bit of strength, but not much control in her back legs.
It all started last night..... whenever Auntie comes for a visit, Bridget gets to go to Dairy Queen with all the kids and get a puppy cone. (Ever see a dachshund get an ice cream headache?) Well, Auntie came up last night, and although Bridget stayed still while everyone visited around her, when my sister left, she told Bridget from the door, "When you are all better and you can walk again, Auntie will take you for a puppy cone." Wouldn't you know the dog stood up, and tried to make a run for it. She has her priorities after all. Keeping her still and crated is going to be a bit more of a challenge now, I think.
Hi Lisa,
It will be hard but make sure to follow the vets advice and keep her crated except for short potty trips outside. If you notice her progress going backward in any way call your vet and get a referral to a Neurosurgeon asap. *knock on wood* she won't ever need surgery but if she does and you choose to go that route time is of the essence.
Another great place for information and support would be the dodgerslist email group you can join at the following link
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/
Sending lots of Rays your way!! :pray:
Good Luck
Jen & the Crew