Not sure what's wrong - even after vet visit

Charlie · September 28, 2005, 05:31:12 AM

:thumb: Charlie was standing on all fours yesterday morning when I left for work. That was the first time in about a week that he was able to do so, although he was still wobbly when walking. I'm still crating him during my work day and am carrying him outside as well as keeping him off high places. I realize this improvement could be short lived, but was glad to see the progress.

Jeri · September 28, 2005, 06:20:29 AM

That is good news! Let's hope Charlie keeps getting better!

Merion · September 28, 2005, 10:25:56 AM

Sending mega HHHHHH's & PPPPPPP's to you and Charlie.
I know I mentioned it before but my girl friend had 2 dogs that were helped with acupuncture. One had had surgery before and the other hadn't. Both are doing good even after several years.
I know how hard this must be for you to decide what to do.

Merion & Zack

Charlie · September 30, 2005, 03:06:06 AM

Charlie seems to continue getting stronger and doesn't seem as wobbly on his hind legs as he was a few days ago. He continues on the prednisone, but I'll call the vet on MON and discuss with him whether or not he needs to stay on it. I'm almost afraid to take him off it considering his progress. His morale seems to be improving as well as he came into the bathroom this morning and licked my feet when I got out of the shower. He hadn't done that for awhile and use to do so all the time. He'll have to be boarded this weekend as I must go out of town and can't take him with me. I'm not sure if I should take his crate with him and ask the kennel caretakers to keep him in it at least during the day. :thumb:

Shumard4 · September 30, 2005, 10:48:23 AM

I cannot stress enough on keeping him crated. Please consider getting him on the Springtime Supplements. I use Fresh Factors and Joint Health. I do not work for them I just love and believe it their products. I would also look for and acupuncture doctor. I hate to sound like a broken record but it works. I have seen it several times.

Charlie · September 30, 2005, 11:57:40 AM

What do the supplements do?

hildiesmom · October 04, 2005, 03:01:01 PM

You should see about having him kenneled at your vet's office.

As for what you should do about this back issue, many dogs recover without surgery. Join the Dodgerslist group and ask for advice. They will give advice on alternatives including acupuncture and supplements--possibly Adequan injections (an injectable form of glucosamine).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/

They also have a website, but it's down right at the moment.

Crate rest, 100% except for potty breaks (on leash), is CRITICAL if you are not going to be able to do surgery. 6-8 weeks. Very, very, very important. (I've done *two* of these, so I speak from experience.)

Charlie · October 05, 2005, 06:11:18 AM

Charlie continues to do much better. He's actually squatting to poop & pee. I took him outside yesterday and we walked around a bit of which he seemed to do so without any issue.

Barb · October 05, 2005, 07:43:59 AM

Is Charlie still on the prednisone? If so, this may be a long term treatment for him. Still keeping him in my prayers and sending rays that he continues to improve !!!! Keeping him from jumping and still crating him, I believe will also be long term treatment to help him get better. Keep us posted !

Shumard4 · October 05, 2005, 09:42:12 AM

I don't don't know how they work but they seem to help. They make the joints more flexible and help them with pain.

Charlie · October 05, 2005, 10:59:29 AM

I'm still giving him prednisone twice a day. I called the vet on MON to find out if the dosage should change, but he hadn't called me back yet. I almost hate to change something that seems to be working, but I know steroids aren't something to be on forever.

snicker pumkin · October 11, 2005, 09:16:21 AM

Hi there Charlie,
My littel dachshund Pumkin was feelling lethargic and finally it was diagnosed as a herniated disk. It was a hard time for me but I decided to go ahead with the surgery. She was losing control of her right hind leg, was in a lot of pain and could hardly walk. She had a laminectomy surgery and stayed in the hospital about 6 days. I got her home and she could hardly move. She looked like a little football with a stich all the way down her back. Over time she has recovered wonderfully and can run now like nothing was ever wrong. She is a miracle baby and such an inspiration. She had her problem about 2 years ago when she was around 4 years old. It costs around 2,000 dollars which I feel was reasonable. Maybe discuss your situation with your vet and what you are able to pay. It will be worth it. I know how it is though and it was a hard choice to make. Best of luck with you

Charlie · October 11, 2005, 09:37:33 AM

I'll give the prednisone another week and call the vet again. While I think Charlie's not back at 100%, I'd say he's at about 90%, but maybe that's only because I know he was having problems. I am concerned a bit as when I pick him up he does whimper a bit like someone taking a deep breath that hurts them. It's not a loud whimper or even a whine, just like someone taking a deep breath. Other then that, he's doing fine and back to his old habits of barking at people and wanting to eat Abbie's puppy food.

Does anyone know of any good, inexpensive sites for ramps?

Rich · October 11, 2005, 09:51:03 AM

Ramps created especially for dogs can run into a lot of money. Considering the technology involved in a simple ramp, I think these are overpriced. You can buy a pair of ramps to drive your car on at an auto parts store for $20-30. These would be just about the exact height for access to couches or beds. Cover them with carpet remnants to match your decor. Presto! Cheap dachsie ramps.

Charlie · October 29, 2005, 09:48:31 AM

Charlie is doing 99% better! :apls: Last week Charlie's vet reduced his prednisone dosage to 1 tablet a day. I continued to crate him while I was at work and after talking to the vet yesterday his dosage has been tapered to one tablet every other day. I'm not sure why I consider him to only be 99% better except maybe just the fact that I know he had been hurt.

:scratch: Despite the x-rays showing calcified places between his discs, the more I think about Charlie's injury, the more I wonder whether or not he and Abbie (my 8 month old Golden Retriever) were just playing too rough while I was away when I left both of them out of their crate and Abbie unintentionally did something to hurt him. I watch their playing much more closely now and don't leave Abbie out of her crate when I'm not home any more. :scratch:

Barb · October 29, 2005, 09:50:53 AM

So glad he is doing better !!!! These kids hurt so easily - you have to keep an eye on them all the time ! Keeping them crated while you aren't there is a good practice, along with ramps and no jumping ! Keep up the good work mom !!!!