Littles likely ruptured a disc in his back.
The ER vet wanted to keep him overnight but I had to being him home.
Trying to keep him comfortable.
I'm not sure what will happen next.
It all depends on how he responds to the steroids.
I won't put him through back surgery.
Its so hard to see him like this.
Oh no! Is he paralyzed? Does he have deep pain sensation? (when you pinch a back toe, he looks at it because he feels the pain). Thinking of you and hoping for the best. ~k~
ReplyDeleteOh no...please keep us posted. I hope isn't as bad as it seems and he can recover without surgery?
ReplyDeleteDamn, so sorry. The steroids will help and keep him very quiet, Keep him warm. It can settle on it's own, but the key is keeping him quiet and letting him tell you what he needs.
ReplyDeleteMy Aussie injured a disc once and the steroids took care of it. It took a while, and it was difficult to keep him quiet. At least you can carry Littles.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this Meredith! Loki had toe surgery this week for a vascuous corn and has to be carried for a week or so. 30 pounds is a lot by the third trip out to the grass! And he was just starting to recover nicely from the knee surgery in July... What we won't do for our pets. :) I hope the steroids work and that he isn't in too much pain.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read this! I hope the steroids work for him. Please keep us posted! I will be thinking of you and sweet Littles.
ReplyDelete-G.
Flinging good energy out to you both, hang in there...
ReplyDeleteAwww poor little Littles. Never had that happen to a dog, but the advice above about keeping him quiet sounds good. Speedy healing and well wishes.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, Meredith. I've only seen it happen once, and it was with a dog who belonged to the wealthiest couple I know (luckily). It was 9 grand to fix, but he's been going strong for 10 years post-op now. Hope that inflated price was due to being in CA and that it's more reasonable elsewhere. Either way a big decision to make. Good luck. People heal from ruptured disks without surgery, too, so theoretically it should also be possible for a dog? Hope so.
ReplyDeleteHe is in less pain this morning though still has no mobility in his rear legs. His back right is especially bad and just dangles. He did respond to the pinch test but it took several seconds.
ReplyDeleteHe finally got to sleep at 4 am. Panting in pain the whole time. I hope I'm doing the right thing.
Spinal surgery is not a financial option (used my rent to cover this ER visit...will deal with that tomorrow) nor am I certain it is ethical given his already compromised structure (before I rescued him his back right leg was broken and fused wrong and is incredibly weak).
The steroids, anti inflammation, and pain meds need to work, and swiftly, because I can't handle him being in so much pain.
Literally he was fine one minute and paralyzed the next.
The xray showed calcification between discs so I guess it was bound to be a problem. It wasn't caused by an injury.
That dog is my comfort. I need him and need him comfortable asap.
Meredith, I am so sorry. It might be time. This is exactly what happened to Maisy. She just woke up paralyzed in her hind legs with a sudden slipped disc not due to injury and her back bone was completely calcified. Surgery wasnt an option. Maybe it was an
Delete'Easier' decision because I couldnt carry an 85 lb dog for more than a few days. I did it fast bc I couldn't bear to see her in pain. She deserved better. I know this is the worst day ever for you and Im so sorry. You are a strong woman. You can handle this.
On a activity level of 0 to 10 he's naturally a .5 So we have that going for him.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to read this! Sending my best to both of you.
ReplyDeleteHaving deep pain sensation is a positive thing, although it is hard to see him in pain I know:( I have a dog that 9+ years ago was t-boned by another dog. She never did get that deep pain sensation back, so there has always been a disconnect between her back legs and her brain. She recovered enough in about 6 weeks that she didn't need the wheelchair we had ordered for her, although eventually as she aged she needed it, and has used it fully the last two years for walks. She is now 15 3/4. I had actually made the decision to put her down, but the vet told me to go home and think it through.....Hoping Littles starts to seem a bit more comfortable, I know how incredibly hard it is to see him like that. Hugs. ~k~
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ReplyDeleteMeredith, I'm so sorry to hear this. The pics you've posted of him here have made me smile so many times, he's like a ray of sunshine. I wish I had some advice or something useful to share with you but I've never had this problem with my dogs so just know that I'm hoping for a good outcome. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteWell, the one thing I can say about YOU is that I am absolutely, positively certain you will do the right thing. You are a good, ethical person and will absolutely not let an animal suffer unless it's very temporary and healing will come. Prayers to you and Littles and I hope the steroids do their work -- they really are miracle drugs in some ways.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to read this
ReplyDeletePlease talk to your vet about realistic prognosis with this condition. So sorry to hear about him. It sucks when your pets are in pain.
ReplyDelete1. Responds to meds gets better and stays better
Delete2. Responds to meds but returns to premed condition when medication stops.
3. Doesn't respond to meds
Surgery is another option.
At this point he is responding to medication. While he still has no back leg function he doesn't appear to be in pain. They said it is a slow recovery. Its only been 36 hours so considering he is comfortable I'm going to wait it out.
Thoughts?
Did he experience any trauma?
DeleteNo.
DeleteXrays showed calcification between the discs. Its a breed/genetic issue they believe rather than the result of an accident or injury.
I was literally sitting with him on the floor and he went from normal to couldn't walk. He wagged his tail unusually fast...pooped on the floor and then paralyzed.
So strange.
I would do what you are doing. If he is comfortable then you have time to explore options and hope that he mends on his own. Also, you said he was pretty inactive anyway so he is probably not feeling a lot mental stress from the limited mobility. Animals can be very adaptable to their current situations-- you know him best and know if he is still happy and appreciating life. I'm hoping for the best for this little guy for both of you.
DeleteDo you have a holistic chiropractor in your area? My dog has nerve damage from past abuse, as well as hip issues, and I've found that the chiropractic work has been a viable option to traditional vets (I'm fortunate to have a people and animal clinic nearby). I'm a fan of homeopathics for support. Wishing you both the best...
ReplyDeleteI'll look into it. The ER vet mentioned electric acupuncture as well.
DeleteInitially because he was known so much pain I wasn't entertaining other options.
Now I'm planning on selling my soul to the devil as long as he is comfortable.
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DeleteCare credit is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI don't qualify. I don't have consistent full time work and my credit is shot after being out of work for a year.
DeleteI'm living penny to penny and working pt which with the chronic fatigue syndrome is necessary. Unless a new drug is developed I simply can't sustain full time work. I can do the hours but spread over 7 days and all hours.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
Life was easier before my body adjusted to the medication that allowed me to work full time. I didn't anticipate becoming immune to the highest dose that can legally be prescribed.
Meredith, you might want to think about getting Soc Sec disability. I'm sure you could work with you doc on this. I think you could still work PT (partial disability). It takes a while to get, but since it seems your condition has no cure that might be a long-term option.
DeleteI googled "vet bill assistance" but I'm not finding anything super helpful.
DeleteThere's this site but it looks like the grant is limited to a hundred or two.
http://www.redrover.org/redrover-relief-grants
If you don't qualify on your own you can try applying with a co-signer with better credit - this sometimes work!
DeletePoor Littles, I'm so sorry for both of you. It's hard to make decisions for them when we love our pets so much. ((Hugs)) to the both of you.
ReplyDeleteMeredith, that is a total bummer about the CFS.
ReplyDeleteYes. Scientific evidence is consistent with my experience of it "starting" with mono after my senior year of hs.
DeleteI do need a sleep study to rule out narcolepsy as compounding problem. I maxed out adderall to where the highest dose did nothing. Its possible starting again at a low dose after bring off since April will help. Need insurance. I qualify for Medicaid coverage which is good. Once I find a drug that works or start the old one again I should be able to work full time.
Doesn't help the situation now though.
I might pull out my retirement. Not much with penalties but it might be necessary.
Yes. Scientific evidence is consistent with my experience of it "starting" with mono after my senior year of hs.
DeleteI do need a sleep study to rule out narcolepsy as compounding problem. I maxed out adderall to where the highest dose did nothing. Its possible starting again at a low dose after bring off since April will help. Need insurance. I qualify for Medicaid coverage which is good. Once I find a drug that works or start the old one again I should be able to work full time.
Doesn't help the situation now though.
I might pull out my retirement. Not much with penalties but it might be necessary.