spinal cord problem
I have a 3 year old lab, named Daisy. This past summer, she started to drag her left foot occasionally, after a few weeks it was both feet, we took her to our vet, who checked her over, did a range of blood tests (which all turned out ok), then put Daisy on prednisone for 3 weeks, it didn't help her and when she went off of them completely, she was a little worse. The vet sent us to a neuro specialist, he checked her out, did an MRI (which showed a lighter area in her spinal cord ) and a spinal tap ( which showed elevated protein, but no cancer cells). We were told to take her home and make her rest for 3 weeks, at which time she got worse again. By the time we took her back for a recheck, she wasn't using her left leg and hardly using her right. The vet said "something was going on in her spinal cord, she could probably live a few more years like this, get a sling and a doggie cart for her." We asked if there was anything else we could do for her, supplements, therapy etc., he said we could try therapy if we wanted to or more prednisone. Our reg. vet gave us more pred., but it hasn't helped Daisy at all, we asked if she new of anyone who did dog therapy and she gave us a flyer that some one left with her. So, I made an appt. for 4 days ago and took Daisy in the therapist checked her over and showed me some exercises to do with Daisy to strengthen her glutes and stomach muscles. I've been doing these exercise everyday since and for the first time in 2 months Daisy stood by herself to eat her meals, and when we take her out with the sling she now moves her hind legs trying to walk, instead of just dragging them. I'm happy and excited to see these improvements, but, I little scared to be too hopeful. We go back to the therapist on Monday. I still have no idea what is wrong with Daisy's spinal cord (possibly an intramed tumor, is the only other thing the neuro vet had considered, but never confirmed).I just wondered if anyone else had experience with any thing like this, and what you've done for it.
swollen disc in dogs back
Hello everyone,
I need some support. I have a 5 yr old cocker. About a week ago I let him out side to go and sit. When he came into the house he was walking funny and when I went to look at him he yelped. I took him for a walk and when we came back he wasnot very happy and he was walking to one side like he had a stroke. I got him to relax but when he work up well he could not walk. I took him to the vet and they told us that he had a hurunated disc in his back. I dohave himon the prednisone and I have had a hard timebecause I love to walk with my dog and now he can`t come. I have taken him to a pet chiropractor and she has showen us some exercises to do with him. I would like to know if there are others I cane do with him. He can not use his back legs at all but does have controlof his blatter and bowels. I have him in pull ups for babies and they work wonderful. I love my dog and would like to know how you all get through the day without crying. My dog wants to walk but he can`t.please helpme with any advise you can give me
many thanks
Kim
For Kim
Does the vet say his condition is permanent? Can they operate on him? Our lab, Daisy, has a spinal cord problem, that can't be fixed, so we got her a wheelchair, and she goes for 4 walks a day now....and she loves it. We also can take her in the back yard to play. I don't know how much time she'll have left, but, we want her to be able to enjoy every minute of it. If the vets can't do anything for your dog, then I'd say a doggie wheelchair is definitely the way to go to keep them active.
Nancy
spinal cord problem-daisy`s mom
Hi Nancy,
THe vet did not klnow because the ex-rays did not show anything. They can operate but it would cost around $3000 american and I live in canada. He also said that it may not work, it is a hard call to make for me. The pet chiro told us that if in a month he doesnot walk to get the chair and see what will happen. he may just get upand walk but it may take time to do so. THe other problem that I am having is keeping him dry from urine. I wash him and he still smells of urine, any ideas for that .Thank you for answering my note, it is nice to know that there are people out here with disable pets.
many thanks
Kim
Reply for Kim
When we have to lift Daisy up or take her outside, we put a folded up handtowel under her to absorb the urine, it pretty much keeps it off of her. They have doggie diapers, but we haven't resorted to those yet.
We took Daisy to a physical therapist for 2 months, and the first few weeks she made amazing progress, then her disease got worse, so we couldn't do anymore. But, we still do the leg exercises with her everyday, to keep her muscle from atrophying. I think you should ask your vet if they can recommend a therapist, it's worth a try, and if nothing else, it'll teach you how to do the exercises for your dog. Let me know what you decide to do.
Nancy
daisy`s mom
Hi Nancy,
I have found out that I require to give zeus a bath a few times a week. I got a baby bath tub for me to use. I also found that children diapers work for pull ups. I did speak to alady that has cockers and she told me a few things to do. he does have feelingcoming back and does pull his legs up when you wash him. the chiro told us that he has touch feeling and that is good to a point. I think that we will have to see what will happen to him with in the next month. I told the kids that if they want to keep him then it will have to be a family thing and not just a mom thing, even though he is my dog and loves me to the bitter end. I will keep you posted if anything new happens in our busy life. many thanks for your help and I am glad that we got to met.
ttyl
Kim
Hi, I have been looking for
Hi, I have been looking for some kind of support group for "special needs' dogs and I just found this one. I read your story about Daisy and was shocked to read about how much it sounded like my situation.
The only difference is that I have an 11 yr old toy poodle. She started off with the limp, then the weakness in her left leg. I noticed the start of 'atrophy' ( decreasing muscle tone) in her left leg. We also did bloodwork which was normal. Her vet suggested an ortho consult. The ortho vet said it was NOT an ortho problem and that I should take her to a Neurologist. Thank goodness for the Animal Medical Center in New York City. I was referred to them by a friend and I must say that I have never met a more caring group of vets.
My dog also had to have an mri and she also had a 'spot' on her spine. Only difference is that her 'light spot' was diagnosed by the radiologist to be a spinal cord tumor. The tumor is whithin the spinal canal and has begun to wrap around her spinal cord, therefore, causing the weakness in the hind legs. The neurologist, whom I can't say enough kind words about, explained that he could do surgery to 'attempt' to remove the tumor, but, it was not reccommended. Apparently the position the tumor is in is too risky to attempt the surgery. The neurologist suggested a few different remedies, but, ultimately told me that she would have another month before she lost use of both hind legs. That was in January....it is now March and my poodle is still walking. Her left leg is not useful , but she is managing on her left leg ( which is becoming weaker) The neurologist did tell me that I should get her fitted for a cart , which, I am not having her fitted for the cart so she can have a little relief. With the thought of "I have nothing to lose" I have been taking her to a holistic vet. So far, my dog has done well with this 'way of healing'.
If you would like to email me I would be happy to 'chat' with you about this experience and help in any way possible. I hope Daisy is doing well. I know from experience that it is incredibly difficult to watch your beloved pet struggle. Best wishes to you and Daisy
Gina
Hi, Gina, I hope you come
Hi, Gina, I hope you come back on to see my response. We been so, so busy that I haven't had the chance to check back in here. I'm amazed at how similar the symptons are in our two dogs! We've never been told that Daisy has a spinal tumor, just that, it was one of the possibilities, but, they've ruled everything else out. I would love to know how things are going with the holistic treatment. I hope your dog is doing well. Daisy is now starting to have problems with incontinence a little bit. Our vet says she's strong and healthy, except for the back part of her body. I'm doing everything I can think of to try to keep her immune system built up. I really would like to chat with you sometime and share info and experiences.
Nancy