*PARALYSIS INFORMATION*

by **Christine** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:39 pm

Is she on pain medication? Some of them will affect their appetites. What medications is she on? Can you tell us a little more about what happened to her and what the vet is telling you to do? Is she on crate rest right now? It is very important that she keeps hydrated - is she getting liquids? Can she urinate on her own...deficate on her own. did the vet talk to you about that?

We are glad you are here - ask all the questions you want.

:welcomepink:

by **muzkltrtl** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:11 pm

Thanks for the quick response... she didn't want to come up the steps friday night and my dad rubbed her down and she didn't act like she hurt anywhere and she would still support her weight Saturday late at lunch when the puppies were let out she didn't come out of her kennel... it you could stand her up and she would drag her legs but would sit and hold her upper body up ... so we kept her in and gave her time because her mom had had problems with dragging her legs a few months before and within 24 hours she was fine ... Sunday she was still the same but im on disability and can't pay the extra after hourfees. We took her in Monday morning and the vet said she needed to see the specialist in the next town over bcuz he could operate on spinal injuries..the surgeon said that she had loss all bladder and anal control no tone left and no reflexes ... he said that her injury was between L4-L6 and that he would have hope if she had any reflexes but he said that even with surgery she had maybe a 5% chance of getting back any sensation but no control and that it would be about $3000a he said there was no reason to give her any mess or shots because she had no pain and steroids might perk her up but would be hard on her kidneys... he said her bowels would move on her own but she had her first small hard bowel movement tonight after 4 days and she has been urinating ... her bladder leaks.but he told us to drain her bladder two or three times a day to help prevent infections.and to keep her on something soft and rotate her to prevent bed sores and a wheel chair would help which we r working getting but the last two days she wont even hold up her upper body to eat or drink we have t o stabilize her and she will occasionally drink but food isnt an option anymore she wont try...

by **CarolC** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:05 am

I think she needs to be rechecked by a vet, she shouldn't be losing her appetite if she still had it right after the injury, that seems unusual. Are you positive she's not in pain? It is common for a dog with a disk injury to receive pain medication such as tramadol, and it is common for them to receive either steroids or some kind of anti-inflammatory. Have you noticed any change in her ability to sit up or hold her head up? I feel concerned about the description of what is going on with your dog.

You may also want to join http://www.dodgerslist.com, they have an email list with many people experienced with dachshund back problems.

If you are not sure what vet to go to, you might consider either calling a breeder in town to see which vet they use, or calling a dachshund rescue organization in town to see what vet they use. Or just call some vets and talk to the receptionist and see how much experience they have with this. It really seems like your dog should be on medication if she isn't having surgery.

It is good if you keep giving her lots of love and TLC, but I'd be careful about moving her around, she needs to rest quietly.

by **muzkltrtl** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:11 am

I spoke with the vet on call because she seems to be struggling to breath... her respiratory rate isn't high band she isntis hasseling but she is extending her neck... she hasn't wanted to sit up or hold her head up for the last two days ... she just lays there ... we asked about mess and he said she didn't have signs of pain and that any meds would be hard on her kidneys ... we just thought she was depressed but we noticed that she was stretching out and her breathing seems labored this evening when we got home ....the on call vet said the neurological problems maybe spreading upward... I asked if shots would help stop it and she said once it start traveling up there is nothing to stop it... she said to take her to vet and confirm it isn't a lung issue if not then its her spine.

by **dee234** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:05 am

My 13 year old boxer recently started to lose control of his back legs. He was able to walk but would wobble and sometimes fall. In the past two days he has gotten much worse and can not walk at all. He sleeps all day and seems very depressed. He is eating regularly but I can't get him to drink much water and I'm scared he is getting dehydrated. I've been massaging his legs 3 times a day and he seems able to stand better after I do. I don't know if he's given up the fight. What should I do next?