I'm so glad I found this discussion board. I am currently in crisis. My beloved 8 year old german shepherd suddenly went weak in the rear end two nights ago and yesterday was unable to walk. Our vet suspects a disc injury, and has recommended we either spend ~$5000 on spinal surgery or euthanize him. I am just heartbroken about it. He has sensation in his legs and genital area, but can only move his legs minimally.

I came across this website featuring the dog carts, and am trying to decide if this is the best way to go. We can't afford surgery, and even if we could, I don't think he could withstand the surgery on account of his significant heart murmer.

I have concerns about the quality of life issue, and whether or not he will have ongoing pain with a disc that has not been operated on. I'd rather put him down than to put him through pain, just because I want him to continue living.

It's been over 24 hours, and he hasn't urinated or passed any fecal material. When I stimulate his anus, he has, what I believe to be normal sensation there, so I'm thinking he'll just go when he needs to. When I press on where I think his bladder is, I can't feel anything bulging, so I'm not certain if he's just not full or I'm missing it. I pushed in on both sides just above his penis, but nothing comes out.

Have any of your animals spontaneously ruptured a disc? Am I to assume he was injured somehow? If this is always true, then all I can think of is that perhaps our 10 month old german shepherd puppy, all 70 pounds of her, pounced on his back in play.

How many of you have had successful surgery done on your dogs and have them completely regain their range of motion? Is it always a limited return, or do some completely return to their normal activity levels?

Oh, I am so overwhelmed my head is spinning. Thank you for listening. And thank you in advance for your help. I truly need it.

Sandy

I just came back from the after hours urgent care. We couldn't express his bladder and the vet wouldn't send a catheter home with me, saying it was a liability! This vet also told me to euthanize him, because he would not have any quality of life. I'm just heartsick. If only I had the money...I can't stand the thought of having to kill him because I can't afford the treatment. It's just not fair. I just don't know what to do.

Sandy

You've given me so much to think about, yet I'm still in such a quandry. Am I doing enough? Should I have the diagnostic tests to tell me exactly what he has?

My husband is calling the vet today to request a neurosurgeon referral. I'm guessing they will want to do an MRI. I am concerned that all this in and out of the car is going to further damage him.

The vet told me last night that all he has left is deep pain sensation. Two evenings ago he still had reflexes, but now he does not. He cries all the time unless I'm next to him to hold him. I don't know if he's in pain, or just upset that he can't do all the things he normally used to do.

My husband is going to see if the neurosurgeon will allow us to use a catheter at home until we decide what needs to be done. If not, we'll be seeking another vet.

This is tearing me apart. I feel such a profound sadness in my heart.
Sandy

I just spoke with the first vet, who told me that there is no way to cath a dog at home sterilly, and that I will have to have to buy sterile kits to use each time. He said the same thing the overnight vet said; that he needs to stay in the urgent care to be catheterized, and that home catheterization is a liability.

The vet has called a specialty urgent care and arranged for my baby to be seen there. I still don't know if I can do this financially. No credit on any of my cards, and no savings whatsoever ( I put another dog with cancer down several months ago after $4000 of diagnostics, etc).

So, now I'm faced with the inability to bankroll a surgery if they believe he will have benefit from it. The clock is ticking, and if I don't get in him in for surgery soon, the deep pain sensations will be gone, and there's no turning back.

My husband has just called me to say my son broke his hand this morning playing soccer. Can anything else happen that hasn't gone wrong yet?

I will make certain the techs use a stretcher upon arrival. It's getting him into my SUV at home all by myself that's going to be a struggle. My back is already killing me from toweling up his rear to reposition him, etc.

Sandy

Words alone cannot express how I feel for all of your support and words of encouragment. I truly appreciate each and every one of your helpful and most insiteful advice.

I just got off the phone with my husband who is still at the animal emergency center. They took x-rays which do not detect a slipped disc, but severe lumbar spondylosis from T-8 all the way down to the lumbar region. They are amazed he hadn't shown any difficulty walking up until two days ago.

So now I have to find out what this all means. How does this look as far as his prognosis? Is he treated the same way as a dog with a slipped disc? Should I be crating him, or does it not matter now? Can he now be allowed to move around as he chooses?

This vet is going to be sending me home with catheters, and told me to cath him every 4-6 hours while he's on steroids. She says I need sterile packages of #10 or #12 french catheters, and that I am not to reuse them. But I don't have a source for these. Do any of you have a source?

I will have to research this board to see what I am up against with lumbar spondylosis, which I am assuming is progressive to the point of paralysis.

Do you think I should go ahead and have a myelogram or CT scan just to rule out the possibility of a herniated disc, or not?

Thank you ao so very, very much.
Sandy

I spoke too soon. The vet at this hospital was new and thought she could send home catheters for our use. After she consulted with another vet, she was told it was too much of a liability, so I'm back to square one. If I can't express urine, nor I can't catheterize, I'm sunk.

I just read through the catheterization link, which is a bit scary, because it mentions possible perforation and possible death if not done properly.

I had tears in my eyes when I read about Ivan's journey with spinal degenerative disease. It gives me a lot of hope and something to hold on to.

I need to know if I should have more tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, just in case he also has a disc problem that x-rays can't pick up. I don't want to spend money if I don't have to. I'd rather save for a cart to help my Klaus.

Thank you!
Sandy

I live in San Diego.

You have a point there regarding the mixed messages. These vets, and I've seen three different ones over the past three days, have told me the same thing; that there's a liability issue here. No one wants to help me help my dog with the most basic needs. The only one willing was a brand new vet who, unfortunately consulted with the old timers before telling me that she couldn't send one home with me.

I think my sweet boy is depressed now. He doesn't cry any more, just lies there. When I got up this morning, he was in the same position I laid him down in last night, whereas the night before he was able to switch positions.

I don't know if I should do any further testing to rule out possible spinal tumors and disc herniations. If his spondylosis was shown to be advanced on x-ray, then perhaps it could stop him suddenly from walking any longer. Have I stopped too soon with the testing?

I know someone mentioned waiting 6 weeks before carting an animal, but that was before I learned about the spondylosis. Do you think it would help to order one now? Or should he remain as quiet as possible. I think it would help his depression if he could follow me from room to room like he always did before. He's my little shadow and foot warmer. It miss that so much.

Sandy

Not yet. My last trip in, I took him to California Veterinary Specialists in San Marcos, which is north county's version of that hospital. Very reputable overall. I will give them a call Monday to see if they'd be willing to help me with all this. Problem is, they'd probably want to see him and I'm running low on emergency funds.

Is that where you received cath supplies?
Sandy

Hi Toni,

I am very much inspired by your post. Not only because you yourself owned and loved GSD, but also because your precious baby had the same disease that Klause undoubtedly has.

I am not financially able to carry fourth in the diagnostic testing recommended by my vet. Because the X-rays showed significant lumbar spondylosis, I feel at peace with not going forward with further diagnostic testing to also diagnose possible tumar involvement as well as possible disc involvement.

I would love to speak with you further, so if you are willing to e-mail me off the board, I would love to 'speak' with you more then.

I am still struggling with wondering if I have, or am doing enough for my Klaus. If he has spondylosis, then I am resigned to, and am committed to providing him with the best palliative care necessary to allow him to live his life to the fullest possible under the circumstances.

I still need to hear from each of you if you believe I should crate him for six weeks before ordering a cart for him with what I now know, especially if I am not going to continue pouring $$ into further diagnostic procedures. He is definitely depressed, and I believe that the increased mobility the cart will provide him will help to alleviate those canine 'feelings' he has with his current situation. I am trying to express possitive emotions to him, but I am certain he can pick up those subtle feelings of uncertainty I now have with seeing him this way.

My husband and I am still struggling with the bladder part of this. He was incontinent today with fecal material and some urine, and my husband says he was able to express urine while I was at work, but I don't think it was entirely adequate.

Slowly but surely, we are moving toward what we must do to support him at this critical time. It is because of your unselfish support and understanding that I know in my heart that I can do this! I love him, and will be there for him until that time when he can tell me he is ready to go.

Thank you all so very, very much.
Sandy

I am looking for a recommendation for waterproof beds that are comfortable and will provide orthopedic comfort and support. The one I saw was for outside, and looked uncomfortable. I want him to be able to reposition him without getting stuck in the folds, per se. I tried lining his current bed, but he soiled it all the way through, and I can't wash the inside foam piece. I need it for my 75 pound german shepherd, Klaus.

Thanks so much.
Sandy

I am finally receiving some much needed help with Klaus. I spoke with a vet I've used for his skin conditions, and he will be supplying me with the much needed catheters. Hooray! He also told me that the two medications one of the other vets prescribed should not be taken together. He's fixing us up with a supplemental regimen and some sort of injection used for horses that's supposed to help with mobility isues. I can't recall the name of it, but will know more tomorrow. He also referred us to an accupuncturist.

This vet was appalled that I received so little support from the vet community over the weekend, and pledged to help us in whatever way that he can. What a breath of fresh air.

I just ordered his cart from Doggon Wheels, and can't wait for it to come. My guess is that once he is able to go outside, he will begin to toilet himself again.

Klaus's right side is weaker than the left, so he prefers to lie on the weak side. When I help him lie on the other, he switches himself back around. Hopefully once he's able to ambulate I won't have to be so concerned with positioning and skin breakdown, etc.

Toni, many thanks for your phone call and taking so much of your time to share your experiences with Ivan. And thanks to each and every one of you for taking so much time to share your stories with me. You each helped me get through the crisis and to see that life goes on, albeit a bit different, and that it, too, can hold quality for Klaus.

Sandy

Yes, that's the one. Have you used it and seen that it helped your pup?
Sandy

Foam's a thought. I just can't envision it fitting inside the washing machine. I'd like something waterproof to prevent fluids from saturating into the foam piece and that would also have a cover which wicks the fluid away from the surface to keep his skin as dry as possible.

The Aero bed might not work, because the sides are a bit too high for him to slide himself into, should he ever drag himself out of it. So I think I need something a bit flatter.

Thank you for your great ideas and suggestions.
Sandy

I was so excited about the prospects of getting Klaus up and running in his new cart, but he is not a very happy camper in it. He looks uncomfortable and very nervous. He whines and gives me the most pathetic look imaginable.

We purchased the Doggone Wheels cart, and it's a bear getting him in and out of it, taking two people to get him all strapped in.

Did it take your pups a long time to become acclimated to it? I've only had him in it twice so far. Am I perhaps doing something wrong? Treats don't even coax him along.

Thanks.
Sandy

He does look uncomfortable in it, although I don't know if it's that he's uncomfortable per se, or just plain scared. He's always been such a timid mush mouse for a german shepherd.

Dianne, my, your baby sure does have some shiny pearly whites goin' on there!

Sandy