Help Needed: Charlie--ruptured disk

[Wanda Santoro]

My 12 yr old Maltese Charlie (female) suffered a ruptured disk last Thursday. She has lost use of rear legs. Vet gave steroids,etc and kept her 4 days. Originally vet was going to euthanize her but decided she could come home since she has control of her bladder. We brought her home yesterday and were so relieved. BUT she won't eat and everytime my husband or I come near her she scoots around so she's facing away from us.
She gets very nervous when she sees us coming toward her. We're afraid that it hurts her when we pick her up to take her outside. Doctor told us to use a rolled up towel to support her rear when we take her outside. Tried to order rear harness online but website failed. Will try later. She hasn't eaten anything since she came home. She used to LOVE her treats and deli meats but won't take them either. This dog has provided us immeasurable comfort and companionship for 12 years and we're brokenhearted. If anyone has advice or information PLEASE let us know. Wanda Santoro

[alessandra]

my pug Nina has very very weak rear legs. She had urinary infection due this desease and she wasn't able to pee afterwards. I built a sling with a long stripe of foam covered with fabric tape, giving the form of an 8. I attached two strings so I can hold her, like a rear harness. Now she doesn'have any problem with peeing. ciao

[Christine]

Can you post a picture of your dog using that. It sounds great.

[Jane Scott]

Welcome to this site; you've come to the right place to find support. Our daschund blew a disc just two months ago and I have found a wealth of information just by reading back thru messages that people have posted here. I have posted occasionally but I usually find the answers to my questions already answered in someone elses post. Crate rest was the best thing for Harley, 7 to 8 weeks is the recommended. Best of luck. Keeping posting your concerns; within a few days you should have several responses from people who have been on this website for a long time and who are very knowlegable. Jane

[Cindidoxiemom]

Wanda,
I'm sorry to hear about your sweetie pie Charlie, but take it from someone who has gone through IVDD with two dogs...there are things that can be done.
1. Crate rest, crate rest, crate rest: Your Charlie should not be allowed to move at all for the next 6-8 weeks. The only time Charlie should be out of his crate is to go potty and you should carry him.
2. Steroids (prednisone) you said the vet treated Charlie with steroids...is Charlie still on them? Steroids for IVDD should be given over about a 2 week period and should be stepped down.
3. Did you see a Neuo Surgeon? Hunter my 13 y/o dachshund has had IVDD surgery two times and is walking just fine. Oscar, his son, had the surgery once...he is paralyzed but regaining function. A Nerologist specialist should be consulted. They can do CT scans or Myelograms to see the extent of the damage. Since Charlie still has deep pain and bladder control I HIGHLY reccomend you taking him to a Neuro A.S.A.P..
3. Join Dodger's list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/messages It is a great group whose sole purpose is to help owners who have IVDD dogs.
4. Acupuncture and water therapy AFTER the crate rest are possibilities.

What you DON"T want is for Charlie to lose bladder control or deep pain, and if he is allowed to Scoot, or by accident while in the sling the disk ruptures even more, he could lose bladder/pain, and then things get more tricky. Keep posting and know that we are here to help.
Cindi
Sage, Misty, Hunter and Oscar

[connie]

wanda, my yorkie mix cricket ruptured a disk
last nov. he had surgery and is doing fine, still paralyzed in hind legs, but spinal walks and is very healthy. first thing you need to know is CRATE REST, COMPELTELY!! vet told me
that cricket had to be crated for 6 to 8 weeks. i think if i didn't do that, he would've been worse than he is. only let out of crate for potty. and make sure she is emptying bladder competely.
cricket will dribble, but his bladder is still full until i get it out. if not charlie will get bladder infection, you don't want that.
ask vet about it. most of us here express our dogs bladders. did your vet suggest disk surgery?
it costs a lot, but it saved cricket. if you don't do surgery, please crate rest charlie so she can heal. it takes lots of time.
cricket was on the steroids for 2 and a half weeks, and then they tapered him off them.
there are so many of us in here with paralyzd dogs, they can sometimes recover and some are still paralyzed but live full lives.
cricket goes whereever he wants now, he doesn't act like he is any different than any other doggies. so don't give up, i know the stress is terrible. i cried for days on end, but with crate rest and lots of P.T. charlie has a chance i bleieve. remember, crate rest!!! important!!!
ask vet about her not eating. cricket wasn't very hungry for days after his disk rutured, vet said he was in pain. make sure she drinks tho.
you and charlie are in my prayers, please keep us posted. you'll get a lot of advice here, but i think most important is crate rest, she could drag and hurt back worse.

good luck, god bless,

connie and cricket

[Dinah]

Dear Wanda,

I am very sorry to hear about your baby. I know exactly how you feel. Two years ago, my then 8 year old Shih Tzu, Carmel, became unable to walk and stand. He had a ruptured disk and a crushed nerve foot. We opted for surgery. There was about an 8 week recouperation period and he seemed to be doing wonderful. I'm not sure if he tried to do to much too fast, or reinjuried himself somehow, but he has never been quite the same. We still have Carmel and he is like a son to me. He is now 10 and will be 11 in November. We give him a steriod pill about every 3 days. He isn't active like he once was, but he seems happy and still loves to cuddle. (Of course, he much older now as well). However, he is no longer able or allowed to climb stairs, jump up or off of future, or go to the park for walks/ etc. He play time consists of going potty and running around in the grass at that time if he feels like it. Don't give up on your baby!

[connie]

just wondering wanda how charlie is doing? hope better.

hugs connie and cricket

[Christy Mullady]

Wanda, I'm really sorry to hear about Charlie's disk trouble. As has already been said, be sure the steroids are tapered off in short term. Having several disk problems myself, and after having had three surgeries to date, I can attest to the side-effects of the meds and the surgery itself - and one thing that can really be effected is appetite. We humans are placed on a "NOTHING MUCH TO EAT" diet - which is pretty much what we want anyway. The crate rest sounds so logical - after all - they keep US down too while things heal and strengthen. I don't know which disk is Charlie's problem disk, but different disks can effect different parts of the body when they rupture and pressure is placed upon corresponding nerves. Bladder and bowel problems - for us - come mostly from the lower lumbar disks and the longer the disk is injured and not repaired, the greater the chances of permanent damage resulting. I'm sure the same is true with our animals, so the crate rest has got to be of great importance here. I hope he's doing better than when you first messaged. I too am interested on how he gets along - so keep posting. Best of luck to you and to your Charlie! I wish I had something that would help him feel better - for me it seemed to be orange sherbert! Best of luck!



The Magical World of Lethal Whites: Allicks & Gabriel's Site