Neurological Disorders Resources. Treatment and care for pets having pain or trouble walking or standing due to spinal injuries or neurological disorders like IVDD, FCE and DM.
He does have a plate and I think six screws from his op so I guess that is a possibility - although I would be reluctant to put him through a big operation again as I would have to be very much sure it really was in his best interests He is also taking previcox already which is one of the NSAID's so not sure if there is much else he could take in terms of pain killer.
We are going to see the specialist on Monday to see what she thinks. He has started to make a little bit more effort - but does seem to be grumpy something so I think there is some pain somewhere
Well, I'm definitely not an orthopedic surgeon but it may not be that big a deal to go in and remove a screw or bit of hardware (if it turns out to be something like that). He's been healing at least 6 months, hasn't he? I'm not sure it's going to be another big surgery, it may be relatively minor. For what it's worth, this is something that can happen with human surgery as well. If it is the case, it doesn't mean the surgeon did anything wrong, it just happens. I've known 2 people who had to have pins (or whatever) removed later.
Thanks Carol - I realised a few hours after I had written this that I probably sounded harsher than I meant it
Gnasher had his surgery in September 2008 and was walking up until January 2009 so we have been battling to get him back on his feet for pretty much a year in various ways - and whilst he has improved in some ways he has got so much worse in others and at the moment is pretty much totally immobile I was really just thinking of when the surgeon did x-rays a few months after his surgery and said at the time she would be reluctant to do anything else even if the x-rays showed something not quite right.
At the end of the day I really just want to do whatever is best for Gnasher
Don't worry, I knew you only meant it in a way that was showing concern for him. There was never any question of that. I hope you get your answer. I can really sympathize with your situation. I can think of few people who have done as much or worked as hard to help their dog. I hope something will work out for both of you.
We have seen the specialist and the news is not good
It seems that the discs in his neck are also now causing problems and this is affecting both his back legs and starting to affect his front legs For a dog with less problems it may be an option to look at imaging to work out what is going on and whether surgery could help - but my boy has been through far too much of that for the last 18 months so we are now looking at continuing to manage things with lots of cuddles, toys and general spoiling for as long as he can remain happy
This sounds like what happened with my dog and it straightened itself out with rest...is your dog actually showing neurological signs in the front legs? My dog was just in a lot of pain from her neck and did not want to do PT or even be carried at times. Looking back, I realized every time I lifted her, which I was doing a lot, it put a strain on her neck. I learned to support her chin while lifting. She never showed any signs of loss of feeling in the front legs, she just didn't want to use them because any activity made her neck hurt...but it did get better and afterward I was careful, as I figured it might happen again. Even now I try not to scoop her up from the ground quickly, unless it's a real emergency. I hope you're going to say there are no neurological signs per se...did the vet test with pin pricks or pliers or reflexes or anything? One thing my dog liked and still likes is a neck rub. She has always liked that. I would not hesitate to use muscle relaxers for your dog's neck if it is very tight and painful and you think it might help.
Unfortunately he is showing signs of neurological problems with his front legs His back legs were also far worse than they have ever been before too with reflexes but not a even a good response to deep pain. His front legs still have deep pain response but he is showing clear neurological damage with his left front and is struggling to place it properly.
He had some acupuncture on Monday to see if that helped loosen things up a little but it has not really helped and he really is struggling more and more
Things have been gradually getting worse for a bit over a month now and he has been pretty much rested up for most of this time so I think if things were going to ease they would have by now.
Gnasher was losing all confidence in using one of his front legs and had become totally immobile in the house
From talking to the specialist things were only going to get worse and he was likely to get an increase in pain so I took the only decision I could, to end his battle before he got too upset and I said goodbye to my dog in a million last night
His back and neck problems were almost certainly caused by his abusive first owner and I always knew there was a possibility one of the other damaged areas could start to cause him problems
I am so sorry you lost your Gnasher... his first home was awful but you so made up for it. He was so lucky to have you to give him all the comfort & love of a great home that was so determined to give him his very best chance & brave enough to say goodbye, despite the pain of his passing brought you. It is a hole in the fabric of your life, he was so much a part of your daily being & routine. Be kind to yourself, you went above & beyond for him. His happy self will greet you someday. You are very special to have taken him & loved him so...
So very sorry,
jane
He is also taking previcox already which is one of the NSAID's so not sure if there is much else he could take in terms of pain killer.
I hope you get your answer. I can really sympathize with your situation. I can think of few people who have done as much or worked as hard to help their dog. I hope something will work out for both of you.