Daschund lost use off his back legs

[bbaugh]

My aunt has a Dashund, Just recently he lost use of his back legs. They are hoping it might be a spasm. He is now on Meds to reduce swelling. He is eleven years old. And his Mommy and Daddy love him very much. Any info would be nice.
Thanks,
Becky

[connie]

please get the dog to the vet, it could have a disk problem. my yorkie lost use of hind legs and that's what it was, a ruptured disk.. he had to have surgery and 10 months later, just now recovering. completely crate rest the dog till you see a vet and run tests. moving around will casue more damage.
keep us updated. and if it is paralyzed most likely it can't empty it's bladder, vet will tell you if this is so.
losing hind legs is serious, so get vet's opinion, then let us know. there are so many that post in here that has dashunds, they will reply soon to you i know. prayers to you and your pet.
connie and cricket

[Cindidoxiemom]

Becky,
This is nothing to mess with or "wait and see" what happens. If your dog is paralyzed, it is time to see a specialist/Neurologist.

Sometimes Steroids and crate rest will help. This conservative treatment is usually for dog that arn't already "down" or paralyzed.

For a dog that is paralyzed surgery or more invasive treatment is usually necessary!

I agree with Connie...if this dog is paralyzed, it probably is NOT emptying its bladder. You will need to express it or UTIs and kidney infection will result.

The dog MUST remain crated and still until you can get it to a Neurologist, but quite frankly, if it isn't urinating properly, I would be seeing an emergency vet ASAP.

Again...this is a very serious situation. I have a paralyzed dachshund. His dad has IVDD (disk disease), and this is NOTHING to play with.
Dachshunds are very prone to IVDD. If you want my best advice...get this dog to a Neurologist.
Cindi

[critters]

The expressing page is in this link, but you might need poop or
diaper info, too. http://www.handicappedpets.com/help/viewtopic.php?t=4

[emleichter]

Dear Becky:

My dachshund Gracie blew several disks when she was 5. I don't know what happened ... but I came home from work to find her crying and barely moving. By the time I got her to the emergency hospital she was starting to lose the use of her back legs and within 15 minutes she was "down."

The only relief was that once she was paralyzed, she at least was not in pain.

She spent the night at the emergency room and after a short visit to our regular vet, she was with the surgeons.

Fast forward . . . . after two surgeries over about a three-month period (they missed one of the bad disks the first time) she was wobbly, but walking.

Fast forward even farther to two weeks ago when she had her 15th birthday.

At the time her disks blew, I was urged to do the surgery immediately, because the longer those nerves are pinched, the less likely they are to recover. I attribute her continuing hindquarter weakness to the several weeks when the lingering bad disk was impeding her recovery. However, she continued to gain strength gradually for the next 6 or 7 years (although she was never again quite the little speedster she was before her back went out). She is holding pretty steady now .... which is great, given her advanced age.

I understand that financial issues can get in the way of the utmost medical care. My dogs are fortunate that I have a good job and not a lot of other financial obligations --- and they have health insurance, which covered about 1/3 of the cost. But, if there is any way to get a paralyzed dog (at least) to a vet within the first few hours of a problem -- and if necessary, to surgery as soon as possible, the rewards will be enjoyed for years to come.

I hope your aunt's dog gets the help he needs.

Best regards,
Elaine

[Paul Coover]

Well, I have to agree with all of the advice that everyone else has given. I have 6 dachshunds, 2 of which are disabled and 1 that was disabled but recovered. Crate rest is more important than you realize, as it can be the difference between the dog walking again some day or never walking again. There are several things that can cause a dachshund to go down, so a vet visit is very necessary. Good luck!

[bbaugh]

He was taken to the vet. They gave him some meds to take to help with swelling. They go back on wednesday. He does his business when you take him out . But he does it right in the same spot you set him down. Thanks for all your concerns and advice. I will update on what hapens next. I probably should not have posted because it is my aunts dog. I don't know all the details.

Thanks again,
Becky

[bam531]

Our 4 year old doxie was diagnosed with a ruptured disk Sunday night. She is on Prednisone and pain medicine also. Are you giving your dog Pepcid? We are giving CeCe half a tablet about an hour before she takes her Prednidsone. Just regular Pepcid (10 mg) like adults take. The vet said it would help because Prednisone has a tendancy to upset their tummies. We do not have the funds available for the surgery ($2500) and cannot get any vets to accept payments. We are praying that the meds work..vet said since she is young and small ( 8 pounds) that might be helpful. She goes back to the vet tomorrow and we will be asking about a cart. She can use the bathroom( we made a sling out of a towel so we could hold her back legs up) and instead of keeping her in her pet carrier, I put her in a clothes basket and fixed a top on it so she could not climb out. At least she can look around! The vet suggested we buy a small playpen also. She doesn't seem to be in any pain unless you touch her hip then she will look at you mean like she is saying " Ok, don't touch me there". She still wags her tail and smiles ( yes..she smiles when she is happy to see you) and as long as she is doing that she ( and us) will be fine. I hope everything turns out ok for you and will be praying. Please keep in touch and let us know how she ( or he) is doing. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know! Thanks!