Question:
Hello
I just picked up our 2 year old bichon from the vet-our 3rd visit in less than a week. Our dog has a pinched nerve in his back and tommorrow will be a week where he only lays very still in his crate all day! It is so sad to see him so scared to move and on so many drugs-steroids, anti-inflam,etc. He has had xrays and no longer yelps in pain. The Dr. has been excellent as far as I can tell but we thought he would spring back more quickly. We have only had him for one month, having adopted him so we don't know his history at all but have given him a loving home. He was energetic and super company until last Thurs. Now he acts like a different dog and the Dr. says it is unusual that he is not responding better and that he is exhibiting neurological problems in his gait, hind legs. We have to carry him up and down the stairs to go to the bathroom outside. What is your experience with such an injury? Could he be sedentary for weeks? I know we cannot afford surgery if he worsens. It is all so sad as my teen wanted a dog for a year and it seemed to be working out.
Any advice to help us through this would be appreciated. B

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Can the rescue where you adopted him from help in any way; treatment, pay 1/2, tell alittle more about his history?

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Oh how sad for you and your new family member.

We just finished a similar episode with our little Hobo. Friday night he was not himself and Saturday he could not bend over to eat so it was off to the vet. Xrays were taken and it is intervertebral disc disease. He was put on prednisone and prescribed complete rest as well. He also looked very pathetic and very uncomfortable until last night. Today he does seem better still but he is still on the prednisone and there is a possibility that it is just covering the pain so he will remain resting for another few days anyways.

I am so sorry for you as I am sure your vet has told you how dangerous this condition can be and I am sure you are very scared. We always made sure that someone was in the same room where Hobo was resting and I pet him a lot!!! Keep a close eye on your little guy and hopefully he will turn the corner soon.

This is actually Hobo's second "crisis". We went throught the same thing two years ago. This time we noticed the signs much much quicker and pulled in the reigns earlier and it seems to have made a difference.

Be careful how you carry him too. Try to keep his back as straight as possible. We put our forearms under his torso in front of the hind legs and in back of the front legs. Don't let the spine bend at all.

I don't know what else to tell you but it sounds like you already love him very much so just try to keep him comfortable until the swelling goes down.

Please keep us posted. Good luck [FONT="Comic Sans MS"][/font]

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the vet where we adopted him has no further records and although i emailed the details they don't really seem to want to get involved. His back is arched and swollen from his 3rd steroid shot. Does our vet's treatment make sense? i see you are both from Que. I live in CT but am actually Cdn! Thank-you for your support

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i had almost the same thing happen to my min pin, i got him to my chryo, what a differance good luck brenda and the 5 pins.

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If a pinched nerve animal chiropractory can often help immensely

I had a greyhound who was having problem with recovery with convential treatment so at a dog show ran into a booth for a chiropractor to discuss, later took Sunny for treatment and 2 days later, he was back to his former self

I do recommend only using a chiropractor who has been certified with the AVCA, anyone who goes for training and certification must already be a vet or a register human chiropractor, they recieved intensive training and must pass a rigid test before they can be certified
Here is a listing here http://www.avcadoctors.com/

This is the chiro I took Sunny to, on the page he has 2 video clip you need real player to view, the first video clip explains the training the second show and explains the adjustments he is doing. His why page explains why he got into Animal chiropractic, a story somewhat like yours

http://www.petsinmotion.ca/index.htm

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Today marks 2 full weeks of malaise with our dog. Another visit to the vet and while he has slightly improved, with less back pain, he is still very sad. Dr. is now giving him flagyl and treating him for possible pancreatitis, as he has a slight fever and and is eating and drinking less. All day in his crate, lying there. How long can they lie around for?

Answer:
I just came on here to see if there had been any word on your poor furbaby. I have never dealt (knocks wood three times!) with pancreatitis so I can't comment on that however this last bout with Hobo lasted almost two weeks too so I know that feeling of helplessness. Plus with another dog that needs her walks anyways he must have felt like he was in punishment everytime I took her out.

Sounds like you are doing your best and your vet seems to be looking at all the angles. Just keep your pooch where he is around some of the family and pet him gently so he has some contact with you.

Good luck and keep us posted...this must be so difficult for you all.

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Hi
Thanks for the encouragement. We are taking him tomorrow for an ultrasound but his white blood count is normal. The Dr is switching Azium to prednisone at that point. The difference I have noticed is he is less willing to get out of his crate, more irritable if we touch him, and eats and drinks less each day...by later this week it will be 3 weeks of this. It doesn't look good and the Dr. and we are guardedly optimistic that he is going to make it. I guess lots of dogs pass away for unknown reasons. I sound so negative but this is how I feel every time I see him in his crate.
B

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that the prednisone will work. Hobo has been on it both times he has had these bouts and it has worked well.

I was just wondering how/where you are trying to feed your dog. When Hobo is acute I actually have to feed him one kibble at a time while he is standing as it seems to cause discomfort for him to stretch his head down to his bowl. After a while I just hold his bowl up for him to eat and I elevate his water dish during the day. Perhaps your pooch is too sore to eat the "regular" way.

Has he moved at all in the last three weeks? Can he support his weight? Is he able to do his "business" once he is down the stairs? Most importantly...what is his name??? By the way, my sister's bichon also has back problems that manifest very acutely but he has always gotten to the "other side" and he turned 13 in November so please try not to despair.

Please keep us posted.

PS Where is Canada are you from????+

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