dachshund back problem

[Taffy]

I have an 8 year old dachshund who almost 2 weeks ago starting showing signs of back pain, tense/hard stomach and back, walking a few steps before sitting down, hesitant to walk, and shivering in her hind quarters. I cage rested her for the night, and the next morning took her to the vet where they did a physical exam, showing no signs of neurological problems, and did xrays. The xrays the vet said looked like she had spondylosis deformans on one of her discs, and since she wasn't showing any paralysis or neurological signs, he told me to strict cage rest her for 2 weeks and sent her home with rimadyl and muscle relaxers. She was almost back to her normal self the following day, but I continued cage rest. Now, almost 2 weeks later, she has started to wobble on her back legs, particularly her right leg. I even noticed she held that right foot up and limped on her left foot a few steps she took as I walked her out to potty. She wobbled so bad at one point she almost fell down. She isn't displaying any or very little signs of pain. She is a little tense in her stomach, but not as bad as when I took her to the vet. I will definitely keep her in cage rest for at least an addition 2 weeks now, just wondering if anyone can PLEASE give me some advise or info!! At the moment, she is in her crate, raising the roof off the house whining and pouting because she HATES to be crated! When she had the pain 2 weeks ago, and also another back problem episode a few months ago, she would lay silently in her crate and sleep, so I know she isn't in that much discomfort now because she wants to come out so badly, but I am sooooo worried about her wobby legs now! Please help!

Thanks in advance,
Tamara and Taffy

[Wiztherewoz]

Don't know if you've seen this or not, or whether it'll be any help or not, but thought I'd put the link here for you just in case. http://forums.petlovers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=34969

So sorry to hear about your poor little lass. I wish I could help... I'll PM DachshundDuo for you and see if she'll pop back on to offer any help.

[DachshundDuo]

Hi Tamara,

I am so sorry to hear about Taffy. You NEED to take her to a different vet ASAP. From your explanation of what is going on, she needs to be on a steroid and and some pain medication.
PLEASE don't give up on her if her condition has worsened. Please, read about Bubba, below.

I am one the the sad people who didn't recognize the symptoms of back trouble in dachshunds, even though I was quite aware of it.

My oldest, Bubba (7 years, soon to be 8 in June), became paralyzed on September 1, 2008. I did not recognize the warning signs, as you are seeing. He had, for days, walked quite stiff, and then on August 31, he became extremely wobbly, as Taffy is doing. Then, he was dragging one leg. I made him a little bed on the floor and let him sleep for a couple of hours until it was time for my husband to get out of bed. Bubba got up and tried to run into the bedroom (which was his habit), but he wound up falling several times, then he was dragging his hind quarters behind him. I took him to the vet the next day, where he was diagnosed with paralysis due to a bulging disc. I was crushed. I could not afford the costly test and surgery that were required to relieve the pressure from the spinal cord. I was terribly afraid that I would have to have him euthanized, as one of the problems associated with paralysis in dogs is the loss of bowel and kidney function. Thankfully, this was not the case for Bubba. He had a long row to hoe - seclusion from the other dogs for 12 weeks, wearing diapers and finally learning to use his wheelchair that my husband built for him.
HOWEVER....
Bubba soon learned to wag his tail again. And then one day I noticed that he had control of him bowels again. And then he pulled up into a standing position, and finally he took a few tentative steps.
Bubba is walking again, although it is a gimpy walk. He can go down stairs now, but not up them - YET.

If there is anything at all that I can do to help you cope, please, let me know. It is scary to see your little bundle of energy lose control of her/himself. One thing that one of the ladies on this site told me when I was crying ALL THE TIME, was that Bubba took his cues from me. If I was sad, then he might be sad and confused.

If she has accidents in the house, she is going to be as mortified as you will be. Just tell her it's alright and clean it up. If you need diapers for her, it is MUCH cheaper to buy human baby diapers than dog diapers. They do the same thing. You'll just need to estimate where her tail will be and cut a small X so that her tail can slip through.

Please keep me updated. If you want to talk without all the forum seeing, then you can send me a private message, or you can email me at DachshundDuo@aol.com

My love to you and Taffy.

[dlaura]

Taffy I would so encourage you to chat with dachshundduo as she has been through this and her Bubba is walking again. At least you would have thoughts from someone who has gone through it and can be sympathize with you and possibly offer something your vet hasn't thought of.

Please be sure and keep us updated on how things are going.

[DachshundDuo]

I really hope that Tamara comes back and reads this thread. I have been away for awhile because my husband has been OBSESSIVELY downloading and burning projects, preventing me from getting on the computer. I finally pitched a fit, and he quit.

Tamara,
How is Taffy? Please let me know. I know what your pain is. Bubba is my baby, and it devastated me when he was so helpless. If Taffy is like my dachshunds, then she doesn't have the word quit in her vocabulary. Bubba's never give up attitude is what got him through the toughest part of his recovery. When I had him secluded, I kept him in a crate for a couple of weeks, but then took him out, because he was miserable and I felt terrible. I put him in a chair (he had diapers on), so he could look around and see the activity, even if he couldn't be part of it. I had a baby gate separating him from the other dogs, so they couldn't get to him and he couldn't get to them. He stayed in his chair for 10 more weeks (except at night, when he went to bed with me) and he soon began to show signs of improvement. Now, eight months later, he is walking and running (out running me, sometimes :)) and he is able to stand up on his hind legs, asking me to pick him up.

Don't give up hope - never give up hope. And pray for a miracle. I prayed for him to wag his tail and to control his bowel and bladder again. God outdid my prayer and let him walk again.

[Taffy]

Update on Taffy. She was referred to the University of Tennessee where her condition deteriated. She later while at UT went paralyzed in her hind legs. They called in an emergency surgery team (this was about 1am) and the did a CT scan and confirmed she had a ruptured disc. They performed surgery to removed the ruptured disc and 2 days later she returned home because she was showing excellent progress. She has bladder control, but yesterday when she returned home, she was walking with the support of a sling and had a small bowel movement and urinated in the yard. Today she seems to be in more pain, her abdomen is tense and sore. She has nipped at me twice when I have touched her abdomen. She has a good appetite and has eaten a good size meal, but she doesn't want to use her back legs like she did yesterday. She can move her back legs, but very little now. I called the university where she had the surgery and they said she had IV pain meds hours before she returned home, so its possible she is having some more pain today than yesterday. I am worried that she might be constipated because she is so tense and sore in her stomach area. I know its a good sign that she can move her legs and has bladder control, but I worry that her condition is worse than yesterday, rather than better. I just don't know what to do, and I feel helpless that she is in so much pain. She is confined to a small crate, just barely enough room for her to turn around in. This is absolutely breaking my heart!!

Tamara and Taffy

[dlaura]

I would call the university again and ask if they could prescribe something for the pain she may be experiencing today. If not call your vet, explain the situation and ask if he would prescribe something for her pain.

Dachshundduo also told of her dog nipping at her due to the pain. Please don't take this personally, it is because she is in pain and not because of lack of love for you.

I am really surprised she wasn't sent home with some sort of pain medication.

[Taffy]

Oh, my bad, I didn't mention that she does have pain meds they sent with her. She is taking Tramadol twice a day and Gabapentin 3 times a day. She is finally resting better now, I think because she just had a dose of both meds. But when I walked her with a sling about a half hour ago, she just held her legs up and wouldn't even try to walk with them.

Thanks,
Tamara and Taffy

[Taffy]

I heard Taffy grunting, so I went into the other room to check on her, she was repositioning herself and trying to turn around in her crate, and I saw her hind legs scooting herself around to get comfortable. Is it still ok that she is able to move her legs but not wanting to walk with them like she did yesterday when she arrived home? It has been about 60 hours since her surgery (or 2 1/2 days). Also, I should mention that the disc material they removed looked "unusual". They said they didn't want to worry me about that, and it may not be anything to be concerned about, but they did send it off for a biopsy just to make sure nothing else is going on, other than the ruptured disc. They also said it looked like it was an old injury and the disc material had adhered itself to her spinal cord. She did have a back pain episode about 6 months ago where she was conservatively treated and crate rested. Then about 2 weeks ago the back pain returned, she got better for about a week, then started to deteriate, thus resulting in paralysis and back surgery. The surgeon removed as much of the material as possible, but said it does more damage to scrape around the spinal cord so a couple of very small about 1 mm size particles were left, but everything else was removed successfully and her spinal cord was decompressed. I am such a worry wort, and can't help obsessing over my baby girl. I want to see her chase cats, and play with squeeky toys again. But she will definitely have a more strict and confined play environment when and if she fully recovers.

Tamara and Taffy

[dlaura]

I have no idea why she will move her back legs in the crate but not in the sling. It may be that she dislikes the way it feels to walk in a sling. Probably a very good sign she is able to move her back legs though.

Are you scheduled for a follow-up with the university to see what progress she is making ... or not making?

[theresa92841]

I have no experience in this. I would think that her moving her back legs to reposition herself is a good sign. Just because she doesn't quite feel up to walking yet with the sling I woulnd't be worried since it is so soon after the surgery. The fact that she is moving them when she "has" to sounds promising.

[DachshundDuo]

Hi Tamara,

I'm glad that Taffy got the treatment that she needed.

As far as moving her legs: From my experience, I feel that this is GREAT!!! Just because she isn't moving them in the sling isn't anything to be concerned with. I would think that since she is supported by the sling, she sees it is not necessary to move them. I would think that it is still hard for her to move them at all, so the help from the sling is probably a welcome relief.

I really wouldn't look for immediate improvement. As with any injury, it will take time to heal. Since Bubba didn't have the surgery, his progress was much slower than what you may see. It has been 8 months, and he is walking and running (wobbly).

As far as bowel movements: What are you feeding her? When Bubba was first paralyzed, he was constipated. He didn't have a bowel movement for a day or two, so I got worried. All it took for him was to be fedcanned food, instead of his normal dry diet for a few meals. You can also try some plain, canned pumpkin. Probably a tablespoon is all you will need. Canned pumpkin will act as a laxative, and she will have a bowel movement. It may be loose, so don't get upset if it is. When I gave Bubba canned food, he had a HUGE loose bowel movement. It was a mess to clean up, and I felt terrible for him, but I felt better. After that, I just added about a tablespoon of canned dog food to his normal portion of dry food. This kept him regular without causing the bowel movements to be loose.

How long did the vet tell you to keep her on crate rest? As I mentioned in an earlier post, I kept Bubba separated and confined to a small area, but he was not confined to a crate. It broke my heart to see him looking at me so sad when he was in the crate. So, He would spend most of his days in a chair, where he could see everything that went on, but he didn't get involved. Also, he got to sit in my lap, and sleep in the bed with me and the other dogs. Because Bubba was incontinent, he wore diapers and a one piece body suit to keep the diapers on. I found that, although he didn't like the diapers, he DID like sitting with me and seeing everything that went on. He also liked to sleep with me, These are all things that he did before his injury, so it was normal things for him that gave him (and me :)) a sense of security.

About Taffy nipping you: When Bubba was in pain, he would nip at me. I would guess that it is simply Taffy's way of telling you that she hurts and she wants to be left alone. Just give her the pain meds as scheduled for as long as the vet told you, and this may help her feel better. Also, you know she must be scared and confused. As Dlaura told me, when I was VERY upset about the whole situation, Taffy will take her cues from you. If you are upset and scared, she will be to. Try to put as much normalcy back into her life as you can. This is will move mountains in her attitude, and yours.

I'm glad she is doing so well. Please keep us updated!! Bubba and I are your biggest cheerleaders!!!! If you need some words of hope, just email me or post here. Bubba and I will get back to you asap.

[Taffy]

GREAT news!!! Taffy had a small bowel movement late yesterday evening. This morning she was dying to come out of her crate, when I opened the crate door, she wobbled out on her own, I didn't have to tempt her with food to come out, she just couldn't wait to come out, and she also walked with her back legs part of the way and scooted the other half of the way. Then when I took her outside and placed her in the grass she started walking with her back legs!!! Even though I was supporting a good portion of her weight with the sling she KNEW her little legs where there and knew how to use them, just wasn't able to have the strength to hold herself up completely. But, when she got tired and wanted to sit down, I would lower her to the ground with the sling, and on her own will she would get back up when she was ready. She also wagged her tail a lot outside which made me feel good!! I am giving her pumpkin mixed with water and dry kibble to help loosen her bowels up. She had a small bowel movement yesterday, and her stomach is very tense, and I know with the amount of food she has taken in there should be a lot more coming out, but with the moist food and pumpkin I am hoping for a big BM today!

As far as her nipping at me, it never made me angry or hurt my feelings. She is the sweetest dog in the world and would never bite be, but this to me was just a sign that she was in pain. So I always try to be as gentle and careful as I can with her, and reward her with longs and petting, praise, and kisses! She barely scrapes her teeth against my skin when she is telling me to leave her alone, but even if she took a big chunk of skin out biting me, it wouldn't in the least make me mad or sad. I know she doesn't mean it, she just hurts.

Thanks,
and I will most definitely keep you updated. Thanks for your help and support and I am glad to hear Bubba is doing good! I hope he continues to improve!! Its so difficult to watch your babies hurt, but at the end of the day when they thank you with a wet tongue and lots of kisses, it helps me think she knows I am trying to help her.

Tamara and Taffy

[dlaura]

Oh that is wonderful news. I am so glad she is doing better.

[DachshundDuo]

Wonderful news!! Isn't it the greatest thing in the world to see that little tail wag!! And her walking!! How great! I'm sure it won't be very long at all before she is running and playing like she did before her injury.

You're a great Momma to her. I'm so happy for both of you!

[Taffy]

Another good update on Taffy! Yesterday she was in bad pain 8 days after
surgery. She ran out of her pain meds the night before and yesterday she didn't want to do anything but lay in her crate, and when she went out to potty, she wouldn't move, just wanted to sit in the grass. I got her pain meds refilled last night and she perked up almost immediately. Today she laid around for a good portion of the day, and tonight my husband did not come straight home from work, so when I got home she was about 5 hours past due for her pain meds!! YIKES! I was afraid I would open the door to find a very painful, trembling doggy in her crate. NOPE! I walked in the room to find a tail wagging, happy to see mommy doggy standing on all 4s waiting for some dinner and some loving. I fed her dinner (which she stood on all 4 legs while eating) then walked her in the grass....or should I say she walked me?!?! LOL She wanted to walk all over the yard. I let her walk around for about 2 minutes, she peed and pooped, and back to her crate she went (of course after exchanging some kisses and petting her). She is now a wild child barking and whining to come out, but she is at least sitting down and not trying to fight her way out. I think definitely she was just in a lot of pain yesterday without her meds...she might not be as tough as some doggies after this major surgery, and who can blame her? I would def. want
more meds too!

Oh yeah, one more thing. Her abdomen is still a little tense. Is this normal
for a dog almost 9 days post op? She doesn't seem to be in pain, but she still
has a tense stomach and a very slight tremble when I pick her up. I am a worry wort, so I can't help notice every little thing about her little fragile body
right now.


Tamara and Taffy

[Taffy]

If you have a dachshund (or any breed dog) that is showing signs of back pain...hunched back, tense stomach/abdomen, hesitant to stand up on hind legs, wobbly walk/falling down, crying/whining or nipping when you pick the dog up, dragging back legs, etc.) take your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY and also join Dodgerslist.com. That website gives info and advice about back problems and is BY FAR the best web site I have found. The people are sooooo helpful there, and many/most have been through this experience. Without their help there I would have been a train wreck! There is more advice and help there than any website I have found so far on disc problems and back issues with dogs.

If you own a dachshund and haven't had back problems yet, join Dodgerslist.com anyway so you are well informed and ready when and if your doxie starts having problems with their back. It is EXTREMELY common for dachshunds to have back problems because of their long backs and short legs. In fact, the surgeon that did my Taffy's back surgery said if you have a dachshund that lives to be an old ripe age, and dies of old age without back problems, you are extremely lucky and that is a rare dachshund! Be knowledgable, prepared, and well informed when the time comes. Join Dodgerslist.com

Tamara and Taffy

[dlaura]

I am so happy to hear she is doing so much better. It must be such as relief to you! We'd love to see pictures of your baby.

[DachshundDuo]

I am also thrilled to hear that Taffy is doing so well!! I'm going to check out Dodgerslist right now!!

[Taffy]

Here are pictures of my baby!

[dlaura]

Awww she is very cute. I am so glad she is doing better!

[DachshundDuo]

Taffy is so pretty!! I'm so glad that she is doing so well! She's so lucky to have you!!

[Macawpower58]

I missed this thread, and just saw it now. I'm happy Taffy has improved so much, and so quickly. How upset you must have been through all of this. We suffer so when our babies are hurt or sick. Have they given you any kind of physical therapy to do with her?

She's a lovely girl!