Joey's In Pain and Has Hind End Weakness [Archive]

joeysmom

12-08-2002, 07:39 PM

My little four year old Joey has had back pain for the last year (I think). Once every three months or so he would cry out in pain for no apparent reason but would then appear to be just fine. I suspect his problems are caused by his jumping off furniture (I realize that letting him jump on the couch was a huge mistake). Just before Thanksgiving he had two pain episodes two days in a row so I took him to the vet for an exam. The DR. poked up and down his spine, his legs and his feet and Joey didn't make one yip. The Dr. then had Joey walk around the office and the Dr. thought his gait appeared normal so I was advised that the next diagnostic step was xrays, then mylegrams (with the dye). I was told to watch for more pain episodes and weakness because he would need to be 'knocked out' for the radiograms.

Well just two weeks later the increased pain and weakness are happening. Joey can still walk, wag his tail and eliminate normally but he can't jump into my lap and doesn't want to leave his crate (which I understand is a good thing since crate confinement appears to be a recommended treatment for early stage back problems).
Joey has an appt for x-rays tomorrow. Based on what I've been able to research on the web, it sounds like Joey's current doctor is giving OK advice but I wish I could find a dachshund specialist.
I live in Seattle so I'm certain there must be good doggie nuerologists around here but I don't know how to find them. Any suggestions? I don't want Joey to go through surgery if it's not necessary. I will do ANYTHING to make him feel better. He is precious.

doxunzX3

12-08-2002, 08:11 PM

Oh the poor little:angel: give him a gentle hug from me and my pack! I am not a vet so I am hoping you find someone soon in your area. There are all types of therapy. besides surgery. But first the tests would be so important to find out the exact cause of the problem.
We have only done the crate rest and meds with the back pain. But there can be so many different causes and levels of different problems. I have a friend that has done accupuncture with great results. Weight, exersize etc. all can make a difference. I have even gotten a ramp for my bedroom. (They don't use it though) and I didn have one of my doxies put down. Again that was a personal decsion. She was almost 14 and hated anything to do with the vet. Plus the money was a problem also.
I hope you find someone to help you soon, that can give you some answeres.
:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: Sending healing rayz your way :rayz: :rayz:

:kiss: from mine to yours:flower:

minicooper

12-08-2002, 08:29 PM

We are sending healing rayz:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: to Joey!

My Mini had her first experience with back pain about 6 weeks ago. Thankfully, she has made a full recovery with total crate rest and Prednisoline(sp?)
She had always been a very active girl, jumping on and off the lounge, and up and down stairs. Since her injury, we have new rules in the house.........no dogs on the lounge (I sit on the floor with them) and no stairs! The hardest thing has been that they no longer sleep with us..............I don't want to risk one of them jumping off the bed and hurting themselves. Cooper and Mini have adjusted well to the new rules, and Rover is too young to know any different.

I hope your little one recovers, and keep us posted!

joeysmom

12-08-2002, 08:29 PM

Thanks for your warm wishes.
Joey just ate dinner, went outside to potty then I put him back into his crate. I think he's feeling a bit better since he is now protesting his confinement. For once, and for his own good I'm not going to cave in to his wishes for release. He will get rest.
After tomorrow, I hope that he also will get some medicine to ease his pain.

dutchman

12-08-2002, 08:36 PM

More rays on their way. IT sounds like your vet is taking the proper steps. I send a personal e-mail to one of the board's members who is up you general direction. If my memory is correct one of her crew had some back problems and got treatment somewhere in the Seattle area. I ask her to look at your posting to see if she might be able to offer a referral of who she worked with.

Bood luck and rays,

Toma dn the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

Mark

12-08-2002, 08:44 PM

Hi Sharon & Joey,

First, welcome to DBB! :waving:

Are you saying that your Vet has been aware of Joey's back pain for a year now? I would recommend you find a specialist. If there is a University nearby (with a teaching hospital) . . . they are usually excellent. If not, usually any 24hr. emergency vet clinic is aware of Neurologists in the area . . . just call for a referral.

IMO he should not be let out of the crate except to be *carried* out to go potty until the back issue is resolved. He can be fed in his crate.

Good luck and please keep us posted . . . and we're sending MEGA Dachsie healing RAYZ to Joey! :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

Meemoo

12-09-2002, 07:30 AM

If you haven't already, I'd suggest adding Ester C, and a glucosamine/chondrotin supplement to his regimen. These will help as well. If you can find a holistic vet, accupuncture and chiropractic treatments also help. There's a wonderful group that is specifically for dachshunds and back issues. They have a website with lots of information. The site is www.dodgerslist.com On the left of the site are links, one of which is to join the group. I encourage you to join and the members are quite knowledgeable and very supportive. Good luck and lots of rayz coming from the big apple.

Mark

12-09-2002, 10:18 AM

Hi again,

Loren makes some great suggestions. The supplements can help deter any recurrences in the future.

And the suggestion of dodgerlist.com as an additional resource is a very good one. Like many of us here, they are *all* experienced with Dachsie back issues.

I've heard that the holistic approach can work in many cases, but best when combined with the care of a Neurologist. Naturally there are some physical damages that holistics can not reverse.

Good luck and please keep us in the loop.

More Dachsie RAYZ :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

joeysmom

12-11-2002, 06:42 AM

Bad news...
Joey had emergency surgery at 1:30 AM today after he lost deep pain sensation and the ability to walk at 8:00 pm Tuesday.
Joey made it through surgery fine and the ruptured disc material was removed but apparently there was discoloration in his spine that is not a good sign for a complete recovery. Before surgery, I was told that he had a 50/50 chance of getting back his deep pain response. The surgeon is supposed to call me around noonish today with more details.
I understand that Joey won't be able to come home for two to seven days. My next step is to find out how to provide the best post surgical care for my little guy.

Meemoo

12-11-2002, 07:39 AM

Sorry to hear of this news. Don't despair though dachsies are resiliant and you'd be amazed of the stories that are told that the dachsies dont' have a chance and yet come back to walk, much to the surgeon's surprise. I'd encourage you to check out www.dodgerslist.com which also has information on recovery and support. There is also a great yahoo group called "abledogs" which is an all breed support group for dogs who have gone down and use carts and such. They may be helpful as well. The link is here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AbleDogs/

Keep the faith. Be strong and upbeat for Joey as dachsies are sensitive and pick up on your feelings.

Mega rayz from the big apple!

Mark

12-11-2002, 07:58 AM

Hi Sharon,

We are so sorry to hear this after having been through it twice . . . we feel your pain.

Be sure to tell us what the surgeon recommends for post-op therapy and we will add anything we can to help.

Mega RAYZ from Michigan. :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

dutchman

12-11-2002, 09:15 AM

More rays and good wishes on their way. We will hope for a full recovery. That said the staff at the local VTH said when my Aggie had her emergency surgery that they have some patients who don't make a full recovery but who don't seem to mind at all as they speed up and down the halls in their carts when they come in for a visit from time to time. A partial recovery seems to have a bigger impact on the owner than the dog. IT was goo that not too much time passed between the loss of deep pain response and surgery.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

TessieMom

12-11-2002, 11:23 AM

Gigatons of Texas-sized healing rays and prayers for Joey to have a full recovery. We will be thinking of you. Take care, Rena and the pack

TessieMom

12-11-2002, 11:29 AM

One of our fosters just went through the same thing and one of the CTDR members posted this link which has some good photos and may help also. Take care, Rena

back disease (http://www.lbah.com/Canine/ivd.htm#vert)

joeysmom

12-11-2002, 03:23 PM

Some encouraging news ...according to Joey's nurse, he is doing very well in the post-op phase and has regained deep pain response although he's not walking right now. ALso, he hasn't urinated on his own yet but he is expected to regain this function (yeah!).
I suspect that his recooperation and physical therapy will be a long-term project. However I know that my little Joey is a determined little guy and with his will and good physical therapy treatments he will have a great quality of life at whatever mobility he is able to achieve.
Thank you everyone for your support. The information and links that you have provided have been very helpful.

Mark

12-11-2002, 03:37 PM

Hi Sharon,

That's great news!!!

Don't expect too much too soon, though. It was 3-4 weeks before any self directed motion was detected in the tail/rear legs of one we went thru this with. Another 2-3 weeks before standing/trying to walk . . . some never regain any of that,but the bladder function is indeed a very hopeful sign.

Of course, these results were with intensive physical therapy (done at home) every day. Water exercises (in the bathtub), range-of-motion exercises on the tail/legs, etc.

The other one (actually it was Wimpy) fully recovered much more quickly. :)

We are very hopeful for Joey and continuing to send those wonderful Dachsie Healing RAYZ. :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

Platypus

12-11-2002, 03:54 PM

We will be thinking of you and praying for a full recovery for Joey. Another group you may be interested in is the Disabled Dachshund Society http://www.members.rushmore.com/~dds/

~Gail & Daisy~

joeysmom

12-12-2002, 01:49 PM

Update:
Joey's nurse says he is 'bright and alert' and he is moving his left leg. When I asked about his progress relative to other back surgeries, I was told that he's doing about average. He isn't urinating on his own yet but the medicine to trigger this function can take up to 48 hours to work. When he regains this function he can come home.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and support.
Love Sharon

Frzframe

12-12-2002, 01:54 PM

Mitzi and I are sending more healing rays to Joey. Great to hear he is doing well. Hope he can come home soon.

Shonda & Mitzi Moo

dutchman

12-12-2002, 02:27 PM

Thank you for taing the time to keep us updated. The reports sound good so far. With a little luck he might be home before the weekend. We all know both of you will feel better once he gets home.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

Mark

12-12-2002, 05:09 PM

Hi Sharon,

So far the signs sound like good ones and we're keeping our fingers crossed. Getting him home, even though there will be a loooooong way to go, will ease a lot of your current stress. :)

Please continue to keep us posted.

:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

joeysmom

12-14-2002, 05:56 AM

Was disappointed to learn that Joey probablly won't come home until Monday because he is not peeing on his own yet. I'm still not quite sure what that even means. What I think the doctor told me is that because of his spinal cord damage the bladder's signal that it is full isn't getting through so urine builds up in the bladder until it spills out or it must be manually expressed out.
The next best thing (I think) is incontinence because there is a brain signal to pee getting through the spinal cord to the bladder, but there isn't the muscle control to pee at will. The best outcome is bladder control to pee at will. Is that right?

The tone of this message really should not be negative. The reports that I have been getting on Joey's progress are that he's doing reallly well. I just want him well enough to be home with his family where it will be less stressful for my little guy.

My husband and I did get to visit Joey on Thursday and Friday nights. We cuddled Joey in our arms for almost two hours each visit. Time flies when you have a little dachshund in your lap.

Because it's now the weekend, I'm going to try to hang out at the hospital as much as they will let me so I can participate in Joey's physical therapy so I can learn how to help him when he comes home.

That's my report....

Mark

12-14-2002, 06:40 AM

Hi Sharon,

Don't read too much in to the urinary glich because this is quite common. With our first Dachsie that went down we had to express her for a week *after* she came home and eventually she fully recovered the use of her legs. That is not to *promise* that Joey will or won't fully recover, but it is too early to know one way or the other.

We're all with you in prayers, hopes and sending lotza RAYZ. :)

:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

joeysmom

12-14-2002, 11:46 AM

Thank Mark for your encouragement and advice.
I'm also thrilled to report that Joey will be discharged today afterall at 2:00pm. Hooray! The doctor who gave me the Monday target date wasn't Joey's regular doctor.

I think I'll spend the next few hours cleaning the house (I don't want Joey to be subjected to the nasty scary vacuum cleaner when he isn't feeling good). I also need to assemble my list of questions about post discharge Joey care.

Mark

12-14-2002, 11:50 AM

Sharon, that's great news!! :)

Be sure to get all the instructions for manual expressing and therapy exercises . . . and later when your settled, please post an update for us.

More (you guessed it) RAYZ :D

:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

TessieMom

12-14-2002, 12:00 PM

Fantastic News. I know he will be happy to be home.
Rena and the pack:bounce:

dutchman

12-14-2002, 08:52 PM

I agree with mark don't worry too much about lacl of bladder ability at this early stage. When Aggie went in for surgery the neurologist said while most will regain controll in a few days others take a few weeks some up to six months and a few neer do. The main concern I am awareof if you have to express their bladders is an increased risk of bladder infections.

Good luck,

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

Meemoo

12-15-2002, 11:50 AM

To reduce the likelihood of bladder infections, cranberry pills are very helpful. You might also want to add plain lowfat yogurt which has good bacteria in it which helps as well.

More rayz coming from NYC

joeysmom

12-16-2002, 10:03 AM

Joey got out of the hospital at 3:00pm Saturday. Joey and I are staying with my fabulous in-laws this week so someone can watch him while I am at work.

I'm pleased to report that as of 3:00am Sunday, Joey can pee on his own! His doctor ordered strict crate rest with physical therapy, message, swimming and sling walking to go potty. I understand that the healing process is slow and Joey has a long way to go, but I'll do anything to make him better. Earlier I bought some glucosamine sulfate for him but didn't get a chance to use it before he went into the hospital. The Ester-C and cranberry pills sound helpful too but I'll wait until he's finished with his anti-biotics and 'pee-inducing' medication before I start with dietary supplements.

Thank you all for those fabulous healing rays, prayers and information. I wish I had discovered this message board under more pleasant circumstances. In the future, I look forward to writing about Joey's charming personality and goofy habbits in rather than this yucky medical stuff.

TessieMom

12-16-2002, 10:04 AM

That is great news! More rays and prayers are on the way!
Rena and the pack

willsana

12-16-2002, 01:27 PM

Yay for Joey! Glad to hear the good news. Keep us updated on his progress. Can't wait to hear all about his charming self!!

:o)-willsana

joeysmom

12-26-2002, 02:49 PM

I got the best Christmas present. My little Joey is making great progress. He can now stand by himself, walk with very little assistance (in an unsteady manner) when he goes outside to potty and best of all, he pees at regular intervals. My little guy even scratched his ear with his hind leg Tuesday night. Joey still has a long way to go in his recovery but I am thrilled with his how he is doing so far. He gets his stitches out tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for the healing rays and advice. I'm one happy doxie mom.

PS Joey send everyone lot's of licks

Mark

12-26-2002, 03:27 PM

That's terrific , Sharon! :D

That is truly the best Christmas present we have heard of for anyone! We'll continue to send RAYZ. :) And please keep us posted.

:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

Augie Dog

12-26-2002, 04:51 PM

I am so sorry that I have not posted on this tread. I am SSSSSOOOOOO Happy that everything is turning out so well, please keep us updated!

Dan

12-27-2002, 02:56 AM

It is always nice to hear a happy ending especially at this time of the year. Yeah!! the best christmas present ever. Here's more rays and prayers for you and joey.

:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

dutchman

12-27-2002, 08:58 AM

I've been busy with visiting family for a couple of days but this was a great first forum to check out. That sounds like great news.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

Mark

01-09-2003, 05:01 PM

Hi Sharon . . .

Is Joey fully recovered and doing well now?

Dachsie Healing RAYZ, just in case. :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

joeysmom

01-10-2003, 10:17 AM

Hi Mark,
Joey is doing great. He had a re-check with his surgeon on Tuesday and Dr. Sanders called him a 'miracle dog'. Joey now has his Dr's blessing to return to excercise. The doctor recommended taking walks of increasing length so that he can regain his strength and coordination.

Joey isn't quite fully recovered physically becasue he can't jump on furniture (which is good I suppose) and his gait is wobbly at times but Joey's spirit is completely back....he is fiesty and playful again. I am so happy and grateful about his progress. He has come a long way in a month.

Thanks for your help through this. The support and information that you and the cyber-dachshund community provided really helped me to cope and helped Joey to heal.

Meemoo

01-10-2003, 10:26 AM

Adding vitamin C, glucosamine/chondrotin and MSM supplements have been helpful for many dachsies with back problems and hopefully for preventative measures. You may want to consider adding this to his diet. Also, a good food is also important, one with human grade ingredients. If you go to the Dog feeding thread you'll see lots of info on that.

Good news about his progress. You Go Joey! :)