Back Legs Problem

[Sherma]

Hi! I am a new member of the Dachsie's Bulletin Board. I found your web site because our little doxie "Elmo" suddenly had trouble with his hind legs and was lathargic and just not himself, so I went searching to see if anyone else who owns these great little companions has any advice.

We did take him to our wonderful vet who has taken care of him since birth and he said he has a fever and quite frankly other than that was baffled as to why the loss of his hind quarters. He put him on Amoxocillan and Rimidyl for inflammation. Elmos has continued eating through all of this, but does not want to go up the steps, or has ceased jumping (which is a good thing anyway).

Has anyone experienced anything similar to this? I would be interested in hearing from anyone who might have some insight. Elmo is our first doxie and he is 4 years old, so we would be grateful to anyone who is a veteran doxie owner out there.

Thanks for your help...have a blessed New Year!

Sherma

[Mark]

Hi Sherma and Elmo :waving: Welcome to DBB!

First I would crate him immediately even if he begs or cries to be out. Only take him out to be *carried* to go potty. He should even eat in his crate. This is standard advice you will get from any back specialist.

Next, find the nearest neurologist with experience in IDD and take him ASAP! An emergency clinic may have or know of one . . . or if there is a teaching hospital at a nearby university, they will have one on staff. Many terrific vets, like yours, just do not have the knowledge, experience or resources to cope with Dachsie Intervertebral Disk Disease.

The meds you have will ease the symptoms, but not correct the problem. Elmo could, at best have a spinal infarction, which is treatable by strict crate rest for about four weeks . . . or he could be *going down*. Speed of informed diagnosis and treatment is extrememly important.

We do not wish to frighten you, but having gone through four of these . . . two requiring surgery and two that didn't . . . we do want to advise what's best.

Again, welcome to the board. Good luck and please do keep us posted.

[Mark]

Oh yeah . . .

We're sending lotsa Dachsie Healing RAYZ!

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

[Meemoo]

I'm hoping your pupper is feeling better soon. Crate rest is extremely important. Please take a look at this site which has lots of great information on back disease. The site is www.dodgerslist.com There is also a yahoo group through this site that you can join and get lots of support and wonderful ideas on how to help you pupper from people who have been through similar situations. I encourage you to join through the site. They are a great bunch of people.

Mega rayz from the big apple!

[dutchman]

Mark has already give some good advise. Did your vet do a toes text on Elmo? That is where they turn the foot over so that the dog's toes are facing down. Dogs w.o any underlying problems wil immedately turn the foot back the correct way with a nerver/back problem they will either be very slow to turn the foot ofer or not turn it over at all. Like Mark said keep a very close eye on his condition. Any rapid changes such as total loss of contoll over the hind end needs immedate attention. Fast onset sympthoms are generally a sign of a major spinal trama going on and any delay can greatly reduct the odds of a happy outcome. Again like Mark said we don't mean to scare you but don't want to see you suffer a loss if it can be avoided. Did you vet at least do a complete spinal x-ray? That is the first test almost any vet would do for a dachsund with problems like Elmo is experiencing. Between the ages of 2 and 6 are the prime years for gentic IDD disk problems to develop in our little companions. Not all disk problems will show up on x-rays and a milogram is a better test if the problems continue or get worse.

Sending rays and best wishes,

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[minicooper]

We are sending healing rays to Elmo!
You have received some very good advice from everyone here.
I would just like to add that my Mini had a very similar episode a couple of months ago. It started out with her being unwlling to jump or move too much, and then she woke up one morning unable to walk on her back end. She was put on steroids, and strict crate rest. After about 4 weeks she recoverd almost completely.
I have started her on a supplement of Ester C vitamin and the improvement was amazing (IMHO)
Good Luck with Elmo!

[Augie Dog]

Augie had a problem this September after a slip and fall. It was more of a problem with hips and knees. Rymadil and picking him up to go out or anywhere and he was ok in about 6 weeks.

After it happend I did the toe test. Thank God we lucked out and his back was not hurt too.

Rays are sent via over nite express!

[willsana]

Keep us posted on how he is doing.

I am glad you found this group. There are several experienced Dachshund owners who can pass on great advice and resources.

:o)-willsana

[Sherma]

I just wanted to relay to everyone who responded to my request for information concerning the problem our little guy "Elmo" is having with his back end. Yesterday I spent a good deal of time printing out and reading everything and anything you all forwarded to me and web sites that you recommended. Our family sat down last night and tried to digest everything. It has really taken the stress level down a bit in our home, not knowing what to do is frightening. We so appreciate all of the knowledge you sent our way.

I have a couple of questions if someone can share some more information.

1. What is the toe test everyone is referring to, and how do we do it here at home...what do we watch for?

2. Should I start Elmo on Ester C vitamin now, or wait until he is finished with the Amoxocillyn and Rymadil? Any particular type/brand of Ester C?

We are really green in raising a doxie, and am so excited to know you all are out there....

Again, our sincerest thanks for your help and guidance. A Happy New Year to you and yours...and a healthy one for our beloved doxies.

Sherma and Elmo :flower:

[dutchman]

Helllo again I'll take a stab at your new questions.

First the toe test. This is generally done with the dog standing on all four legs so I'm not too sure how well it applies to one who had already gone down in the hind quarters. It can be done on the front feet as well as the back. With the dog standing on all four feet gently lift the leg and pull it backwards till you can move the foot into a position where you can set it back down on the the top of the toes. It's really easier to demostrate tna to describe perhaps someone else can do a beter description. A healthy dog will immedately move the foot back into a nomal position with the pads down. The foot test is also sometimes called the kucke test since the foot position is similar to you resting the knuckes of you had on a table. A slow return to normal position is a sign of a potential problem and no return to normal is an almost certain sign of a neurological problem.

Second question about addining the vitamin C righ now. I would say no at least not without further research. Even someting as simple as a vitamin supplement chan impact how a drug works and in some case negate the effect of the drug. I would say why take the chance of hindering a medication when the immedate potential benefits are unproven. I think the vitamin C is best as a preventative than as a treatment for a potentially accute problem. I seem to recall reading someplace that C can hinder the steroids that are commonly used to treat back problems but can't say for sure my memory is accurate. I would do a lot more resarch before making a change at this time. I would also would not consider a source that is selling a supplement or has links to sites selling them as a good source of information. See what you can find at some of the general vet information sites that are not selling any thing or when looking up possible drug interactions you might even look at human medical sites even though the ways things work in humans is not always how they work in other animals.

God luck and keep us updated on how Elmo is doing.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[dutchman]

I just did a quick web search and I see Ohio State University has a Vet Teaching Hospital. Here is a link to the vet school home page http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/ If my lookup of information on Ashland is correct it appears you are not too far away from OSU. Here is a link to their Residency Program in Neurology (http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/docs/ClinSci/sam/res_prgms/neuro.html) That page is more aimed at otential students but at least it confirms that they have a neurology program and that is the best specialist to see for a back problem.

Tom

[minicooper]

I did not start the Ester C until Mini was off all the other medications. I actually waited until she was more mobile as she is very allergic to a lot of things and I didn't want a reaction to that on top of everything else. I started out with a very low dose and have built it up to 1000mg per day, on the advice of the breeder we got Rover from.
As a side note, my vet does not feel that it can do any good, and that any improvement is coincidental, but he feels it can't hurt her.

[Mark]

Hi Sherma,

We're glad you found all the info useful and informative. Having a good knowledge of back issues is essential to a Dachsies hooparents . . . for them and for our own peace of mind.

I presume that Elmo is still crated? What is his current condition and the prognosis?

Lotsa Dachsie Healing RAYZ coming Elmo's way :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

[Sherma]

Mark:

Elmo is still crated as I type this. This afternoon he took a turn for the better and we can see a BIG improvement. I did the toe test and he brought his foot back to the pad position. He wants to get out of his crate and play and probably eat a building if we would let him. But, we are still crating him and carrying him out to potty, etc. Tomorrow we are calling Ohio State school of veteranary medicine and going from there.

Thank you so much for your insight and help. Just being able to talk with someone has been a tremendous help to our family!

Blessings to you, Jean and the 6 pack!!!!!!!!

Sherma & Elmo::raz:

[Augie Dog]

Tip toe, thru the tulips...............


Sorry, 60's flash back...........


I am glad to hear that Elmo was able to tell that his foot was not in the correct postition to stand on it. Here's hoping that anti inflamitories are all that is needed.



David

[Heidismom]

Glad to hear about improving conditions for your little guy! I am sorry not to have seen this sooner, but you have gotten some outstanding advice. My Gretl, who is now 13 1/2, went down suddenly in her back legs in September 1999, and I had her at the vet within 35 minutes. They did the foot test, deep pain tests - it looked like kitchen tongs, and they applied pressure to her toes to see if she would withdraw her feet. She was immediately taken to a pet hospital, where they did her surgery within 24 hours. She was given acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and medication. They called me every day for the 10 days she was there. Unfortunately, I was not able to go there and be with her or visit her, but she came back on the van 10 days later. I continued her meds and did hydrotherapy (not as long as I probably should have!), and she was still crated while I was at work, for 6 more weeks. I slept on a futon, beside her for those 6 weeks, so I could put a hand on her if she was whiny. Many dogs only need crate rest and some pain pills - each case varies. Gretl blew out the disc between her 12th and 13th vertebrae - and it happened within 2 minutes when she went outside that morning for her bathroom break. Good luck with your treatments! Julia B.
:book:

[dutchman]

I hope all the news continues to be good. You are doing the right thing by keeping up with the crate rest. If a back problem was the source of Elmo's problems then the rest is needed. If not the rest still won't do him any harm.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[Mark]

Hi Sherma . . .

Is Elmo still improving . . . doing well?

Many Dachsie Healing RAYZ for Elmo! :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

[Sherma]

I just wanted to share an update on Elmo. He is doing wonderfully. We took him to a specialist and there is no sign of disc disease. Actually nobody knew what was wrong. This may sound dumb, but as a mom I just felt like he had what we hoomans get, the flu. They did say a virus was possible. So who knows.

He is his old self, stealing underwear, slippers, kitchen towels and just asking you to chase him. We do however pick him up to go up and down the stairs. He actually has gotten used to it and waits for us. You know that look they give us when they are ahead of us and we are behind, like "Get the lead out sister, it's cold out here). Well, something like that. Everyone either works in our home or is in college, so we still crate him when we leave. That way I know he is not jumping around while we are gone. Or fixing a gourmet meal for himself either.

Thanks for all of the great advice, healing rays and prayers. Woody Hayes always said you can never pay someone back, but you can pay forward. :angel:

Sherma and Elmo

[Mark]

That's great, Sherma! :spotting:

Thanks for getting back to us with an update. :)

Just in case . . . here's more RAYZ :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: