dashie/cocker mix with back problem

[doglover]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I've belonged to a bichon frise forum for years, but now have concerns about my dashie/cocker mix breed. We adopted her in October 2001 in honor of our son's adoption. She was approximate 5 years old then. Sadie has been the most wonderful, sweetest dog anyone could ask for. A few days ago she was jumping onto the arm of the couch and ended up falling over the arm, into some boxes we had piled there(we just moved and still have boxes around). She seemed fine but within a day she started limping and walking funny. I took her to the vet and he is considered that she may have a disk problem, but it could also be muscular from the fall. He put her on one week of Rimadyl twice a day. After just one pill she has improved alot. She is a little more like herself and keeps trying to jump on the couch or bed. We are very careful, but sometimes she's just too quick. She also has a 5 yr. old bichon frise brother, who keeps trying to get her going.
My question is what should we be looking for to see if it is a disk problem? We aren't able to pay for xrays right now, so they are out of the question until possibly Friday. I am sick with worry about her. Our family stayed home from a baseball game last night just to make sure she didn't jump.
Any advice you could give would be great!
Thanks,
:circle:

[TessieMom]

Normally, vets will recommend restricted activity for up to 6 weeks in cases of back or muscular problems. Crating her may be the best idea if you are not around to restrain her. Good luck and we are sending tons of special dachsie healing rays to help her get better. Rena and the Waco 8

[dutchman]

In case it is a back problem I would suggest crate rest. Rimadyl can mask pain so you have to be careful not to assume too fast that there is no problem. Also did you vet warn you to watch for any vomiting or blood in her stools while on the rmidal? If she experiences eith one give your vet an immedate call. While rimadyl can be a great drug it also can cause some very nasty internal problems in a few dogs.

As far as thing to look for in a potential back problem. LEt's see I know others will add to the list but for starters. Holding the tail in a stiff manor. Dragging of toes while walking. Di you vet do a toe test when he exaimed Sadie? The toe test is where you place the dog so tht it is standing on all four feet. one at a time a foot is positioned so that it is resting on the top of the toes instead of the pads of the foot. With many dogs w/o a back problem it can be a challenge to even get the foot into that position. IF you can get it into that position the dog should immedately return it to the normal pad down position. A slow return or no return to normal foot position is a good indication that there is a disk/back problem.

If you notice any trouble walking unsteady legs or drgging of feet see if you vet will do the x-rays and let you pay latter. Some will do that other won't but it never hurts to ask. If caught early and strict rest is inforced may dogs recover fully with steroids that areused to relieve the localized inflimation.

Good luck and pleas let us know how things go. We do care about the little ones and their people. When we get a message about somone having a potential problem and don't get any updates we start to worry and think the worst.

Post any time and ask as many questions as you want. We will tr to help out if we can. IF nothing else this is a great group for moral support.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

P.S. Welcometo the board. I'm sorry your first post had to be to the back forum.

[minicooper]

Welcome to the forum.

I can echo the sentiments already expressed regarding the crate rest. It is very important that Sadie rest to allow her back to heal, if that is the problem. The Rimadyl will ease the pain, but she could still do irreparable damage to herself if allowed to move about too much, too soon.

I know how difficult it can be to keep them confined when they are feeling a bit better, but it is of paramount importance.

My Cooper was almost totally paralyzed in February, with very little bowel or bladder control. After about 6 weeks of total crate rest and a course of Steroids, he is recovering nicely.

I find Ester C supplements are a great help, but I would advise checking with your vet before starting anything new to be certain that it isn't going to react with the other drugs.

Please keep us posted on Sadie's condition, and remember that we are here for any support you need.

We will send healing rayz

:rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

[Meemoo]

for lots of good information on disc disease. www.dodgerslist.com There is also a yahoo group that perhaps you'd like to join with lots of knowledgeble folks and a great support system.

[tori's mommy]

As the others have said, you cannot stress the importance of crate rest enough. I was unfortunate to not find these wonderfull people here before Tori had back problems. I took her to the vet when I noticed she was having difficulty, she got prednisone, I let her out of the crate in my presence and she jumped up so fast I couldn't stop her, that very day she ened up back in the hospital and had to go to the neurologist> She was definately down and had to have the surgery immediatly. So no matter how hard it is to do or how mean you feel crate rest is needed.
Margie

[doglover]

Good news, Sadie is doing much better! When she goes outside to potty she wants to run and jump, so we have to stop her right away. She is walking much better and doesn't seem to be in pain as much anymore. She barks at her bichon brother while she's laying down. She is always after him for doing something she thinks is wrong. My son is doing a great job explaining to his friends that Sadie hurt her back and they are not to touch her unless his mom says it's ok. If he sees someone going towards her, he stops them. Now if I could just get him and his friends to remember to shut the patio door. My bichon, Corky, got out twice today because they left the door open for a second. Luckily he just goes out to play with the kids, but it still scares me.
Sadie usually tries to stop him, but she's not able to now.
Thanks for your advice about my pretty girl, Sadie. I call her Sadie, Sadie, pretty lady.
Take care,

[TessieMom]

Fantastic news! Just be careful that she doesn't try to do too much too fast! Rena and the Waco 8

[dutchman]

That is great news. Just make sure you restrice her activities . It sounds like it may have been a muscle problem rather than a disk one but uless you 100% sure no sense taking any uncessary chances. I'm glad we could be of at least some moral support.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)