my daschund cannot move his back legs

[sundrop]

My 5 yr old male daschund cannot move his back legs. He was fine, playful, and active three days ago, then for two days he had difficulty climbing stairs, then he just could not move his hind legs. He has been treated with steroid injections x 2 by a local vet. He has not had x-rays. The vet did not mention doing any. He is not better. Surgery was mentioned by the vet, who says he will refer us to a university animal hospital. Any help would be appreciated.

[dutchman]

I would say get him to the teaching hospital ASAP. If surgery is required it will not be without it's risk and it will be expensive. I don't want to scare you but when I lost my little girl to complications after surgery I was told before surgery that the more rapid the onset of symptoms the more critical time was to a good prognosis for the surgery. You will need to be aware of possible complications such as loss of bladder control where you may have to learn to express their bladder this can last any where form days to for life or it may not be required at all. There are no guarantees with surgery. In this area at our VTH the cost range I was told to expect was any place form a low of $1,500 to a high in the $2,500-2,700 range. If you choose not to do surgery either due to the cost or for other reasons no one should hold it against you. You and the vets you work with are the only ones who can judge your companions quality of life and the possible benefit vs risk of the various treatment options.

Good luck,

Tom

[Wotan, Shakti & Gaudi Inc]

Please take your doxie to that university hospital ASAP. It's VERY important! He needs to be seen right away. The best place IMO is a university vet hospital as they are up on all the latest vet techniques and equipment. They will tell you if your doxie needs surgery or not. I did have a doxie who was paralyzed and I took him to a university vet clinic and then cured him with just total crate rest and hydrotherapy but some doxies need surgery. The MOST important thing is to get him into that university vet clinic TODAY please!

[Mark]

I'll add my voice to the others. We who have Dachsies that have battled IDD know that speed is of the essence to give them the chance they need for recovery. The sooner the better!

Mark

[Tanya]

My dachsie also went down. The University hospital is best where experts in this area can treat your dachshie. Regular vets just don't usually have the experience dealing with dachsie backs. Usually if surgery is needed you have a better prognosis if the surgery is done quickly. The prognosis for recovery decreases when the dachsie loses deep pain. (That doesn't mean he won't recover though.) As already stated, surgery is very expensive and does not always work. The specialist at the hospital will more than likely do some tests to determine if your dachsie is a good candidate for surgery. If surgery is not an option, know that many dachsies live full happy lives using a K-9 cart. My friend's dachsie doesn't seem to notice her legs don't work, she wheels around with the rest of the pack. So paralysis doesn't have to mean you lose your dachsie. Discuss this with your vet...of course we want your dachsie to have a good quality of life pain free. Good luck with your little guy and please keep us informed.
Tanya

[sundrop]

Many thanks to all.
Max has an appt with a specialist in the morning at 9:30 for a myelogram--a type of xray, I think. This was the first available appt. They will determine from the myelogram about whether surgery would be the best choice. He is still not moving, after three steroid injections, but he does wag his tail, and still has deep pain response.

[Owen's Mom]

My friends did the Homeopathic approach when their little boy went down in the back. They opted for accupunture therapy, hydrotherapy and herbal remedies. He pulled through it like a trooper, you'd never know he went down.

It's something to look into.

Best of luck
~~Amy~~

[dutchman]

Amy, every case is different in cases where there is reason to believe that pieces of ruptured disk are pressing on directly on the spinal column and there is even the possibility of blood clots forming in the area (one of Aggie's complications) time is a critical factor any any delay trying out the Homeopathic approach could well cost the dog it's life. In the case of a severe rupture and fragmentation of the disk major pressure develops at the site of the injury. The spinal column itself can start to degenerate (always fatal). The steroid or Homeopathic approach can be good when the onset of symptoms is slow but in general when the symptoms develop rapidly it is more likely to be a major trauma and the best odds are if surgery is preformed within 12-24 hours. The odds get steadily worse with time. That is why it is critical that the animal gets to a VTH or other hospital with qualified neurological staff who can run test that most small vets are not equipped for. They will take a milogram (SP?) or even cat scan to see in more detail what is going on.

As with any thing else there may be cases when surgery is recommended and not done and the animal recovers and there will be other cases where surgery is not recommended because recovery was expected without it and it may turn out the animal dies when it could have been saved. The key here is that the majority of the time the educated evulation of each case is correct and time delays when dealing with serious spinal injuries can be critical. A down dachshund can be the result of either minor or major injuries and we as lay people can not access the problem and make the proper decisions without professional guidance.

I'm sorry if I sound like I'm preaching it's just that I will always have that nagging thought that if I had called my vet back in the evening when Aggie became totally paralyzed in the hind quarters instead of waiting till the next morning when we had a follow up appointment scheduled (less than 24 hours after she first became unstable on her feet) I'm sure they would have immediately sent me to the VTH and perhaps the 12-16 hours difference may have saved her life. I don't want others to feel that same self doubt.

Tom

[dutchman]

Sundrop,

The tail movement and deep pain response are good signs. Keep the faith we are pulling for you and your boy.

Best wishes,

Tom

[Tanya]

Tom. I agree with all you have said. I can relate to how you feel as well. We too waited until the next morning to take Punkin in (our vets advice!) and by waiting she lost all movement & deep pain.

Sundrop - it is wonderful that his tail is still wagging and he has deep pain sensation. The mylegram (sp) is the xray they use to determine how much damage is done and exactly where the damage is done. If surgery is done they will probably do fenestration of the surrounding disks to help prevent future ruptures. Punkin's disk literally exploded into her spine and waiting caused irreversible damage. I was later told by a specialist that he would not have recommended Punkin for surgery because the damage was too great. Always go to a specialist when your dachsie's back is concerned. You are on the right track and the tail and pain sensation are all positive signs. Good luck. Let us know how it goes!!
Tanya

[sundrop]

Max had a myelogram this morning, and surgery this afternoon. The myelogram showed a herniated disk. When he got in, the vet found more damage than he expected, so it lessens the chance of full recovery. Now we just have to wait and see.

[Mark]

For now, keep the faith and hang in there. Duck Butter was completely paralyzed (back end) when her disk exploded, had the surgery and recovered completely. Hopefully Max will too.

The range of motion and water therapy's were key to the recovery.

Please keep us posted . . . we're right here with you!

Mark

[Jennifer]

Betty, Oscar and I are sending lots of dachsie healing rays to Max. Please, Please keep us posted.

[dutchman]

The boys are sending doxie rays to Max. I ask my little angle Aggie to keep a eye on him as well. We all hope he makes a full recovery. You might want to check out http://www.abledogs.net/ for another very good looking support group.

Good luck,

Tom, Frank and Tanner

[sundrop]

Thanks once again to all. I am leaving in a little while to go to Max. It is about a 5-hour drive. I will get to bring him home tomorrow probably. He also had a fish hook lodged in his esophagus. The vet removed that while he was anesthetized. He loves fishing with my father. I have visited the able dogs site already. If necessary, we will get him a doggie wheelchair. I probably won't post again for a few days, but many many thanks for all your support.

[Tanya]

Hi Sundrop. I know you'll be gone for a day or two but just wanted to send prayers to Max. Don't give up hope. Recovery takes a while and some paralyzed dogs do recover...like Mark's Duck Butter.

I will also ask my angel Punkin to follow Aggie to Max's side. That way he will have two guardian angels watching over him.

We are pulling for Max. Keep us posted.

[Wotan, Shakti & Gaudi Inc]

I hope Max is back home and on the road to recovery when you read this Sundrop. May he heal completely. I know sometimes this takes time....I know of people who had back surgery on their doxies and the doxies was not walking again for months...and others recover in a week. It's very unpredictable from what I have read. In any case we all wish Max the best and that he is 100% in the pink no matter how long it may take him. I hope to read good news about Max here in the weeks to come.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/heart.gif

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Hi Sundrop and Max,

I just read this thread. Hope things went well for Max and you. I had a vet thing last week that scared me- turned out better than expected but it still freaked me out because I naturally expect the worst scenario to protect myself from the pain I'm sure will come!

Am thinking of you guys today and send healing dachsie rayzzzzz to Max.

Sonja and Wotan

[dutchman]

Hi Sundrop and Max,

I hope things are going well. I'm sure it must be quite the emotional rollercoaster right now. The joys that Max has made it through surgery and is (I hope) back home. The depression that he is still paralyzed. I think the important things to remember right now is that every dog is an individual case recovery of function varies greatly from individual to individual. Try to stay upbeat and positive as you'r mood can influence Max's moods and he may be prone to some depression over his current inability to use his hind legs. I hope all goes well for the two of you as time progresses. If the best wishes of many caring people could cure Max he would be up and running today. Please keep us informed of how things are going. We do care and feel free to use us a a crying shoulder when ever you feel the need.

Best wishes,

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[sundrop]

Hi everyone. Max seems in good spirits. He can wag his tail. He still cannot walk or move his hind limbs. He is on medication to keep his bladder "open" so we will not know for a day or two if he has bladder control. He does seem to have bowel control, but that is harder to assess. He goes back for a checkup on Friday. He is eating and drinking very well. It is just a matter of wait and see for now. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. I will let you know what happens with Max. I have already checked into a wheelchair--any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Tanya]

Glad to hear Max is doing well so far. wagging the tail is good. You are right...it is wait and see. It is also good that he is eating and drinking. My Punkin never perked up after her surgery nor would she eat or drink.
I don't know about the specific carts, but I've read a lot of good stuff about the K-9 cart and the pet mobile. Ask on Able Dogs...they could tell you.

Keep us posted! Helllooo Max!!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/facelick.gif

[Mark]

Hi,

Wagging his tail is a good sign! We'll keep sending healing rayz Max's way. We're all hoping for the best.

Mark

[Roxane]

Hi:
Hope with each new day Max is showing improvement. Regardless, he is still the same loveable little guy. From what I have read it is amazing what dogs with disabilities can do. Wishing only the best for both of you.
Roxane

[dutchman]

I don't think I ever mentioned that the necrologist that treated Aggie at the Vet Teaching Hospital had said they have former patents who drop in for visits that run up and down the hall with the aid of their wheels and appear quite happy. It sounds like Max is a fighter and should adapt well if you decide that a set of wheels is your best option. Having lost a little girl to complications I have a special place in my heart for all our little friends out there fighting back to a happy life.

Good luck,

Tom

[sundrop]

Hi everyone. Max is still perky, eating well. He went back for a checkup today. The vet says there is only about a 20% chance he will walk again. He still has tail wagging and deep pain, but no bladder control, and not much bowel control. We are still hoping, though, because the vet says you just never can tell, and that it is too early to give up hope. We are going to see about getting a wheelchair, and I have a nice big tub with a whirlpool for therapy. Thanks for all your support! Max sends his love, too--he has so much of it.

[Mark]

Hi Sundrop,

You're right not to give up hope and yet be prepared. How long has it been since surgery? As I recall Duck Butter didn't move anything (tail or rear legs) for the first 10 days. We gave he Range of Motion and water therapy 4 times each for several weeks. For the first full week we had to express her bladder. Slowly around the 11th day or so she started to have slight movement . . . first her tail, then her legs. After that it was a little better every day.

There was a show on (I think) Animal Planet about a Dachshund on wheels that was pretty neat. If it weren't for the spinning wheels behind him you'd never know. A very happy dog! I think it was the same show that he visited patients in wheel chairs. He loved it and they were encouraged to deal with their own mobility challenge.

Hang in there and please continue to keep us posted.

Rayz & prayers,

Mark

[sundrop]

Max had surgery exactly one week ago. He wagged his tail on the third day after surgery. There has been no further improvement, except that his back seems "warmer" to me--as if the circulation is getting better--as opposed to feeling cold when he first came home. He is off the bladder medicine that kept the bladder "open" so we now have to express the bladder. He at first seemed to have some bowel control, but perhaps that was just the fact that he had not eaten until he came home. He would not eat at all for the vet.

[Oscar's Mom]

My thoughts are with you and Max, please keep us posted.
I too saw the show on Animal Plant about dachshunds. The one in the wheel chair was a very happy dog, it didnt seem to bother him at all. If anyone wants to see it, it will be on again, Oct 17 & 22.

[Murphy's Dad]

Sundrop,

I know exactly what you are going through. Our Murphy (a beagle) was paralyzed when he herniated 2 discs after jumping of a bed a year ago. He can now walk and run (with some difficulty). Bowel and bladder control is iffy at best. Take a look at his website - Murphy's World (http://www.geocities.com/murphys_world) . It details most of what we went through. Please feel free to contact me, if you should have any questions.

Murphy's Dad
murphys_world@yahoo.com

[twix0699]

Hi Sundrop and Max,

Just wanted to let you know Twix and I are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. Keep us updated.

Teresa

[Wotan, Shakti & Gaudi Inc]

Glad to read that Max is home and can wag his tail. The hydrotheraphy I think is important. I hope you see some growing improvement in the weeks to come. Our 3 dachsies send Max healing cyperlicks.

[sundrop]

Hi everyone. Max is still doing fine. He has a little more strength in the way of resistance to my passively exercising his lower legs. He pushes back at me when I do this. He still has no ability to stand or walk. He does not urinate in his bed. When I take him outside, I cannot really tell if he urinates, but I always express his bladder after he's been outside a little while just to keep the residual out, and there is always a moderate amount of urine expressed. He has been defecating outside most of the time. We just got his doggon wheels today, have not assembled them yet. His hydrotherapy continues, and the feeling is coming back a little at a time in his lower abdomen and back. This is just a little update. thanks for caring.

[dutchman]

Hi Sundrop,

The news sounds encouraging. It appears Max is making progress and you are dedicated to his success. I hope both of you can continue the good work. Please do keep posting and letting us know how thing progress we do care and wonder if we go too long without hearing.

Best wishes,

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[Wotan, Shakti & Gaudi Inc]

So glad to read encouraging news about Max. Sounds like he is getting better little by little..things like resisting your moving his legs and being able to potty on his own are good. Hope his progress just keeps on going and growing!

------------------
Bridget, Wotan, Shakti & Gaudi
please come see my NEW page: Wonder Wieners of Washington http://members.aol.com/wienerdogs/index.html

[Murphy's Dad]

Sundrop,

Glad to hear Max is doing well. Feeling resistance is excellent. Having some control over bowel and bladder is good and will help you out alot. Recovery is a long road and Max is already well on his way. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

------------------
Murphy's Dad - Murphy's World (http://www.geocities.com/murphys_world)

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Murphy's Dad on October 18, 2000 at 07:18 AM</font>

[Tanya]

Hey Sundrop...Hooray for Max and his improvement. Even if it's slow, it's still improvement. Let us know how Max likes his new wheels and give him big dachshies kisses from Josie!
Tanya

[Mark]

That's great news sundrop. Tanya is right about the slow improvement . . . so hang in there and think good thoughts! Hold off on unpacking the doggon wheels until you know if you'll have to return it or not! Either way I know Max is gonna do well with all the love and support you're giving him.

Please do keep us posted . . . we're all pulling for ya Max!

Mark

[TamaraE]

Hi Sundrop and Max! Cleo and I are new to the board and just happened on this topic. What great news that he's doing well!! Continued recovery and my little Cleo says "Go Max Go"!!!
Tamara & Cleo

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by TamaraE on October 22, 2000 at 07:39 PM</font>

[sundrop]

Hi everyone--just an update. Max seems to be moving his back legs when he is in the wheelchair. I cannot explain it exactly, but it looks like his legs are trying to walk, but he cannot control them. His feet are still dragging unless I put them up in the little stirrups (which I usually do), but his hips and upper portion of his hind legs seem to move in rhythm with his front legs. He cannot stand or support his weight on his feet, but he can raise himself up on his "knees" now, which is really a new development. He gets around great in the wheelchair--much more mobile. His sense of pain seems to have moved a little lower--another good sign. He requires so very much attention--its just like having an infant around. Thanks for caring. Debbie

[Oscar's Mom]

I'm so happy to hear that Max is making improvements. Thats good he getting around in his wheelchair just fine. I'm keeping him my prayers.
Take care,Debbie

[dutchman]

Hi Debbie,

That sounds like very encouraging new for Max. It also sounds like his spirts are staying high which is a very key factor in his long term outcome. Let us know if he starts to regain bladder control. I'm sure Max loves all the extra attention he is getting right now. They say the adjustments for a disabled dog are easier than the adjustments for the owner. We appreciate the weekly updates. It's great to hear of the improvements each week. I doubt anyone can really predict at this point just how much improvement Max may have we are pulling for a full recovery. I know the vets at the VTH here say they have several past patients who come to visit racing up and down the halls on their wheels.

Best wishes,

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[Mark]

Hi Debbie,

I'm so glad Max is seeing such positive improvements and we're keeping him on our Rayz list!

Mark

[Murphy's Dad]

It's great to hear that Max is moving his legs. What he needs now is to regain strength in them. Do not let him use the cart as a crutch. He can't be allowed to depend on it to get around. We didn't let Murphy use the cart in the house, only for outside walks. Max needs to learn to use his legs again. This will mean letting him drag himself around. Just watch for brush burns or loss of fur. And keep doing the exercises on his back legs.

I'm surprised he is in the cart so soon though. Murphy wasn't allowed in a cart for 2 months after surgery. he had to be kept confined for the first 6 weeks.

Did you have any luck finding a pool so he can swim yet? Swimming is a great strength builder.

Murphy's Dad http://geocities.com/murphys_world

[Wienergal]

Good heavens! I have completely missed this post until now!

Someone in my DRNA e-group has THREE paralyzed dachshunds and she has lots of great information about caring for them. I'm going to send you a private e-mail with her e-mail addy. She welcomes inquiries!

--Pamela

[Mark]

Hi Debbie,

I was a little concerned about how soon the cart is being used also. I know how pitiful and heart breaking it is to watch your furkid drag their little back legs behind them, but they need to have all the opportunities to walk possible. What we do & endure, we do for them.

For the water exercises: It was cold when Duck Butter had her surgery so we filled the bath tub and slung a towel under her torso. Then we just kept her high enough that she was kicking just like she was swimming. The range of motion exercises as often as 3 times a day are also very important.

I hope Max is continuing to do well,

Mark

[sundrop]

Hey guys. Thanks for all the posts.

Max's surgeon said that he could move about as much as he wanted. No need to keep him crated or immobile. I only use the cart to go outside--about 3 times a day, for about 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Sometimes we go outside and just sit, without the cart. Sometimes, if he sees a squirrel, and is not in the cart, he takes off after it, and before I can catch him, he's got scrapes on his abdomen and lower legs. He's not slowed down by his paralysis too much! Inside, on the carpet, he moves slower and is not as prone to get scraped. As I said earlier, it seems like he tries to use his upper hind legs for locomotion, but his feet won't cooperate. I just hope the motion continues into his feet. WE are still doing the whirlpool. We actually have a swimming pool in our yard, but it is too cold for use right now. It is not heated. We are using the tub instead, though obviously it is not as good. Thanks for your concern, everyone.
Debbie

[Tanya]

Max seems to be getting along just fine chasing squirrels and all. Makes me wish I'd thought twice about the surgery for my Punkin, but it doesn't do me any good to second guess. I know I did what I was told was best by her doc. Hope Max continues to get better and stronger each day. It's amazing how we are more bothered and distressed by our pets paralysis than they are!
Tanya

[Tanya]

Hello friends. In my post below, I did not mean that I'm against surgery for slipped disks. If my Josie needed back surgery and was a good candidate, I would have it in a minute to help her and relieve her pain.

Many of you know how hard it has been for me since Punkin died and I guess I'm having a hard time getting over it. I meant (below) I wish I had not chosen surgery for Punkin because after her death, I spoke to a specialist who said Punkin was not even a candidate for surgery and my vet should not have suggested surgery. Of course I didn't know this then and my vet did all he knew. I just wanted to make sure that if this should happen again, I had more info to make better choices.

I am so happy for Max and his progress and feel surgery has indeed helped Max. I enjoy hearing updates on his progress and hope he makes a complete recovery. I just wanted to make sure I didn't offend someone unintentionally. I have a special place in my heart for disabled dachshies. You know how it is...all the what ifs... I wish Punkin was chasing squirrels right along side Max, but I'm sure she's getting into her share of trouble at the Bridge. She was always the instigator!

Again, if I accidentally offended someone, I sincerely apologize. I feel very close to the people on this board and would never say anything to purposely hurt any of you.
Tanya

[Mark]

No problem Tanya . . . I didn't take it the wrong way. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

Mark

[sophiebaby]

I just found this board, but coincidentally I have just recently encountered this problem -- third time, third miniature dachshund. This time, our little cream-colored smooth, Milo, started showing signs of disk problems with pain on touch, arching of the back, eventually paralysis and the feared element of "stoicism", as our vet warned us to be watchful of. He had surgery on L3-4 three weeks ago, and when we brought him home, we could never have dreamed the recovery he has achieved. He has complete bladder and bowel control, and he's out chasing the squirrels with our other two minis! The vet indicated that the ages 4-7 are critical for dachshunds, but Milo is only 2. Unfortunately his ancestors I believe had this problem. One thing I wanted to ask others on this board, since the vet (he's a surgeon only, not a general vet) couldn't remember a longhair he'd had to operate on: Anybody ever had a problem with their longhair dachshund having a back problem? The two I had previously that were put down due to paralysis were smooths, as is Milo, and I have several longhairs that have not had a problem. Any input?

[dutchman]

The little girl Aggie that I lost on April to neurological complications following surgery was a longhair. Of course she also has been a puppy mill mother who had several genetic defects that should have keept her from ever bing breed<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm4.gif" border=0>. She was just two weeks away from being 4 when I lost her. I hope you have many more years with your little friend without any repeats of the back problems.

Tom

[hulk's mom]

I'm surprised your vet didn't give him x-ray's. Dachund's are known for their long spines which can be prone to problems. My vet is constantly warning me to not let my mini jump off of the couch and things because they can fracture their spine. Is he in pain if you touch his back? Maybe if it's not broken he just jammed his spine and has a pinched nerve? Good luck!

[Marion]

I'm surprised your vet didn't give him x-ray's. Dachund's are known for their long spines which can be prone to problems. My vet is constantly warning me to not let my mini jump off of the couch and things because they can fracture their spine. Is he in pain if you touch his back? Maybe if it's not broken he just jammed his spine and has a pinched nerve? Good luck!
Thanks for your reply hulk's mom! This is actually a pretty old thread (from 2000) and the person whose dachsie was hurt is no longer a member - hopefully it all turned out okay.