Spondylosis in Dogs

[sadiesmamma]

I would seriously question this. Spondylosis is a degeneration of the spine over time. Spurs form on the top along the spine so bending of the spine becomes difficult, and arthritis causes abnormalities along the spine. I watched my dogs' spines degenerate (via XRay) over the course of many years. You could see the changes over time.

I did wonder (and feel guilty) about this myself as my dog was a frisbee and agility dog. But his sister had the same thing and she wasn't an athlete at all (in fact, she was a couch potato, LOL). FWIW.

My Chance (10 yr old Lab) had a hard time standing up and walking this past Monday. After 2 Rimidyl he was running around like always. Early Tuesday morning Chance was crying so loud and couldn't move. He has had the start of Spondylosis for 5+yrs. He has been hospitalized since Tuesday. Can't move his back legs, stand or empty bladder. Started on 2 new medications Wednesday (had to wait 24 hrs to get the Rimidyl out of his system) and no change. His mind in just like he was prior to the quick onset, but it is so sad. He tries to stand up and can't. Hope the bladder starts working again. Where do you get the doggy wheelchair? Is he going to be happy being cathed and in a wheelchair? We have 2 other labs (his offspring has the start of Spondylosis) and a English Mastiff. Chance always loves running around and chasing them and playing fetch. Is he still happy or am I just keeping him alive for me? The way he whines and cries when I leave him in that hospital kennel after a visit rips my heart out. The vet says they will be sending him home soon. Nothing more they can do there. I am not able to lift him even with him down to 106 lbs. My heart is broken, but don't want to give up on my Chancer.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

http://www.eddieswheels.com/

 

[k's greys]

My Chance (10 yr old Lab) had a hard time standing up and walking this past Monday. After 2 Rimidyl he was running around like always. Early Tuesday morning Chance was crying so loud and couldn't move. He has had the start of Spondylosis for 5+yrs. He has been hospitalized since Tuesday. Can't move his back legs, stand or empty bladder. Started on 2 new medications Wednesday (had to wait 24 hrs to get the Rimidyl out of his system) and no change. His mind in just like he was prior to the quick onset, but it is so sad. He tries to stand up and can't. Hope the bladder starts working again. Where do you get the doggy wheelchair? Is he going to be happy being cathed and in a wheelchair? We have 2 other labs (his offspring has the start of Spondylosis) and a English Mastiff. Chance always loves running around and chasing them and playing fetch. Is he still happy or am I just keeping him alive for me? The way he whines and cries when I leave him in that hospital kennel after a visit rips my heart out. The vet says they will be sending him home soon. Nothing more they can do there. I am not able to lift him even with him down to 106 lbs. My heart is broken, but don't want to give up on my Chancer.




How is your Chance? My Dodger (shepherd mix) woke up New Years Day moving very slowly, by mid afternoon he was in his bed whining and panting, we made a trip to the animal ER around midnight, had x-rays done to show that he had minor spondylosis. They gave us some serious pain meds and sent us home. We were at our vet early the next day when it opened, by then Dodger had lost complete control of his bladder. After several long nights and trips to the vet, they put him on bed rest and heavy doses of steroids. We invested in doggy diapers, thankfully he only weighs 40lbs so we could manage him. 2 weeks of steroids and bed rest I am happy to say he was back in the yard lifting his leg to relieve himself But he gets andequan shots every month, it has been six months, we don't allow him to do any stairs, but he does jog through the yard and play a bit. I should also mention that he is ten, and has never regained use of his tail. It wagged for awhile but has seemed to quit again. He can however move it to the side a bit Spends more time on his bed, but still has a good quality of life. So far so good, I watch every move he makes, anxious about a relapse. My vet is still not sure if it was an injury or what that caused the sudden pressure on his spinal cord which caused his lameness and lose of bladder control. I hope that the meds and bed rest work for your baby!

 

[2pekingese]

Hey everyone! I am NOT soliciting this product. Just wanna share w anyone out there w dog diagnosed w this. My 13 yo Pekingese was diagnosed w spondylitis in march and
Vet said chances were slim he would walk again. I tried EVERYTHING- supplements, hydrotherapy, you name it.
For 2 months I had to take him to eat n bathroom.
Was giving him best dog liquid arthritis stuff there was. A friend
Suggested cuz it's cheaper to use human glucosamine.
By a fluke I picked up Schiff "Move Free advanced
plus 1500 mgsm" at Target or Walmart. I gave him 1 tablet a day n still do.Within a
Week he took 2 steps within a month he was walking like normal.
I've finally got around to hit msg boards! I wish someone told me
about it. Still haven't called vet to stick my tongue out n say
"u were wrong" n tell her to recommend products to other dogs w this!
It was a miracle! My dog is the light of my life! Sorry if typos on this. Using cell phone n can't see full screen.

 

[ladygish]

All of your stories are heartbreakingly familiar and I hope I can add to the solutions/options.

I have a 13 year old (30 lb) Boston Terrier named OSCAR that was diagnosed with Spondylosis a year. He has good days and bad days but he is happy, mobile and alive which is much more than I expected at this point. I wanted to share what has worked for him and also get new ideas from you.

You must get a good vet which is willing to work with you. Surgery is very risky (too risky for my old dog) and these inexpensive treatments which have given life back to my old dog.

His symptoms were/are: Lower back pain, rubbing back on objects and whimpering, back leg lameness, inability to turn around, frequent urination, incontinence sometimes.

1) High levels of joint supplements are a must! Simple, natural and they work! Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM (a natural anti-inflammatory) and Hyaluronic acid

Top Dog's Suppliment (Glycanaid-HA) is a really good and well tolerated product (dogs really love it) but there are cheaper versions (Like Optimal Pet Hip and Joint Plus). Cost: $8-20 a month

2) Gabapentin - Rx nerve block medication developed for people with neuropathy and chronic pain. It helps block the nerve path and reduces pain. After my Oscar being on this for a year I find it to be quite safe. ($11 a month at Health Warehouse with prescription)

3) Trammadol - Rx pain reliever for break through pain or flares. ($4 a month at Walmart with prescription)

4) No jumping/stairs - ramps and stairs throughout the house, or carrying dog up/down stairs. This is especially important during flares. I actually moved and made my new place handicap-dog accessible. My bed is even on the floor!

5) Laser treatment for healing. Sessions are done by a vet and last about 20 mins. We just started this. He always seems relieved afterwards and sleep a bunch. $20 a session, 1-2 per week. I can get you more info if you send me a message.

I am looking into Adequan injections - THANKS!

Also, of course Rx steroids (like prednisone) regemints work when things get bad. My dogs does not tolerate them well. Rimadyl also works but my dog vomits it up and it is so expensive. But it usually works. I am an RN but prefer natural therapies. If my dog tolerated it I would feel comfortable enough with Rimadyl to use it for flares.

Please share what has worked for you. I am considering accupuncture but my dog is not very good with sitting still even with all his back problems.

I hope something here helps someone. Please report back!

 

[shepie-poo]

Just saw your shepherd post. realize it was some time ago but it made me very happy. I have a shepherd w spondylosis.
Beginning to have weak back legs and I was worried about the future. Seeing that happy shepherd with his wheels made me feel really good. We love our dogs. We do the best we can and you did great. I hope I can do as well. Just a technical question about how he will "go to the bathroom". You may not even read this.