(Update 11/21/05) Pic on page 7! Anybody ever had a dachshund with back problems?

[BC]

Our 11 yr old dachshund is having trouble walking and they are telling us it is possibly pinched nerves in her back. They want to do a mileogram(sp?) and possible surgery. Does anyone have any experience with these procedures with their dogs? Any info is appreciated.

 

[DoeWDW]

I have a 4 year old doxie but we haven't encountered any back problems as yet. I hear it's pretty common for doxies though so I'm interested in any info too.

There are several dachshund message boards on the net. I'd bet you could get more info. I'll do a quick search and post back here.

Here's a group on MSN:
http://groups.msn.com/DelightfulDachshunds/messages.msnw

Here's a group on EZBoards:
http://p098.ezboard.com/bdachshundfreinds

If you have an AOL account, AOL has a message board under Pets Message Boards > Dogs > Dog Breeds - C to G > Dachshund.

Best wishes for your furbaby.

 

[CLynnJones]

We do. Last November we were getting ready to leave for our Thanksgiving WDW trip. We stay at FW and take both of our dogs w/ us in our motorhome. We took them for their shots about a week and a half before we left and Oscar (our minature daschund) staring walking, moving funny. We thought he was just sore because of the shots. We called our vet who agreed that probably was the case. We took him to the vet again the night before we left and he said "just don't let him ride space mountain". He gave us some I think muscle relaxers and a steroid as well.
Anyway on Thanksgiving morning at a rest stop along I-95 I take Oscar out to go to the bathroom and he can't use his back legs at all! It was horrible!! So scary and sad to see him that way. I called our vet who said "take him to a vet asap. The sooner you get him to one-the better his chances are of walking again." Our son's girlfriend has family in Orlando and one of her cousins works at a vets office. We took Oscar to see them before the motorhome was even set-up. They were so wonderful there!! They took x-rays and said Oscar had slipped some discs that were now pinching his nerves. They referred us to a great animal hospital about an hour away. We had to have Oscar ther the next morning at 6 a.m. They said the chances of him walking again were good but that they couldn't guarantee anything. We had quite the group along w/ us..my dh's aunt and uncle drove down w/ us-it was their 1st trip there. hey stayed at WL. My DM and her friend were with us in the motorhome. Our DD and DS and their boyfriend and girlfriend also drove down w/ us and were staying at ASM. We stayed w/ Oscar that night and asked them to enjoy without us. I know they were all sad that we couldn't go but every single one of them were so supportive (and helpful holding and helping w/ Oscar). We took Oscar the next day and they told us the choices which basically were: leave him the way he was or operate. We chose the operation. It was so hard to leave him there and listen to him crying. We gave them both of our cell numbers and waited anxiously for the call after the operation and were so relieved when we got it and heard he was doing fine. Only time would tell if the operation was a success but so far it looked good. We went to pick him up 2 days later and both of us had tears in our eyes when we 1st saw him waddle toward us. It is now 9 months later and he's back to chasing his brother all over the yard. He will ahve his 6th birthday 1 month from today. We never would have believed it possible 9 months ago, I'll tell you that. I also have to say Thank God for credit cards b/c the operation wasn't cheap but worth every penny in the end. I wish I knew how to post pictures here. I would put one up of Oscar. Good luck with your doggie and let me know if you have any questions.

 

[BC]

CLynnJones, thank you so much for your response. I am so upset watching our gal stumble and fall all over herself. The vet is referring us to an orthopaedic vet that wants to do the myleogram and then possibly an MRI if necessary. I have read some scary stuff about the risks with the myleogram. Did Oscar have one of those? I also read somewhere that they can have bowel & bladder incontinence after the surgery. We just lost our male last year to a nasal tumor and now this! They are like our kids so we are willing to try to pay whatever it takes to help her. She has also been on muscle relaxers and steriods, but as soon as we stop them, she gets worse again. I am really worried about her.

 

[Poohbear123]

Our Dachshund Pee-wee had to have back surgery, due to the Discs. It was around the time that the First Toy Story movie came out, the reason I remember this is because he resembled the Slinky Dog from the movie. He was completely paralized after surgery. He would pull his back legs behind him, and really looked pathetic, but his spirt was excellent. He could have normal bowl movements and pee, which was a good thing. We were told he would need to be placed in a "cart" which would enable him to walk. What were are options? One word: ACUPUNCTURE!! After about 3 months of this therapy, he was walking as normal as could be. He was 16 years old and still going strong, when we lost him to a terrible stomach ailment. We have 2 more, but still miss him.....

 

[BC]

Was PeeWee paralyzed before the surgery or are you saying it made him worse?

 

[mla973]

We had similar issues with our doxie. She was about 10 years old, and her back went out. She lost control of her hind legs and just dragged them behind her when she walked. The vet told us she was not in any pain (no feeling in her hind legs), and we should let her rest and keep her as still as possible. She did also advise that we could put her to sleep. We would not do that - she was part of the family. We had to carry her legs when we let her out to "do her business." She was this way for a month or so, but eventually her disc healed on its own and she started walking again on her own. We had investigated the "doggie cart" and other solutions, but rest was what worked best. Her back and hind legs went out two other times, and she recovered from both of those as well.

We did eventually have to put her to sleep last summer (she was 14). She was such a joy and we still miss her.

Good luck with your doxie.

 

[CLynnJones]

BC,
I know how you feel about your baby girl. They told us before Oscar had surgery that he may have to have a myleogram if they couldn't see the problems well enough without it. I'm pretty sure they didn't have to do it. I'll ask my DH and let you know for sure.
Oscar had no bladder or bowel problems at all after the surgery. He did in the day before. He peed all over us in bed 2 or 3 times. The poor little guy looked so sad and confused. When I got back home, I was at a work buffet and I heard a co-worker talking about the exact same operation. His dog had it done here in PA a month or so earlier. His doggie is also doing very well.
We were told this could happen with Oscar again in the future. They said we should try to keep him from jumping which is sometimes impossible. I do alot of flinching.
On the instructions when Oscar was discharged they had water therapy noted. I didn't know where the heck we could find that in a small town in PA but I made some calls and did find a place. Since we have our own pool open now we try to put Oscar in that a few times a week but he really, really hates it!! The muscle relaxers and steroids seemed to help Oscar for awhile too but I think it was only a short-term fix. Does your vet do many of these operations on daschunds? I hope your baby gal is feeling better soon!!

 

[BC]

According to our vet, the specialist he is referring us to does this alot. Please let me know if he had the myleogram or not. According to our vet, it is done prior to surgery to see which disc they need to work on. Thanks!

 

[Cyndirella]

So far, no problems with our doxie's back, but I just wanted to offer hugs and best wishes for your baby's full recovery! It is something I worry about alot as it is pretty common with the breed.

 

[BC]

Oh my gosh! I came home from work this afternoon and she had been lying on the bed with my husband. We took her down to go outside to use the bathroom and now she can't walk at all! It is so scary. She tries to push up on her front paws, but falls right back down. I am supposed to get up with the orthopaedic vet in the morning to schedule her myleogram, so hopefully she will get some help soon!!!

 

[ugadog99]

My oldest doxie, Cricket, was experiencing much the same problems you are describing. However, her problem ended up being arthiritis and not the back. She is on 12.5 mg of Deramaxx everyday. She will have to have it the rest of her life. We do water therapy with her during the winters. We just fill the bathtub and my older daughter gets in and makes her swim. My doxies are the light of our lives. Sending all the best wishes you to you and your baby. I know how very scary this can be!

Melanie

 

[Poohbear123]

One leg he was dragging, before surgery, but after the surgery both legs went.

 

[CLynnJones]

I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you BC. I talked to my DH and he said Oscar did have a myleogram so they could see which discs needed to be removed. Oscar got worse too before he got operated on to the point he couldn't walk at all--he tried to drag his back half around. I know it's so heartbreaking to watch. Please let me know how you make out at the doctor's tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you

 

[BC]

Thank you all so much. I know some people say, It's just a dog, but she is our heartbeat! It helps to know others have gotten worse and still came out OK after surgery. I will post as soon as I can tomorrow. Hopefully, they will take her in right away in the morning. I don't think I can watch her like this much longer.

 

[BC]

Sorry I did not post yesterday, but we took her in and had to leave her. They did an examination and determined that she needs the myleogram and surgery. He said she is high risk due to her weight so I am really nervous. We went to see her this morning about 11am and they were getting ready to start an IV and prep her. It is almost 3pm her and I have not heard anything yet. They did not recommend that we stay and wait, but I wish I could have. I'll let you all know as soon as I hear something.

 

[Cyndirella]

I hope everything goes well with your doxie!

 

[TIGGER'SFRIEND]

Hoping she is going to be OK

 

[ugadog99]

I've been thinking of you and your doxie. Sending the best thoughts your way.

 

[CLynnJones]

Please do write and let us know how she makes out. Sending all my best wishes your way