Daschund legs
Looking for help with our 5 1/2 year old Isabella.
We have 2 daschunds-twin sisters- and like all dogs they are lap dogs. We had the bad habit of letting them jump into our laps when we are sitting.
About a month ago Belle would sit on the floor at the wife's chair wanting to be picked up so we started doing that. Belle took care of her business and trotted back to the house for her bed time treat. She weighs 10 #'s so is not overweight.
Next morning when I opened their crate for their morning trip, Belle was at the front of the crate and her rear legs would barely support her. Immediately took her to our Vet and he gave her a shot of Rimadyl and prescription of Rimadyl 25mg every 12 hours on 1/13/21. She has never exhibited any pain but had a slight soft whimper 2-3 times daily.
Next day she had lost all movement of her rear legs. Back to the vet, x-rays and said he had a ruptured disc and another was calcified. I do not have the location of those discs. He prescribed Prednisilone @ 5mg/daily and Gabipentin @25 mg 3 times daily after 24 hours of her last dosage of Rimydal. Because I have used Gabapentin and Prednisone I asked the Vet how long Belle could remain on it. He said the benefits outweigh the riks.
Her appetite is normal other than being a little picky on her evening meal. We changed to a different food and she eats that well.
I take her outside on a leash and band to support he belly to prevent her feet from knuckling under and she has a bowel movement 2-3 times daily and urinates without issue.
Drinks water and loves her treats.
Took her back to the Vet this past Monday and he gave her a shot of Adaquan and will continue another shot tomorrow for twice weekly for 3 weeks. He believes it may restore some function to her back legs where she can regain some use and the ability to waddle around.
Because of the time she would no longer jump into our lap and getting her paralysis we believe the window for back surgery has closed. If surgery could be done it would have to be in Houston 125 miles away.
In addition wife had some heart issues in mid-November. Week of Thanksgiving it became worse and sent her by ambulance to ER. EMT's did an EKG and said she had Premature Ventricular Constrictions. After observance at the ER she was better and they sent her home to consult with our PCP. He referred her to a Cardioligist who, after mutilple tests and a heart monitor for 30 days. Next visit to doctor is Feb.3 will describe a course of treat as she was found to have AFID. I have occasional flare ups of my Rheumatoid Arthrist and some days can not use one of my hands for 1-2 days before it subsides. If back surgery was still available wife doesn't feel we can give Belle the proper care and therapy.
Vet said she has not reached the end of her life cycle and we agree that we do not wish to put here down. We asked about a doggie wheel chair and he said he is not in favor of that because of her age and did we really want her to use that for the next 6-7-8 years. We may still get one depending on her progression.
We are hoping for some type of recovery to where she could at least move herself around.
I have been studying cold laser therapy amd am willing to try that as a local Vet. does it.
Hopefully Dr. Doug and some of you have gone through this and can provide incite.
We have 2 daschunds-twin sisters- and like all dogs they are lap dogs. We had the bad habit of letting them jump into our laps when we are sitting.
About a month ago Belle would sit on the floor at the wife's chair wanting to be picked up so we started doing that. Belle took care of her business and trotted back to the house for her bed time treat. She weighs 10 #'s so is not overweight.
Next morning when I opened their crate for their morning trip, Belle was at the front of the crate and her rear legs would barely support her. Immediately took her to our Vet and he gave her a shot of Rimadyl and prescription of Rimadyl 25mg every 12 hours on 1/13/21. She has never exhibited any pain but had a slight soft whimper 2-3 times daily.
Next day she had lost all movement of her rear legs. Back to the vet, x-rays and said he had a ruptured disc and another was calcified. I do not have the location of those discs. He prescribed Prednisilone @ 5mg/daily and Gabipentin @25 mg 3 times daily after 24 hours of her last dosage of Rimydal. Because I have used Gabapentin and Prednisone I asked the Vet how long Belle could remain on it. He said the benefits outweigh the riks.
Her appetite is normal other than being a little picky on her evening meal. We changed to a different food and she eats that well.
I take her outside on a leash and band to support he belly to prevent her feet from knuckling under and she has a bowel movement 2-3 times daily and urinates without issue.
Drinks water and loves her treats.
Took her back to the Vet this past Monday and he gave her a shot of Adaquan and will continue another shot tomorrow for twice weekly for 3 weeks. He believes it may restore some function to her back legs where she can regain some use and the ability to waddle around.
Because of the time she would no longer jump into our lap and getting her paralysis we believe the window for back surgery has closed. If surgery could be done it would have to be in Houston 125 miles away.
In addition wife had some heart issues in mid-November. Week of Thanksgiving it became worse and sent her by ambulance to ER. EMT's did an EKG and said she had Premature Ventricular Constrictions. After observance at the ER she was better and they sent her home to consult with our PCP. He referred her to a Cardioligist who, after mutilple tests and a heart monitor for 30 days. Next visit to doctor is Feb.3 will describe a course of treat as she was found to have AFID. I have occasional flare ups of my Rheumatoid Arthrist and some days can not use one of my hands for 1-2 days before it subsides. If back surgery was still available wife doesn't feel we can give Belle the proper care and therapy.
Vet said she has not reached the end of her life cycle and we agree that we do not wish to put here down. We asked about a doggie wheel chair and he said he is not in favor of that because of her age and did we really want her to use that for the next 6-7-8 years. We may still get one depending on her progression.
We are hoping for some type of recovery to where she could at least move herself around.
I have been studying cold laser therapy amd am willing to try that as a local Vet. does it.
Hopefully Dr. Doug and some of you have gone through this and can provide incite.
