Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease

[momto8]

Has anyone ever had a dog with Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease? Gunner our Boston has been a little off the past few days, and today he had lost alot of control of his back legs So we rushed to the vet and he confirmed the diagnosis. He said since he is still moving a bit, that his treatment will be 6 wks of crate rest and muscle relaxers and if it does not get better we will go from there. Was hoping maybe somebody has been through this and has some tips or advice?

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I don't but I ave a dog that has other spinal issues and we see a chiropractor every three weeks. Chiro and acupuncture can help some with IVD I've heard. I've met a few dogs at my chiro who had sudden back leg paralysis, and treatments helped resolve their issues and pain.

Holistic might be a route to investigate.

 

[Greenmagick]

I dont but had to say I am so sorry. Will send lots of positive vibes to you and yours.

I know when my moms dane was diagnosed with Wobblers accupuncture and chiropractic really helped. She was diagnosed around 11 or 12 and made it to 15 (almost unheard of for a dane)

 

[GlassOnion]

Kind of depends on what's causing the disc to bulge, and not really sure what muscle relaxers will do, unless it's the hypaxial/epaxial muscles tonically pushing on the disc/vertebrae and he's hoping it'll cause the disc to slip back into place.

Did y'all do a radiograph to make sure it wasn't a broken/dislocated vertebrae pushing on the spinal cord instead? Also has he shown no other symptoms up until now? Usually you'll see stumbling and what not first with progressive IVD because the fibers that tell you where your legs are are the first to be squeezed upon, so it sounds like it's an acute thing.

How did his reflexes and pain grade?

 

[Bigpoodleperson]

We have an ER vet in town that likes to put dogs on muscle relaxors for IVDD. When they come back to my clinic, my vet Always switches them to prednisone instead! Steroids seem to really help these dogs. My co-workers old little boston mix had this too this spring. Completely lost control of his hind legs. They wernt going to persue referal or anything, but didnt want to put him down. Pred. did the trick, and the dog is walking again.

I would go on to a referal specialist if possible.

 

[momto8]

Thank you all for the advice! Sorry it took so long to respond, babysitting 3 kids for a friend for a few days, so I haven't had much time lately lol!
The vet did xray's, he could feel pain so-so. The vet gave him a steroid shot while we were there. He is doing really good right now, got his movement back, not enjoying crate rest much lol!