foxbridgeacademy Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I got home from the store yesterday evening and my almost 5 year old Dachshund was having serious trouble walking. It got worse, quickly. There are no 24 hour clinics near us (plus I can't afford the crazy $$ they charge) so I sat up with her all night. She doesn't seem to be in pain but has no control over her rear legs. We visited our vet first thing and the prognosis isn't good. He doesn't think she will get any better. He is very kind, so he refrained from mentioning the "option" of euthanasia, but has very little to offer us in treatment (surgery we can't afford- $3000-$5000). He gave her a cortisone shot and an anti-inflammatory and suggested "swimming" for exercise (in the bathtub). DH is out buying what he needs to make her a wheelchair (he's a maintenance supervisor/ engineer ). My best guess is that she got on the couch (she knows better) and somehow hurt herself when she jumped or fell off. She has a small amount of control over her tail but no feeling in her hips or legs. Because paralysis wasn't instantaneous, I thought maybe it is caused by swelling and will go away in time? So, if you've had a dog with a similar experience I would like to hear about what was tried, what worked, and what didn't work. Good or bad. Also, she is eating and drinking but hasn't urinated or defecated yet (about 16 hours)... Vet seemed to think she was fine (no distension of bladder). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I'm sorry to hear that. I have a 5 year old Dachshund too and I've thought about the problems he might have. The only experience we have so far is when he hurt his back one day. He couldn't walk up his steps but he was walking slowly otherwise. I took him to our vet who gave him a laser treatment and accupuncture in his back legs. One or both of those worked because he was fine within an hour. I try to keep him from jumping off the sofa. He has steps he uses to go up but doesn't always use them to go down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 No experience with Dachshunds, but an older middle aged beagle foster we had years ago had a similar episode. She stayed at the vet's for a few days getting some very heavy doses of steroids and then came home on pain medication and strict orders to keep her calm for a few weeks (leash walks only, no running around inside, etc.). She recovered and lived out a normal lifespan with no more issues. Wishing the best for your little Doxie. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have a dachshund who had a much more severe back injury at about seven. The good news is that he is still alive at fourteen. The bad news is that he is still paralyzed. It is a VERY good sign that your dog can still move her tail. Right now you should probably not try to start any sort of physical therapy. She probabaly still needs the doggie equivalent of bed rest preferably in a small crate. The vet should have taught you how to massage(or express) her bladder to help her urinate. You should make it a priority to get someone to teach you how to do this so she does not get a urinary tract infection. I still have to do this for my dog several times a day. I have to take my daughter to an activity and due to other obligations I won't be back until late tonight but that is the most important information I can think of right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Our dachshund had an issue a few months ago (he was able to walk but not fast) we called our vet who said that we could give him persedidone (we had some at home). He was fine after a few doses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
December Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 This happened to our two dachshunds (puppies from the same litter and it happened several years apart) when I was a child. Unfortunately, my parents kind of suck and took them to be euthanized without even talking to a vet first to find out if it was a treatable problem because they didn't want to have to spend any money on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisa in Florida Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 We've had 2 dachshunds with this problem. The first one eventually recovered, but the second went downhill quickly and eventually just stopped eating. They both did well with the little carts for their back legs, so I would definitely give that a chance. The first dog recovered after being boarded for a couple of weeks while we were on vacation and I've always thought the rest or inactivity during that time allowed whatever was wrong to heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljpisme Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 So sorry! Did the Dr. say what might have caused the paralysis? Or, what type of back injury it might be? I have a 14 year old mixed beagle/terrier that this happened to last year. Turns out she had a ruptured disk. We could have treated via pain meds and crate rest with 30-50% chance of her getting better OR having back surgery ($$$$) for a 90% + chance of recovery. We opted for the surgery (she was otherwise extremely healthy) and she made a full recovery. She is still doing well but is not supposed to jump or climb stairs anymore. Is it possible to see a doggie neurologist? I understand surgery might not be an option, but seeing a specialist might give you more answers and treatment options. I agree that the fact that her tail is moving is good. Good luck to you and to your poor doggy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 So we're keeping her contained in a laundry basket at the moment. I agree she needs "bed-rest" for awhile, she's not happy. Dh is doing the final adjustments to her new "wheels" and she's mobile. Still no bathroom activities but you can tell she wants to. We'll be making the 50 mile round trip tomorrow to see the vet if she doesn't go soon. She is able to wag her tail a bit more already (cortisone?) we'll start the anti-inflammatory in a couple days (3 week course) then more cortisone/steroid shots. This is really the most I can afford (our vet only charges a $15 office visit, shots are $25, meds another $25, we're tight on our budget). I appreciate all the replies, we're pretty torn up but determined to make this work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 So sorry! Did the Dr. say what might have caused the paralysis? Or, what type of back injury it might be? I have a 14 year old mixed beagle/terrier that this happened to last year. Turns out she had a ruptured disk. We could have treated via pain meds and crate rest with 30-50% chance of her getting better OR having back surgery ($$$$) for a 90% + chance of recovery. We opted for the surgery (she was otherwise extremely healthy) and she made a full recovery. She is still doing well but is not supposed to jump or climb stairs anymore. Is it possible to see a doggie neurologist? I understand surgery might not be an option, but seeing a specialist might give you more answers and treatment options. I agree that the fact that her tail is moving is good. Good luck to you and to your poor doggy! We think she must have jumped off the couch (not allowed on the couch) and hit the floor wrong. This is the dog that climbed trees, ran races, and would get off the back deck by jumping off the 4 foot high rail. We of course didn't allow any of this but she's very determined/stubborn and had no sense whatsoever. As for the vet, He's an old country style doctor. He has "pet hours" every day but his main practice is farm animals. He spent maybe 10 minutes total with us. He's very kind but doesn't have the time to fuss. So I'm left to do my research on the internet and here. I suggested IVDD and he agreed the steroids and meds are about all we can afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Did the vet do a deep pain test? If she can feel deep pain which it sounds like she can she has a much better chance of recovery. The good news is the ability to urinate independently should come back relatively quickly as she recovers. If the bladder gets too full it will overflow so it would be a good idea to keep something absorbent under her. If you want to try to express her feel her abdomen for something that feels like a full water balloon and apply pressure to it starting at the farthest point from the outlet. That is generally what I do but the specifics differ since my dog is male. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 Did the vet do a deep pain test? If she can feel deep pain which it sounds like she can she has a much better chance of recovery. The good news is the ability to urinate independently should come back relatively quickly as she recovers. If the bladder gets too full it will overflow so it would be a good idea to keep something absorbent under her. If you want to try to express her feel her abdomen for something that feels like a full water balloon and apply pressure to it starting at the farthest point from the outlet. That is generally what I do but the specifics differ since my dog is male. Yes he did and no she couldn't feel the pinches, she should have been squalling with how hard he pinched her. She also couldn't feel the shot in her hip, but just above that area (still hip but closer to head) she can feel.... Also she can wag her tail a bit (more so since the shot). I can handle the paralysis, we can build wheelchairs. She's a sweetheart and a real trooper and I think we can keep her from getting depressed. My biggest concern is that 1) she won't drink water, but milk or broth is fine (still eating great) my other concern is that it's been over 24 hours and she still hasn't urinated or defecated, although she really wants to. If she doesn't pee on her own and I am unable to help her go then we will be back at the vet tomorrow morning. I am currently looking up how to "help" her pee right now, mainly I'm scared to push to hard and hurt her in some way. Thank you for the visual/kinetic description, I think that will help a lot. I can't feel a balloon yet but maybe because she hasn't drank enough yet? I've been able to get about 3/4 cup of fluid in her since last night and I'm about to give her more broth soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 The best advice that I can give about expressing a dog is practice makes perfect. It is much easier if the dog's bladder is full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 Yep, she finally relaxed her bladder enough to go, but now she can't seem to stop. Every time I pick her up she goes (all over me) so I went out and bought diapers and wipes today. She is now refusing to drink at all. I think she feels "embarrassed/concerned about peeing. We of course praised her even as she soaked me but she's been trained to NOT pee in the house so she may be afraid of being reprimanded. I was able to get about 1/2 a cup of fluids down her by making her chicken soup.... we'll see how it goes. Thanks everyone for all the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperstone Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 This morning I saw a similar thing on a vet show, and they cured a Dachshund with copper and laser etc... Not saying that's the case for your dog, but it worth looking into natural therapies. I found these links- http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/dog-back-problems.html http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/May-2011/Non-Surgical-Options-For-IVDD-Keeping-Hope-And-Dogs-Alive/ Hope you find a solution quickly! :sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 My dog seems embarrassed by needing to be expressed also. I generally take him outside or into the shower. Outside I often let him walk around and "pick" the spot. It seems to help if only one person and no other dogs are present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Rose Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I had a dachsund as a child who had this same issue. I don't know how my family afforded it, but he was put in traction at the vets for weeks if not months. I can't remember how long for sure. I got to go visit him on several weekends. Dachsunds are obviously known for back problems. Anyway, our dog came home and lived a long normal life. It sounds like maybe traction isn't something that's used on dogs any more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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