Hip or Back Issue?

B

BaileyMolly

Forums Regular
For the past week, my Jack has been having some trouble. It is hard for him to get up and his back end is a little wobbly. I can't remember something specific happening. He cries out in pain if my other dogs come near him. At first he was having trouble bending over to eat and drink so we elevated his food/water. He went to the vet and was put on pain medicine, antibiotics, muscle relaxers, and a mild steroid. Now he just paces and pants. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to anyone?
Thanks
 
Yes, those symptoms sound all too familiar. :no:

From the meds your vet has put Jack on he/she obviously suspects some level of spinal/disc injury or deterioration. I would make sure Jack is separated from your others at all times for now...even a slight bump by mistake can cause his pain flare up to get worse...and he should not be running or playing at all. Elevating his dishes as you have done is good. If his pain doesn't decrease significantly in another week you may need to have his neck/spine looked at for a possible rupture in a disc...but hopefully he will respond to the preds and whatever inflammation is causing his pain will slowly go away.

Also, for now to lessen his pain if the pain meds he is on is not keeping him comfortable enough, you can ask your vet if he/she is willing to add a pain shot (Buprenx Simbadol)...our Dante who has serious neck disc issues got 2 of these shots last week due to really severe pain that Tramadol was not keeping under control.

So sorry your Jack is going through this...that level of pain is awful to see a little dog you love suffer through.

Trini
 
My sheltie Chance has bone spurs in his back. He also has cried out in pain and will not be able to lay down and paces.

It it traumatic for both of us! He is on pain killers and muscle relaxers. Sometimes I need to give then twice a day for three or four days until he gets relief.

I have also done laser therapy and have also started massage treatments.

The X-rays showed how bad the bone spurs were... Apparently older dogs are prone to them. Not sure it is that or a disk issue.

Please try and keep him medicated for his comfort and your sanity!
Prayers being sent your way that recovery and healing come soon.
 
Jack Update

Trini and GHGGP,
Thank you for replying to my post. I did ask my vet to give Jack the shot that you recommended, and it helped...thanks. He suggested that I take him to a specialist for an MRI. The neurologist suspects he has a disk issue but suggested holding off on the MRI due to his age (a young 10). He did do an x-ray and found no bone spurs or signs of tumors. He changed his medication a bit and increased the steroid. Unfortunately, no improvement as of yet. He does not seem to be in any pain but still has a hard time with those back legs. At some point, surgery may have to be an option and I was wondering if you knew anything about back surgery in dogs?
Thanks
 
So sorry to hear that Jack still has pain.

I am sorry that I have no experience with surgery in dogs.

PLEASE get a second and even third opinion if you need to go this route.

My Chance is not 13 and I would not consider it due to his age.

Hope you find the answer soon.
 
BaileyMolly said:
Trini and GHGGP,
Thank you for replying to my post. I did ask my vet to give Jack the shot that you recommended, and it helped...thanks. He suggested that I take him to a specialist for an MRI. The neurologist suspects he has a disk issue but suggested holding off on the MRI due to his age (a young 10). He did do an x-ray and found no bone spurs or signs of tumors. He changed his medication a bit and increased the steroid. Unfortunately, no improvement as of yet. He does not seem to be in any pain but still has a hard time with those back legs. At some point, surgery may have to be an option and I was wondering if you knew anything about back surgery in dogs?
Thanks
Click to expand...

I am glad that Jack is getting some short term pain relief with the shot...that shot only lasts for about 24-48 hours. I would ask you vet about also possibly of putting Jack on Robaxin (muscle relaxant) and giving you a supply of Tramadol (pain) to use as needed per your vet's instructions. Muscle relaxants usually do aid in overall comfort.

This site gives good detailed information on disc issues and describes the different options for treatment, including surgery options, if that is what Jack ends up facing. Degenerative Disk Disease, Canine
Trini
 
trini said:
I am glad that Jack is getting some short term pain relief with the shot...that shot only lasts for about 24-48 hours. I would ask you vet about also possibly of putting Jack on Robaxin (muscle relaxant) and giving you a supply of Tramadol (pain) to use as needed per your vet's instructions. Muscle relaxants usually do aid in overall comfort.
Click to expand...

Deska sometimes has valium (muscle relaxant) when his back goes into spasm. He has bad elbow dysplasia and the vet thinks he also has disc degeneration, but given the treatment wouldn't change I decided not to get the radiology to find out. He walks awkwardly because of it and this throws his back muscles into spasms which can get quite bad. He also has NSAID and pain relievers but the valium just helps with settling the spasms down, easing the back pain and allowing him to walk better.
 
Sad Jack Update

We had an MRI done today and the doctor discovered that Jack has a tumor in his spine. It is inoperable and chemo could give him 6 months at best. Decided to just bring him home and make him as comfortable as possible. No more strict diet for his liver and stomach issues. I just don't understand how we made it through the all the other issues only to have this occur. I don't understand why dogs have to go through bad stuff like this.
 
BaileyMolly said:
We had an MRI done today and the doctor discovered that Jack has a tumor in his spine. It is inoperable and chemo could give him 6 months at best. Decided to just bring him home and make him as comfortable as possible. No more strict diet for his liver and stomach issues. I just don't understand how we made it through the all the other issues only to have this occur. I don't understand why dogs have to go through bad stuff like this.
Click to expand...

I am so deeply sorry to read this update for your Jack. I know you will make the time he has left as happy and comfortable as possible even though your heart is breaking. :hugs

These gentle souls bring us such love and joy and you are right...it isn't fair for them to have to go through bad stuff. :no:

Trini
 
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