I have cried about this for days wondering what I should do, if anything. I have 2 Chihuahua's and 2 Shelties. My smallest Chi (2.5 pounds), Lucy....she is just a little over 12 yrs old.
Last week I noticed she was very weak in the hind legs. She has gotten more and more unable to go up the flat ramp (running board, carpeted) that goes up to my bed and one up to the couch in my office. So I have been picking her up and getting her down for a while now. Last week when I put her down, she dropped in her back side and wobbled as she struggled to walk.
I called the Vet and took her right in. He said it is her spine and the nerves causing the weakness in her back legs, he said her back is humped up (curved) as though she is bending body inward (hard to explain). He gave her a shot of steroids and gave me pills(Dexamethasone)...which makes her thirsty and pees a lot.
She is still playful while she is comfy in a "spot" on the couch or bed snuggled in a blanket and has been very good about letting me know when she needs down to get a drink or pee. But when I put her down, she doesn't walk much...she will drink water and then just pee right there on the rug next to the water bowl. If I carry her to the pee pad...she will pee there.
I can't tell if she is in constant pain?? I know she is struggling to stand or walk far and as I said the only way she can pee or eat/drink is if I put her near it cause most of the time I have her on the couch or in the bed (at night) and she IS eating and drinking. There IS a dog bed on the floor next to the water....but I am nervous about leaving her on that in case one of the bigger dogs accidental sits/walks on her etc... because she likes a blanket over her.
I have been beating myself up wondering if "I" did anything...I remember a few weeks ago both my grandson and myself tripped over her while she was on the floor in the dog bed and I can't help but to wonder if we did something to hurt her even though I have been having to lift her in and out of the bed and on the couch for a while now. I hurt just looking at her precious little face and have no idea what to do. The vet did not recommend anything other than the meds. How do I know if she is in pain. She also has breast tumors on several breast that have grown and hard...vet says not to operate. She is so little, the vet doesn't think surgery would help.
How do we know?
Last week I noticed she was very weak in the hind legs. She has gotten more and more unable to go up the flat ramp (running board, carpeted) that goes up to my bed and one up to the couch in my office. So I have been picking her up and getting her down for a while now. Last week when I put her down, she dropped in her back side and wobbled as she struggled to walk.
I called the Vet and took her right in. He said it is her spine and the nerves causing the weakness in her back legs, he said her back is humped up (curved) as though she is bending body inward (hard to explain). He gave her a shot of steroids and gave me pills(Dexamethasone)...which makes her thirsty and pees a lot.
She is still playful while she is comfy in a "spot" on the couch or bed snuggled in a blanket and has been very good about letting me know when she needs down to get a drink or pee. But when I put her down, she doesn't walk much...she will drink water and then just pee right there on the rug next to the water bowl. If I carry her to the pee pad...she will pee there.
I can't tell if she is in constant pain?? I know she is struggling to stand or walk far and as I said the only way she can pee or eat/drink is if I put her near it cause most of the time I have her on the couch or in the bed (at night) and she IS eating and drinking. There IS a dog bed on the floor next to the water....but I am nervous about leaving her on that in case one of the bigger dogs accidental sits/walks on her etc... because she likes a blanket over her.
I have been beating myself up wondering if "I" did anything...I remember a few weeks ago both my grandson and myself tripped over her while she was on the floor in the dog bed and I can't help but to wonder if we did something to hurt her even though I have been having to lift her in and out of the bed and on the couch for a while now. I hurt just looking at her precious little face and have no idea what to do. The vet did not recommend anything other than the meds. How do I know if she is in pain. She also has breast tumors on several breast that have grown and hard...vet says not to operate. She is so little, the vet doesn't think surgery would help.
How do we know?
other wise I would!