Lil buddy, dog paralyzed

[robbor]

My dog started hurting the other day. Wouldnt eat or drink or pee. Walking slowly. The next day all of a sudden mid day his lower half became paralyzed. Took him to the vet and he ruptured a disc. Hes at the vet still. Went and saw him today and his back end is still completely paralyzed.
Anyone have experienced with a paralyzed dog. Dont know if hes gonna have too much pain or if he will be able to survived even for a while with a lil cart.

 

[1K6BRA]

I had a beagle years ago that ruptured a disc in his neck he was not paralyzed but had a heckuva time getting around. He ended up getting a Cortizone shot about every two or three months I think. Acted like a new dog until the shot were off then it was back to the vet for another one. Don’t know whether this will fix up your buddy or not but it might be worth a try, the vet would know more than I do.

 

[SEGARE]

This hits home- I was at my wife's bank Monday of last week, and a coworker's dog was exhibiting the exact same symptoms and had the same diagnosis. The vet prescribed steroids and pain meds and taught her how to help the pup void- she had to be put down Friday.

I had always poo-pooed people who were distraught over having a pet put down until I had to carry my Lab in to the vet for the last time.

Prayers.

 

[robbor]

Ya he normally goes everywhere with me. Best dog ive ever had

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Unfortunately, it's often part of the process. I just had to put a great dog down June 26th. Same thing. He was a big boy, 12 years old.
Talk to the vet. If your dog is younger, you might be lucky but if not, it doesn't sound good at all. It's common for this to happen. Big dogs more than small ones, though.

 

[bugman]

sorry to hear this. I have been through it, and realized that some animals are more important to me than some humans. That doesn't say a lot about the humans.

 

[Downhill]

Had a Blue Heeler for 14 years. She was at my side 24/7. Toward the end she exhibited similar back issues. Really tough call on the quality of life issue. When called she would make her way to me with that little docked tail still running at 9,000 rpm. Mine made her own mind up and passed in her favorite napping spot. Hope yours gets better.

 

[bsekf]

Age and size will be important in your decision. Think quality of life! When the time comes, hold them till the end and it's okay to cry. Or, in my case, sob.

 

[urbanrifleman]

My Phoebe is my baby girl. She's loyal when no one gives two squirts if I drop dead.


I had to put two boys down within 3 months of each other for agreessive behavior. That was 3 years ago. That was a bad summer.

 

[AckleymanII]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[KMart]

It looks like we are approaching the same dilemma. She is 15 now and had back surgery 5+ years ago. Her back end slips out from under her from time to time. We know she can't live forever and are discussing how we are going to handle it. It is a tough decision.

 

[M-61]

This is always a terrible story to read. Had dogs all my life. Prefer dogs to people by a lot.
My last two were mastiffs, brother and sister. Never been apart. Bonnie &Clyde. They were my constant companions . They reached 12 years old. Good run for mastiffs. Never let them get over 200 lbs.
Their time came and one thing the vet said to me, maybe the only thing that gave me one moments comfort was “ Chuck, almost everyone waits too long”.
I have their ashes in urns on my mantle.
They still watch over me.

 

[urbanrifleman]

This is always a terrible story to read. Had dogs all my life. Prefer dogs to people by a lot.
My last two were mastiffs, brother and sister. Never been apart. Bonnie &Clyde. They were my constant companions . They reached 12 years old. Good run for mastiffs. Never let them get over 200 lbs.
Their time came and one thing the vet said to me, maybe the only thing that gave me one moments comfort was “ Chuck, almost everyone waits too long”.
I have their ashes in urns on my mantle.
They still watch over me.

I have my Brick, and Elvis and Pricilla. I think I will go find a nice tree somehere and set them there.

 

[fx77]

Had 3 Dachshunds. All had back problems - one paralyzed, one seized from time to time due to spasms, etc. It is a problem with the breed.

This is the way I look at it. Quality of life. The vet should be able to tell you about them experiencing pain based on the cause. Some of mine did, some didn't. You can usually tell by their breathing, disposition, etc., but a dog will often hide more pain than we realize.

If they can live with a reasonable quality of life and you can care for them properly then keep them around and enjoy them. If their quality of life and suffering is not good, then a person is likely keeping them around due to their own interest and not that out of consideration of the animal. That is certainly understandable. But someone has to be the guardian and make the hard but right decisions when necessary. Only you can determine what that is.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It sucks.

Dachshund is an achondroplastic dwarf. The human dwarf of this type has the same spinal problem.

 

[robbor]

My boy comes home tommorrow.
Dr says he shouldnt have much pain bc of the paralysis. So just one day at a time for now. Ordered diapers tonight. We r still looking into a wheelchair.
Thanks for all your support guys!
Will update as we go.

 

[robbor]

Dachshund is an achondroplastic dwarf. The human dwarf of this type has the same spinal problem.

Hes home. Keeping him all settled down. He cries a lil because he wants to walk and doesnt understand why his legs dont work. Just gonna keep him resting and down for a few weeks. By then we should be able to slowly have him try a cart once we get one

 

[MislMan]

Had a friend a couple years back whose dog also had this type paralysis. When he first brought the dog home he made a “slider apron” for him out of a cheap plastic shower curtain. Had the dog laying belly down on the plastic with the ring holes for the top tied across his back with shoestring. Dog was schussing all around the house using his front legs and riding on the plastic apron. Seems pretty darn happy zipping about. He did eventually get a set of wheels but I got the impression the dog liked the apron better.

 

[markT]

Robber, I will pray for your dog and you. I know how the love/ bond is. God gave us dogs, about all that needs to be said. My prayers sir!

 

[robbor]

Hi everyone. Its been a week or so. Ill give u an update. My dog shadow was 1/2 paralyzed after he came home from his 3 day stay at the vet with steroid therapy. He could not pee on his own. We had to squeeze him to empty him. We kept him a lil doped at times to keep him still and sleep/rest. After 2 more days in diapers hes was starting to walk but not well. One of his legs just would not cooperate, and twist . At this point he started become noticabely better every day. After a few more days we didnt have to pee him any more. He still cant lift a leg but he can walk around and dribble when he wants to go. We r still trying to keep him still, but today he was walking pretty well. And even tried running a few times. Hes doing great. Hes been out of a diaper now a few days.

 

[robbor]

Never give up on your lil buddies!!!