Fusion of the Vertebrae, Dog

[ctg492]

My 5 year old Beagle Mix was hurting and her forever funny gate had a bad limp. I fully assumed she was going to need hip work and I even researched where I would ask for a referral too, printed the forms off and everything. I love this dog, I have had many dogs and loved them all but this one is my special needs dog my favorite ever. X-rays done and it was very clear the issue happening:( Vet is not God I know this, but would not give a time frame. I researched all I could, I read the end result, she is on Previcox and it has made her like her old self though won't change the issue.

Anyone have experience with this and have a time frame of how long till I have to make the decision?

[cdttmm]

Sorry to hear that your dog is in pain, ctg492. Does she has spondylosis or degenerative disk disease? My understanding is that both can be treated surgically in many cases. For a dog that is only 5 years old, it might be worth investigating.

[Float On]

When my big golden could not lift himself off the floor we took him in for x-rays and found that this wasn't the first time his back had broken but that this time it basically exploded. Previous episodes of him not moving off the floor we just kind of shrugged off so I felt horrible about the amount of pain he must of been in that last year or so. I think he wanted to push through the pain, he enjoyed the family so much the boys were 3 and 4 at the time. He pushed as hard as he could till there was nothing left. Even with his back in paralyzed that last day at the vets he kept wanting to make everyone else happy. The whole vet crew was in tears at having to put him down.

At the time they didn't have the wheels for large breeds. You might check with the vet if it's a back issue where the pain can be blocked and he can have a good few years on wheels it might be worth it. Would be a great commitment on your part. I often think of this video and wish we'd been able to do more for LeviDog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAn7QbThWAg

[Teacher Terry]

I would want to know exactly what is wrong. WE adopted a dog that kinda dragged her back end. Her front legs were a little bull legged. It took numerous tests but finally they realized that all her discs were calcifying from her neck to her bottom. Eventually after 3 years she could no longer walk at all and would just lay in her own pee & poop instead of drag herself out of it so we had to make the decision. WE tried laser which did not work and then pain meds. She would have never gotten a home so I felt good about that.

[iris lilies]

OP sorry, I have nothing to add since I have not had experience with back problems in dogs.

Terry, I'm glad to hear about the years you were able to give your little dog.

[Teacher Terry]

Sweetie Pie had an interesting story. She was in a small town about 45 minutes from here. She was a backyard breeder dog and when her back got hurt they took her to the Humane Society. Well it was tiny (lucky for her) and they had no vet. So they hired a local vet to evaluate the dogs they took in. He is a softie so the ones he knows are not adoptable he takes in and does all the necessary surgeries and then they live at the vet clinic during the day and at the homes of the employees at night. He puts them on Petfinder for a small fee. So I see this cute dog that is listed as a Maltese Mix and she is doing what I think is a happy dance. It is so darn cute. So lots of people go to see her but then don't want her because on the video you can't tell she has a severe disability. She has a cute face but a really funky, unattractive body. She definitely is not a Maltese. WE think maybe a WEstie mixed with a Llapso. so these people are discussing her but not even trying to pet her, etc so I sit on floor and she flops over to me and gets in my lap and snuggles me. That sealed the deal and I took her home. She was sweet for a month-hence the name we gave her but after that her true personality came out which wasn't mean but not sweet all the time. In fact when my ex came to visit he was at my house cooking dinner for all of us with my son. My son calls and says Sweetie Pie is growling and chasing them around the kitchen-well flopping around the kitchen. I tell them-duh-give her a treat and she will stop which she did. That girl loved to eat.

[Teacher Terry]

I have had 3 dogs with back problems. For 1 of those the laser treatments cured the problem. The other 2 it did nothing and they had to go on pain meds. My 5lb Maltese takes 2 meds-3x's/day to remain pain free. I have a plate of meds for my 4 old dogs. Only 1 takes no daily meds.

[Teacher Terry]

IL: I can be a sucker. I once took an old Maltese that had advanced Cushing's disease and looked like a pot belly pig. He was full of warts and barely had hair. He was so sweet and his lifetime Mom was going to take him to the HS which I knew would be the end. I took him to the vet and said fix him:|(. Nothing they could do. So I took him to homeopathic vet and he had 7 good months, feeling better then ever. The homeopathic meds gave him a good quality of life-he even got to go on a 2 week RV vacation. All my friends adored him.

[ctg492]

I believe it is the spondylosis, the vertebras are 4-5 in the lower back and they look like the are becoming one. Vet said there is not help for this. She said it will eventually press and affect the bladder and bowels, then paralysis will happen. I just do not understand how long I have with my Polly. But suppose we never do.

[rodeosweetheart]

My dog had demyelinating disease, where nerve sheathes were eaten away, resulting in crossed wires andd paralysis that came and went. WE also had dementia. He was 14 and we kept him alive long enough for my son to visit and say goodbye, and he did not recognize my son. It was horrible.

I am so sorry you are going through this with Polly but it sounds like the previcox is taking away her pain and giving her a good quality of life for now?

I waited too long to put my poor doggie to sleep, I will say that, I regret it and would not do that again.

[ctg492]

Rodeosweetheart, I promise Polly and myself I will not wait to long. I also did that with a dog, actually two I guess. I am sorry you and everyone else here has gone through sadness with our loved pets. Yes i had a dog a while back with dementia. I took her to the Vet and asked WHY/What was wrong with my chihuahua. The Vet said this little dog does not even know you. I never knew this happened to dogs :(

[rosarugosa]

Ctg: So sorry, I have no relevant experience to offer but sorry you and your pup are going though this and wishing you well.

[iris lilies]

IL: I can be a sucker. I once took an old Maltese that had advanced Cushing's disease and looked like a pot belly pig. He was full of warts and barely had hair. He was so sweet and his lifetime Mom was going to take him to the HS which I knew would be the end. I took him to the vet and said fix him:|(. Nothing they could do. So I took him to homeopathic vet and he had 7 good months, feeling better then ever. The homeopathic meds gave him a good quality of life-he even got to go on a 2 week RV vacation. All my friends adored him.
Aw, thats nice! I bet he did enjoy that vacation.

[Gardenarian]

I'm so sorry you are going through this with your little dog. I'm glad she is feeling better for now.
I think you just have to see how it goes, and go with your best intuition. It's such a hard call.
Blessings to you both.