My mini dachshund Izzy had her IVDD surgery on 12/24/12. She is currently able to walk - still kind of staggering - and sometimes even trying to run. What I'm wondering is - #1 is / should she still be staggering and #2 should she be aloud to try to run We do take her for short walks outside daily and we have tried aqua therapy - but she absolutely hates it .... Seems scared ----- anybody have any answers of helpful hints they can give to me ?? Thank you, Erin and Izzy
Erin, wobbliness, staggering are due to nerve damage. Are you doing any laser light therapy or acupuncture to help the nerves to keep on healing?
Are you doing home water therapy or at a clinic? At home I would just use a child's wading pool with water below the chest. The lower the water the more resistance. Here you can see Linda's Jolene practicing walking:
Fast paced walks and running in a straight line (no zig zagging) would help the muscles supporting the spine stay strong. Of course if she is falling or tipping over then she is not stable enough for that activity yet.
Hi Angela, Thanks for getting back to me. I'm so glad you said Harper was wobbly after the surgery. That makes me feel so much better about Izzy's wobbliness. It's only been since Christmas Eve (2012) since her surgery...I just need to be patient and give her healing time. I''m not to computer savvy - it seems like I have trouble logging into Dodgerslist ( it took me about 40 minutes this time to log into it) is it possible that I email you when and if I have questions ? Or would you rather communicate via Dodgers list Thanks, Erin (Izzy's mom)
Hi ~ I think I figured my log I issues .... Finally ! I am not doing laser therapy or acupuncture ... The vets around where I'm from do that kind of stuff. People keep saying about going to a chiropractor to be examined and possibly get " worked " on.... I just don't that's a wise idea - do you .. Thanks, Erin (Izzy's mom )
It's not a good idea to for an IVDD dog to have Chiropractic and this info is from a Neurologist that advises us here on Dodgerslist. Laser light therapy and Acupuncture are very effective therapies for IVDD and encourage the nerves to regenerate! Hope the info below helps! Take care, Pauliana
Chiropractic Therapy (aka VOM) written for Dodgerslist by Dr. Andrew Isaacs, DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
January 2011
"Extreme caution needs to be exercised in considering chiropractic therapy for a dog.
In general, chiropractic therapy is contraindicated for a chondrodystrophic dog (Dachshund, Beagle, Basset Hound, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, etc.) with clinical signs suggestive of degenerative intervertebral disk disease (IVDD).
There is a big difference between a chondrodystrophic dog and a human with a "bad disk". Poor understanding of the pathophysiology can lead to treatments appropriate for a human being applied to dogs with catastrophic results. Unfortunately, I have seen cases where chiropractic therapy has caused loss of deep pain sensation.
The ideal treatment for a dog with IVDD depends on the degree of disk material that has herniated (ruptured) and is compressing the spinal cord.
Advanced imaging of the spine (MRI/CT/myelogram) allows not only for a diagnosis of IVDD, but determines the degree of spinal cord compression. If the degree of compression is severe enough, to facilitate a quicker, more complete recovery, swift surgical management is ideal. If advanced imaging does not demonstrate severe spinal cord compression, medical management has a greater chance of benefit.
If advanced imaging and/or surgery is not feasible, medical management can be attempted. However, chiropractic therapy is NOT an advisable component of medical management for a chondrodystrophic dog with clinical signs suggestive of degenerative intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)."
Disclaimer:
This information is presented for educational purposes and as a resource
for the IVD dog community. The coordinators are not veterinarians or
health care professionals. Nothing herein should be interpreted as
medical advice and all should contact their pet care professionals for
advice. The coordinators are not responsible for the substance and
content contained herein and do not advocate any particular product,
item or position contained herein.
and #2 should she be aloud to try to run 
