Ann's Kingsley coughing & back protection Papillion

Hi! My name is Ann Garback. My Papillon's name is Kingsley, Royal Dog of Wonder re AKC. I named him that because he was born near XMas. So I stole it from the carol! Little did I know how well it would fit him!! He's an agility, obedience, rally  champ. In fact the Vet thinks weave poles were a contributing cause of his IVDD. He is now learning to do scent work. He's had a job for 10 plus years & didn't like retirement. I didn't think to ask the Vet about protecting his back as I was so happy he was breathing. In the ER they told me that several pets had died from spider bites in the last few rain filled days. He did have one 'back attack' brought on by the coughing. It was short--less than 1 minute. Kingsley's been content to just cuddle & sleep. I think the steroids & allergy meds added to his regular pain meds & feeling miserable are the cause. I didn't wrap his back as I saw you said it's not recommended. Thanks for responding. Thanks for your website. I've learned so much. I told my Vets about it. She says she learned a lot about making the dogs comfortable-like raising the dog dishes. I've taught my obedience students some of the games from "things to do with your dog on crate rest". My Vet recommends your site now to her IVDD cases. Thanks again. Hopefully the only long term effects will be my added gray hairs my beautician will have to deal with. Thanks again.

Kingsley's disc problems are at T 8-9,9-10,10-11. He's had many disc episodes. I call them 'back attacks'. Many fewer now that he's getting adequan shots & acupuncture. It's hard to keep a Papillon down! When he tweaks his back, it's like there is a drawstring on either side of his body & somebody pulls one tight. He's on daily muscle relaxants but occasionally he'll do something to bring one on. For example he decided to chase a bird & stopped so quickly that it looked like his back end didn't get the message to stop. His rear end literally lifted off the ground. That caused a severe one. From the coughing he straightened out in less than a minute. Severe ones he can't lift his tail, he's exhausted afterwords & in obvious pain. Mild ones pass & you wouldn't know anything happened. He can't walk during either. Thanks so much for asking.