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Post by Sophie & Ronald on Mar 10, 2021 2:30:26 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Cocker spaniel IVDD ]
I have a male cocker spaniel who is 6 years old. He suffered from IVDD June 2018. He had grade 4 and it took him a month and 2 surgeries to start to walk again. 3 years on he is nearly back to how he was (given a few things!).
Yesterday (09.03.2021) he had an upset stomach and I went downstairs this morning [Mar 10] (10.03.2021) to let him out and he had pooped in his bed over night. Since I let him out this morning he hasn’t been walking well. I know he can still be sensitive on his back legs if rubbed with a towel or in a squat for a long time. I’m guessing because he might have been straining for a poo during the night it’s made his muscles spasm a little. I am just asking if anyone else has had this happen down the line from their IVDD case?? I am praying it’s not a relapse as he couldn’t go through the recovery again. Please any advice would be much appreciated. He weighs about 18kg [40.5 lbs.] and is on no medication. [Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
18kg /40.5lbs
3/10 impaired gait ] |
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Post by Julie & Perry on Mar 10, 2021 7:25:19 GMT -7
Keep him crated until you see a vet and determine if it is an ivdd episode.
Get him to the vet ASAP as if it is an episode he needs medication.
He can make it through. Don't give up.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 10, 2021 7:36:35 GMT -7
I agree with Julie, Sophie. Immediately crate him to protect his spine from further damage and get him to a vet ASAP. If he's having another disc episode, do know that surgery is not the only treatment. Conservative care consists of 8 weeks of strict crate rest, an anti-inflammatory to get the swelling that's pressing on the nerves of the spine down, pain meds to mask the pain until the swelling resolves and a stomach protector to protect against the side effects of the anti-inflammatory. We'll give more information once you decide which course of treatment you'll follow should this be another disc episode. When you get him to the vet's office, be sure they bring out a gurney or stretcher to take him into the office. The less steps and movement of the spine, the better. Since he's a large dog and you may not be able to carry him, you'll need to think outside of the box as to how to most safely get him into the car. Secure the crate in the car and pad it well with rolled up towels, blankets to prevent your dog from jostling around as you brake and turn corners. SURGERYThe purpose of surgery is to take the pressure off of the spinal cord by removing the disc material causing the compression. Surgical decompression allows a normal blood supply to return to the compressed spinal cord and for neurologic recovery to begin by the body self-healing nerves. CONSERVATIVESeeks to relieve swelling/compression of the spinal cord with an anti-inflammatory. Over time the hope is that disc material where it should not be will shrink back enough so that pain resolves and nerves can start to self repair. More excellent details about the difference between conservative vs. surgery: dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/ dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservativeKeep in mind if for whatever reason, a surgery would not be an option, then the best choice is Conservative treatment. What's your dog's name? What country are you in? We'll be awaiting an update after the vet's exam. Stay strong and stay positive. We're here for you and your cocker spaniel and will help you through his recovery. |
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Post by Sophie & Ronald on Nov 8, 2021 6:06:26 GMT -7
Thank you both for your responses on this. I didn't get notifications to say i had any responses on this! I rested Ronald and took him to the vets ASAP and he was given multiple medications. I was told he wouldn't get any better over night and to return him for a further investigation 72 hours later.
Oddly enough the next day he was back to his "normal" self! So so relieved. It seemed the tummy bug he has was making his muscles spasm and put pressure on his cord which was making him look like he was having another episode.
Thank you both for your advice. This time I was lucky! I had no idea a case of diarrhoea could cause IVDD symptoms! Definitely one to know for the future and maybe for other people to be aware of too.
Due to Covid I was unable to go into the vet practice with Ronald so he also wasn't examined properly as the things Ron does which I know are his new normal the vets weren't aware of so thought this was a sign of IVDD. A shame things were missed due to not being allowed in. I obviously passed all knowledge I knew of to the vet nurse but felt like it went right over her head and wasn't passed on fully to the Vet.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 8, 2021 10:11:53 GMT -7
Sophie, I'm sorry you did not get an email alert to the hotmail email account you registered with. What were the name of the meds he was prescribed? There ARE indeed other diseases than can mimic the signs of a disc episode! All of us here and owners, of course, must depend on a vet being able to narrow down the list of possible diseases to the mostly likely one. With that diagnosis then comes the matching treatment. With the pandemic many things, unfortunately, world wide were able to slip though the crack. These are the things that help an owner to suspicion a disc episode. To crate at once and get to a vet for a diagnosis:  ** Bookmark a thread to receive an email alert when someone has replied.Go to the CONSERVATIVE (or SURGERY) Board 1. Look for your dog's thread listed and checkmark it. 2. Look for the white ACTIONS button towards top. 3. Select “Notification Options" from the pull down menu — check mark “NEW POST” change from "never" to: INSTANT email — press the SAVE button. Click the “x” to close the window 4. Next choose the “Bookmark” See the tiny book symbol now in your dog's thread title!
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