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| Back Injury in Our 3 year Old Dog |
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Question:
Our 3 year old Boston Terrier recently developed a back injury, how, we
don't know. At first he was limping from his left back leg. After about
a day, his left front leg was also giving him problems. The next day, he
could not even get up. We took him to the vet thinking he had done
something to his legs, but rather found out it was a swollen disc or
possibly a slipped disc.
The vet advised us to keep him in a small area
and to keep him still as possible for two weeks. He gave the dog a shot
of cortizone and an anti-inflammatory for us to give him twice daily.
This has only been two days ago. Our dog will not get up now even to
eat, he does manage somehow to do his business though. I don't want to
force him into walking, but I am getting really concerned he may be
getting worse.
Should we wait the two weeks or should we get another
opinion before it's too late? Is there anything else we can do to
relieve the pain or would the absence of the pain be the wrong thing to
do since I assume animals rely on pain to tell them not to move around?
Answer:
While is is EXTREMELY important to keep the dog immobilized to prevent
worsening of the injury (possibly leading to paralysis), it seems
uncommon for the dog not to even try to move. Most of the people I know
of have problems keeping their dogs from trying to move around.
However, if the pain is bad for your animal, this may explain the lack
of motility. Certainly, seek another opinion if you are unsure. The
worst pain an owner can feel is guilt over POSSIBLY not doing the right
thing for their animal.
All I can say is that you should not encourage your dog to move.
Immobilization is important. As for the second opinion, if you have
questions about your vet's course of treatment, CERTAINLY get another
qualified opinion.
We have a cocker spaniel who ruptured his disk, it was a very long
healing process. We were given the option of surgery (which was
$1200.00) or the cortizone shots and predizone tablets which we gave
him five times a day. It took almost three months for him to get
better, however, in the beginning he couldn't even walk, we carried
him up and down three flights of steps every day until we were
exhausted, however, he did get better, he never returned to exactly
what he used to be, he is less active, but he is fine, so I know that
it is really hard to see your dog like this, but give him a few days,
carry him wherever he needs to go, and be patient.
Don't expect a
miracle over night like I did, it just doesn't happen. It is all
worth it...because he is good now and a really loving dog.
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