Canine Degenerative Disk Disease ~ Intervertebral Disc Disease

[TLC]

VERY ~ VERY ~ WORRIED

Please I need some help, guidance, experience WHAT EVER you can share...

This is for my Mom's Yorkie Cole. She is a member here: izzierj

They were at the ER vet in the middle of the night, bc Cole was obviously hurt/in pain. He all of a sudden wouldn't climb up the ramp to get into their bed. A little later he could get up and just kept collapsing (his hind legs). They rushed him to the ER vet. The Dr. felt him and didn't find anything wrong. They did a xray, which showed that he was filled with pee and poop - so he obviously was in too much pain/discomfort to be able to relive himself. The xray didn't show anything more, although (and I will try to get this right - as my parents are sleeping now, so I will get more info later) the Dr. said that in his lower back the discs were close and in one spot it may not be straight. Again, I just can't remember the exact words. And also, there is a little hard bump on his back too (may be a calcification ???)

Anyway, the Dr. mentioned a handful of possibilities BUT Disk Disease is a very good possibility.

He gave him a steroid shot and pain meds. They have more steroids and pain meds to bring home and continue to give him. The Dr. said he can be go back to his normal route, but no jumping, etc. And when he is left alone, he needs to be contained. The Dr. said that if he isn't showing improvements in the next 3 to 4 days, then they have to see a Specialist and that surgery may be the route!

I AM CRYING and SO SCARED!!!! Cole is the sweetest little boy EVER!!!! I had the pleasure of adopting him from a YT member. She SAVED him from a horrible backyard breeder, that didn't even know he was born until days and days later, in fact it was too late for the BYB to dock his tail and she didn't want to pay the Vet to do it, so he still has his full tail. The YT family that got him out of there was so kind and caring, they wanted this little man to have the best life and felt he would thrive with us, so that is how he came about to be with us....

This is so sad. My anxiety and stress right now - OMG I am so fearful.....I am reading about this disease online, and in some cases could result in Paralyzation...

Does anyone have any info

Oh, and from what I am reading, Cole needs to be contained 24/7 to allow his disc to rejuvenate

Please PRAY for little Cole

[chickwit]

I am so sorry this has happenedI know nothing about this and cannot give any advice
Sending Prayers your way

[TLC]

This is a GREAT article if anyone ever experiences Dics Disease:

Vets Pioneer Back Surgery For Dogs

[lil fu fu girl]

I am so sorry to hear this. I know personnally how it feels, I have two ruptured disks and a fractured vertebrae. The less he has to do, the better for him now. Carry him up the stairs, put him onto the sofa or bed, do not let him jump up or down, that just puts more pressure on those discs. Give them a chance to heal. I was told 4 years ago that I would have to have a fusion.
Have not yet, and do not plan to. Now I still have pain, but nothing like I did before, because I seriously limit what I do.
Thats why you should limit little man as well. Give them a chance to heal .
My thoughts and prayers are with you and little man!

[TLC]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

[F Gothic]I am so sorry to hear this. I know personnally how it feels, I have two ruptured disks and a fractured vertebrae. The less he has to do, the better for him now. Carry him up the stairs, put him onto the sofa or bed, do not let him jump up or down, that just puts more pressure on those discs. Give them a chance to heal. I was told 4 years ago that I would have to have a fusion. [/FONT]
[F Gothic]Have not yet, and do not plan to. Now I still have pain, but nothing like I did before, because I seriously limit what I do.
Thats why you should limit little man as well. Give them a chance to heal .[/FONT]
[F Gothic]My thoughts and prayers are with you and little man![/FONT]

Thank you. The more I read, the more I am learning (and sharing with my parents), that Cole MUST be contained 24/7 for about 2 months or so to allow the disc to heal. I read it takes 2x as long for a disc to heal vrs. a broken bone

[emilyann]

He is such a dollbaby! I will keep him and your family in my prayers. Bless his heart.

[TLC]

This is his Medical Treatment ~

* Cage Rest
* Prednisone 5 mg (see directions) ~ (1/2 tab, then 1/4 tab) as time goes by
* Tramadol Hyrochloride 50mg (2 times day) ~ for pain liquid

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by TLC

Thank you. The more I read, the more I am learning (and sharing with my parents), that Cole MUST be contained 24/7 for about 2 months or so to allow the disc to heal. I read it takes 2x as long for a disc to heal vrs. a broken bone

Very true, unfortunately. I was off for 2 years to get mine healed to a state where I could go back to work and school.
But the difference between now and then, is unbelievable!
I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for this little guy.

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh my gosh, Nicole ! I am so sorry Cole is in this pain, how scary. Is that calcification a "spur" maybe and pushing on a nerve? I just don't know much about this...but I hope they can figure this out quickly. Cole will be in my thoughts.

[PANAMA69]

I just now seen this, praying for little Cole

[Connie]

Oh no, Nicole! This sounds just like what happened with Kirby! With Kirby it was a herniated disk and then it ruptured. It is important to know that the prednisone will give Cole a sense of well being, and he may act fine...but keep him confined because if it is herniated, movement can cause it to rupture. Also, with Kirby, it was pressing on the spinal cord and sudden movement could cause it to break through. Kirby also had a bump on his back where the problem was and it was hard to see on the X-ray. Our vet had us keep Kirby in a cat crate so there wasn't room to move around. Of course, we would take him out and sit with us quite often and that was fine. Just so he isn't allowed to move around. We were told to carry him outside...once he went potty, pick him up and carry him back in. It was a long recovery and a few times we thought we were going to lose him. I think it was about 7 or 8 weeks. He was partially paralyzed in his back legs. He lost muscle mass during that time and I didn't see how he could ever overcome all of that, but he has. His walk is still a bit different...seems to hold his back legs closer together...but he DID recover and I will be praying that little darling Cole recovers and heals quickly. I am not saying what Cole has is what Kirby had, but it just sounds so similar. The meds you mentioned are what Kirby was on also. Hugs to you, your parents...and lots of kisses and get well wishes to Cole. I'll be checking back for updates.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Connie

Oh no, Nicole! This sounds just like what happened with Kirby! With Kirby it was a herniated disk and then it ruptured. It is important to know that the prednisone will give Cole a sense of well being, and he may act fine...but keep him confined because if it is herniated, movement can cause it to rupture. Also, with Kirby, it was pressing on the spinal cord and sudden movement could cause it to break through. Kirby also had a bump on his back where the problem was and it was hard to see on the X-ray. Our vet had us keep Kirby in a cat crate so there wasn't room to move around. Of course, we would take him out and sit with us quite often and that was fine. Just so he isn't allowed to move around. We were told to carry him outside...once he went potty, pick him up and carry him back in. It was a long recovery and a few times we thought we were going to lose him. I think it was about 7 or 8 weeks. He was partially paralyzed in his back legs. He lost muscle mass during that time and I didn't see how he could ever overcome all of that, but he has. His walk is still a bit different...seems to hold his back legs closer together...but he DID recover and I will be praying that little darling Cole recovers and heals quickly. I am not saying what Cole has is what Kirby had, but it just sounds so similar. The meds you mentioned are what Kirby was on also. Hugs to you, your parents...and lots of kisses and get well wishes to Cole. I'll be checking back for updates.

Thank you Connie ~ I remember about Kirby and was going to contact you today. I am so happy that Kirby got better!

Little Cole was better at the ER as time went by, he can still walk, etc. Th ER DR. gave him a steroid shot and a pain shot, so as soon as they got home, they put Cole on the pad and he poop ~ He actually did pee at the Vet (on the room floor - heeheehee).

They are getting a crate for him and will contain him, except for Potty. You are right about the Prednisone bc Cole is acting fine now, but they are still going to keep this routine as they aren't sure what is happening. Last night Cole had direaha, so my Dad looked up "collapsing dog" online and he read that could happen from toxic bacteria inside him, but we can't be sure and have to treat this has a Disc issue.

Thank you....I will update later

[Connie]

Hi Nicole...I was just checking back for an update. I'm glad that Cole is feeling better! I would guess it is the prednisone. When Kirby first had his problem, the vet told my daughter not to let him do any activity and he told her the prednisone would give Kirby a sense of well being, but that doesn't mean he's okay. I was so upset when I found that he had worsened and they hadn't kept him contained. Because of that, his disk ruptured and he was in much worse shape including partial paralyzation. Hopefully, if this is what is wrong with Cole, his won't get to that point and will heal more quickly. I've sure been thinking of him a lot. I feel so bad for these little ones being in pain and under the weather. Prayer's for that sweet little guy!

[kalina82]

Hi nicole, just got your PM so i ran over here to read what was going on. In my opinion I wouldn't play the wait and see game. I would take him to see a neurologist as soon as you can. They can give you a diagnosis instead of a possibility. With the diagnosis you will have a better game plan.

I would keep him confined all the time in a crate where he can't jump up and down in (so no ex-pen). He's only allowed to go out to potty on a leash. Carry him out let him go and carry him back in, then straight back in the crate. yes it sucks to be crated all the time but if he has spinal problems this is the best way. Think of him as a glass puppy. No running, jumping, playing, stairs. No furniture or beds, or anything he can jump on or off of (or fall off of.) i wouldn't allow him to walk around by him self because all it takes is a split second for him to jump on the couch or try to use the stairs/ramp to get up and down. you don't want any of that.

If he were mine, that is the plan i would follow until i got him to a neurologist. a MRI might also be needed but you'd have to speak to the specialist about that.

i'm so sorry this has happened to cole and your parents.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Connie

Hi Nicole...I was just checking back for an update. I'm glad that Cole is feeling better! I would guess it is the prednisone. When Kirby first had his problem, the vet told my daughter not to let him do any activity and he told her the prednisone would give Kirby a sense of well being, but that doesn't mean he's okay. I was so upset when I found that he had worsened and they hadn't kept him contained. Because of that, his disk ruptured and he was in much worse shape including partial paralyzation. Hopefully, if this is what is wrong with Cole, his won't get to that point and will heal more quickly. I've sure been thinking of him a lot. I feel so bad for these little ones being in pain and under the weather. Prayer's for that sweet little guy!

Originally Posted by kalina82

Hi nicole, just got your PM so i ran over here to read what was going on. In my opinion I wouldn't play the wait and see game. I would take him to see a neurologist as soon as you can. They can give you a diagnosis instead of a possibility. With the diagnosis you will have a better game plan.

I would keep him confined all the time in a crate where he can't jump up and down in (so no ex-pen). He's only allowed to go out to potty on a leash. Carry him out let him go and carry him back in, then straight back in the crate. yes it sucks to be crated all the time but if he has spinal problems this is the best way. Think of him as a glass puppy. No running, jumping, playing, stairs. No furniture or beds, or anything he can jump on or off of (or fall off of.) i wouldn't allow him to walk around by him self because all it takes is a split second for him to jump on the couch or try to use the stairs/ramp to get up and down. you don't want any of that.

If he were mine, that is the plan i would follow until i got him to a neurologist. a MRI might also be needed but you'd have to speak to the specialist about that.

i'm so sorry this has happened to cole and your parents.

THANK YOU ~ They are making an appointment with a Specialist today, hopefully they can bring in him tomorrow. The xpen is very small, only the 4 panels are being used. The whole bottom is covered with pee pad. He has his bed and water. My Mom bought a netting fabric to 'close the top' so he has only enough room to stand (no jumping).

I will relay the messages though about the crate ~ I know if that's what has to be then that's what they will do