Three Bulging Discs

[Rhondaj]

Hi,

My yorkie is a rescued yorkie who is very shy named Maggie. Everything has always scared her silly. Recently we moved from Indiana to Wisconsin and into an apartment with all kinds of noises she is not use to. This left her a nervous mess and although I have tried to reassure her she started a painful screaming bark. Immediately found a vet and took her in. He did a full blood work up and took x-rays and found she has 3 bulging discs, 2 in her neck and one mid back. Also the start of arthritis as she is about 9 years old.

He put her on rimadyl 25 mg, I give her a quarter tablet in the morning and another at night. Keeping her quite (crating her is not an option as it makes her crazy) but she is not moving to much anyway. We are on her 3rd week and although she is getting better, when she is startled (any odd noise) she jerks which causes her to bark in pain, although this is now a shorter duration then when we started 3 weeks ago with her medication I just hate it. All of this just scares me silly as I don't want to loose my little girl.

Anyway my question is has anyone gone through this and did you try chiropractic care?

Thanks for any input.

Rhondaj

[christiers]

I have a story to share, but will have to type it at lunch. I also suggest you read the thread "Worried about Layla" YTer linz06, Layla's injury did result in surgery though.

[dwerten]

contact lillymae on here as she uses dog chiropracters and knows alot about it as I have read it in her posts. I would definitely consider this prior to surgery if this dog was mine even though I have never been big on chiros. The only thing that concerns me is the neck region is very delicate in this breed so it has to be someone VERY GOOD.

here is her profile to send pm and I will pm her too with your link

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/member.php?u=19196395

[christiers]

[F so Belle, my non-yorkie furbaby has had a few spinal issues. I will give the abbreviated version, or try to. In January 2004 we came home later in the evening to find Belle paralyzed in her hind legs. We had not noticed any previous issues, she just couldn't use her back legs. Took her to the ER vet, they admitted her and they gave her prednisone thoughout the night trying to reduce the whatever may have been pressing on her back. The next morning at 6:45 Dr. Motley phoned to tell us that she hadn't improved at all, she actually seemed worse. His suggestion was a myelogram and if anything was noticed they would immediately do surgery. She has a disc that had calcified and herniated. Surgery was necessary. One of the surgeons happened to have an opening that morning. She was home by the weekend. Sling-walking, therapy at home, equestrian center for aquatherapy. I was taking her to work with me daily the next week to do her therapy. After a several months of hard work she walked again with a funny gait, but who cared.

For most that would be the happy ending to the story. Not Belle, just about 17 months later to the day, we got up a Tuesday morning in June 2005 to find her paralyzed again. We rushed her back to the same ER vet, given her history and the factor that the head surgeon had just had a cancelation that morning they immediately recommended the myelogram. After the success with the first surgery, there was no question. Of course I blamed myself. I didn't research any information in regards to her condition so I thought it was something we had or had not done for her. She is shihtzu/pekingese...this health issue is not uncommon for pekingese, I would later learn. It was indeed another calcified disc that had herniated. Dr. Stobie told me that even with surgery it was very unlikely that she would recover as much as she had last time, because of the previous time. I didn't want her in any pain and wanted her to have the best possible chance so it was another surgery. I will never forget, he told me not to expect her home until sometime the following week.

We had planned a trip to Alabama that we were suppose to leave for that week, if was cancelled...but my mother was suppose to come back to NJ with us so after they began her surgery I hoped in my car and meet my mom and step-dad halfway in NC to bring her back to my house for a month. It would work out perfect, Belle could stay home and my mom would do her therapy and take her to the equestrian center down the street. The next morning, we had just crossed the NC/VA state line and my phone rang...it was Dr. Stobie. He was calling to update me on Belle, much to his amazement she was progressing phenomenally well. She was trying to kick her back legs when they would sling walk her outside and was voiding on her on. She could go home that evening. (I feel it is important to share that I live 0.2 miles from my ER vet. And they had learned I was neurotic.)

Within a month she was walking out of her sling, everyone was impressed. Hindsight, I think she knew her one sister was sick and not for this world much longer and that is why she healed so quickly. I lost my first yorkie the very next month at a mere 10 and half years old.

So part two for Belle was a bitter-sweet happy ending. Again, her story wasn't over. In the summer of 2007, one day she was walking slowly and her tail wasn't curled up. She exhibited a few signs of pain. We took her to the regular vet, Dr. Scholan placed her on a 3 week prednisone therapy, added vetri-disc to her daily regimen and mention a possible long term steriod treatment for management. Now I have been in the medical field since right after high school, while completing college...mostly in a pediatric office. Long term steriods....I had rather have another surgery (which we were told was an option as in her films from 2005 there was another calcified disc). On the computer I went...I connected with this amazing woman and shared Belle's story with her. This lovely women must have spent days doing her own research even though she didn't have a furbaby that had experienced anything like Belle.

At that time I was feeding my girls what I found out to be an inferior diet. I didn't know about by-products, fillers, corn, gluten, wheat, ect. My first yorkie joined our family when I was still in high school and I just continued caring for her the way my stepmom had when I moved out and acquired her. It was "working" for her so I continued to do the same for another yorkie and Belle as they joined our family. If only I could turn back time. Anywho....hindsight....just makes you kick yourself over and over again. I took the recommendations my internet friend had sent me, the research I had done and made an appointment with one of my vets. Her recheck after her 3 week therapy.

This time I met with Dr. Glicker, Dr. Scholan's wife. I went in with nutritional information, supplement info, alternatives to long-term prednisone info, ect. We switch from the food that I had thought was so good for them to a diet consisting of Merrick dry and canned food. We added Zuke's hip action for the daily dose of glucosamine and chondroitin. We added fish oil daily to all of there diets. Belle continued and still gets Vetri-Disc and instead of long-term prednisone Dr. Glicker and I agreed on maintance therapy of Metacam. We have altered her regimen here and there, trying Orijen, adding Stella & Chewy's raw diet. Belle has been thriving very well ever since (knock on wood)...I fear typing that because I would never want to jinx us.

We still do therapy exercises with her, never consulted a chiropractor but have considered adding accupunture but have been lacks in checking into that further due to the last year we have had. One I get a complete handle on Coco's MVD then I am back to considering ways to continue helping Belle strengthen her back. One issue at a time, right?

The best of luck with what you are going through. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.


For most that would be the end of the story, 17 months later Belle
[/FONT]

[linz06]

Please please please talk to a specialist (orthopedic or neurologist) before using a chiropractor. I considered it for Layla, but it can be very dangerous to move the spine AT ALL with bulging discs. Any sudden movement can cause a disc to rupture, spilling contents into the spinal column and compressing the spinal cord. I am going through this right now with my Layla, and she has been paralyzed in her hind end now for almost 8 weeks. The absolute most important thing to do right now is strict crate rest for at least 8 weeks... even if she starts feeling better and acting herself, keep her confined and not moving. There is a Yahoo group called Dodgers List which is a support group for these pups with spinal and back issues. I have learned a lot and I would really urge you to join.

[Rhondaj]

Christie,

Thank you for the reference to Layla. I read her story and cried through a lot of it. I will add her to my prayers.

These little ones of ours steal our hearts in a moment and its terrible when they hurt as it hurts us deeply too.

Rhondaj

[christiers]

Originally Posted by linz06

Please please please talk to a specialist (orthopedic or neurologist) before using a chiropractor. I considered it for Layla, but it can be very dangerous to move the spine AT ALL with bulging discs. Any sudden movement can cause a disc to rupture, spilling contents into the spinal column and compressing the spinal cord. I am going through this right now with my Layla, and she has been paralyzed in her hind end now for almost 8 weeks. The absolute most important thing to do right now is strict crate rest for at least 8 weeks... even if she starts feeling better and acting herself, keep her confined and not moving. There is a Yahoo group called Dodgers List which is a support group for these pups with spinal and back issues. I have learned a lot and I would really urge you to join.

I have been watching all day for your reply. Y'all are working so diligently with Layla with the laser therapies, physical therapies, now the sling walking. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Originally Posted by Rhondaj

Christie,

Thank you for the reference to Layla. I read her story and cried through a lot of it. I will add her to my prayers.

These little ones of ours steal our hearts in a moment and its terrible when they hurt as it hurts us deeply too.

Rhondaj

Me too Rhonda, I anxiously await an update each day. I have never meet them, do not know them beyond her thread but I get so excited about Layla wagging her tail, proudly sling walking, walking on the underwater threadmill. Their story is one of devotion and it is a two-way street. Layla, Lindsey, & Scott have been in my prayers since the first day I read her story.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by linz06

Please please please talk to a specialist (orthopedic or neurologist) before using a chiropractor. I considered it for Layla, but it can be very dangerous to move the spine AT ALL with bulging discs. Any sudden movement can cause a disc to rupture, spilling contents into the spinal column and compressing the spinal cord. I am going through this right now with my Layla, and she has been paralyzed in her hind end now for almost 8 weeks. The absolute most important thing to do right now is strict crate rest for at least 8 weeks... even if she starts feeling better and acting herself, keep her confined and not moving. There is a Yahoo group called Dodgers List which is a support group for these pups with spinal and back issues. I have learned a lot and I would really urge you to join.

I totally agree. I had a pup with two herniated discs and luckily got the surgery done on him in time. These things are nothing to mess with imho.
I would never consider a chiropractor. They cannot fix those discs and one wrong move and that is it. I know many believe in them...I am simply not one especially for herniated discs.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by dwerten

contact lillymae on here as she uses dog chiropracters and knows alot about it as I have read it in her posts. I would definitely consider this prior to surgery if this dog was mine even though I have never been big on chiros. The only thing that concerns me is the neck region is very delicate in this breed so it has to be someone VERY GOOD.

here is her profile to send pm and I will pm her too with your link

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/member.php?u=19196395

They do not do the neck the same way they do on humans. They use a little tool call an activator so it's very safe unless you get someone who goes twisting and turning. I always tell people when they call for a first time appt , Always ask if they use the activator.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I totally agree. I had a pup with two herniated discs and luckily got the surgery done on him in time. These things are nothing to mess with imho.
I would never consider a chiropractor. They cannot fix those discs and one wrong move and that is it. I know many believe in them...I am simply not one especially for herniated discs.

I have had several with herniated discs and not one had to have surgery and most were better immediately. If the disc is ruptured then they will need surgery but about 80% of of herniated discs can be put back in with Chiro. The herniated disc just means that the vertebra are moved in a way that allowes the disc to slip out and most of the time can be moved back into place with manipulation. The ruptured disc is actually popped like a balloon and the fluid has gone out of the disc. Same goes with surgery, one wrong move and that's it. At this time the Chiro I use has 5 dogs ( patients ) who had back surgery and still have to see the Chiro and I live in a small town. When I was in California the Chiro I used had around 40 dogs as patients who had surgery. So I always do Chiro 1st as surgery is very painful and recovery long. I have 2 now that vet said needed surgery or they would never walk again and they are both out chasing squirrels.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lillymae

I have had several with herniated discs and not one had to have surgery and most were better immediately. If the disc is ruptured then they will need surgery but about 80% of of herniated discs can be put back in with Chiro. The herniated disc just means that the vertebra are moved in a way that allowes the disc to slip out and most of the time can be moved back into place with manipulation. The ruptured disc is actually popped like a balloon and the fluid has gone out of the disc. Same goes with surgery, one wrong move and that's it. At this time the Chiro I use has 5 dogs ( patients ) who had back surgery and still have to see the Chiro and I live in a small town. When I was in California the Chiro I used had around 40 dogs as patients who had surgery. So I always do Chiro 1st as surgery is very painful and recovery long. I have 2 now that vet said needed surgery or they would never walk again and they are both out chasing squirrels.

Many people avoid surgery. I do not. This pup had clear neurological signs and could not stand.
To my understanding a ruptured disc is a herniated disc.
To each his own. I do not use chiropractors with anything of that nature.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Many people avoid surgery. I do not. This pup had clear neurological signs and could not stand.
To my understanding a ruptured disc is a herniated disc.
To each his own. I do not use chiropractors with anything of that nature.

I do not mean they are the same...just that I look at them the same way. I so know those words will be pounced on.
Perhaps my thinking may be viewed as radical, but I don't mess around with neurological things.

[Rhondaj]

Thank you all for your information, this is a new area for me and with the stress of having moved, being unemployed at the moment and then having my poor baby girl hurting I really appreciate the support.

It sounds to me like I have to really educate myself just like I do when I have a health issue so its great to have this forum for that.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Rhondaj

Thank you all for your information, this is a new area for me and with the stress of having moved, being unemployed at the moment and then having my poor baby girl hurting I really appreciate the support.

It sounds to me like I have to really educate myself just like I do when I have a health issue so its great to have this forum for that.

Yes, it is good to read everything you can on disc disease in dogs.

I have a question : How did they diagnose this? Have a CT scan, MRI and/or myelogram been done?

[ladyjane]

A couple of links to articles that might be helpful to you:

discbook


http://www.vshsd.com/For_Veterinarians-Articles___Papers/Disc%20Disease%20RLevitskiOsgoodDVM.pdf


I wish you well with your pupster! Hopefully she will continue to improve!