[yorkietalkjilly]

The spurs in her spine are created from arthritic changes in the area and the disc disease is likely so painful for a little one, involving major nerves which hurt badly and send shooting pain, muscular weakness, numbness and tingling into the limbs posterior to the damaged discs. You can help her by using ramps so she never has any real hard pressure or sudden jerks put on her fragile or arthritic areas as when jumping.

Giving pain medication to a dog in great pain can truly affect their quality of life for the better. Medication is likely needed most after times of activity, during restless nights and mornings. Likely after much playing, walking a lot and romping around, which can even hurt while doing it with inflamed joints and two degenerated discs, once she lies down, gets still and begins to swell, she'll probably begin to hurt and may be restless because of it, feel more comfortable when up and moving around for a bit every so often. Being up and walking can decrease some of the stiffness and swelling - that's why lying still is so hard for those in severe pain. Same thing when sleeping - during the night injured or arthritic and inflamed areas tend to swell and the dog wakes swollen, stiff and in pain. So after activity, during a restless night and mornings are key times to watch for signs of pain and stiffness, caution in how she moves or fails to do things she used to do and to be sure she gets her pain medication if she's not on scheduled doses.

I know how heartbreaking it can be to watch an elder dog struggle to deal with life and hope you can find some solace here by talking about it. Courage!