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maggiefromnj · 09-15-2016, 09:44 AM

Maggie is an adorable 6 yearold , 10 pound yorki poo. She was fine until Tuesday morning. I heard her downstairs barking at some perceived danger. Then she came upstairs and was pawing at my leg for something. She only does that when I have food, or am ignoring her when strangers are over (stressed), and on the rare occasions when she needs to go out and I don't know it.

I let her out and she acted oddly, she just sat down in the grass...she didn't walk around to do her business. Then she went on the deck and laid donw in the soft chair. SHe was shaking, she didn't want me to hold her. She was glued to me all day, but didn't want to do anything so I could tell she was in pain. I took her to the vet that afternoon who thought her mid back muscles felt tight and thought she tensed up when she pressed there. She prescribed Rimadyl, 25 mg split in half, twice a day. We assume she got hurt because she probably jumped off the sofa after seeing something out the window that bothered her (the barking I heard)

She was worse yesterday, didn't want to go up the stairs, just wanted to lie down and seemed a bit unsteady on her back legs.

This morning she was even worse. It is noticeable that she sways when I put her down. I took her to a different vet because mine wouldn't see her until this evening and i was concerned. At the vet he pointed out that she had her back foot tucked under, toes pointing backwards. He said that she doesn't have proper feeling in it (not sure if it's both). He said her front legs, eyes etc are fine. She's eating. He agrees its her back and is probably a herniated disc. She did have back pain closer to her tail for a few days in 2015 that resolved with Rimadyl. She recovered quickly from that. He said to keep her on the Rimadyl for about a week. He offered the option of steroids but she has to be off rimadyl first (he said one day, I read 3). He said I could take her to Univ of Penn if she doesn't get better.

I'm not sure how long I should give her. I got the impression that as long as she is walking that is ok, but if she stops them I should go to Penn. Not sure if I should try the steroid first.
I worry that Penn will be quick to operate and I'd rather avoid that (but maybe they could do her loose knee at the same time!)

The MRI is 1100 (+210 for contrast). I made an appt for Tuesday with the PennVet who will get her in the MRI if she needs it. If she goes as outpatient the times are limited and I'd still have to get bloodwork. If she gets worse over the weekend they have the ER.

I plan to give her rest and rimadyl. I plan to take her on Tuesday if she is not improved, but if she is improved should I wait another week?

As far as walking....she CAN walk but is a little unsteady (though now I know to make sure her foot is facing the right way) Is it bad if she she can walk but chooses not to, or just if she CANNOT walk?

It's a fine line between overtreating and undertreating.

Any advice?

09-15-2016, 09:44 AM	#1
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	Possible herniated disc Maggie is an adorable 6 yearold , 10 pound yorki poo. She was fine until Tuesday morning. I heard her downstairs barking at some perceived danger. Then she came upstairs and was pawing at my leg for something. She only does that when I have food, or am ignoring her when strangers are over (stressed), and on the rare occasions when she needs to go out and I don't know it. I let her out and she acted oddly, she just sat down in the grass...she didn't walk around to do her business. Then she went on the deck and laid donw in the soft chair. SHe was shaking, she didn't want me to hold her. She was glued to me all day, but didn't want to do anything so I could tell she was in pain. I took her to the vet that afternoon who thought her mid back muscles felt tight and thought she tensed up when she pressed there. She prescribed Rimadyl, 25 mg split in half, twice a day. We assume she got hurt because she probably jumped off the sofa after seeing something out the window that bothered her (the barking I heard) She was worse yesterday, didn't want to go up the stairs, just wanted to lie down and seemed a bit unsteady on her back legs. This morning she was even worse. It is noticeable that she sways when I put her down. I took her to a different vet because mine wouldn't see her until this evening and i was concerned. At the vet he pointed out that she had her back foot tucked under, toes pointing backwards. He said that she doesn't have proper feeling in it (not sure if it's both). He said her front legs, eyes etc are fine. She's eating. He agrees its her back and is probably a herniated disc. She did have back pain closer to her tail for a few days in 2015 that resolved with Rimadyl. She recovered quickly from that. He said to keep her on the Rimadyl for about a week. He offered the option of steroids but she has to be off rimadyl first (he said one day, I read 3). He said I could take her to Univ of Penn if she doesn't get better. I'm not sure how long I should give her. I got the impression that as long as she is walking that is ok, but if she stops them I should go to Penn. Not sure if I should try the steroid first. I worry that Penn will be quick to operate and I'd rather avoid that (but maybe they could do her loose knee at the same time!) The MRI is 1100 (+210 for contrast). I made an appt for Tuesday with the PennVet who will get her in the MRI if she needs it. If she goes as outpatient the times are limited and I'd still have to get bloodwork. If she gets worse over the weekend they have the ER. I plan to give her rest and rimadyl. I plan to take her on Tuesday if she is not improved, but if she is improved should I wait another week? As far as walking....she CAN walk but is a little unsteady (though now I know to make sure her foot is facing the right way) Is it bad if she she can walk but chooses not to, or just if she CANNOT walk? It's a fine line between overtreating and undertreating. Any advice?