Kirby isn't improving
 

Poor Kirby...my daughter's dog and also Maddie's brother. He has a ruptured disc in his back and this has gone on now, for about 3 weeks. He's on so many meds I have to wonder just how much of this his little body can take. He can't walk well because back legs are partially paralyzed and we are to only let him walk when we take him out to potty. We have to keep him in a cat crate so there is not room for movement. Right now, I went to take him out and he's turned in there and I can't get him out. Just gave him more meds and I hope that that helps so that he can move into a more comfy position. The vet says there's a good chance he can recover, but I can't help feel discouraged since we have seen no improvement. His backbone sticks out so far in the area where the bad disc is. This is all just breaking my heart. Please say prayers for Kirby...he's such a little sweetheart. My daughter told me today they are giving it 2 weeks. It is so hard seeing him suffer and so incapacitated.

Poor guy! I have a friend on another board that is going through the exact same thing with her beagle. Have you or your daughter joined a handicapped pet board? My friend did, and it has really helped her dog improve.

2 weeks? poor baby, praying he will improve quickly.

Thanks for the info. Do you have a link for that handicapped pet board?

I'll PM her and post it as soon as she responds.

So sorry to hear that, Connie. :(

Hopefully things will get better soon!

OH that poor baby. Prayer's coming that he get's better and out of pain.
How very sad for all of you.

I'm so sorry :( Sending warm healing thoughts your way...

I'm just losing it here. Kirby is much worse than he was yesterday. Our vet is out of town but will be back about 5 so we will have Kirby seen. I cannot even get him out of the cat crate. He doesn't have any sparkle left in his eyes. I can't stand it and crying like a baby. I love little Kirby. All I can think of is how he loved to go on walks...he'd just go hopping along as fast as his little legs could carry him. I am losing hope here. Can't stand the thought of losing him, but I just don't think he's going to be able to overcome this.

My first dog, a shih-tzu/pom mix had this happen when he was 3 and instead of going into all the details the vet was afraid of surgery so what we did was physical therapy.......filled up the bathtub and let him doggie paddle while we held him in the tub an hour every nite. I was in 5th grade at the time...Murphy was 3......he lived to be 16 1/2 with movement in every leg and no paralysis......we put him down two years ago, a month after I graduated from College (i got him my first day of 2nd grade) and a few months before my wedding.............anything is possible........there is no harm in trying physical therapy while waiting for other options. I know what it's like so I will be sending LOTS of prayers your way!

Prayers to poor littler Kirby!!!! :(

Oh, I'm so sorry. That poor baby. I will pray that he improves soon. Is she confident in her vet? If not, maybe another one would be more experienced in somethimg like that (?) Just grasping at straws, I guess. XOXO

Connie, What are you saying? Kirby might not make it through this?

Poor Kirby..I hope the vet can give you more encouraging news today..he may get that sparkle in his eye back yet...it could be a long time before you see it though if he has a long recovery ahead of him..

Oh, Connie....
I am so sorry to hear that he is not doing any better and I know how your heart must be breaking to watch this. If there is anything I can do to help ... Please let me know, okay?

Prayers coming your way.....

I am so sorry he hasn't improved. Have you looked into acupuncture treatments for him? Perhaps this could help - maybe his body would relax or the treatment could help correct the issues.

Here's a link to my vet's website - actually this will take you to a testimonial page & 2 different owners talk about back problems being resolved with acupuncture instead of suregery: http://www.apvet.com/testimonials.html
His site has some good general information - you could even call him - he is a great guy and could give you some help, He has traveled the world presenting to other vets & may be able to refer you to someone in your area

Check him out and also these 2 sites - http://www.aava.org/ or http://www.ivas.org/
on both of these you can search for someone in your area

Connie I am so sorry that Kirby is not improving. It is so hard to watch them suffer. Is he still interested in eating? I hope YT prayers can perform another miracle!! I'm here if you need me.

Prayers and Positive thoughts coming to Kirby and family. :hands:

It's so hard to see our little sidekicks go through something so traumatic, isn't it?? We've probably all been there, done that when our babies have been sick or hurting and would gladly trade places with them just to see the pain go away for them. I feel for you and your daughter and hope your little one gets better soon!! Prayers coming your way!! :aimeeyork

Ooh connie i am so sorry about little Kirby, was wondering how he is doing. Its so sad when a little one is hurting, just tears your heart out :cry: what does the vet say ? i realy hope you see an improvement soon ! We will pray for him and hope he gets better !

Thank you everyone. I know acupuncture works, because it has done wonders for me. Melissa checked with my chiropractor and her receptionist says she doesn't do acupuncture on dogs, but she will do adjusting, but I don't think that's a good idea with the shape Kirby is in. I had to take the cat crate apart to get him out today. He could stand only for a short time. Then I noticed he had poop stuck on his butt which was on my shirt. So, since I figured he couldn't walk anyway, I put him in the cat crate (after cleaning him up) and didh't put it back together...just to run downstairs and put my shirt in the washer. I came up and Kirby was standing in the hallway. My gosh...he had walked all the way down the hallway, into a bedroom and back...and the whole while, he was peeing. I have never seen so much pee. I quickly put him back in his crate and started cleaning. Used a whole can of spot shot and then used the get serious stuff. I dumped it on full strength and now it looks like I bleached the carpet. I am sick about that. I hope it dries before my hubby gets home or I'll be in deep doo doo. Tomorrow morn I'll use the steam cleaner and clean the areas he hit. At least I know he can walk and that is good! We are not supposed to let him walk except to go potty, so he walked way more than he should have. Maybe there still is hope!

Thanks for the links and advice! I looked at those sites and from there, did a search for an acupuncturist in ND. There is only one and he is, I think, 5 hours away. Darn. I was hoping my chiropractor could do acupuncture on Kirby, but I guess she only adjusts dogs. I suppose there's special training involved for dogs. She has helped me many times with acupuncture and I'm a believer in it!

Sounds like he is having a tough time. You know, they don't like to potty on themselves, so he probably has been holding it plus the drugs are having an effect on his motor skills besides his spinal issues.

Good luck today, and it does sound like he is suffering. Warmly, Deborah

Maybe there are other Chiropractors that would do accupuncter for him?

Hi Nicole...my chiropractor is the only one that does acupuncture here. If there was anyone else that would do it for a dog, she would know. I think we'll call the guy 5 hours away, but I'm sure it would take many treatments and that would be a long drive each time.

Connie,
There has to be something to help him.
He is so young, I can not fathom the fact that he is suffering to the point of possibly losing him.

What can I do for you?

Ahhhh Nicole...you sweetheart! All I ask for you to do is pray for his recovery. It's like his back is bent...it sticks out so much in the bad area...and when you run your hand down his back, it curves way over to the right hand side. I know he is so young...he's only 3. I will be so glad to see our vet when he gets back to town. We will also ask him if he thinks my chriopractor should do an adjustment on him. Anything to help that poor baby.

Prayers are coming Kirby's way. NONSTOP

:hands: :hands: :hands: :hands: :hands:

Im so sorry, I know its so hard seeing him like that. My first Yorkiemix was stepped on by the owners child at a few weeks old and I took this baby in, she wasnt in pain even thou her back was crushed and she had no feelings back there. so we kept her as she was, nothing could be done for her, at about 7 years she started getting really bad, walking backwards then not walking at all. We made her comfortible in our tub with heating pads, blankets, but just seeing her like that hurt my heart so bad, I use to go sit with her and just love on her and cry. we finally put her to sleep. her body could not take it any more an dit was shutting down. so I know how you are feeling.
YT prayers are very strong. Prayers are very strong and I do believe in them. I will pray for this baby and all we can do is put it in Gods hands. Stay strong for the baby and keep the faith.

Sorry it took so long, here are the places I was talking about-
www.handicappedpets.com

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/

I hope they can ofer you some suggestions and hope.