Sailor's Back Problems

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

I took Sailor Bear to the vet this morning after a long scary day yesterday...yesterday morning she was fine, she played outside since it was finally warm and dry enough for the puppies to go out. We took her for a walk in the afternoon, to enjoy the pretty day...well a couple of hours later my dad notice she was limping a little bit. We didn't think to much of it, since we now that she has knee pain sometimes. But later on in the afternoon, she suddenly stopped walking at all. She would stand up but would fall back down or stuble around. We couldn't tell if it was her back legs or her front legs as she could barely hold herself up. Immediately I gave her a Medrol pill, as I know this is for inflamation and could help relieve some pain for her. We put her in a crate and gave her lots of TLC. A couple of hours later she was barely able to hold herself up and was putting all her body weight on her front legs and was standing on the tips of her back legs with hardly any weight at all. We knew something was defintely wrong...but wanted our regular vet to see her so we held her for the rest of the night until she could be seen this morning.

The vet told us that the problem is in her back. She probably has either a pinched nerve or a slipped disk. He gave her some heavier pain meds and told us that she needs to be on restriction for a couple of weeks to allow it to heal. If she doesn't get any better on the meds and rest he said the next option would be surgery. I was in total shock as I had no idea that all this could be in her back. She is a tropper and doesn't seem to be in too much pain, just lays around alot sleeping.

Has anyone every experience any back problems in their yorkies?? I had never heard of yorkies with back problems...mostly knee problems. Sailor is currently curdled up in her crate sleeping but I know she missing being able to play with the others...she is mentally ready but won't be physical for a while.

We are hoping with lots of rest that the problems will heal itself and she will be back on her feet soon...although the vet said NO more jumping on/off the furniture!!

[littlewhip]

Iam so sorry your babie is having back problems, I have a friend whos s**tztue had a disc problem, he is on meds and they have to watch him close, he is not suppose to have heavy activites or jumping, saying a prayer for you both.

[simonandhallie]

Awwwww poor Sailor I hate when they don't feel good. I don't have any experience with back problems but I hope she gets to feeling better on her own.

[kalina82]

i'm sorry Sailor is having back problems. The hospital i work in has a neurologist so i see back dogs every day. A lot of them end up having surgery and they do quite well afterwards. Its a long hard road tho compared to a knee surgery. If she doesn't get better soon she should probably get an MRI done to find out what the problem is. Steroids might be able to help her or they might not. if your going to wait and see, restriction is key. carry her in and out to go potty and unfortunately she needs to stay in the crate all the time unless she is sitting with you.

[Ladymom]

I'm so sorry to hear about Sailor. I hope that rest makes her feel better and she doesn't need surgery.

To answer your question, yes, I have heard that jumping on and off furniture can be just as hard on backs as knees in toy breed dogs.

[LuvMySissy]

I have no experience with this, but wanted to send healing wishes to Sailor!!

[saphire]

Sorry your little one is in pain. Hope it comes right without surgery.

[Rockster's Mom]

Poor sweet Sailor!!! I hope she feels better soon. Just think lots of lap time.

[mogli]

Very sorry to hear about Sailor!

In March, our mixed-breed dog named Sissy Dog was out playing in the backyard with my wife. Let out a yip.

Over the next 3 hours it got progressively worse. We took her to the ER and they gave her steroids and medicines ... they called us in the morning and said she was doing worse, and to take her to University of Florida Vet school in Gainesville.

At this point she had no control from her last rib down. No continence ... and she was in pain.

We took her in, they said she had a pinched nerve / ruptured disk. Emergency back surgery to aleviate the pressure.

I won't lie. The whole ordeal cost over $5000. But she's one of our babies.

She came home with staples in her back ... from neck to tail. We kept her in a baby crib so she couldn't move. We sent her home to Grandpa (retired) to watch for a week or so.

She started moving her legs slowly but surely. About 3 weeks later she started walking again.

She hobbles a little sometimes ... but she is in no pain, and has made a 90% recovery. I was hoping she'd be a little slower, she always gets to the ball first, but she's fast as ever.

There is always hope. I'd recommend a second opinion to get her back scanned and see if there's anything they can do.

As you surely have been ... give her all the love and attention you can and make sure she's comfortable.

[ellie81]

oh I'm sorry to hear this about Sailor. I hope she get better soon!!!!

[Connie]

I'm so sorry to hear about Sailor's back problem. We have recently been through that with my daughter's yorkie, Kirby. He started out with the limping and crying in pain. He was given cortisone and pain killers and the vet told us that with the prednisone, he will have a false sense of feeling fine, so to keep him in his crate at all times, unless holding him, and carry him outside to go potty, then pick him up and carry him back in. Well, I think my daughter figured he would be okay outside the crate and he got worse. So bad that his back legs were partially paralyzed...it was the most pitiful thing and he was in pain. X-rays showed a ruptured disc, which I think would not have ruptured had they kept him in his crate, restricting exercise and movement. The disc was pushing into the spinal cord and if it broke through, he could be totally paralyzed. So, we were given the option of surgery which would not be a guarantee. Our vet told us he has seen as many dogs recover without surgery as with. So, we then had to keep him in a cat crate so he could not move around at all. There were a couple of times we thought we had to get him put out of his misery, but our vet kept telling us he can recover. It took 6 weeks from the start of this, but Kirby started walking and showing interest in things once again. He had lost his muscle mass in his poor little body, but he has now built up muscle in his legs and a little on his back. He is walking almost normal again and happy...little Kirby is so happy and so are we.

The most important thing I could suggest is keep Sailor quiet...as much as you want to let her out of that crate, don't do it. Just hold her a lot! The more she's allowed to move around, the worse the injury can get.

Kirby was on prednisone, tenadol? (pain killer) and a sedative to help him relax and not try to move around. PM me if you have any questions or just need a shoulder. It was a long haul with Kirby, and I felt it was a miracle when all of a sudden, he started showing signs of improvement. Best wishes to Sailor and you!

[cocoabean]

Try utilizing a SPECIALIST in HOLISTIC/HOMEOPATHIC Animal Medicine. GREAT SUCCESS. Much better than SURGERY.....