Narrowing of spinal column... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mojo · 07-15-2012, 08:55 PM

Yorkie was acting funny yesterday (I think he is 6 or 7). After breakfast, I picked him up under the ribs and he cried. He was walking a bit funny and has been having issues with his hips (noticeable when he lays down) for a while. I took him into the vets and they did an xray (I also asked if they could check his throat for collapsing trachea issues as when he plays he coughs and coughs and coughs). So the vet found that he has some sort of I think he said bulging disc due to narrowing of the spinal column and the area of the narrowing is the area that controls the hips/legs. Gave him a cortisone shot and put him on a tapering dose of prednisone, as well as pain meds. My first concern is he is eating fine, but has not drank anything today, and esp. being on the pred, should be thirstier than usual. I did put a little water into a syringe and made him drink it. I am also wondering why this would occur, will it improve, is it permenant and need to be watched? Yesterday was such a horrible day for me (for many reasons) I didn't even think to ask questions; I was just devastated. He did also have narrowing in his trachea

and the vet advised how to manage - like no collars, harness only which I do anyway, etc.
We have a recheck Friday, just wondering what's going on here and I am calling tomorrow if he doesn't start drinking water, that has me concerned.
My other dog has Addison's which is extremely costly and hard to manage and I am just overwhelmed with my babies illnesses.

yorkietalkjilly · 07-15-2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo

Yorkie was acting funny yesterday (I think he is 6 or 7). After breakfast, I picked him up under the ribs and he cried. He was walking a bit funny and has been having issues with his hips (noticeable when he lays down) for a while. I took him into the vets and they did an xray (I also asked if they could check his throat for collapsing trachea issues as when he plays he coughs and coughs and coughs). So the vet found that he has some sort of I think he said bulging disc due to narrowing of the spinal column and the area of the narrowing is the area that controls the hips/legs. Gave him a cortisone shot and put him on a tapering dose of prednisone, as well as pain meds. My first concern is he is eating fine, but has not drank anything today, and esp. being on the pred, should be thirstier than usual. I did put a little water into a syringe and made him drink it. I am also wondering why this would occur, will it improve, is it permenant and need to be watched? Yesterday was such a horrible day for me (for many reasons) I didn't even think to ask questions; I was just devastated. He did also have narrowing in his trachea

and the vet advised how to manage - like no collars, harness only which I do anyway, etc.
We have a recheck Friday, just wondering what's going on here and I am calling tomorrow if he doesn't start drinking water, that has me concerned.
My other dog has Addison's which is extremely costly and hard to manage and I am just overwhelmed with my babies illnesses.

I am so sorry to hear this news! I know it must be devastating for you. I am adding your baby to my prayers.

When my Tibbe was started on Prednisolone in late May, the vet said he would drink and drink a lot of water. He didn't that first day - I never saw him drink anything & finally syringed water into his mouth. Second day was the same. He was eating a bit, but far from normal. By the third or fourth day he began to resume more normal water drinking and eating until one day, he ate all his on-demand food within about two hours and drank almost a whole bowl of water with it!!! I feared water intoxication and called the vet - was told what to look for but vet didn't think he would have anything near that. He was one miserable little dog the whole rest of the day - full of water-soaked kibble!

I was so glad to get him off that stuff - it totally messed his eating/drinking up and he just couldn't self-regulate his need for food or water. So once he does start to drink on his own, watch him closely for over-consumption of both food and water. Until then, I would give water as I thought necessary to keep well-hydrated.

mojo · 07-15-2012, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I am so sorry to hear this news! I know it must be devastating for you. I am adding your baby to my prayers.

When my Tibbe was started on Prednisolone in late May, the vet said he would drink and drink a lot of water. He didn't that first day - I never saw him drink anything & finally syringed water into his mouth. Second day was the same. He was eating a bit, but far from normal. By the third or fourth day he began to resume more normal water drinking and eating until one day, he ate all his on-demand food within about two hours and drank almost a whole bowl of water with it!!! I feared water intoxication and called the vet - was told what to look for but vet didn't think he would have anything near that. He was one miserable little dog the whole rest of the day - full of water-soaked kibble!

I was so glad to get him off that stuff - it totally messed his eating/drinking up and he just couldn't self-regulate his need for food or water. So once he does start to drink on his own, watch him closely for over-consumption of both food and water. Until then, I would give water as I thought necessary to keep well-hydrated.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. My girl is on pred every other day and does drink more water than normal, so with him having had none, it's freaking me out. He is just not feeling well and the pain medication is making him feel weird. Poor little guy.

lillymae · 07-15-2012, 09:56 PM

It can take a couple of days before you notice a diff in the appetite & water consumption. Also Absolutely jumping on & off any furniture.

lillymae · 07-15-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillymae

It can take a couple of days before you notice a diff in the appetite & water consumption. Also Absolutely jumping on & off any furniture.

OOOPS, meant to say (NO) jumping on & off furniture.

yorkieusa · 07-16-2012, 01:59 PM

Keeping your little one in my prayers. The only suggestion I can make is to consider taking your little one to a specialist, who could tell you what needs to be done. It sounds like it would be painful.

TxVicki · 07-16-2012, 03:34 PM

I will certainly send out prayers for your baby. Have you taken him to a specialist? I think that should be the next step.

mojo · 07-16-2012, 03:53 PM

He finally started drinking water today (thank you Lord!!) and is feeling much better. I did not give him any pain meds, does not seem to need them today. He just brought me his ball and wants to play (sorry pal, not gonna happen), so I know he is feeling better); also had diarrhea today

I am in Northern Nevada, I do not think any specialists in this area. We have our follow up with the vet Friday. I guess similar thing happened with my sisters doxie a while back, he was on long term steroids and crate rest, but he could also barely walk. My dog is pretty much almost back to his peppy self and not understanding why I won't play with him. We will see what the vet says Friday.

kjc · 07-16-2012, 04:02 PM

Sorry this has happened to your sweet baby... just wanted to sat it's okay to put a call in to your vet to go over what was discussed at the appointment and to ask more questions... you don't have to wait for the recheck visit. I usually just leave a message with the receptionist and tell them just to have the vet give me a call when he has a free few minutes....

Glad he's feeling better today.

Lil Sis · 07-16-2012, 04:55 PM

hi
I just went through something like that with my Bailey. He is a shih tuz and was in a lot of pain.. screaming and hunching his back.. scared me to death!!

His treatments were pain meds, steroids and crate rest. It has been about 5 weeks and he is doing ver very well!! We had the xrays and he had bludging disk.. calcified disk. We also took him to a nero and he said he was doing so well with the treatment he did not have to have surgery. I did get care credit so if it happened again and he did have to have surgery I would be prepared.

So.. no jumping on beds.. I took our bed off the frame so it was low and he could be on it and use ramp. I changed his collar for a harness. I have baby gates to keep him in one room so he doesn't run and jump when I am away.

So there is hope... I know how you feel I cried a lot but I will send prayers that your fur baby gets better fast!!

mojo · 07-16-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

hi
I just went through something like that with my Bailey. He is a shih tuz and was in a lot of pain.. screaming and hunching his back.. scared me to death!!

His treatments were pain meds, steroids and crate rest. It has been about 5 weeks and he is doing ver very well!! We had the xrays and he had bludging disk.. calcified disk. We also took him to a nero and he said he was doing so well with the treatment he did not have to have surgery. I did get care credit so if it happened again and he did have to have surgery I would be prepared.

So.. no jumping on beds.. I took our bed off the frame so it was low and he could be on it and use ramp. I changed his collar for a harness. I have baby gates to keep him in one room so he doesn't run and jump when I am away.

So there is hope... I know how you feel I cried a lot but I will send prayers that your fur baby gets better fast!!

Yes, exactly! I had forgotten. His back was all hunched up. The night before and then the two days following, he just layed next to me. I should have known then something wasn't right, he is always running and playing. They never told me crate rest, but he was out of it with the narcotics. Skipped this mornings dose, going to give him a dose in a little while just so he can rest this evening because he is getting too playful and I don't want him re-injuring himself. I do have stairs to my bed and luckily he is not like my little girl who literally hurls herself through the air without looking.
I am feeling more positive today as he is back to his mischevious self. I truly appreciate all the well wishes from everyone! Thank you!

Ellie May · 07-16-2012, 05:25 PM

It can be caused by wear and tear/arthritis.
So many things go into deciding on treatment.
The pup's general health, age pain level, response to conservative treatment, whether they have neuro symptoms, whether they are paralyzed, etc. Your vet will guide you. Should you want to take to a specialist about more imaging and such, you would need to see a neurologist.

It can 'heal' (herniated disc), but will never be like new. The same goes for surgery. It is a lifelong problem. Restrictions should be discussed with your vet. More narrowing and more disc destruction is possible. It is also possible that your pup will have no further issues.

My girl has spinal arthritis/stenosis between between many vertebrae/sclerotic plates. It is mainly in the lumbosacral area but also in her neck. So the first issue was not the end of it for her. She is managed with a lot of pain meds and does ok.

MY OSCAR · 07-17-2012, 03:19 AM

i am so sorry your poor baby is ill.
i am quite sure it is not the same with dogs as with people but my mother had the same symptoms and she had to see a specialist and had some tests done.
her diagnosis was narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis), she had to have surgery to fix it..
hope your little one is better soon....

07-15-2012, 08:55 PM	#1
mojo Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Here, there Posts: 2,693	Narrowing of spinal column... Yorkie was acting funny yesterday (I think he is 6 or 7). After breakfast, I picked him up under the ribs and he cried. He was walking a bit funny and has been having issues with his hips (noticeable when he lays down) for a while. I took him into the vets and they did an xray (I also asked if they could check his throat for collapsing trachea issues as when he plays he coughs and coughs and coughs). So the vet found that he has some sort of I think he said bulging disc due to narrowing of the spinal column and the area of the narrowing is the area that controls the hips/legs. Gave him a cortisone shot and put him on a tapering dose of prednisone, as well as pain meds. My first concern is he is eating fine, but has not drank anything today, and esp. being on the pred, should be thirstier than usual. I did put a little water into a syringe and made him drink it. I am also wondering why this would occur, will it improve, is it permenant and need to be watched? Yesterday was such a horrible day for me (for many reasons) I didn't even think to ask questions; I was just devastated. He did also have narrowing in his trachea and the vet advised how to manage - like no collars, harness only which I do anyway, etc. We have a recheck Friday, just wondering what's going on here and I am calling tomorrow if he doesn't start drinking water, that has me concerned. My other dog has Addison's which is extremely costly and hard to manage and I am just overwhelmed with my babies illnesses. __________________ Bella (I miss you) Sachi Emmy

07-16-2012, 01:59 PM	#6
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	Keeping your little one in my prayers. The only suggestion I can make is to consider taking your little one to a specialist, who could tell you what needs to be done. It sounds like it would be painful. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

07-16-2012, 03:34 PM	#7
TxVicki Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: At Home Posts: 8,386	I will certainly send out prayers for your baby. Have you taken him to a specialist? I think that should be the next step. __________________ [SIZE="3"VICKI & ALLIE[/SIZE]

07-16-2012, 03:53 PM	#8
mojo Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Here, there Posts: 2,693	He finally started drinking water today (thank you Lord!!) and is feeling much better. I did not give him any pain meds, does not seem to need them today. He just brought me his ball and wants to play (sorry pal, not gonna happen), so I know he is feeling better); also had diarrhea today I am in Northern Nevada, I do not think any specialists in this area. We have our follow up with the vet Friday. I guess similar thing happened with my sisters doxie a while back, he was on long term steroids and crate rest, but he could also barely walk. My dog is pretty much almost back to his peppy self and not understanding why I won't play with him. We will see what the vet says Friday. __________________ Bella (I miss you) Sachi Emmy

07-16-2012, 04:02 PM	#9
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,866	Sorry this has happened to your sweet baby... just wanted to sat it's okay to put a call in to your vet to go over what was discussed at the appointment and to ask more questions... you don't have to wait for the recheck visit. I usually just leave a message with the receptionist and tell them just to have the vet give me a call when he has a free few minutes.... Glad he's feeling better today. __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

07-15-2012, 09:56 PM	#4
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	It can take a couple of days before you notice a diff in the appetite & water consumption. Also Absolutely jumping on & off any furniture.

07-16-2012, 04:55 PM	#10
Lil Sis Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,008	hi I just went through something like that with my Bailey. He is a shih tuz and was in a lot of pain.. screaming and hunching his back.. scared me to death!! His treatments were pain meds, steroids and crate rest. It has been about 5 weeks and he is doing ver very well!! We had the xrays and he had bludging disk.. calcified disk. We also took him to a nero and he said he was doing so well with the treatment he did not have to have surgery. I did get care credit so if it happened again and he did have to have surgery I would be prepared. So.. no jumping on beds.. I took our bed off the frame so it was low and he could be on it and use ramp. I changed his collar for a harness. I have baby gates to keep him in one room so he doesn't run and jump when I am away. So there is hope... I know how you feel I cried a lot but I will send prayers that your fur baby gets better fast!! __________________ Shinja mom to Remy lil Sis to Bailey and Sammy

07-16-2012, 05:25 PM	#12
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	It can be caused by wear and tear/arthritis. So many things go into deciding on treatment. The pup's general health, age pain level, response to conservative treatment, whether they have neuro symptoms, whether they are paralyzed, etc. Your vet will guide you. Should you want to take to a specialist about more imaging and such, you would need to see a neurologist. It can 'heal' (herniated disc), but will never be like new. The same goes for surgery. It is a lifelong problem. Restrictions should be discussed with your vet. More narrowing and more disc destruction is possible. It is also possible that your pup will have no further issues. My girl has spinal arthritis/stenosis between between many vertebrae/sclerotic plates. It is mainly in the lumbosacral area but also in her neck. So the first issue was not the end of it for her. She is managed with a lot of pain meds and does ok. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

07-17-2012, 03:19 AM	#13
MY OSCAR YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: USA Posts: 4,514	i am so sorry your poor baby is ill. i am quite sure it is not the same with dogs as with people but my mother had the same symptoms and she had to see a specialist and had some tests done. her diagnosis was narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis), she had to have surgery to fix it.. hope your little one is better soon....