Back pain recovery
 

Hi All,

When it rains it pours. So after the good news with Thumper's annual visit on Monday evening. All was good until Wednesday morning. He seems a little out of it. He still ate and drank but he was not his normal self. I thought he might just be tired so gated him with the other pups and went to work.

When I got home he was not jumping and wagging his tail like usual to see me and let him out of the gate. I knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out. I fed all the dogs and took them out to pee. He did fine but was lethargic. Would not use the stairs to go outside and to get on the bed would wait minutes to decide if he wanted to use them.

I looked over his body and couldn't find anything. I thought ok if he does not improve in a couple days I will take him back to the vet.

Well through out the evening he was restless, eyes very sad and seemed hunched over in parts. I pressed on his spine and it seems ok for the most part but he would his at me a couple times. At that point I knew he was in pain somewhere. (I really didn't know what I was looking for)

Got a vet appointment the next day and she diagnoses him with a back sprain and that it was inflamed based on my description of symptoms and physical exam and X-rays. She did mention if he does not improve or became limp that he may need to see a specialist to get a CT or MRI as the extra cannot show a muscle injury. (Praying that is not the case)

He is on Presdisone for about 3 weeks weening off every 5 days to a lower dose and pain meds as needed. I have to crate him 24/7 only allowing him out to pee and poop. I have to carry him to/from the apartment to the outside. (Though because of the extra thirst he is peeing in his crate. I take him out about every 3-5 hours but that is still not enough. However, I work and even with getting a dog walker I have no choice.

He is not happy. My question is how do I know when he is better? Vet mentioned the meds can make him seem like he is acting normal but its a false positive so keep him crated for 10-14 days. Than limited activity (i.e. walking around the block to pee and poop no longer walks, jumping or stairs for another few weeks)

She said I do not need to follow up if he seems normal but I can always come back and they can palpitate his spine to make sure it is not tense anymore. I just am nervous that I don't know when he is acting normal. I took him out of the crate to pee today and before I could get his harness on he scurried away trying for the stairs to lay on the bed.

He usually uses the stairs to go up and down my bed but sometimes he gets excited that he will jump from the stairs partially. When I see it I correct it but since he sleeps with me in bed he does it at times when I am sleeping. I don't want to have to crate him at night all the time because I enjoy his company and he also likes the comfort. He is not a small yorkie (15 pound's) so I never had an issue with him jumping. It didn't occur to me that he could hurt himself as the bed and couch are not that high.

My heart hurts that I can't fix this right away. I miss our snuggles and kisses. He is not happy with me as I keep having to put him back in the crate.

Any advice that people have gone through this would be helpful. I have a tentative appt to see the vet again on Sept. 4 for a re-check if necessary

PS I feel like training a puppy again as I keep getting up in the middle of the night to take him out to pee. My schedule for walks out front is 3 am; 5:30-6 am; 12 -1 pm; 6-7 pm; 9-10 pm; 11:30-12 am depending on what I have going on in my life that day. On the weekends I will add a 9 am walk as well.

I myself is so overwhelmed. I did ask if the meds with interact with his current ones and I was told it may show more of the symptoms but since I don't have to get his ACTH re-tested until January by than they should level out again.

Sorry for the long post just trying to get all my thoughts out.

Oh Ashley, I am so very sorry to hear that Thumper is having back issues. It is painful to see your babies hurting and not be able to snap your fingers and make it all better. What I gathered from your post is that this is a "THIS TOO SHALL PASS" situation an in a couple of weeks the worst should be over.

Apart from following your vet's instructions, the only thoughts I have would be to 1) try to be upbeat don't let your anxiety about the situation to relay to Thumper as dogs are very sensitive to our psyche and 2) maybe when you are chilling in your favorite place, give Thumper some extra cuddle time. Sending :hands: and :hug: to you guys.

Thanks... Today he is barking up a storm because he physically feels fine due to the meds and does not want to be in the crate. I hate it but know its the right thing. I covered the crate with a blanket so it is darker maybe enticing him to sleep more or not see the other pups running around.

One thing I am noticing and not sure if it is something I should worry about is that he can stand in the crate and when he gets excited or starts barking will try and go up on his hind legs to get out. I correct it when I see it but of course I can't catch everything.

I just don't want him to re-hurt his back.

Can I also take him out of the crate to lay next to me if I am watching tv and can watch him?

Everyday he is getting happier no more sad eyes. Still not wagging tail as much but I think that also has to do with being cooped up in the crate.

It's hard to mask our emotions for our furry babies but I do have to agree with chattiesmom, for the emotional sake of Thumper being happy and upbeat is a must.

Years back I lost 2 babies 6 months apart I couldn't grieve over them because the baby who was then 6 YO was in deep depression over their sudden loss, I had to stay cheerful for her and it was hard.
It's a challenge to keep these fur kids confined, 2 weeks feel like 2 months. You're a great fur mom and you can do this ;)

Thank you... I am staying up beat and when I take him out and am holding him I give him lots of kisses and praises. I don't scold him for peeing in the crate as I know he can't help it do to the meds and his bushings so I just double up on the pee pads to make clean up easier.

He is such a good baby. I am going to back to the vet just to double check on 9/4 or some time about that because it would be 14 days and he should almost be weeded off the prednisone at that time. I am going to see how he does with only one dose a day of the pain meds as he seems fine right now.

I know its trial and error. The good news is no limping or other neurological symptoms that would make this a bigger issue. So trying to stay positive and take it one day at a time.

Going out to lunch now with a friend to try and relax. He should be fine and will take him out again when I return.

:thumbup: good job mom

You are right, about trial and error. Life is trial and error. If we try things and they aren't working for us, then we need to try something different. Sadly way too often we get stuck in a rut and keep doing things that don't work.

You are an awesome dogmom.

How is Thumper???????? I hope all is well...

Thanks for asking. For the most part Thumper is good. I think the meds for his Cushing's disease may need to be adjusted in January when he gets re-checked but other than that he is back to normal.

He and Bella spent the weekend at the pet sitter while I was away and they had an amazing time. They really enjoy going there and spending time with all the other dogs.

Glad to know that Thumper is doing better. Our little ones are so precious.

So glad that Thumper is feeling better! When my Beau hurt his back, we put him in his soft-sided travel crate at night so that he could sleep with us. He could still be with us as usual, but we knew he would not be getting up and down if he felt the urge to pee. He has had back pain twice, but fully recovered both times. My husband has had three spinal surgeries, and I have degenerative disk disease, so when he began walking with a "hunched" back, we suspected what was wrong and immediately got him to the emergency vet...we both have times when we have walked that way ourselves, lol.