aw poor Kirby! Did the vet suggest fixing it surgically or did he say that strict cage rest should do it? Does he have pain and motor sensation in his hind end? Has he become incontinent? I just get so worried about back babies because i've see so many come in. :( Good luck to you guys,i hope hte steroids help

Adding my prayers to all the others going up for little Kirby. I pray that he'll be good as new in no time.

Boy oh boy...I'm so worried about little Kirby. He's here with me and just had a pain killer. I am keeping him in a crate and will get him out now and then to hold on my lap and put some heat on his back. When I take him outside to go potty, he walks around sniffing and his back legs just don't work and give out on him and he falls over. He normally lifts his leg to pee and can't do that. I just can't stand seeing him in pain and I need to have faith, but just can't help but worry. He's such a little sweetheart. Thanks for your prayers and well wishes!

Thank you Susie (Tink's Mom)! She is sending me the sling harness that she had made for Tink when she had her hip displasia. You are so sweet to do that for Kirby! He sends thank you kisses!

oooh poor Kirby, i hope he will be ok. Lots of prayers coming his way ! And Rosi and Apollo sending kisses !

oh, I pray he is not in too much pain and the vet can see him sooooooon. :(

I feel so bad for little Kirby, praying he gets well soon.

I'm sooo sorry to hear about Kirby's pain, poor little guy! If you need the sling carrier to be adjusted I'll do that for free, just send it to me...

Prayers, get-well-soon wishes and kisses and licks from Mitzi and me...

Thank you so much, Sonja! You are so sweet! I will let you know when it gets here! I think it will really help Kirby. His back legs don't work very well, and I'm so worried, but feel a little more optimistic today. Although his walking is no better, he seemed comfortable and wasn't shaking and panting. I think we've finally got the pain meds at the right dosage to help him. We're also giving him a sedative to help him sleep and be relaxed through all of this. The vet has us keeping him in a cat crate so that he can't turn or jump. Tonight I made him a pillow for in his tiny crate and a blanket. I love that little guy so much.
Last evening our vet stopped by my house to check on Kirby and today he called. He's so dedicated and also concerned about Kirby.

Thanks all, for the prayers and well wishes. I'm so grateful for all of you!

Connie, Im just seeing this.Poor guy,I just feel so bad when any animal is suffering. I know you all must be just heartsick over this.I'll be keeping Kirby in my prayers.Hugs to you and your daughter,Kirby too! Get well Kirby!

Thanks for your message! He does have pain and problems with his hind end and his back legs just don't work well. When he walks, he keeps the back legs really close together and seems to staggar and sometimes he ends up falling to the side. The vet said it's partial paralysis, I guess due to the disc pushing into his spinal cord. He said we want to stay away from surgery and give this cage rest our best shot. If it came to that, they don't do that surgery here and it would be about $2500 at the university in MN. I know my daughter couldn't afford that, plus the travel and motel rooms and expenses, so I'm just hoping and praying he will recover from this. Do you work at a vet's office? Do you see a good recovery rate for this type problem?

Sending prayers for Kerby.

i do work at a vet's office, a specialist referral hospital actually. I work for the orthopedic surgeon and we also have a neurology department (among other specialists). My friends dog (shih tzu mix) was in hosp last week because he was 'pushed' down the stairs by his golden retriever housemate. He did have a back injury but i'm not exactly sure what was wrong. He had pain and motor in his back legs and he was no incontinent, which means he was able to move his legs on his own accord, he was able to feel pain on all parts of his back legs including all toes when pinched or manipulated by the doctor, and he was able to control his urine and bowel movements. ALL good signs. He was on heavy steroids and strict cage rest in hosp for a week and now he's home. Still on steroids and strict cage rest. seems like your daughters dog has similar issues, but you say he can walk by himself. jake, my friends dog, couldn't pick himself up to stand and walk tho he could move his legs. he only left the hospital when he was able to stand. Cage rest does help in some situations but you must be really strict about it and not let them do anything they are not suppose to. If it were my dog, he'd be in that cat carrier most of the time. Carried outside to go potty, and carried back inside. And only allowed to sit with me on the couch/bed if i can keep a hand on him at all times to make sure he doesn't move.

Is there any physical therapy that the doc recommended yet?

good luck, i know surgery is expensive, but that price he quoted is less then half of what the neurosurgeon i work with charges. its crazy. avoid it at all costs unless necessary.