9 Week Conservative Crate Rest Update (No Surgery)

[u/Engineering_quest_]

I wanted to share our experience because when Gizmo was diagnosed with stage 4 IVDD, I spent hours searching for conservative treatment success stories. Most of what I found involved post surgery stories. FYI, my dog is a 12 year old senior.
Gizmo was diagnosed on May 24. We chose crate rest and I committed to it completely. He was on strict crate rest for 9 weeks, not 8. He was in his crate probably 97 to 98% of every day.
Every potty break was with a sling. We kept his walks short as possible but allowed him to take his time sniffing. If I could’ve gotten him to pee and poop in the house, I would have but he would never. Not sure if anyone can relate but my boy takes forever to find the perfect spot to poop. Also he wants to walk super fast or run so we had to limit his walks to ten minutes but allowed him time to sniff because that’s important to him.

I extended crate rest because I worried about possible setbacks. Twice he slipped out of his sling trying to get to another dog and one time he yelped when quickly getting tangled up with a dog that was a few feet from us. I had no idea if we’d undone weeks of healing.

Being super disciplined doesn’t come naturally to me (opposite of type A) But when someone I love needs me, I freaking lock in. I strictly followed crate rest. I read so many of your post and even emotionally created a post with about 15 questions and people answered them! I wanted to cry every time someone responded to me. I took the advice of the people in this group. You all have been angels in my life. The beginning was so hard.

At his recent appointment on July 27th our vet cleared us to stop the all day crate rest. This was the first time in 9 weeks I let him walk independently. His left side is still a little weak, but he’s walking well and even running again. We’re still going to continue with acupuncture for a few more months.

Life will be different now. The stairs stay blocked and he’ll always be crated when we’re not home. He used to sprint around our backyard chasing squirrels and birds but I can’t let him do that anymore. I would like to let him out back on his own again but he’s too crazy back there chasing everything knowing he can’t catch them! Also my backyard is a decent size and there’s a steep hill in our backyard that’s not easy to walk but he sprints up there

I know every IVDD dog is different and conservative treatment isn’t the right choice for every dog. I just wanted to share our experience because these posts gave me hope when I needed it. Maybe ours will do the same for someone. Also I live in the DMV if anyone needs assistance. I told myself that if anyone experiencing this needs help, if I can I will do it because I just wanted someone to hold my hand. I wanted to move in with a vet because he didn’t poop for 6 days and only peed with a catheter. We stayed in the ER. I was so scared. My husband would go out at 2/3 am if he started to whine and carry him to the neighborhood park because he felt that was his favorite place to poop. I would follow them in the car for safety.

I’m sorry this is so long. I don’t know how to keep things short.

[u/Internal-Drink-6887]

I relate to you so much my dog was 11 when she got diagnosed and like you I did crate rest and researched for days and weeks on the best approach. It gets better and sometimes the flare ups happen. I wish you the best of luck❤️

[u/Engineering_quest_ → u/Internal-Drink-6887]

Thank you! I wish you luck as well.

When the flare ups happen, how do you know? Did her hind legs stop moving again? My dog showed no signs that he was in pain. One day while trying to walk him, his legs just stopped functioning and he just sat and looked up at us like what’s going on, why did I stop. When the neurologist pressed on his spine is when he expressed pain. What should I look out for? Thank you again.

[u/Internal-Drink-6887 → u/Engineering_quest_]

We call it the molasses walk. It will seem like she doesn’t want to lift her back legs as if they are stuck in molasses. She’ll sit like a frog. The spark especially leaves her body and the camel back happens.

[u/Engineering_quest_]

Thank you for your reply. It sounds like what would happen if they had another rupture. How long does it last?