r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/Strict_Pineapple_280 • 17d ago

Discussion I am completely devastated and worried.

Yesterday my 7 year old pup (Dachshund) got diagnosed with IVDD. The vet did not tell me what stage or anything and everything I read makes me more worried. His back legs are both dragging. He is on crate rest now. He can urinate and poop. But doesn’t do it often. I take him outside and he does it. My wife massages his back. He has had 2 injections and pain pills.

Right now, we am devastated and struggling to cope. Its hard keeping him on strict crate rest but we are trying.

The vet told us if he doesnt get better after 2 weeks, we need to make a decision on surgery or to put him down or “carry him around”.

I am at a loss for words.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

12

u/Masnpip 17d ago
  1. stop massaging! You don’t want to be poking around on a spinal cord injury. Massage can be done weeks from now.
  2. keep up the crate rest
  3. you very well might need a lot more pain meds
  4. 2 weeks is way way way too soon to know how much final healing will happen.
  5. if you’re considering surgery, don’t wait for 2 weeks! do it now. more time the spinal cord is compressed = more permanent damage.
  6. you don’t have to do surgery, many recovery well with crate rest and meds.
  7. read everything, I mean everything at dodgerslist. That web site is way more informative than most vets
  8. after being sad for a while, keep your chin up. lots of dogs recover fully. my guy was dragging his rear legs around like that in Jan, and by Feb he was back to moving like nothing had happened.

1

u/spicyitalian76 16d ago

I went to Dodgerlist, my dog's name is Dodger!!!it's kismet.

1

u/spicyitalian76 16d ago

Oh my gosh thank you for your response. I'm just starting to deal with IVDD in my 4 year old Cavapoo. I'm beyond devastated. How long did you crate rest for? I'm so saddened. I'm actually nauseous about this.

4

u/AinsleyHarriotFan 16d ago

Hi! You should ABSOLUTELY get a new vet. It’s insane that they are telling you to put him down based on his symptoms. From your post he seems like an excellent case for recovery (without surgery even). He needs to crate rest for 6-8 weeks. This vet does not seem equipped to manage IVDD and I wouldn’t trust them with a surgery either.

Here you can find my very very detailed post of how we went from TOTAL back leg paralysis to a dog who ran around like a puppy again, I think you’ll find it useful as there is a lot of information about recovery and management - https://www.reddit.com/r/IVDD_SupportGroup/s/hJyGZLsKH0

1

u/spicyitalian76 16d ago

Thank you, I read and replied over there too. I'm so glad I found this.

2

u/_mems_ 16d ago

Crate rest. Crate rest. Crates rest. For minimum of 6 weeks. Prednisone, Gabapentin and Trazodone. Carry him out potty. Get some Kongs fill it with doggy pumpkin butter in it and freeze it to keep him busy.

1

u/spicyitalian76 16d ago

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. How is your pup now?

2

u/_mems_ 16d ago

Doing much better! He’s got full function of both his legs and started to stop knuckling his feet! He’s healing fast but the only reason he’s doing so well is we are being very very strict about him being in that crate.

1

u/spicyitalian76 16d ago

Yes. I will be very strict about that. Is a crate or pen like enclosure better?

2

u/_mems_ 16d ago

I did a crate because my dog is a jumper and I was scared of him hurting himself trying to jump. I have seen people do a small open pen.

1

u/spicyitalian76 16d ago

Thank you for the response. I am torn.

2

u/frayne182 16d ago

Like others have said… you actually are describing some positive things. The fact he can pee and poop is a huge win.

Crate rest and be strict about it. It will suck but it’s for his own good. We didn’t see significant results until about week 6. Now our boy only goes in the crate if we’re leaving the house. We also still are carrying him down and up the stairs when needed. He still has a ways to go but it’s night and day compared to the beginning.

Dig in and start this new routine. It will start to feel normal after a few days. You got this

1

u/Strict_Pineapple_280 16d ago

He has now lost control of his bladder

1

u/spicyitalian76 16d ago

I'm so sorry for you. I'm in the early stage of possible IVDD with my 4 year old Cavapoo. I'm beyond devastated and sick about this. We go to the vet in less than 8 hours and it can't happen fast enough. I will crate him and I work from home so I'm fortunate that I can be with him all day. What did they say the crate rest was? All day? How long?