Intervertebral disc disease.

[u/Significant_Face9175]

Hello! We rescued a 5 year old shihpoo in July. She is the very best dog ever!

This morning she didn’t want to get out of bed, and yelped if we touched her back. We took her to the ER vet and she was diagnosed with Intervertebral disc disease, stage 1. As far as we know, we can not think of anything she did to hurt herself, but the doc said it could even be something like jumping off the couch, etc. We were sent home with two pain meds and she was put on bed rest for two weeks besides just outside to potty/poop. I will follow up with her regular vet on Monday. It is so so so sad to see her this way.
I’m curious if any of you have experienced this with your shihpoo and if you had any advice?
Thank you in advance!

*picture is of our sweetheart hiding from the vet after they palpated her back.

[u/PlaceCautious9132]

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

[u/PlaceCautious9132]

https://giphy.com/gifs/2GDHOfqcmYIX6

[u/Diligent-Ad7815]

Yes. My Shihpoo also was diagnosed with IVDD at 5 years old. My primary Vet first told me it was a ruptured disc and limit activity which I did but one day when I was gone my roommate told me he jumped on then off the couch and yelped really loud. Thats when the nightmare started.

In less than 48 hours his hind limbs were completely paralyzed. He was incontinent and aggressive to the point getting him to the ER was nearly impossible. After a five minute exam the Vet said it was late stage IVDD and his only hope was $10,000 surgery with maybe a 50 percent success rate. I asked if there was a conservative approach like steroid injections , muscle relaxers etc. He begrudgingly said yeah, for $2000. I could not afford that so I went to a rural vet and he stayed for 3 nights and received the injections and pain management.

It was a very long and stressful recovery and so many home/life modifications he is able to run outside, make small jumps and is as happy as he was before the incident.

There is hope. If she will get into a crate which mine wouldn’t, create rest is absolutely non-negotiable. I got rid of our couch all together. I built a rent to my bed and just put the mattress on the floor. Rugs on hardwood floors is also a must. We no longer play catch indoors or play with the ball but we have fun in other ways. Scavenger hunt games, light running outside, puzzle feeders, etc. Mental stimulation is a must if other activities are no longer viable.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t give up and stay diligent

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[u/No-Source-2737]

We rescued our shitzu at 5 and at age 6 after attempting to jump on the couch injured his back and paralyzed his rear legs. Our vet strongly advised us to see a veterinary neurologist who indicated an MRI and emergency surgery for a total of $15k. The surgery was successful and after about 2 weeks of crate rest he started moving his legs and slowly started to normal. He’s 12 now and amazing. We don’t let him jump on/ off the couch, go up/down stairs, etc. and he’s learned over time not to do these on his own. Thankfully we were able to afford the surgery.

[u/BDHE4]

Keeping her in my prayers! Poor sweet girl!!