Dachsund with IVDD

D3V!L · 03-09-2020 2:28pm #1

We came home from last Thursday to find our dog, a Dachshund / Am-Staff cross bent over, walking slow and sideways. His spine was pronounced just above his hips. After some quick thinking my wife rushed him to the hospital in Belfield. It turns out he had a burst disk , which had leaked around his spinal cord

He's only 4 and a half, spends a lot of time sleeping on a big memory foam bean bag or lounging in the sun. We try and minimise his jumping as its bad for their backs.

He had an OP on the burst disk and they were able to save his spine. No changes in the past week though and he still hasn't regained any use of his bowels or bladder functions let alone his back legs, which are totally limp.

We were able to see him the other day and he is really annoyed with us. He blanked me when I was talking to him but was all happy to see the nurses when they came back to collect him to bring him to bed.

My wife cries herself to sleep every night over it and I bottle it all up trying not let it get to me. We don't have kids and he's like her baby. He's tucked in every night and she dotes on him.

I'm afraid what will come next. Have any boardsies had this with their dogs ? Is there any hope for recovery. We nearly had an argument about his future last night because neither of us want to talk about it.

MrMusician18 · 03-09-2020 2:32pm

The dog isn't annoyed at you. I think you are projecting human emotions on an animal

I don't think anyone will be able to really advise you other than your vet. I hope he recovers.

tk123 · 03-09-2020 2:52pm

Ah sorry to hear about your dog OP

I know somebody who's Dachshund had surgery for IVDD and yes - he did regain use of his bowels/bladder/legs but it took a few months IIRC and he had hydro/physio.

D3V!L · 19-09-2020 10:28am

After 3 weeks in the hospital he's home. We made some changes at home and got him a bigger bed with waterproof sheets etc to deal with accidents.

Good news (hospital don't even know this) is that when he got home we brought him out to his sun bed which he loves. While he was cuddling it I grabbed his back legs and he got a shock and kicked

. It was a very emotional moment. There's been no movement there at all in a long time.

This weekend is all about sleeping, he wasn't getting enough in the hospital. Monday he's getting fitted for his new wheelchair . Pictures to follow

tk123 · 19-09-2020 11:07am

Ah glad to hear he’s home! I have these washable puppy pads for under Bailey’s bowls as he drowns the place(!) and they’re really good. They absorb loads and wash really well so might be an option for you - they come in a few different sizes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yangbaga-Puppy-Training-Pad-Absorbency/dp/B07MCT9LF2/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n2_0?cv_ct_cx=washable+puppy+pads&dchild=1&keywords=washable+puppy+pads&pd_rd_i=B07MCT9LF2&pd_rd_r=b64792af-2245-402e-bf32-271cb68ded11&pd_rd_w=PPIj7&pd_rd_wg=Gw180&pf_rd_p=3b767451-1463-4d8c-8b05-d9c8995fa0db&pf_rd_r=ZC75BRPM1VHZAY4B81QV&psc=1&qid=1600509897&sprefix=washable+pup&sr=1-2-e4abe256-0722-424e-a8a3-6caa9bba7df8

D3V!L · 19-09-2020 11:09am

tk123 wrote: »

Ah glad to hear he’s home! I have these washable puppy pads for under Bailey’s bowls as he drowns the place(!) and they’re really good. They absorb loads and wash really well so might be an option for you - they come in a few different sizes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yangbaga-Puppy-Training-Pad-Absorbency/dp/B07MCT9LF2/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n2_0?cv_ct_cx=washable+puppy+pads&dchild=1&keywords=washable+puppy+pads&pd_rd_i=B07MCT9LF2&pd_rd_r=b64792af-2245-402e-bf32-271cb68ded11&pd_rd_w=PPIj7&pd_rd_wg=Gw180&pf_rd_p=3b767451-1463-4d8c-8b05-d9c8995fa0db&pf_rd_r=ZC75BRPM1VHZAY4B81QV&psc=1&qid=1600509897&sprefix=washable+pup&sr=1-2-e4abe256-0722-424e-a8a3-6caa9bba7df8

Thanks , my wife got some in maxizoo . They're the paper kind and thankfully haven't been needed yet

borderlinemeath · 19-09-2020 1:31pm

For longer term use these little rubber backed mats from IKEA might be worth getting. I have a 13yr old with leaky old lady issues plus arthritis and these are great for absorbing wee, non slippy and are easily washed. I have them on all the dogs beds for any little accidents. The small ones are plenty big for a big dog bed.

https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/lindknud-rug-high-pile-beige-80426278/

D3V!L · 05-10-2020 9:15am

It turns out any movement was purely a muscle reflex. His muscle tone is going a lot in his back end and the physio told us she can't do anything more for him.

He had a session of acupuncture but there was no results from that. I'm working full time at home and my wife's day is completely taken up with him, he can't do anything for himself. The past 5 days he's soiled his bed at night, which means baths the next day and me on my hands and knees at 7am cleaning up before I start work.

We had a agreed to give him another couple of weeks until the end of the month to see how he progresses. I'm not sure that's an option now

bertiebomber · 05-10-2020 11:22am

This is a horror story for everyone but dachshunds are fragile enough and cross bred ones take all the issues of a dacshund and add that to the mix. IF he were my dog and i am saying this as someone who would go without food to pay a vet to treat my animals i would end his suffering and yours. it will be hard but if you do you will be the people who cared enough to take him out of pain.

it is an altruistic deed but the right one other wise there is the deteriorating muscle eventually a set of wheels and a miserable dog. Dogs should be happy running and playing and being naughty. A dog who needs help to pee & pooh is humiliated think about it.

My mother had a wire haired dacshund and he was ill, she was selfish and loved him she couldnt bear to be without him to the point that he was suffering. I had to threaten too never visit her again and i am an only daughter in order to have the poor dog taken out of his misery. Sometimes the hardest thing is the right thing. I did not post this lightly and may be banned for doing so but sometimes an outsider has lived the same horror and can see for you amidst the tears. God Bless and stay strong.

Graces7 · 05-10-2020 3:54pm

D3V!L wrote: »

It turns out any movement was purely a muscle reflex. His muscle tone is going a lot in his back end and the physio told us she can't do anything more for him.

He had a session of acupuncture but there was no results from that. I'm working full time at home and my wife's day is completely taken up with him, he can't do anything for himself. The past 5 days he's soiled his bed at night, which means baths the next day and me on my hands and knees at 7am cleaning up before I start work.

We had a agreed to give him another couple of weeks until the end of the month to see how he progresses. I'm not sure that's an option now

((((HUGS))))) Blessings. A situation all pet owners dread.

zoe 3619 · 05-10-2020 10:18pm

Have no advice,but just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you,your wife and the little dog.
Nightmare situation and wishing you all the best.x

D3V!L · 09-10-2020 9:18am

A little update. All he's doing these days is sleeping. We went to see two different vets, one being that specialised in acupuncture and then his own who knows him since he was weeks old, she's a VS and has decades of experience with this. Both said there is not a lot than can be done for him as his muscle atrophy is getting worse and the chances of him recovering are slim to none.

After we spend a nice weekend with him he's going to be put to sleep. Thanks for all the advice I got from the this forum for him over the years , it was greatly appreciated.

OhToBeByTheSea · 09-10-2020 9:28am

D3V!L wrote: »

A little update. All he's doing these days is sleeping. We went to see two different vets, one being that specialised in acupuncture and then his own who knows him since he was weeks old, she's a VS and has decades of experience with this. Both said there is not a lot than can be done for him as his muscle atrophy is getting worse and the chances of him recovering are slim to none.

After we spend a nice weekend with him he's going to be put to sleep. Thanks for all the advice I got from the this forum for him over the years , it was greatly appreciated.

My heart is broken for you. I have 2 miniature dachshunds myself and these sort of issues would always be in the back of my mind, wondering about what I might do etc. I feel so sad for you and your wife that you are having to make this decision but, please be assured that, you will make the right decision for your dog and he will thank you for it.

I had a previous dog put to sleep after a short but serious illness and it was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever done but, it was the best decision for my dog. He couldn't sit, stand, lie down, go to the toilet, couldn't eat or drink.
I slept on the floor with him for a week hoping he'd get better but one night he just looked at me and it was like he was looking through me, like he could already see the Rainbow Bridge.
The following day I phoned the vet and the appointment was made.

All you can do is spend the weekend with him, make some more memories, keep him comfortable, if he has an appetite at all, give him all his favourites.

I'd recommend both you and your wife go to the vet with him for his appointment, he will want you both there so that he can feel safe, he will know you are both there with him.

bertiebomber · 09-10-2020 10:03am

I am soo sorry for your pain and that of your wifes but its the right thing to do and when he has passed you will feel sad and hurt but the dog will no longer have a debilitating illness and no future.The act of euthanasia is actually not violent or aggressive its quiet and very sad and the dog will just slip away hold him in your arms. I've been there too often God bless.

Dachsund with IVDD

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