Guest Annie Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 (edited) Wonderful news... all the tests on Canyon's spinal fluid were negative/clear! That leaves us with the small tear in the disc at C5/6. Now that we know it is not a tumour, we (with the neurologist) have decided to take him off the pain meds. The problem was that on the meds, he was jumping and carousing like a fool and he needs to rest in order to heal. We don't have him crated, but he is confined (with Breezy, River is constantly with my MIL in her room ) to the livingroom. He is still getting up on the couch but is much more subdued now that he feels pain again. I would love to hear from anyone with experience with this type of injury!!! We want to avoid surgery if possible. What more could we be doing for him? THANKS!!!! Edited March 16, 2009 by Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 So happy things look good for Canyon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spencers_Greyt Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 That is such wonderful news! Yay for Canyon! Spencer has compressed discs just below his shoulders and I'm taking him for chiropractor visits. I would hestitate to do that to Canyon as you know it's a tear. Maybe acupuncture would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 That is such wonderful news! Yay for Canyon! Spencer has compressed discs just below his shoulders and I'm taking him for chiropractor visits. I would hestitate to do that to Canyon as you know it's a tear. Maybe acupuncture would help. I was wondering about acupuncture and would like to hear if it is effective with disc herniations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryz Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I'm so happy to hear some good news. Thank God it's nothing serious. I just love his face-he is so handsome. Quote Mary, mom to kitty Rebel.Always missing Sherri (SO DELICIOUS) (12/6/2005-8/29/2018) kitties Marley (4/2000-12/3/2015) and Beady (4/1998-2/24/2006) and Dalmatian Daisy (7/25/1984-5/13/1999). The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not - Thomas Jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Wonderful news! Hug him for me. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Wow! How cute is he!??? No experience with tears but so glad that it wasn't more serious! Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 We stopped the pain meds last night and he is crying out when he moves now. It's so hard to see him in pain, but he is MUCH quieter, which will help him heal in the long run... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CDNgreys Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I personally had one ruptured disc and one wedged disc. 3 months of physio didn't do anything for me. I saw a chiropractor and within 3 visits was walking upright. Rest and heating pads and regular visits to the chiropractor had me well in no time at all. Don't know if this would apply to dogs too but it couldn't hurt to look into it. best wishes!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Yay, Canyon!! What about Breezie? Same approach? Hope you can find something to speed their recoveries!! Sending hugs and kisses!! :kiss2 Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kaquel Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I believe my labrador had this happen when she was alive. I think they may have said 'slipped a disc'...but I may be making that up. Anyway if it's the same or a similar injury, recovery was not that bad. She got one shot of steroids and then was on oral pain meds for awhile, and after about a month was walking and acting normal again (although normal was not very active-she was nine and showed it). I noticed she was more susceptible to doing a 'split' with her hind end after she did it the first time (which is what caused the disc issues in the first place), but I don't know whether that was just old age or directly because of the previous injury. Overall she recovered pretty well with the steroids and pain meds. The vet said something like 50% (I might be totally making that up) of dogs get better without surgery...(though I really am not 100% sure about that now...lol it was so long ago). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I have not had any experience with a torn disc but I swear by prolotherapy. If you have a holistic vet in your area call him and ask if prolotherapy might help. My Brandi had a severe limp in the leg caused by something in the neck. We tried chiro, acupuncture, message therapy, ice/hot packs, swimming and nothing worked. The holistic vet suggested it. There were six treatments involved and we saw results after the first injection. www.getprolo.com We send you our best! In fact my husband it going to try it on his knee, bone rubbing on bone. Surgeon wants to do complete knee replacement but he will try the prolo first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 No experience here, but we're sure keeping him in our prayers. He has the most expressive face that boy. Please give him a hug from his desert fan club Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Thank you for the responses! Canyon's pain is getting worse and we are desperate for alternatives to surgery! I should have mentioned that Breezy is FINE. All her symptoms have disappeared. (We kinda think she was putting us on... she is incredibly bright you know!!! ) Here is a picture of the twins taken yesterday. PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH DISC TEARS/HERNIATIONS POST HERE OR PM ME. THANK YOU!!!!! We are reading up on prolotherapy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaidd49 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH DISC TEARS/HERNIATIONS POST HERE OR PM ME. THANK YOU!!!!! It might be worth going to a Dachshund group - I know of one gal who had a Dachshund go down and she had the surgery done - dog made a full recovery, when she had a second Dachshund go down, she treated without surgery - that dog also made a full recovery. Of course a dachshund is a different size to a GH but I am betting they have good info to share. My previous Whippet had an issue with a disc in her neck and acupuncture helped a lot Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest taylorsmom Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Definitely try ACUPUNCTURE. My holistic vet said that it is very effective for disc injuries in dogs. It certainly couldn't hurt to try. I would not do chiropractic with a disc tear. Manipulation could increase the tear and protrude more disc material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) I'd second going to a doxie group. When my first yorkie ruptured a disc he was the only one in the specialists waiting room that wasn't doxie. The specialist said "surgery might or might not help. No promise if I fix it the next one down won't rupture. Make an appointment for surgery and leave your credit card at the front desk". Needless to say I didn't opt for surgery. I have made my experience with an AVCA certified chiro well known. I will always wonder if the adjustments that caused Rex so much pain he had to be muzzled as he was biting and lashing out contributed to the fact that in the end the specialists found that the disk had ruptured into the spinal cord and was inoperable. There was no choice what to do then. That may be impossible, but I've always wondered and regretted putting him through that pain. If I had to do it again I would have gone the accupuncture route as my vet suggested. Edited March 15, 2009 by Hubcitypam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 I'd second going to a doxie group. When my first yorkie ruptured a disc he was the only one in the specialists waiting room that wasn't doxie. The specialist said "surgery might or might not help. No promise if I fix it the next one down won't rupture. Make an appointment for surgery and leave your credit card at the front desk". Needless to say I didn't opt for surgery. I have made my experience with an AVCA certified chiro well known. I will always wonder if the adjustments that caused Rex so much pain he had to be muzzled as he was biting and lashing out contributed to the fact that in the end the specialists found that the disk had ruptured into the spinal cord and was inoperable. There was no choice what to do then. That may be impossible, but I've always wondered and regretted putting him through that pain. If I had to do it again I would have gone the accupuncture route as my vet suggested. Oh Pam, I am so sorry to hear about your experience with Rex that cost him his life. I had not read about it before. There are a couple of Holistic vet clinics in Vancouver and I know one of the vets from when I worked at the SPCA. She now specializes in acupuncture. I'm going to make an apppointment ASAP and see what she says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 The chiro may have had nothing to do with it rupturing into his spine, but I have always wondered. Hope the accupuncture works. I would have the most faith in that. Doxie folks night be alble to share a lot of insight with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I'm another fan of acupuncture. It helps tremendously..I would contact a holistic vet ASAP and get in for a treatment. Sometimes it takes a littler longer, but I think it's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I had two herniated disks about 10 years ago - the pain was excruciating - I could not stand at all for 4 weeks and the initial healing time was about 6 months until I could stand without leaning on something for support. But, I healed well and I credit being off my feet and then doing water therapy which allowed me to exercise without putting a load on my back. I did not use a chiro or acupuncture and I was firmly against surgery. At the same time that I had my injury, one of my friends had the same thing happen. He went the route of "chiro". He was up and about within a month but, flash forward 1 year later and he could barely walk - he ended up having some major damage from the chiro manipulation. I would not suggest "chiro" because the manipulation can cause more problems. I'm not against chiro as a way to keep your spine limber but, once something happens, it's risky to do spine manipulation. My mother tried acupuncture for leg numbness due to spinal stenosis and it seemed to help, nothing miraculous but it did seem to take the "edge off". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 We're hoping to hear that Canyon is more comfortable. I agree with the above poster about seeing a Chiro, with something like this I wouldn't. Your handsome boy is always in our prayers Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) Canyon's condition is deteriorating. We borrowed a friend's crate yesterday, to immobilize him because he was in so much pain. Although he is happy in it, he is crying out FREQUENTLY and the cries are more prolonged. The holistic vet called me back and thought that acupuncture alone would likely not be sufficient, but that she could help post surgically. We now have a call in to Dr. Nick Sharp (the neurologist at Canada West Veterinary Specialists and Critical Care Hospital) and we'll be asking him about the risks and prognosis with the surgery. I think the time may have come to go ahead with it. Please continue to pray for our sweet boy. Edited March 16, 2009 by Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 It really breaks my heart that this boy is hurting. I wish I could offer something, but I can only offer my prayers. I'm sorry if this is a repeat question but can't they give him something for pain? Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightfal Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Is he able to walk at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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