Neck Injury--Ruby

[rascalsmom]

Yesterday, Ruby got hurt. She is almost 12 years old, and she tried going through our screen door. She was not running, and she hit it head-on. She went down instantly, and appeared to not be breathing...she was conscious, but not responsive. My daughter, who had CPR last year in 7th grade, was blowing into her mouth/nose....after trying to call our vet and not getting an answer, we put her in the car and took her to the e-vet. I thought she was certainly going to die right on our patio.

 

By the time we got to the e-vet (30 minutes) she was breathing again, and her tongue was no longer purple/blue. They took xrays of her cervical spine, since it's her front legs that have been compromised. No fractures showed up, leading to thoughts of a disc injury. Her back legs seem pretty good, and she's urinating on her own. They started her on steroids last night.

 

She spent the night there, and is to be seen today by a specialist, either surgical or orthopedic, since the neurologist is not in this week. Then, supposedly, they will be able to give us a more accurate assessment.

 

The e-vet told us yesterday that dogs can bounce back from something like this, and that we'd probably have to use a sling to help her walk initially; also that we should know in a couple of weeks if she's going to start to improve.

 

Any experience or advice with something like this?

Edited April 11, 2011 by rascalsmom

[winnie]

No experience, but to Ruby and your family. I hope she is OK.

[robinw]

Wow! No experience, but I hope Ruby makes a fast and total recovery

[TheFullHouse]

Oh no! Prayers that Ruby is going to bounce back from this. Most cases like this that I've seen on GT, the pups have improved quite a bit with the use of steroids so hopefully getting her started on them right away will do the trick.

[ozgirl2]

Hope the steroids help - they usually do!

 

And don't be afraid to ask your vet to keep her on them longer if you think she needs them. My Cody had a back problem (bulgy disc) and she was on prednisone for 1.5 years

[RaineysMom]

oh gosh :(

 

no advice, just prayers!!! :hope

[Remolacha]

[DaisyDoodle]

Steroids were my first recommendation. PLEASE do not give NSAIDS while using steroids--it can be a deadly combination.

 

I would investigate acupuncture and chiropractic. Someone from the city could tell you better than I could where to find the best folks. I have resources in Wheeling/Moundsville, but there are certainly specialists closer to you.

 

Since you can't use NSAIDS, you might want to ask for a pain killer and/or a muscle relaxant. These will help with the discomfort and keep secondary issues from cropping up. Daisy has also run into the slider, developed a neck problem, which affected her gait, which caused a corn on an already wonky toe, which required a toe amp. You want to nip that cascade in the bud before it happens.

 

I would use a harness from now on rather than clipping a leash to a collar. It will reduce the strain on her neck. For a week or two I would leash walk rather than being free in the yard, and restrict her to an x-pen. You want to keep her quiet so she can heal.

 

Good luck.

 

DD

 

ETA Possible meds: Tramadol for pain, Robaxin, methocarbomol, flexeril for muscle relaxants; even Benedryl for the sedative effect so she'll stay quiet. It also has some anti-inflammatory properties.

 

ETA2: If she stays on prednisone for more than a couple of weeks, make sure the vet gets you on an every-other-day dose schedule. Everyday use of prednisone can cause iatrogenic Cushings (I did this to my Bridge girl CoCo).

Edited April 11, 2011 by DaisyDoodle

[robinw]

I second the acupuncture and chiropractic. They has worked wonders on Phene.

[rascalsmom]

I know of a veterinary accupuncturist in Beaver, PA, which is fairly close. I took Buddy to him when Buddy was near the end....he had LS.

 

Thanks for all the good info, DD. I will definitely ask them about a muscle relaxer or something like that.

I just happen to have two harnesses, which Buddy used. I will need something to use as a sling, as well. Maybe a towel would work for that?

 

Still haven't heard back from the specialist.

[DaisyDoodle]

If you need to make a road trip, or need a hand, I'm still here in SW PA for a couple of more days before I head back to NE.

 

You might want to give Jim Radcliffe a call if you can't connect with a neurologist. Jim's an orthopod, but he's a greyt greyhound guy.

[rascalsmom]

Their neurologist will be back next Monday. I saw him with Buddy a couple of years ago.

 

Thanks for the offer of help....if I have to get Ruby today, I will take my daughter to help. DH is, unfortunately, out of town today and won't be home till sometime tomorrow.

[queenwinniesmom]

Oh, no, Melissa! That must have scared you to death! I wish I had some advice, but I've never experienced anything like this. I was going to mention the acupuncturist in Beaver Co. too. I think it could certainly help.

 

Keep us up to date on how she's doing. And when you gently hug Ruby for me, please give the Rascal girl a hug too. Almost 12---wow! Where does time go?

[45MPHK9]

No advice, Melissa. Sending hugs to Ruby and to you. Hope she is feeling better soon.

[rascalsmom]

I just spoke to the specialist. She says she thinks Ruby has a traumatic disc compression, and it 'may or may not' improve. No way to know. An MRI would show how bad it is, and if surgery is indicated, but the MRI is $1600-1800, and potential surgery is $2500-2800. And Ruby is nearly 12. We are not going to go that route, due to the cost for one thing, but also because I don't know that I'd want to put Ruby through that at her age.

 

Our other option is to bring her home, and do physical therapy here--getting her up 3-4 times a day, doing range of motion exercises, keeping her clean and turned. She said some dogs show improvement in 1-3 days, some in 4-5 days, and that if a week goes by with no change, it's not a good sign. And there's no way to predict what would happen with Ruby.

 

So that's it. Either she'll improve, or she won't. Of course the other option is to say goodbye to her.

 

For now, she's going to stay there another night. I am in no position to bring her home myself and I can't expect my 14 year old to be a huge help.

 

This is horrible.

[robinw]

Oh, Melissa...I hope she improves with physio and acupuncture/chiro.

[carronstar]

No advice just hugs and good thoughts and prayers for Ruby. I think your DD should be named 8th grader of the year!

Edited April 11, 2011 by carronstar

[racindog]

Praying for Ruby! Try to think positive. These ol' girls can be tough and when the steroids pull out the inflammation she may bounce back pretty quick.

[Houndtime]

Oh, my. What a terrible accident. I hope she will feel better soon.

[BauersMom]

I'm very sorry you are going through this.

 

We did have a dog who had a similar accident - ran, head first, into another dog and was paralyzed. She has made a full recovery with only minimal neurological deficits. I really hope this is the case for Ruby, too.

 

Edit - here is Maggie's thread, if it helps any. http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/226468-prayers-for-maggie/

Edited April 11, 2011 by BauersMom

[Batmom]

Sending lots of prayers, Melissa. Let me know if there is anything I can do from this distance, OK?

 

I have to wonder if she ran into the door *because* she was unsteady on her feet.

[Guest Annie]

Sending many prayers!

[3DogNite]

my best friend's dog slammed head first into a sliding glass door. broke her neck.

they did a surgery fusing the neck at the break, and the dog lived a happy life,,, so normally, that if you didn't know she had been inured, you wouldn't know...

 

Anyway,,

before the surgery and during the rehab time my friend made a supportive neck brace for the dog to wear and i wonder if that would help Ruby. a flexible plastic with towels for padding, and velcro to hold tight around the neck.

This really did help the dog!!

 

just thought i'd put that out there,, if Ruby can stand with some help, perhaps the neck brace will help too until it can heal.

 

good luck!!!

[Guest jettcricket]

Oh how awful for you and your girl...sending good thoughts that she improves.

[sweetdogs]

My best wishes for your Ruby.