Hurt Back Issue/putting Him To Sleep

[Guest Branden]

Got teary typing the topic alone. Our boy is 12 years old, rescued and we have had him for almost 9. Last night we came home from vacation and he was excited to see us. He tore his dew claw and then fell on his left back leg in a strange way.

He couldn't get up on his own. I carried him to my truck and we took him to the vet at 1:30 in the morning. Some yelping, and pain that is unusual for him. Very tough dog. The vet said it was his back. X-rays didn't show any breaks or slipped discs, but he still can't stand up on his back legs at all. They checked his legs and they are fine. He is in pain, and they don't seem to know why.

 

I don't know what to do! I feel like he is still active and maybe I have blinders on because he is 12. My wife is devastated because the vet said an option is to put him to sleep if he can't recover. I am not sure, just looking for some perspective.

 

Thanks!

[TheFullHouse]

They could start him on some steroids and see if he improves. Usually a week on them will tell you if there is going to be any improvement or not. I'm so sorry.

[greytpups]

I'm so sorry this is your first post.

 

I can help at all because I haven't experienced this with my hounds but I'm sure many others will chime in with questions and answers. You may want to add additional info like medication and tests performed at the vet. Also, there is a world'renowned vet at OSU, sorry I can't remember his name, but I believe he's a neurologist because I heard him at a conference who may also be able to provide answers if you consult with them.

 

Again, other GTers may have more helpful info. Plus I sure hope they have helped alleviate the pain for now.

[Guest Branden]

They have, he is feeling better now. He still can't use his back legs which has me worried. I hate that I am in a situation where I may have to decide. I know that is the responsibility of owning dogs, it just kills me. Our girl is 13 and she is confused why he isn't home. At work now, not getting much done. Thanks for the replies!

[Time4ANap]

Sorry to see that you and your boy are going through this. No medical advice to offer, just hope that he is better soon.

[MP_the4pack]

Please be patient and give him some time (unless it is very evident he's going downhill)

 

There's a little greyhound that was in a bad collision last Dec. She was 75% paralyzed. While she was only 4, the owners did not give up on her. With patience and physical therapy, she's now at about 98% recovered. She just has the hint of an odd gait.

[Fiona3]

Branden, the steroids might need more time to work. Our 13 year old male greyhound had serious back leg issues & couldn't walk. Slowly over a week or two he started to be able to move better (although he needed assistance at times). His back feet also knuckled under - this slowly stopped over time as well. He needed to be on a maintenance dose of prednisone for the rest of his time with us but it allowed for him to rise and walk carefully on his own.

 

Each pup is different with various causes. Hopefully your boy will have something that the steroids can ease. Please keep us posted - our thoughts are with you and your wife.

[Guest noodlenpasha]

Just wanted to say how sorry I am.....

[FiveRoooooers]

They could start him on some steroids and see if he improves. Usually a week on them will tell you if there is going to be any improvement or not. I'm so sorry.

 

This. It will be evident fairly soon if the steroids are going to help or not. I'm so sorry this has happened. Hang in there.

[racindog]

Hang in there. With me it helps to talk to them and ask them if they understand their situation etc. and what their wishes are. He may be scared and need you to explain to him what is happenning. If you go visit him and get quiet and just spend some peaceful time communicating with him-look into his eyes- you may be surprised at how easy you can. After all the years togther and all the love I just really believe it would be one of the best things you could do for all concerned. I would give the steroids a little time depending on what he told me. Tell your girl what is happenning-why her buddy is not there. She will understand. She has a right to know. God bless.

[Guest BlueCrab]

I, too, would vote for waiting a bit if you can, keeping him comfortable and on some steroids to quench any swelling, and then trying to see if it improves.

 

We had a GSD who lost use of his back end. We had to use a sling device to get him around for a couple days before we could get him in for a consult with a neuro doc. You don't say where you are, but you might want to add that to your profile: here in the Washington DC area, I'd point you towards my neuro doc (have to look up the info: it's been about 5 years). Others would willingly provide referrals to vets they've found good in the field as well. Our GSD ended up with a degenerative disorder that required surgery. Hopefully yours is just related to some traumatic swelling from the odd fall that might rectify itself with a couple days rest.

 

As far as the sling device to support his back end when he walks, there are dog-specific ones you can mail order from places such as Amazon or Drs. Foster & Smith; a beach towel works in a pinch, as does a fabric log carrier. Takes a bit of upper arm strength and coordination to get it to work, but it definitely helps with temporary mobility issues.

[BatterseaBrindl]

 

Tough situation, but I'd wait another couple of days.

[a_daerr]

So sorry you're going through this. I hope it's not osteo.

[carronstar]

Hang in there. With me it helps to talk to them and ask them if they understand their situation etc. and what their wishes are. He may be scared and need you to explain to him what is happenning. If you go visit him and get quiet and just spend some peaceful time communicating with him-look into his eyes- you may be surprised at how easy you can. After all the years togther and all the love I just really believe it would be one of the best things you could do for all concerned. I would give the steroids a little time depending on what he told me. Tell your girl what is happenning-why her buddy is not there. She will understand. She has a right to know. God bless.

 

Perfectly said.

 

As to the sling mentioned above, if you are anywhere near NYC I will give you the one I have on hand "just in case" if the meds work and you need help moving your boy.

 

Give him time. Give the meds time. Give yourself time.

[Guest patterpaws]

I don't have any advice, but just hope that he gets better! Its good that you've seen improvement already, hopefully he'll pull through! I'm sorry you're going through this, I know it is a very very hard situation to be in.

[Charlies_Dad]

Agree about waiting a bit. Our senior girl looked basically could not walk about a year ago and I thought that was it for her. We got her on steroids and have since had her on Gabapentin and she is doing well now.

[Guest 2dogs4cats]

I am so sorry this is happening to your pup. This is what happened to my Ella. She didn't fall, but one day she couldn't get up, stand up or even move her back legs. She had no use of them and was in incredible pain. She was a dog that never cried or whimpered and now she couldn't stop. I tried pain killers which didn't help at all and I did make the decision to let her go. She was one month shy of her 15th birthday and I just felt she wanted me to let her go. I cry every time I think about it, but I think when it's time, you just know.

 

I have no real advice except to talk to your vet and see what the options are and weigh the pros and cons and keep your baby as comfortable as you can.

 

Sending healing thoughts.

[MachosMom]

I don't have any words of wisdom to add, but wanted to wish you the best and hope your baby pulls through. It may just take a little time. **Hugs** So sorry you are going through this though.

[JAJ2010]

(((HUGS))) I have no experience but hope the steroids kick in soon

[Guest cashie]

So sorry to hear about your boy:( Positive thoughts and prayers to you!

[Guest vahoundlover]

Our 12 yr old male lost the use of his backend. He was at the vet for a week. along with steriods she used some physical therapy and we started acupuncture and herbs. His recovery wasn't overnite but day by day it got better. We used a harness from here.......http://northcoastgreyhounds.net/store/index.php/cat_140

 

Boss lived a full life for 2 more years. Give the steroids a couple of days to work.

[Tallgreydogmom]

Please read this article on our greyhound Cricket. She actually had 3 of these FCE events. She was able to come back from all 3 events. Cricket passed away from old age at 16.

 

Edited July 17, 2012 by Tallgreydogmom

[Scooby172]

I am so sorry this is happening to your boy. In January my 4 year old grey, "Bella" had an accident in the yard and when I got to her, she could not get up, her back legs were paralyzed. I brought her to the vet right away, had a consult with a specialist, we put her on steroids and pain meds. She lost bladder and bowel control. Bella already had a front leg deformity and basically had only one leg that worked after her accident. Diagnosis was a ruptured disc in her back, she was in a lot of pain. Vet suggested surgery, I said no. It was a quality of life issue for Bella, I made the decision I felt was best for her, it still hurts. You know your dog the best and know what he can tolerate, good luck with this very difficult decision. I know how hard it is, my thoughts are with you.

Linda, Jack and Keeva

[Guest Branden]

Thanks for the kind words and great ideas from everyone. I am totally overwhelmed with this site. I wish I had found it earlier. I have 2 greyhounds and they are both up there in age, so this would have saved a lot of time over the last 8-10 years. Our racer is eating and drinking on his own and they say he is quite happy overall. He still isn't using his back legs at all, so they are giving him steroids and we wait.

 

On a side note- has anyone ever used a chiropractor for their dog? My chiropractor said if there is nothing the vet can do, he would love to take a look and see if something is just slipped out of place on Clever. Any suggestions for that? Thanks again for all your replies!

[TheFullHouse]

I know there are several people on her who use chiropractors on a regular basis. I'm not sure if I've seen anyone post whose dog was not using their legs at the time though. I wish you the best and am keeping your boy in my thoughts.