My dog was hit by a car and is paralyzed in the back end

[PepperD]

My 2year old spayed female Rottie (Emma) got out of our last Friday night (the 22nd) with our neutered male black lab. They found a weak spot in the fence and pushed through. We looked and looked...drove around, called...finally had to quit when the storms hit. The next morning, our lab came home about 5:30am...but our rottie wasn't with him. My husband drove around, left posters at all the local stores, went by the pound to check to make sure she wasn't there...left our number with them. Sunday, I drove around everywhere...putting posters on stops signs, hitting other stores. All week we looked for her...I even went door to door in 3 different neighborhoods leaving fliers with everyone.

Yesterday, a ferrier(?guy who puts shoes on horses) called my husband. He found Emma. She had been hit by a car and was at the bottom of a hill, not very far from where we live. My husband rushed her to the vet. She had no external/internal bleeding, no bone fractures of the pelvis, legs, etc... Her only injury was to her spine. It was snapped in half...which has caused paralisys in her hind legs, loss of bladder and bowel control. My vet thinks she probably laid down there for at least 3-4 days (said it usually takes that long for the infection to start, from the urine constantly trickling out), but she may have been down there all week...we don't know. My vet is wonderful and is the most positive, upbeat vet you could ever meet. The spine is actually completely separated, where the two parts are not touching at all (I saw the X-ray...it is really bad). She put Emma on antibiotics (for a urinary tract infection), fluids, morphine and steroids. But has told us she really thinks we should "let Emma go". She said in all the cases she has seen, except for small dogs, people who try to keep paralyzed dogs alive, end up having them put to sleep, because it is so heartbreaking seeing them not be able to walk...just trying to crawl around. She said Emma would end up getting infections, where she will be going to the bathroom on herself all the time. We had a manx kitten once whose tail was so short, she trickled all the time...kept getting infections and maggots...had to have her put to sleep. Emma hasn't improved since yesterday and the vet said she doesn't think Emma will ever have control of her backend. We have decided to have her put to sleep tomorrow. I was just wondering if anyone here has had any animals break their spine. I know in my head that having her put to sleep is the right thing to do, but my heart hasn't accepted it yet... it just doesn't seem right that she laid down there all that time, waiting for us to come get her, just to have to put her to sleep... She is only 2...we shouldn't have to bury her... Both me and my husband are completely devestated. Emma is the most sweet dog you could ever have...didn't have an aggressive bone in her body. She loved playing and destuffing stuffed toys. I can't imagine not having her push her way between my legs for pets. Please, if anyone has any experience in this kind of injury, let me know... We are having her put to sleep tomorrow (Sunday May 1st) at 5PM... the vet said we could have a private room to spend as much time with her as we want...before letting her go. They are pampering her this weekend...has had 2 baths (they said she loves them...of course, after laying in the cold rain for who knows how many days, a warm bath probably feels wonderful) and letting her have as much "junk food" as she wants... Her mind and personality haven't been affected...just her back end, and that is what is bothering me so much. I'm sorry I've rambled...I'm just really heartbroken right now.

Kristen

[Marty]

Oh no, I am so sorry this had to happen. I don't have any experience with a broken spine, but Biscotti was paralyzed for a while with a ruptured disc. Although she recovered with surgery, it really was terribly hard to deal with. My heart goes out to you....and I know you will do the right thing by your baby. My prayers are with you all....

[Traci]

Kristen, it sounds like your vet is experienced and is letting you know that this type of injury does not carry a good prognosis. However, during this difficult time, ask your vet if a consult with a specialist in orthopedics would be of any help (although surgery would be risky, and may not be the answer)...you would then know that you've considered every option and know that you've done everything you possibly could.

Unfortunately, spine breaks and related injuries do not carry a good prognosis, and if she is suffering and in pain, the most loving thing you can do is let her go. I can understand your reluctance, denial, and wanting more to be done, but if there truly isn't anything more that can be done, you don't want to let her suffer.

Do ask for a consult if your vet has any indication it may help. But, if it is futile, go to her now and spend time with her, treasure every moment with her and let her know you are there.

My heart breaks for Emma and you, I so wish I could offer you more.....(((HUGS))) and prayers are with you....

[Ash]

I'm so so sorry to hear this! I had a dog, also two years old, female, Bhandi was her name, and the same happened to her ... She was hit by a car and was paralysed from the hip down. She was in pain too, but the vet kept saying that sometimes the nerves recover and we should give it a little time and see if there is any improvement. Sadly, there wasn't and when she wasn't able to eat anymore, and she kept getting worse, and she was in pain (there were other complications with inner organs), we had to let her go. It was one of the most tragic experiences I have ever gone through. I so feel with you!

But I want to say one thing: if your Emma isn't in pain, why not consider having a kind of wheelchair done (don't know if they are actually called like that for dogs)? I have seen it many times (TV, newspapers), and for certain conditions it is possible and the dog can still have a good life. If my Bhandi would not have been in pain, I would have done that because I loved her so much. If Emma is not in pain and can move around on her front paws, the backside supported by a trolley on wheels, why not give it a try? You will of course have to help her with her toilet but would that not be a small price to pay?

Please don't give up yet on her! I feel very strongly that you should not let her go but give her another chance! My heart reaches out to you and Emma!

[k9Karen]

I am so sorry to hear about your Emma. I wish I had some good advice or experience to share with you, but, I'm afraid I can't be of any help there. All I can do is let you know that I understand how much this hurts and I know I would feel the same way. God Bless.