Possible pinched nerve`

[k9Karen]

Allie wasn't herself yesterday afternoon. She was obvioiusly in pain and yelped when I tried to find out 'where it hurt'. (I was gentle). She was also hesitant to jump up on the bed - something she usually is able to just sail through without even a running start. So, off to the vet we went. Fortunately, the vet group I've used since I moved here just started running 24 hours a day, and they were open on 'emergency hours'. I had about an hour wait because of a 'real' emergency ahead of me, but got to see the (very busy) vet. She is the newest one to the practice - very young and looks to be fresh out of vet school. She was very nice and did a thorough head-to-tail exam. I had been able to figure out that Allie seemed to be hurting in the neck/left shoulder/chest area, but had been unable to differentiate further. The vet determined the injury is most likely in her neck, but was unable to be sure what the exact cause was. The differential diagnosis: soft tissue/muscle injury or cervical disc problem possibly causing a pinched nerve. There are no neurological symptoms to indicate anything severe with the disc, but, the vet explained what they might be, just in case anything began to develop to suggest something more serious.

She seems much better this morning, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar?

Allie's symptoms yesterday:
1. Obvious discomfort when trying to lie down - just couldn't seem to get comfortable (although lying on the bed next to 'Daddy' while he's watching TV seems be best). There was a look of pain on her face, especially when getting up or down, or walking
2. Limping on the left front leg, which she holds up when standing or sitting. Neither the vet nor I could find anything amiss with the leg or paw.
3. She's downright pathetic. This is not a clingy lap dog, but she wanted to be held and petted constantly.
4. Body posture 'off'. She was sort of 'hunched' up when she walked and stood.
5. No recent injury that I know of, although Foxy sometimes doesn't know her own strength and can try to play a bit rough. They also tend to make a mad dash for the door when coming in, and all three will not fit through the door at the same time. Allie, being the smallest, somtimes gets shoved aside. She has hit the door frame from time to time, and did have this type of accident about a week or so ago. She was mad, but other than that, didn't seem to have any injury at the time.

[Marty]

Not much help here, but when Biscotti had a ruptured disc, her hind end was paralyzed. We woke up to find her crying in the back yard unable to move. The Vet kept her overnight to treat her with steroids. After 24 hours with no improvement, we were on our way to UGA.

If she is feeling better today, I would think it may have been a pulled muscle or something.

[Ash]

Pulled a muscle just last week. Just below the neck/upper back. All I did was pointing to something, maybe I moved my arm too sudden, I have no idea what I did wrong, but suddenly there was a PAIN shooting through my back, arm and neck! I was really scared, I couldn't move without yowling. I thought with a pain this strong I would be out of business for at least a week. But it gradually improved throughout the day and next day it was completely gone. Pulled muscle can be SO painful, but isn't serious at all. Warmth helps.

[davet]

these disc problems are usuzlly self limiting and will rectify themselves when the inflamation goes down...a shot or two of steroids or often aspirin is enought to cut the swelling around the area...takes a little tiem but usually pass

[Traci]

I'm assuming xrays weren't taken, so if her symptoms persist past a few days, I'd get her rechecked with x-rays.

Only other possibilities I can think of is landing wrong from a jump, or rigorous exercise. Any possibilities of a lodged bone fragment, do you give her bones?

[k9Karen]

I'm assuming xrays weren't taken, . . . . . . . . ?

Nope, no xrays

do you give her bones?

NEVER!!

She is much, much better today. I forgot to mention she was given Rimadyl (25 mg) and Tramadol HCl (which was described as a 'narcotic', but I didn't look it up.) I gave her only one dose of the Tramadol - when we got home, and then the Rimadyl a bit later with food. It was prescribed 2X per day, but didn't give it again until 24 hours later. She's only had 2 doses, and is so much better, I doubt I'll give her more.

She seems to be back to her normally pushy, ornery self. If I didn't know she was hurting, I'd like her better when she was sweet and needy!

[JMM]

Tramadol is fairly new to animals, but not to people. I'm really pleased with the drug. It doesn't cause a lot of GI side effects and is really mild as far as knocking them out compared to Torb and other narcotics we use. Mikey is on Tramadol 3x/day. It can be given up to 4x/day and there is a wide dosing range to go along with the options on frequency.

I'm glad she is doing better already. Hopefully it is just a soft tissue injury and rest will get her back to normal quickly.