Sammie's Back

[Traci]

Was an x-ray ever taken (sorry, must have missed this)?

Just want to caution you, doxies are notorious for spinal/disc problems, the sooner it is addressed appropriately, the less risk for disc ruptures. I'm just concerned about the meds masking the problem, and I don't agree with the surgeon that Sammie needs to "feel just alittle pain to self-limit himself"...these conditions are excruciatingly painful and dangerous, plus you can't watch him 24/7, all it takes is one wrong move. I hope your surgeon isn't just waiting around for that to happen.

[Tambrey]

I hope not either...I would hate for anything permanent to happen to Sammie...
the surgeon's main concern is that if Sammie feels NO pain, he will try to do something he should not and injure himself worse...

No...he has not yet taken an x-ray...just by manipulation/feeling and watching how Sammie walks so far...he says there is no nuerological damage and it is in early stages so the meds and rest should work for him...

if there is no change by Thursday, or worse, I will ask for a x-ray to see exactly what is going on in there...

[Tambrey]

FINALLY....Sammie will be spending some time at the animal hospital...they are going to do an X-ray and then possibly MRI to see what is going on in there...they are going to sedate him so his body can relax and rest for a while, and they can do the exam(s) easier, and will call me tomorrow afternoon with hopefully some results of the exam...and what the next step is...

He has not been eating well today either, so if need be, after all else is said and done, he will get some IV fluids at least, or see what we can tempt him to eat...can they do nourishment through IVs?...But since he will be sedated tomorrow, they do not want to feed him tonight...

I just hope we can figure out what is wrong in there and get him feeling and walking better...I miss my happy go lucky Sammie...

[Traci]

Glad to hear they are actually going to address this further

IV fluids (not to be confused with sub-q) can sustain him in the absense of food for a day or two, but a small meal attempt should be made within 6 hours post-anesthesia.

Let us know how it goes, Tambrey..in the meantime, I'm sending good thoughts and prayers.

[Tambrey]

He has eaten bits and pieces here at home, but not enough to sustain him...of course, he will eat the bite of people food we are hiding his pills in...pizza crust or a bit of cheese, which I know is not good for him, but he will eat it...and at least it gets the pills into him...my husband said he did eat a bit lastnight...but today he has not that I know if...I worked but my mom came to check on him and he did not eat, or go potty all day...but he did go some for my husband tonight...

As soon as I know something, you can bet I will be posting here!

Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers...

[Tambrey]

The vet just called...he wants to keep Sammie again overnight since they have started him on Midrol (?sp) a prednisone...
He said Sammie is showing slight weakness on his left side, which we noticed lastnight as well...

X-rays of back and abdomen show that there is a slight calcification between T10 and T11, but it looks to be quite old, not something recent to be causing this...we have had Sammie since July, so who knows what may have happened during his previous TWO owners...

He ravenously ate some chicken for them today, even though he has not eaten anything at home, so when I go pick him up tomorrow, we will talk to the vet about a diet while he is recuperating...

After consulting with other vets, Sammie does not need surgery at this time...and if we do need to go that route, then we will have to go to Omaha or Iowa City as they do not do back surgeries at this hospital...

It was also suggested by the vets he consulted with that we up Sammie's dose of methocarbamol as well...so we will do that...and they saaid STRICT kennel rest, which we have been doing, so to continue that...

It is what they would do if he were in Iowa City or Omaha at this point, since surgery is not required...they said the doxies they have there are being kept in kennels with the meds we are using and taken out 3-4 times a day to go potty...carried out and kept on a leash...and carried right back inside...

Sooo...I guess that is it for now...anything I should be asking?

[Traci]

Did they send the x-rays to the consult? I'd be rather concerned about the consult, since they haven't examined Sammie themselves. Did anyone mention a myelogram to you?

What are they doing to address the anorexia? Did they explain the meds might be contributing, or something else?

[davet]

i am not sure of the length of time that thisd whole thing has been going on, having been out of town for a while but i wonder if it might not be a good idea to get him to an orthopoedic surgeon , if for nothing else, other than an evaluation...these back problems can be insidious little things, ie may linger and all of a sudden result in paralysis...i am not saying or even guessing that what is being done is wrong but i think another opinion from an orthopod would be a thought...and i seriously doubt that your vet would have a problem with doing this, especially the surgeon one because you sure don;t want to open these backs up without a realy good indication...not really connected but eh vet that perfected this type surgery B.F.Hoerlein was my small animal prof in vet school...but i even referred all my back surgeries to some one more experienced in the process.....can;t hurt to get another looksee...

[Tambrey]

he did say something about a myelogram, but again, they do not have that at this hospital...we would have to travel for that...*sighs*...so much for the "best" hospital in the area...well, they are, but still lagging ehind the times...

I will also ask about who we can go to for a second opinion...I know of none in the area...so we will have to go out of town...I hope they will take a payment plan...we are setting one up with this hospital tomorrow when we go to get Sammmie...

[k9Karen]

I doubt many vet offices are capable of doing myelograms. It is a complicated x-ray procedure, usually performed by skilled radiologist (or radiologist and neurologist together) in humans, so, I suspect the equivalent skill, along with the appropriate equipment, is needed for a dog.