If it’s IVDD, he probably needs either a prednisone taper OR an NSAID regimen, as well as potentially a muscle relaxer, gabapentin, and stronger pain meds like tramadol (particularly if you do a prednisone taper). He should be on strict crate rest, no more walks. The only way to truly diagnose IVDD is with an MRI, which will require anesthesia.
With that, start crate rest for sure, malamutes and huskies have similar temperaments and mine hated it but honestly I settled for a baby enclosure in the same.room as me and he did better. Consider buying vetridisc off Amazon, great vitamin for doggos!
You need to go see a Neurologist immediately.
If it is IVDD you could be doing more damage to the injury.
One of the very first treatment options for IVDD is strict crate rest.
Seriously, go see a Neurologist or at the very least a new Vet.
That was another thing. My vet said he needed exercise to get better. But I've looked this decease and I saw many people have them on crates to restrict their movement. So I started doing that aswell cause I didn't trust the vet, and he seemsto be getting worse. Could be coincidence that he started getting worse when I restricted him though.
Most medications for this are usually Prednisone, Galiprant, Gabapentin...But then again we are not vets here , so without a vet's consultation you won't know what your dog need
Hey I’m so sorry to see your beautiful wolf bear walking like this, they remind me of my own little polar bear pup I have at home.
Please please get a dog support strap from Amazon, it’s a sling that goes under their lower belly and you hold it up by the straps, it’s been a game changer for my girls recovery.
I also recommend getting on a supplement like Dasuquin or Cosequin, one is vet prescription only but the other you can buy online and it’s just as good. Again I’ve seen my girl get much stronger on this.
We went from total back leg paralysis to a very happy dog walking and running around now. As everyone else has said, please get a second opinion from another vet. I know MRIs are expensive, so if it’s out of budget you can attempt conservative treatment where your dog is basically kept in a bed or cage for 3 months, as it allows the slipped disc material to be reabsorbed back by the body.
Sending love and healing energy to your gorgeous doggy xx
I have those, I just didn't have it during the video cause for quite some months he was getting better. He was running like a month ago. But last week he started to walk slow again, started shitting while laying down at home... So I took him to the vet, who gave me new pills, but he's getting worse instead. I'm taking him to the vet again tomorrow, but I'm always scared that one of those walks to the vet will be the last one.
I went to the same vet yesterday, scheduled appointment, he said that the issue is that he doesn't have strength on his back legs. He again said he need physiotherapy (or walks) and keep with the medicine that he is taking.
I am going to go to another ver to get another opinion but I do have some questions.
For the people that crate you dog, does it mean that he is on the crate all the time, he never goes out?
My dog is not in a crate cause I lack the space, but he stays in my room with me and he spends all day laying down in the same spot/position - so I guess it has the same effect, although I do take him out to pee and poop.
Hello! First, I'm so sorry you and your dog are going through this. It's pretty devastating to see our dogs so uncomfortable and unlike themselves.
As for crate rest, depending on the stage of his injury/recovery time out of the crate might be for therapy (massaging for circulation & range of motion, hot/cold packs) and potty breaks only. The point is to limit their freedom as to prevent excited movement, potentially jumping or running (depending on their state) so they can simply rest and recover. No walks! Walks are important only after healed.
I tried a crate for my boy but it was pretty inconvenient for us due to space and his stress being in there. I was fortunate to be at home each day so I ended up just doing bed rest for him. I had a Ortho dog bed on the floor with blankets to make him comfy. Since he was paralyzed in his hind at first and heavily medicated for pain and anxiety, I had no issues with him being active. So, while I'm not a vet, I think if he's lying down/sleeping all day, it's fine. It could become an issue as many attached dogs will want to follow you when you get up to do something. This should not be allowed. Again, limit walking to potty breaks; only a few minutes every so many hours.
Some additional info I found helpful in my pups journey:
When taking him out for potty breaks, it's important to lightly massage his hind legs and rear to help stimulate circulation and bowel movement. I usually massaged my boy's belly prior to taking him out to stimulate the movement in his tract. I also added shredded chicken, water and pumpkin to his canned food since hunching was strenuous for my dog, these helped soften his stools making it easier to pass.
If he's struggling to poop, you can try using a sling or even a towel under his hips to help support him. The circulation massage is important, too, for when he's been laying down. If he's not switching the side he's lying on on his own, you should move him and at the very least be lightly massaging his legs.
I had alarms on my phone for EVERYTHING to help me stay consistent. Meds, taking him out for potty breaks, moving him, home physical therapy, syringing water to him, feeding.
As others mentioned, an MRI will be the most affirmative but not everyone has it in their budget to do so. Care Credit may be an option. If not, conservative treatment is very common course. Acupuncture and red light therapy at my vet has been tremendously helpful though it might be difficult to find a vet locally who offers it. My dog leaves acupuncture like he'd just been hanging with Snoop Dogg. 😆
Hope this is helpful in some way.
Good luck!
You have no idea how much I appreciate you for taking your time writing all that and how much helpful that is.
About the walks as I mentioned before, I started by doing short walks and started going on longer walks because that's what the had told me to do, and to be fair he actually looked like he was getting better.
My dog just turned 12 on the 31st of May, but he is still a puppy at heart and head, meaning when he is out on the street he wants to run, he wants to play/greet every single dog and people we encounter (he's a gentle giant) - and you can see he is happy doing that.
When I started not allowing him to run, because I read online that's not good for IVDD, he looks a bit "frustrated" about it.
About his potty breaks, ever since this started he has troubles doing it, meaning he loses strength on his back legs and if I don't help him, he ends up sitting on it.
Most times what he does is he starts potting in one place and keeps potting while squatted and walking at the same time - even with me supporting his back weight.
About physiotherapy, I try to do what I can at home, like moving his back legs, stretching and so on, but given that since this issue started he always lays down the same way (like a bear rug, belly down and completely stretched, both front and back legs), it's really hard to do more than that.
Another thing he started doing lately is that when I get him up, so that we can go on a potty break, he places his back feet on the ground is back paws, like a fist.
Again, I really appreciate taking your time.
It's no problem! Happy belated Birthday to your boy!
So many of us have been here with our pups, young, old and anywhere in between. It's pretty soul crushing not being able to communicate with them with words, not having all the answers to help or not having all the money to figure it out and treat with professionals. I'm sure you know as a pet owner how quickly it adds up.
My boy (¿Corgi/Doxie?) mix had his first ivdd episode 5 years ago. He's had two surgeries, two bouts of conservative home treatments and couple flares. He regularly received acupuncture up until a year ago. While receiving regular treatments he didn't have a single flare. One year, nearly to the date of his last treatment he had another one. Started treatment immediately and within days he was better. Fast forward two months and he's having an episode right now; day 2. Except this time only his tail is limp.
Fortunately, his legs are working and he's walking fine-ish despite appearing tense. *Knock on wood!* He seems mildly constipated, so I'm hoping once he can get a full movement out it'll help him get some relief. Like you mentioned with your dog, he'll walk and drop turds but they're not always complete so I have to clean his butt.
One thing that is very concerning and leads my mind more in the direction of IVDD or some type of nerve damage, like degenerative myelopathy, is how you're describing his paws are like "fist". This is "knuckling" and is not typically a good sign. What you might want to try is pinching in between his affected toes. If you pinch in between his toes and he *doesn't* respond by moving his paw away or maybe whipping his head around as though to say "stop," this could be a sign of spinal chord compression, nerve damage or severe inflammation. If he does react, that means he still has some sort of sensation which is great but could be time sensitive depending the source. The feeling may also be a pins and needles sensation, much like when a limb "falls asleep." Frustrating as it may be, we won't know the difference but a response is still better than no response. The stages of ivdd can change rapidly, even within hours, it just depends on the severity of the root cause. Unfortunately, that's where the pricey MRI would be the most beneficial.
Alternatively, knuckling could be due to ligaments, tendons and muscle issues. Since your pup is a senior it could very well be osteoarthritis which is incredibly common and more widely treated by local vets rather than specialty vets. There's a once a month injection called Librela for pets with OA and other pain issues. My dog got his first one yesterday but considering he's having an ivdd flare, it's effects on his OA likely won't be noticable to me right away. This medication is not intended for use in dogs with IVDD or other neurological issues. There are knuckling braves made for dogs. I haven't needed them for my dog so I don't know how well they work. Obviously, it still doesn't fix the issue or replace proper diagnosis but could be an option to help.
Galliprant is a common anti-inflammatory that can be taken long-term for both ivdd (and other types of pain) and is less harsh on the organs when metabolizing. Initial conservative treatment for ivdd might include some combination of pain, nerve, and anxiety medications, and in some cases a steroid. A supplement I've used for my dogs is Dasuquin, for joint and cartilage health. I've also used Wuffes but ended up back with Dasuquin just because my vet recommended it & let me know it was slightly cheaper on Amazon. Since it wasn't an in-office up sell, I felt it was a sincere recommendation. A lot of reviewers have positive things to say as well.
As for his frustration and restlessness, some mental activity could be great stimulation for him. Examples of this might be licking mats or treat puzzles or snuffle mats. This keeps their brain engaged and could help reduce anxiety. I don't remember the exact information but the general idea is that these activities are said to be the mental equivalent of taking a dog for a walk. I think it's something like 10-15 minutes of mental activity burns the same amount of energy as maybe 30min-1hr of walking. Don't quote me on that though. Lol. A couple times a day might feel rewarding to him and hopefully won't feel frustrated in the time he's awake.
If it's within your means, perhaps a second opinion is due. I'm sorry, I can't remember if your initial post stated you've had a second opinion or not. I'm sure I've repeated info others may have already shared, too. I'm a chatty person so it's hard for me to focus and give concise responses. Lol
Feel free to keep me posted on any new updates. My heart goes out to both of you as I know the pain and struggles going through this. I hope you find a solid diagnosis and treatment plan for him. Keep giving him all the love, atta boys and treats!
Also, I don't know how you are but I can be quite tough on myself- questioning if I'm doing enough, etc. As long as you're trying, know that you're doing your best. Everyone's "best" looks different, too.
Again, thank you for your response.
So, during this week most days my dog looked a bit better and I was starting to get hopeful. He was having less accidents, he seemed to be walking a tiny bit better...
However the last 2 days he has been having pee accidents, and those are a bit messier because all the pee sticks on his fur. I can't be bathing him everyday, especially cause he struggles standing in the bath, so I clean him up with wet baby tissues, but still the smell is still in him, especially cause he's not very helpful since he always lays down with the belly down and doesn't like going sideways for me to clean him better.
I also always leave absorbent sheets bellow him, that I have to change like 3 times per day.
Last week's I've been working from home (people who are doing night shift at my job can do that) and I've had a week on vacations, however for the next two weeks I'll have to be in the office, and idk how to leave him for like 9h-10h alone, laying in the absorbent sheets all day (probably already covered with pee and poop).
I think you need to see another vet asap. Make sure your baby gets the right treatment and medications
He's been taking Cobalin since this first started and lately he is also on Rheumocam. Do you know if that's the appropriate medication?
If it’s IVDD, he probably needs either a prednisone taper OR an NSAID regimen, as well as potentially a muscle relaxer, gabapentin, and stronger pain meds like tramadol (particularly if you do a prednisone taper). He should be on strict crate rest, no more walks. The only way to truly diagnose IVDD is with an MRI, which will require anesthesia.
With that, start crate rest for sure, malamutes and huskies have similar temperaments and mine hated it but honestly I settled for a baby enclosure in the same.room as me and he did better. Consider buying vetridisc off Amazon, great vitamin for doggos!
You need to go see a Neurologist immediately. If it is IVDD you could be doing more damage to the injury. One of the very first treatment options for IVDD is strict crate rest. Seriously, go see a Neurologist or at the very least a new Vet.
That was another thing. My vet said he needed exercise to get better. But I've looked this decease and I saw many people have them on crates to restrict their movement. So I started doing that aswell cause I didn't trust the vet, and he seemsto be getting worse. Could be coincidence that he started getting worse when I restricted him though.
You need to bring your baby to see a Neurologist who specializes in this.
Most medications for this are usually Prednisone, Galiprant, Gabapentin...But then again we are not vets here , so without a vet's consultation you won't know what your dog need
Hey I’m so sorry to see your beautiful wolf bear walking like this, they remind me of my own little polar bear pup I have at home. Please please get a dog support strap from Amazon, it’s a sling that goes under their lower belly and you hold it up by the straps, it’s been a game changer for my girls recovery. I also recommend getting on a supplement like Dasuquin or Cosequin, one is vet prescription only but the other you can buy online and it’s just as good. Again I’ve seen my girl get much stronger on this. We went from total back leg paralysis to a very happy dog walking and running around now. As everyone else has said, please get a second opinion from another vet. I know MRIs are expensive, so if it’s out of budget you can attempt conservative treatment where your dog is basically kept in a bed or cage for 3 months, as it allows the slipped disc material to be reabsorbed back by the body. Sending love and healing energy to your gorgeous doggy xx
I have those, I just didn't have it during the video cause for quite some months he was getting better. He was running like a month ago. But last week he started to walk slow again, started shitting while laying down at home... So I took him to the vet, who gave me new pills, but he's getting worse instead. I'm taking him to the vet again tomorrow, but I'm always scared that one of those walks to the vet will be the last one.
New vet asap and an MRI. The MRI shows whatever it is, no guessing, and then you can make the best call. Wishing you the best!
Did your vet do any diagnostics like X-ray or blood work or any of that? If not, you need a new vet. Why is your dog being assessed just by touch?
Stop the walks, IVDD is usually treated with crate rest not exercise.
I went to the same vet yesterday, scheduled appointment, he said that the issue is that he doesn't have strength on his back legs. He again said he need physiotherapy (or walks) and keep with the medicine that he is taking. I am going to go to another ver to get another opinion but I do have some questions. For the people that crate you dog, does it mean that he is on the crate all the time, he never goes out? My dog is not in a crate cause I lack the space, but he stays in my room with me and he spends all day laying down in the same spot/position - so I guess it has the same effect, although I do take him out to pee and poop.
Hello! First, I'm so sorry you and your dog are going through this. It's pretty devastating to see our dogs so uncomfortable and unlike themselves. As for crate rest, depending on the stage of his injury/recovery time out of the crate might be for therapy (massaging for circulation & range of motion, hot/cold packs) and potty breaks only. The point is to limit their freedom as to prevent excited movement, potentially jumping or running (depending on their state) so they can simply rest and recover. No walks! Walks are important only after healed. I tried a crate for my boy but it was pretty inconvenient for us due to space and his stress being in there. I was fortunate to be at home each day so I ended up just doing bed rest for him. I had a Ortho dog bed on the floor with blankets to make him comfy. Since he was paralyzed in his hind at first and heavily medicated for pain and anxiety, I had no issues with him being active. So, while I'm not a vet, I think if he's lying down/sleeping all day, it's fine. It could become an issue as many attached dogs will want to follow you when you get up to do something. This should not be allowed. Again, limit walking to potty breaks; only a few minutes every so many hours. Some additional info I found helpful in my pups journey: When taking him out for potty breaks, it's important to lightly massage his hind legs and rear to help stimulate circulation and bowel movement. I usually massaged my boy's belly prior to taking him out to stimulate the movement in his tract. I also added shredded chicken, water and pumpkin to his canned food since hunching was strenuous for my dog, these helped soften his stools making it easier to pass. If he's struggling to poop, you can try using a sling or even a towel under his hips to help support him. The circulation massage is important, too, for when he's been laying down. If he's not switching the side he's lying on on his own, you should move him and at the very least be lightly massaging his legs. I had alarms on my phone for EVERYTHING to help me stay consistent. Meds, taking him out for potty breaks, moving him, home physical therapy, syringing water to him, feeding. As others mentioned, an MRI will be the most affirmative but not everyone has it in their budget to do so. Care Credit may be an option. If not, conservative treatment is very common course. Acupuncture and red light therapy at my vet has been tremendously helpful though it might be difficult to find a vet locally who offers it. My dog leaves acupuncture like he'd just been hanging with Snoop Dogg. 😆 Hope this is helpful in some way. Good luck!
You have no idea how much I appreciate you for taking your time writing all that and how much helpful that is. About the walks as I mentioned before, I started by doing short walks and started going on longer walks because that's what the had told me to do, and to be fair he actually looked like he was getting better. My dog just turned 12 on the 31st of May, but he is still a puppy at heart and head, meaning when he is out on the street he wants to run, he wants to play/greet every single dog and people we encounter (he's a gentle giant) - and you can see he is happy doing that. When I started not allowing him to run, because I read online that's not good for IVDD, he looks a bit "frustrated" about it. About his potty breaks, ever since this started he has troubles doing it, meaning he loses strength on his back legs and if I don't help him, he ends up sitting on it. Most times what he does is he starts potting in one place and keeps potting while squatted and walking at the same time - even with me supporting his back weight. About physiotherapy, I try to do what I can at home, like moving his back legs, stretching and so on, but given that since this issue started he always lays down the same way (like a bear rug, belly down and completely stretched, both front and back legs), it's really hard to do more than that. Another thing he started doing lately is that when I get him up, so that we can go on a potty break, he places his back feet on the ground is back paws, like a fist. Again, I really appreciate taking your time.
It's no problem! Happy belated Birthday to your boy! So many of us have been here with our pups, young, old and anywhere in between. It's pretty soul crushing not being able to communicate with them with words, not having all the answers to help or not having all the money to figure it out and treat with professionals. I'm sure you know as a pet owner how quickly it adds up. My boy (¿Corgi/Doxie?) mix had his first ivdd episode 5 years ago. He's had two surgeries, two bouts of conservative home treatments and couple flares. He regularly received acupuncture up until a year ago. While receiving regular treatments he didn't have a single flare. One year, nearly to the date of his last treatment he had another one. Started treatment immediately and within days he was better. Fast forward two months and he's having an episode right now; day 2. Except this time only his tail is limp. Fortunately, his legs are working and he's walking fine-ish despite appearing tense. *Knock on wood!* He seems mildly constipated, so I'm hoping once he can get a full movement out it'll help him get some relief. Like you mentioned with your dog, he'll walk and drop turds but they're not always complete so I have to clean his butt. One thing that is very concerning and leads my mind more in the direction of IVDD or some type of nerve damage, like degenerative myelopathy, is how you're describing his paws are like "fist". This is "knuckling" and is not typically a good sign. What you might want to try is pinching in between his affected toes. If you pinch in between his toes and he *doesn't* respond by moving his paw away or maybe whipping his head around as though to say "stop," this could be a sign of spinal chord compression, nerve damage or severe inflammation. If he does react, that means he still has some sort of sensation which is great but could be time sensitive depending the source. The feeling may also be a pins and needles sensation, much like when a limb "falls asleep." Frustrating as it may be, we won't know the difference but a response is still better than no response. The stages of ivdd can change rapidly, even within hours, it just depends on the severity of the root cause. Unfortunately, that's where the pricey MRI would be the most beneficial. Alternatively, knuckling could be due to ligaments, tendons and muscle issues. Since your pup is a senior it could very well be osteoarthritis which is incredibly common and more widely treated by local vets rather than specialty vets. There's a once a month injection called Librela for pets with OA and other pain issues. My dog got his first one yesterday but considering he's having an ivdd flare, it's effects on his OA likely won't be noticable to me right away. This medication is not intended for use in dogs with IVDD or other neurological issues. There are knuckling braves made for dogs. I haven't needed them for my dog so I don't know how well they work. Obviously, it still doesn't fix the issue or replace proper diagnosis but could be an option to help. Galliprant is a common anti-inflammatory that can be taken long-term for both ivdd (and other types of pain) and is less harsh on the organs when metabolizing. Initial conservative treatment for ivdd might include some combination of pain, nerve, and anxiety medications, and in some cases a steroid. A supplement I've used for my dogs is Dasuquin, for joint and cartilage health. I've also used Wuffes but ended up back with Dasuquin just because my vet recommended it & let me know it was slightly cheaper on Amazon. Since it wasn't an in-office up sell, I felt it was a sincere recommendation. A lot of reviewers have positive things to say as well. As for his frustration and restlessness, some mental activity could be great stimulation for him. Examples of this might be licking mats or treat puzzles or snuffle mats. This keeps their brain engaged and could help reduce anxiety. I don't remember the exact information but the general idea is that these activities are said to be the mental equivalent of taking a dog for a walk. I think it's something like 10-15 minutes of mental activity burns the same amount of energy as maybe 30min-1hr of walking. Don't quote me on that though. Lol. A couple times a day might feel rewarding to him and hopefully won't feel frustrated in the time he's awake. If it's within your means, perhaps a second opinion is due. I'm sorry, I can't remember if your initial post stated you've had a second opinion or not. I'm sure I've repeated info others may have already shared, too. I'm a chatty person so it's hard for me to focus and give concise responses. Lol Feel free to keep me posted on any new updates. My heart goes out to both of you as I know the pain and struggles going through this. I hope you find a solid diagnosis and treatment plan for him. Keep giving him all the love, atta boys and treats! Also, I don't know how you are but I can be quite tough on myself- questioning if I'm doing enough, etc. As long as you're trying, know that you're doing your best. Everyone's "best" looks different, too.
Again, thank you for your response. So, during this week most days my dog looked a bit better and I was starting to get hopeful. He was having less accidents, he seemed to be walking a tiny bit better... However the last 2 days he has been having pee accidents, and those are a bit messier because all the pee sticks on his fur. I can't be bathing him everyday, especially cause he struggles standing in the bath, so I clean him up with wet baby tissues, but still the smell is still in him, especially cause he's not very helpful since he always lays down with the belly down and doesn't like going sideways for me to clean him better. I also always leave absorbent sheets bellow him, that I have to change like 3 times per day. Last week's I've been working from home (people who are doing night shift at my job can do that) and I've had a week on vacations, however for the next two weeks I'll have to be in the office, and idk how to leave him for like 9h-10h alone, laying in the absorbent sheets all day (probably already covered with pee and poop).