[CorkyMax]

This is an article from Doctors Foster and Smith:We received a call a few years ago from a client who lives over 100 miles from our clinic. She had rescued several racing greyhounds and adopted them. Greyhound racing at organized tracks has increased dramatically in popularity during the past two decades and as a result, an extensive rescue network has formed to find homes for the retired racers. These dogs, with rare exceptions, make excellent family pets.

Maggie, the dog that the owner was concerned about, was a five-year old spayed female. Following a day of running miles while her owner was on horseback, the owner noticed a clicking sound as Maggie walked. One foot seemed to be rolling over and the toenails were dragging on the floor, producing the sound. The dog showed no signs of pain and had no limp, but we asked the owner to bring Maggie in on an emergency basis instead of waiting until the following day. The changes in her gait may have seemed minor but there was a chance that something serious had occurred. To confirm this we needed to examine the animal.

As we observed Maggie walk across the parking lot two hours later, her left rear foot was obviously dragging and she was unable to bear normal weight on that leg. She was limping and when we took x-rays, our worst fears were confirmed. The pictures of the foot, leg and hip looked normal. It wasn't until we got to the x-rays of the 'backbone' or spine, that the cause of the problem was readily apparent.

The x-rays showed an obvious narrowing of the normal space between the last thoracic and first lumbar vertebra. Normally this space is filled with a 1/4" spongy pad we call a disc. Our physical exam and other tests confirmed our diagnosis that Maggie had 'ruptured' a disc, causing it to put pressure on the spinal cord and disrupt nerve flow to the back leg. Her condition had progressed to a limp when she first arrived at the clinic, and less than two hours after her arrival she had lost total use of the leg and could not feel pain or pressure. And worst of all, the right rear leg was beginning to be affected! A decision had to be made immediately. A delay in treatment could lead to total paralysis and death.

Although this IV disc disease can be treated medically, we felt that surgery was the best course of action since the symptoms were progressing so fast. This meant going in and removing a section of the bony vertebrae giving more space for the spinal cord while at the same time removing the ruptured disc. Because a few hours earlier her dog had been perfectly normal and very active, the decision was difficult for Maggie's owner. Thankfully she agreed, because by the time we started preparing Maggie for surgery, both rear legs were paralyzed.

The surgery was uneventful and medications were given to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the spinal cord, as well as relieve the pain. After surgery, we really weren't sure what would happen, but three days later, we began to see use returning to the rear legs. Over the next week Maggie returned to normal.

This case outlines an important point of pet ownership. People who are involved with their pets and notice small and seemingly unimportant changes in their behavior and physical condition need to communicate it to their veterinarians. If Maggie's owner would have waited until Monday morning, there is a good chance that we could have done little to save the animal. By then the spinal cord would have been severely injured and neither surgery nor medicine would have done any good.

[Todd]

Thanks for sharing! Very interesting and could be very helpful for everyone!

[GSDS4Life]

Great post.

And I agree totaly with the last part. And this is why a few times I have said that we are not vets on here and we can't/shouldn't diagnose.

I can understand someone who HAS seen a vet coming on here asking if anyone else has gone though the same with their dog. But if you have notice some changes in your dog, then a call to your vet should be the first thing you do. Sorry but that's how I feel.

A friend of mine was telling me that when he was on a forum, someone posted about their Rottie. Everyone kept telling him to go to a vet. No he kept posting. Kept asking what do I do.They were starting to get ticked with this poster. Long story short, his dog died 3 days later. The dog probably would have lived if he did.

[Lara's mom]

My Bailey turned 13 this February. I can see how much she has slowed down. I count each and every day I have with her as a blessing. I know we are now living on "borrowed time." She is still remarkably healthy for her age. Apart from her liver enzymes which are being controlled with medication, she is perfectly healthy. I consider myself so blessed...

Her step-mom and I watch her like hawks for any "abnormal changes." So far, so good. She is doing VERY well. However, we have discussed what we would do in the event that she seriously declines. The one thing I know is that we won't allow her to suffer. I also know that when that terrible day comes, it will be me in the room holding her as she draws her last breath. Her step-mom just will not be able to handle it. I know that. We all have different abilities to cope.

I think it is important for all parents of senior dogs to have "the discussion." Decide what constitutes a good quality of life. Too many of us allow our babies to suffer out of misplaced love and loyalty. As hard as it is, you have to put your baby's feelings before your own and do what is best for your little lovey. I'm dreading the day when I have to make that decision, whenever it comes. What I do know is, I will not let Bailey suffer because I am not ready to let her go. I will do the right thing for her. I love her so much that I could do no less for her.

[gambler-girl]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I think it is important for all parents of senior dogs to have "the discussion." Decide what constitutes a good quality of life. Too many of us allow our babies to suffer out of misplaced love and loyalty. As hard as it is, you have to put your baby's feelings before your own and do what is best for your little lovey. I'm dreading the day when I have to make that decision, whenever it comes. What I do know is, I will not let Bailey suffer because I am not ready to let her go. I will do the right thing for her. I love her so much that I could do no less for her.

Well not exactly your situation, but I had a young girl and she battled for about 9 months a lung infection. She fought it off 4 times the last bout 2 big gun antibiotics for 6 weeks. I said if this didn't work I would put her down. Each time it came back she was weaker and weaker. Well time #5 came along it was her 2nd birthday, my vet said lets give her one last chance, I went along with it. Took her home on an IV and more antibiotics. I slept beside her that night. At 3am she awoke and was screeming in pain, then slumped over and died. I let her down, I should have stuck to my guns and followed through with the plan. Her last moments of life were in absolute pain, I feel I failed her.

GG

[Lara's mom]

Don't do that to yourself. Please...You made the best decision based on the information you had at the time. None of us really knows what is the right thing to do. We all go with what our vet tells us and what our "gut feeling" tells us.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Don't do that to yourself. Please...You made the best decision based on the information you had at the time. None of us really knows what is the right thing to do. We all go with what our vet tells us and what our "gut feeling" tells us.

Yes I agree. Don't balme yourself for trying to do what you thought was best.

[gambler-girl]

Originally Posted by Todd

Yes I agree. Don't balme yourself for trying to do what you thought was best.

The point I am trying to make is, I didn't do what I new was best, I knew I had to let her go but, mostly because it was her birttday, I went with emotion instead of reason. Telling the story again just helps remind me not to let it happen again, and for people that can learn from others mistakes that they will not do what I did.
thanks though

GG

[Todd]

Originally Posted by gambler-girl

The point I am trying to make is, I didn't do what I new was best, I knew I had to let her go but, mostly because it was her birttday, I went with emotion instead of reason. Telling the story again just helps remind me not to let it happen again, and for people that can learn from others mistakes that they will not do what I did.
thanks though

GG

Well sometimes emotion is a stronger feeling than reason. It's the concept of hope and that is something you cannot blame yourself for.