Labrador has slipped a disc
Discussion
Hi all
Welcoming thoughts from this great forum.
Earlier this afternoon our 11 year-old black lab slipped a disc. He s a fit, active, lean boy with no underlying health conditions. In the last couple of years he s had barely perceptible stiffness in his hips that has responded well to a vet-approved, non prescription supplement.
He and I did a good hours walk on the common 1st thing this morning where he was trotting about, playing with other dogs and generally being his normal self. He was fine when we got home and, just after lunchtime, he was lying on the rug in the sitting room next to where I was sitting. He went to get up, yelped in pain and couldn t take his weight on his hind legs. He was getting distressed and wet himself a bit so Mrs H and I bundled him into the car and took him to the local emergency vet.
By the time we got there and got him booked in, he was calmer, in less obvious pain and could bear his weight on his hind legs, albeit was limping a lot. The vet checked him over thoroughly and prescribed Tramadol and Robenacoxib. She also told us that he needs rest and to avoid straining his back so he s basically off games for 4-6 weeks. By the time we left he was walking better and not in any pain.
At the moment, he s a bit woozy from the drugs but I m worried about how, physically and psychologically, a fit, active Lab is going to cope with short bodily function walks round our garden, on a lead for 4-6 weeks.
Fortunately my wife works from home so she can sit with him all day whilst she works but I d welcome any tips on how to keep him stimulated and happy whilst he can t exercise
Welcoming thoughts from this great forum.
Earlier this afternoon our 11 year-old black lab slipped a disc. He s a fit, active, lean boy with no underlying health conditions. In the last couple of years he s had barely perceptible stiffness in his hips that has responded well to a vet-approved, non prescription supplement.
He and I did a good hours walk on the common 1st thing this morning where he was trotting about, playing with other dogs and generally being his normal self. He was fine when we got home and, just after lunchtime, he was lying on the rug in the sitting room next to where I was sitting. He went to get up, yelped in pain and couldn t take his weight on his hind legs. He was getting distressed and wet himself a bit so Mrs H and I bundled him into the car and took him to the local emergency vet.
By the time we got there and got him booked in, he was calmer, in less obvious pain and could bear his weight on his hind legs, albeit was limping a lot. The vet checked him over thoroughly and prescribed Tramadol and Robenacoxib. She also told us that he needs rest and to avoid straining his back so he s basically off games for 4-6 weeks. By the time we left he was walking better and not in any pain.
At the moment, he s a bit woozy from the drugs but I m worried about how, physically and psychologically, a fit, active Lab is going to cope with short bodily function walks round our garden, on a lead for 4-6 weeks.
Fortunately my wife works from home so she can sit with him all day whilst she works but I d welcome any tips on how to keep him stimulated and happy whilst he can t exercise
Stu R said:
We have a 9 year old black lab that just recovered from the same. Hydrotherapy was recommended as helping the recovery and shortening the time. Worth asking your vet about. Ours lives on the lakefront so is basically a fish, so he took to it rather well.
Thanks and interesting. We have the worlds only hydrophobic Labrador so may not work for us but we’re taking him to our own vet tomorrow so we’ll discuss - many thanks againWas going to say the same...had a few labs one that had hip issues and swimming was perfect. Most labs love it too. It would turn a hobbling old man in pain into a slow but pain free happy boy.
Coincidentally, as an ex rower and keen cyclist I've had a lot of back issues over the years. Swimming was what stopped me having to have surgery. I'd got as far as a nerve route block and no amount of physio had helped. It really is a magical exercise for back...boring as all hell though.
Cross posted - if he hates swimming that's a challenge. How food orientated is he? You might be able to get him to enjoy it was his favourite tidbit.
Coincidentally, as an ex rower and keen cyclist I've had a lot of back issues over the years. Swimming was what stopped me having to have surgery. I'd got as far as a nerve route block and no amount of physio had helped. It really is a magical exercise for back...boring as all hell though.
Cross posted - if he hates swimming that's a challenge. How food orientated is he? You might be able to get him to enjoy it was his favourite tidbit.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
. How food orientated is he? You might be able to get him to enjoy it was his favourite tidbit.
This is the Lab that, in his life, has stolen and eaten:A 2 Kg sirloin of beef
A whole chicken carcass
300g of fois gras (including packaging)
A doner kebab with chilli sauce, dropped by someone a few paces in front of him
The rotting remains of a long-dead Canada goose (the last remnants of which he ‘dabbed behind his ears’ as a happy reminder of a lucky feast
It’s fair to say that, even by the standards of a Labrador, he’s a greedy f*cker
ClaphamGT3 said:
TGCOTF-dewey said:
. How food orientated is he? You might be able to get him to enjoy it was his favourite tidbit.
This is the Lab that, in his life, has stolen and eaten:A 2 Kg sirloin of beef
A whole chicken carcass
300g of fois gras (including packaging)
A doner kebab with chilli sauce, dropped by someone a few paces in front of him
The rotting remains of a long-dead Canada goose (the last remnants of which he dabbed behind his ears as a happy reminder of a lucky feast
It s fair to say that, even by the standards of a Labrador, he s a greedy f*cker
Hope he gets well...it's hard seeing an active dog struggle.
ETA...on that theme, my old Lab ate an unwashed takeaway curry tray that we'd left on the counter with the aim of clearing up in the morning. He had glitter poo for two days.
He also mugged an old man who'd just left the local bakery. They used paper bags so he ripped it open and scarfed down the bread rolls. My late father was not amused as he was dog sitting.
Edited by TGCOTF-dewey on Sunday 10th May 19:55
ClaphamGT3 said:
Stu R said:
We have a 9 year old black lab that just recovered from the same. Hydrotherapy was recommended as helping the recovery and shortening the time. Worth asking your vet about. Ours lives on the lakefront so is basically a fish, so he took to it rather well.
Thanks and interesting. We have the worlds only hydrophobic Labrador so may not work for us but we re taking him to our own vet tomorrow so we ll discuss - many thanks againHope everything works out well for you.
ETA: forgot to say, the tank is empty when they enter, so that may help with the hydrophobia!
Edited by -Cappo- on Monday 11th May 07:44
ClaphamGT3 said:
GiantEnemyCrab said:
There are dog c/ animal chiropractors but no idea on how sensible they are in fixing stuff.
Thanks but, on something as critical as a slipped disc injury that could paralyse him if exacerbated, no pseudo-science quack is going within a million miles of him
ClaphamGT3 said:
GiantEnemyCrab said:
There are dog c/ animal chiropractors but no idea on how sensible they are in fixing stuff.
Thanks but, on something as critical as a slipped disc injury that could paralyse him if exacerbated, no pseudo-science quack is going within a million miles of himStu R said:
cliffords said:
After the four year course , and one year out in practice before gaining the qualification, they don't often get referred to as pseudo science quack .
They should, because it's exactly what they are. In answer to the OP
Slipped disc is a rather misleading term. Do you know if the dog has a more accurate diagnosis. Is this a single event trauma or is it a more widespread degeneration of discs?
If a disc has started to calcify it will lose elacticity and 'bulge', it presses on the spinal cord and this in turn begins to interrupt the messaging functions which can affect limbs/gait/ but can also affect bowel function, bladder function and deliver all sorts of neuropathic pain which is horrid. Think Sciatic pain!
If the disc is degenerating due to age or disease - you really need to know - you cannot put the shock absorbtion properties back in so you need to be very careful.
Discs can take WEEKS or even months to settle down, it is really important that your dog properly REST! avoid exercise, exertion and especially slippery surfaces or uneven ground. Did you have an MRI to grade this disc in terms of severity?
My recommendation would be to look at recovery for IVDD advice (the Dachshund community has a lot of info) - even if this may not been given as a diagnosis it is probably the most useful reference and comparison.
In *most* cases hydrotherapy is NOT recommended for spinal / neuropathic / because exactly as has been pointed out, a pinching of this disc further can lead to paralysis. In *some* cases you may find it is helpful for learning to spinal walk in a UWT (underwater treadmill) but under the guidance of a VET PHYSIO not a hydrotherapist. Free swimming is often suggested but is in fact very dangerous because of the pressure it adds to a spine as dogs swim through the spine unlike humans who swim with limbs
it actually puts way too much load through it for this type of situation.Please research an ACPAT physiotherapist, Vet Physiotherapists and make sure your Hydrotherapist is qualified properly from a 3 year course such as Greyfriars - there are way too many places offering 'fun swims' with absolutely zero knowledge (a 1 day course). You can paralyse a dog with a herniated disc if you swim them.
Rest rest rest (lead walks) careful non slip floors, no jumping on or off furniture and restrictions in the house (use babygates) and get proper qualified advice.
Best of luck mate
cliffords said:
Our Spaniel has a disc problem, it's been out twice , she is 6 and has moments of lunatic running and jumping behaviour, great fun to watch but the pain from the vet bills , I believe has now overtaken her discomfort.
Spaniels carry the same faulty CDDY gene that Dachshunds carry. It is the chondrodystrophy gene (dwarfism). This gene (FGF4 retrogene insertion at 12 if you are geeky about genetics) is responsible for programming 'short legs' but sadly it also switches 'on' premature degeneration of the disc (calcification). This mutation is passed down through genetics.It degenerative and doesn't 'get better' and therefore is advisable to do a bit of reading about it so that aware of this condition and what to do if she has another and worse episode (they can become suddenly paralysed and scream with pain - it is horrific). Make sure you have already researched your nearest referrals centre with an excellent neurosurgeon. And make sure you keep up with insurance cover. Hope she doesn't have further episodes.
ClaphamGT3 said:
At the moment, he s a bit woozy from the drugs but I m worried about how, physically and psychologically, a fit, active Lab is going to cope with short bodily function walks round our garden, on a lead for 4-6 weeks.
Fortunately my wife works from home so she can sit with him all day whilst she works but I d welcome any tips on how to keep him stimulated and happy whilst he can t exercise
Once he's up to it, use the garden for mental stimulation. Hide a stack of kibble (or sprats) around the garden and let him hunt for it. Our two young labs find this much more tiring mentally than an hour long walk or chasing a ball. Fortunately my wife works from home so she can sit with him all day whilst she works but I d welcome any tips on how to keep him stimulated and happy whilst he can t exercise
Don't make it too easy!
8GAAR6 said:
Stu R said:
cliffords said:
After the four year course , and one year out in practice before gaining the qualification, they don't often get referred to as pseudo science quack .
They should, because it's exactly what they are. In answer to the OP
Slipped disc is a rather misleading term. Do you know if the dog has a more accurate diagnosis. Is this a single event trauma or is it a more widespread degeneration of discs?
If a disc has started to calcify it will lose elacticity and 'bulge', it presses on the spinal cord and this in turn begins to interrupt the messaging functions which can affect limbs/gait/ but can also affect bowel function, bladder function and deliver all sorts of neuropathic pain which is horrid. Think Sciatic pain!
If the disc is degenerating due to age or disease - you really need to know - you cannot put the shock absorbtion properties back in so you need to be very careful.
Discs can take WEEKS or even months to settle down, it is really important that your dog properly REST! avoid exercise, exertion and especially slippery surfaces or uneven ground. Did you have an MRI to grade this disc in terms of severity?
My recommendation would be to look at recovery for IVDD advice (the Dachshund community has a lot of info) - even if this may not been given as a diagnosis it is probably the most useful reference and comparison.
In *most* cases hydrotherapy is NOT recommended for spinal / neuropathic / because exactly as has been pointed out, a pinching of this disc further can lead to paralysis. In *some* cases you may find it is helpful for learning to spinal walk in a UWT (underwater treadmill) but under the guidance of a VET PHYSIO not a hydrotherapist. Free swimming is often suggested but is in fact very dangerous because of the pressure it adds to a spine as dogs swim through the spine unlike humans who swim with limbs
it actually puts way too much load through it for this type of situation.Please research an ACPAT physiotherapist, Vet Physiotherapists and make sure your Hydrotherapist is qualified properly from a 3 year course such as Greyfriars - there are way too many places offering 'fun swims' with absolutely zero knowledge (a 1 day course). You can paralyse a dog with a herniated disc if you swim them.
Rest rest rest (lead walks) careful non slip floors, no jumping on or off furniture and restrictions in the house (use babygates) and get proper qualified advice.
Best of luck mate
He’s doing okay thanks. We took him to our own vet, who knows him well on Monday and he was a bit more sanguine than the emergency vet.
We are seriously resting him - short - under five minute - lead walks, no running, no pulling and no climbing anything. He’s still on opioid painkillers so a bit spaced out but he’s eating, peeing and pooing and sleeping well.
We are a bit worried about our kitchen floor which is a bit slippery but everything else we’re fine with.
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