[Vowel Lady]

Two years ago my dachshund had to have back surgery. I took her to the vet right away, he didn't see what I saw, there was a delay getting her on meds...things got much worse...she ended up having surgery and did much better.

HOWEVER, last night, I saw those very early symptoms again.

I took her to the emergency vet. She was given steriods and antibiotics (due to a fever). This morning, she looked terrible. Her tail is between her legs. She moans when she sleeps. She is lethargic. She is favoring one leg.

I gave her the prednsione tablet the doc prescribed. I also went to the holistic vet store and bought Nupro vitamins and liquid glucosimine and mixed in a little drop of CoQ10. I spoke with another emergency vet and he said it was okay to give her a tiny amount of Pepcid.

To my delight, it's been several hours and her eyes look bright. She is standing up in her crate...I think these are all good signs.

Tomorrow is a holiday...probably not much will happen. I will either bring her to the surgeon or a holistic doctor ( a new one that just moved into the area...people love him).

Not sure exactly what my next move should be. I DO know that she needs more prednisone and GOOD THOUGHTS and PRAYERS.

This could not have come at a WORSE time..one of my kids is getting married in two weeks.

Doing research...came across this site re: vitamins...looks great...

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Anyone take their pet to a holistic doc?
Would they object to prednisone usage?
Can I go to the hollistic vet and the regular vet at the same time?

Thank you.

[Twinkletoes]

A
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the poor doggy! I hope he continues to feel better so you can concentrate on the wedding!
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[jaded2nite]

VL

Even though she seems better please be sure to keep her crated. Only out to potty. Carry her to and from going potty.

Sometimes the meds mask the injury and if they are too active it can do more damage. Most vets will recommend 5-8 weeks of crate rest.

You have my prayers and good thoughts for you and your fur baby, I hope this is just a flare up and she is better soon.

A great site with lots of info on back issue with this breed is

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the info I got from this site helped me through my Dachshunds back issues and surgery.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Dottie

[mrsD]

I know nothing about doxies and back woes.

If this is a sprain, it will probably respond to the steroid shot.
If this is something else...then the Vet has to do his/her thing.

You can give dogs other pain drugs (very unlike cats) so if this
is a self limiting issue, your dog can be more comfortable.
There is even an NSAID for dogs, but it is pretty expensive.

I would check to make sure your dog didn't have a bee sting.
Sometimes they step on wasp nests in the ground or get too near one and get stung. We have had two cats have this happen.
Usually there is swelling of the paw though for that.


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# Etogesic (etodolac)(tablets)
# Rimadyl (carprofen)(caplets and chewable tablets; injection)
# Metacam (meloxicam)(drops given by mouth; injection)
# Zubrin (tepoxalin)(rapidly disintegrating tablets)
# Deramaxx (deracoxib)(chewable tablets)
# Previcox (firocoxib)(chewable tablets)
# Novox (generic carprofen)(caplets)

The two I bolded are available in human pharmacies,but I don't know the doses used on a small dog. Meloxicam is only available for humans as tablets, but it is convenient at once a day dosing.
There are some online pet places -- that sell medications for less $$ than the vet. We have used PetMeds.com once when traveling. (they need permission from the Vet tho)

I hope this is self limiting for both you and your doxie.

[Doody]

((Vowel Lady))
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Oh, scary stuff. The scary part for me is that once a dachsund goes down does not mean it won't happen again.

Like Dottie said, keep that baby crated and don't let her roam at will! Not until she sees a vet! She may seem better but the prednisone could be masking her symptoms so that she is able to move around. Prednisone is a miracle worker (saved my life 3 times!) and very remarkable.

I have absolutely no problem with holistic medicine at all! But I would want to cover ALL bases.

And yes, Dodgers List is THE BEST! My daughter immediately became a member when Otto went down. They have such great advice and so many stories to share.

Oh, I hope your baby is well on it's way to recovery, and of course a prayer has been sent already!
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[knittenkitten]

I hope by now you have had a chance to get some more attention for you little friend. It makes you feel so helpless when your pet is sick. They may not understand what is wrong but they do understand that you are loving them and taking care of them. Let us know how things work out. I am praying.

[Vowel Lady]

Thank you all very much!

She does seem well on to recovery...she doesn't seem to be in nearly as much pain, etc.

We took her to the regular vet. She is suggesting another week of prednisone, plus a muscle relaxer. Then begin a slow taper. I dunno. I think this is okay...just don't have much to base this on. She said that if things worsen, she would stop the process...perhaps give a stronger steriod.

If things worsen significantly, I'm to take the dog back to the neurologist.

No xrays were taken. Her fever is gone.

She seems much better...I am sooooo happy that we caught it early and got her on steriods. However, I just don't know what to expect from this point forward.

We are considering taking her to the alternative vet next week for an opinion.

This hasn't been as stressful as the previous experience...which was hideous, but it still is difficult. AND I do wonder now...if this will be an ongoing thing. My dog still is no where near her happy go lucky self and the house just doesn't seem the same.

Continued good thoughts/prayers appreciated. Again, many thanks.

[Doody]

((Vowel Lady)) I'm so happy to hear this! I hope she continues on the road to recovery.

Hey, if you can go to that holistic doctor, do it! When I first got Bruna I took her to my massage therapist for cranial sacral treatment. (She's taken so many advanced courses at
.
). I firmly believe in the power that can come from holistic approaches.

Keep us updated please.
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[Vowel Lady]

Knock on wood...
My puppy seems to be doing a little better and she seems happier.
However, she wants OUT of her crate.
The doc didn't say much of anything about how long she is to stay in there. I'm only taking her out to go to the bathroom. She is standing just fine now and looking at me like I'm crazy or something keeping her in the crate. She seems to be out of pain today. The doc said there was a chance that when we lowered the pred. the pain would return. We begin a little taper tomorrow. ????? The wedding is coming up and it is out of town. I've made arrangements to board her w/ the vet.

[jaded2nite]

seems you have a good vet that understands back issues in doxies. It is agood idea to do a taper.....if she seems painful again you know the meds were masking the pain.

hopefully the taper will be uneventful and she will be out of her prison.

I know how hard it is to keep her crated.....I had to endure close to 3 months of crate rest when Mya had her surgery. It is so difficult, they look at you with those pitiful eyes and you feel like such a bad Mom for keeping them in the crate. But just hang on to the knowledge that you are doing what is best for her.

Have fun at the wedding. Im sure she will be in ggood hands with your vet.

Dottie