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Dachshund with IVDD?

Posted: Feb 22, 2011

My 8-year-old dachshund jumped off the arm of the couch to the floor and yelped and ran under the bed. He pooped under there (something he never does). And now both of his back legs aren\'t working. I googled this and it said IVDD.

Has anyone had this problem with a doxie? Did you get the surgery? How expensive is it? I\'m so afraid I won\'t be able to afford that surgery, and I\'m kicking myself for not getting VPI insurance, although I probably couldn\'t even afford that.

When I got my doxie about 8 years ago I was making 48K per year, and, as we all in this industry know, my pay has plummeted. If anyone had success with not going the surgery route, such as crate rest, etc. I\'d be so grateful. He doesn\'t seem to be in any pain, just can\'t walk. I do have an appt at the vet tomorrow but I\'m so worried they will just say he needs surgery and now. I don\'t know what I\'ll do.......

;

Have you talked to your vet? - djf

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I have a 9 year old dachshund, and he can be quite frantic at times. It's one of the reasons I love him. But if he was obviously injured and not acting right, I'd call my vet immediately. My doxie has the beginnings of arthritis and had some similar back leg problems. The vet put him on some anti-inflammatories for a week or so and then glucosamine, and he's doing great now. My advice would be talk to your vet ASAP.

My neice and a friend of mine...sm - Poor Pooch

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have dachshunds. My niece has had several dachshunds. With her first one, she woke up one morning and "Miles" wasn't able to move his legs. He was wimpering and in pain. She took him to the vet and apparently he had the equivalent of a broken back. This apparently is very common with these types of dogs because of their long backs. Well, he was paralyzed so the vet told her he could perform surgery, which would have been in the thousands. He told her that there was no way of knowing if the surgery would work and that there was a good chance that it would not. With that, she had to put him to sleep. She cried for weeks. My friend who has a dachshund also had the same thing happen. "Rascal" was wimpering, paralyzed, and obviously in pain. My friend opted for the surgery and the last I heard he was doing just great with all functioning returning to his legs. Back problems are very common with these types of dogs. If he pooped and that is something he never does, I would think it is because he is paralyzed and can't feel his body, though I could be wrong. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but that is all I know about dachshunds. Good luck.

I would get him to your vet immediately.. - MTforever

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He could have some serious damage...especially if his back legs aren't working now and the longer you wait it's possible he could have a much longer recovery time because of the delay in getting him to a vet. Of course,if he does need surgery the longer you wait the worse his chances for a full recovery will be. Please take him to a vet very soon!

Thank you to those who replied. I do have - Kiki1

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an appt first thing in the morning with the vet. My doxie doesn't seem to be in pain thankfully, but I'm very worried. My friend just told me that if I can't afford the surgery to relinquish him to the humane society and they will treat him and try to adopt him out. While I love my dog, I'd rather have him treated and go to someone else than not afford to do it and have him suffer.

I looked on the humane society's web site though, and I didn't see anything about whether they would accept a dog with expensive medical problems. Now I'm wondering if they would just put him to sleep!

Please come back and keep us posted - nm - MTforever

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xx

Humane Society - OHMT

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Please call with the Humane Society about that first, don't just assume on someone else's word. I cannot think that they would put up money for an expensive surgery.

some vets will finance... s/m - momofjacks

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I'm not saying that surgery is the best option if recommended, but some vets will allow you to finance high-cost procedures, usually just through their office, not a credit company or anything, with a down payment and monthly payments thereafter. You are also entitled to a second opinion with another vet, if you can get an appointment quickly enough and if your pet doesn't seem to be suffering. Most rescue organizations will take surrendered dogs with costly veterinary bills, but sometimes euthanasia truly is the best thing for an animal that is in pain and whose long-term outlook maybe isn't so great. I wish you the best. It's a hard decision whether you decide to have surgery, euthanize, or give your pet up, but take it one step at a time, starting with speaking openly with your vet and making sure you have covered all the bases as far as what is truly needed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and your dachshund. I've inserted a link that I found on Dachshund IVDD. It contains several links within it that you may find helpful and also the main page that the address leads to contains information on some alternative therapies to IVDD such as acupuncture and physical therapy. Again, best of luck to you and please keep us updated.

new at posting links - momofjacks

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I don't know why that link didn't copy correctly, but I did click on it just to check and it does lead to the website that I was referring to.

Thank you so much for that info...... - Kiki1

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Very interesting. I was frantic at first, but I decided I need to calm down, take a few deep breaths, and take it one step at a time like you said. This is going to be one of the most important decisions I have ever made, and I'm having anxiety attacks over here.

Thanks again and I will keep you posted.

Rescues - sereneone

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I think your friend probably meant a specific breed rescue organization. Many of them do and will take injured/sick animals, rehab them and then adopt them out. Google "dachsund rescue," your city name and see if there are any in your area. Also, obviously, check them out and make sure they are legitimate places. If you call them, they may even be able to get you help with the expense, maybe a discount with their vet(s), and you can keep your dog.

I am so sorry your poor pooch is hurt and for what you are going through.

Raised dachies. Had same thing happen to one. Kept closely confined, - in crate, used sheet under belly SM

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to support back end when doing out. Gave steroids and she slowly improved, took weeks. Strict confinement, no extra movement, was the key.

Did your doxie have the surgery or did you - kiki1

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do just strict crate rest? Did she have back let paralysis and incontinence? I am wondering if it is possible for a Doxie that has paralysis/incontinence to still recover (eventually) with strict crate rest.

Oskar had a back episode where his legs were just a little wobbly but he didn't get incontinence. I crated him and he did improve, but this time with the paralysis/incontinence, a little worried. I have been reading online on forums such as dodgerslist and have heard of cases where dogs can recover with strict crate rest, no surgery, but I wonder if these are just the dogs that didn't have paralysis?

correction in my first para: back LEG paralysis. oops! - kiki1

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But you knew that.......

No surgery, dont remember that incontenence was a prob. - THis was several yrs ago. nm

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x

Dachsie had no use of her back legs, wouuld just drag them - behind her. nm

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zx

Can I ask you......Did the dog that improved - kiki1

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with weeks of strict confinement start out with back leg paralysis and/or incontinence or just wobbly back legs?

I am hoping to hear that it is possible to recover w/o surgery even if the dog started with paralysis.

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