Disc issues

[Pomp]

Last night, one of my beagles started to yelp whenever he moved his neck. Took him to the vet this morning, and the vet said he was having disc issues (most likely IVDD). I know beagles and other short-legged/long body breeds are prone to this. Also, on Saturday I was walking him and he decided to launch after a doberman, completely contorted his body, and fell back on the ground. I'm sure that didn't help.

Symptoms are mild at this point, as he has full movement and reflexes in his legs. Doctor gave him a steroid shot, and put him pregnizone for 10 days. He also told me to restrict his movements as much as possible to give the disc a chance to heal, and for scar tissue to develop between the spine and disc -- giving it some cushion.

I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with IVDD, in particular to those who had dogs with mild symptons which did not require surgery. I'm wondering if the steroid + rest treatment leads to full recovery and/or do I need to alter my dog's routine for the rest of his life?

Also, is surgery only required if paralysis begins to show?

Thanks

 

[Pomp]

*prednisone

 

[JennSLK]

My beagle was put down at 4.5yrs because a disk in her neck disingrated. When she walked she would walk on her tippy toes infront because she couldnt move them properly. She has limited sensation in her front and would fall. There was no reason for the disk problem. She was on Pred anf Florinef (sp?) for her Addissons for the year prior.

Surgery would have been a MINIMUM $5000. We had to put her down because her chances with surgery were not good.

I would fallow the vets orders to a "T", and personaly I would alter his life style for life.

 

[Ratboy]

I went through this for almost 18 months with my Pit Mix Gus, and I decided against the surgery, and I wish I had done it, as it probably would have prevented about 15 months of his suffering. When something makes a dog who had several minor surgeries and got stitches after minor injuries without any numbing medicine scream in pain, it had to be bad. His refusal to keep from jumping around all the time didn't help at all. He was almost 10 when he blew the disk, and was very active even after, but he got very "rusty" from all the sitting around trying to get the thing to heal up, and was never the same. A woman I know is going through this right now with one of her miniature Dachshunds. It seems like every 3some she has had, going back about 35 years, there's been one of them with a disc issue.

 

[Pomp]

Appreciate both of your comments, and I'm sorry about your losses.

It's been about 36 hours and he's having no more pain. Prednisone seems to have kicked in very nicely. Obviously, I'm still limiting his activity, even though he wants to run around like a lunatic. He still tries to "beagle" when he gets outside (a.k.a, pick up a scent and then go nuts trying to track it). I also propped up his food bowl so he doesn't have to bend over as much to eat and drink.

I spoke with the vet again today, and we scheduled X-rays a couple weeks from now. Vet didn't seem to be overly concerned since the pain is already gone, but the X-rays will allow him to make some diagnostic recommendations.

I'm really wondering if it's IVDD, or the result of his doberman experience this weekend (or maybe both?). He literally did a backflip going after this doberman and landed body-first on the sidewalk.

Also, has anyone heard of the supplement "Vetri-disc?" I'm thinking about adding it after the prednisone treatment is over.

Vetri-Science Vetri-Disc For Dogs