When is the right time with a dog diagnosed with IVDD?

[nicnacxoxo]

Hi, need some advice as I just dont know what to do.

Have a 7 year old Frenchie.
At the start of May he started limping, thought he had hurt his paw but gradually it got worse. Phoned the vets and he was put on pain killers. No improvement so had another appointment yesterday and was told it's his spine and his back legs are going fast. (Think its called IVDD).
Basically said hes in a lot of pain and he wouldn't judge us if we decided to put him to sleep there and then.

Obviously, this was quite a shock as hes been mostly his normal crazy self.

So, we are in a dilemma. Vet said we can give it a few weeks and see how it goes but how long do we leave him in pain? I dont want to be selfish.

We have a holiday booked the start of July and he'd be staying with my DM. He absolutely loves staying at his granny's house but what if he gets worse during this week? Do we do it before and have less time with him? We also have 3 DC, 14, 11 and 4. Told the two older ones last night and they are heartbroken.

We just dont know what to do. Any advice is welcome.

Please no judgement as anyone with a dog understands how hard this is.

It's super super hard, but the vet has said as clearly as they could that they think it's time. They won't say "put your dog to sleep right now". But they've heavily hinted that they think it's the right thing to do. It's an agonising condition, and dogs are incredibly stoic. If you aren't going to try and go the surgery route in the hope of curing him (and no judgement here, I wouldn't) then it's time. I'm really sorry.

Its so hard because hes so normal, a little quiet but still playing with the DC and being generally happy.

We are going to take him to the beach at the weekend then I think have to make a final decision.

The vet did say we could try a cage for 6 weeks or the wheelchair but its too cruel as neither can help long term.

Have you researched it at all, seen an ivdd specialist? It should be graded out of 5 levels.

If your dog still has use of it’s back legs I find it hard to believe it is not curable with either surgery or the Cambridge injections trial.

Our sausage dog was unfortunately struck down a few months ago and with strict crate rest has improved greatly.

I’d hate for you to put your poor dog to sleep unnecessarily due to your vet’s lack of knowledge on IVDD

I've worked with dogs that have open fractures and will still come over wagging their tails. People often think that dogs will be totally depressed and off their food and refusing to engage if they are in major pain - often they aren't. But that doesn't diminish the pain. Remember his breed - he's literally descended from dogs bred to endure horrific injuries and keep going. Hugs.