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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My poor lovely collie

36 replies

cazboldy · 16/04/2013 17:14

has got a prolapsed disc.... Sad

she was limping a bit yesterday, but not enough to make me overly concerned, thought she may have a bruised pad (couldn't see anything obviously wrong with it)

then when my dh got up this morning, he woke me and said she wouldn't go out with him like usual. (she sleeps at the side of the bed and usually goes with him in the mornings at about half 4 - he milks cows) but she comes back quickly (she's more of a family dog)

When I got up, she couldn't get up Sad
she was trying, but it was as if she had lost the use of her back end Sad

so i got the dc to school and took her to the vets.

They said 3 options - surgery (which just isn't feasible for us to even consider) and may not work anyway.

PTS Sad

or give anti inflammortories for a week or 2 and hope she recovers with some rest and nursing ( though very slim chance )

I am so so sad.... and she knows it too bless her. They have said she is feeling no pain ( she is basically paralysed and also on the painkillers/anti inflammatories) so we just have to keep our fingers crossed and wait and see.

anyone had the same thing happen? (hoping for miracle stories!)

OP posts:
1MitchellMum · 16/04/2013 17:19

I haven't any experience, but just wanted to say how sorry I am. Do try with the tablets, and keep her rested - EVEN if she does want to go and run around. Fingers crossed, this must be such a shock for you all.

cocolepew · 16/04/2013 17:22

How upsetting for you, hopefully the tablets and rest will work x

miggy · 16/04/2013 20:23

depending on the nature of the problem, which cant be properly diagnosed without contrast xrays or mri, a recovery is certainly possible.
Have seen completely paralysed dacshunds walk again.
BUT rest is the key, literally cage rest as the more she moves about, the less chance there is of recovery. it usually also is more like 6 weeks than one or two.
if she is in no pain it is worth a try at least. just make sure that she is passing urine and poohing ok as she will become uncomfortable if she cant
will keep fingers crossed

Original poster
cazboldy · 16/04/2013 21:31

miggy

Thanks for the info

She is resting, but getting her in/outside is v. hard (I'm 15 wks pg and she's quite heavy) also am worried about hurting her when i move her/ causing more damage. Sad

she has pooed a couple of times, but don't think she has weed, but is eating drinking well.

OP posts:
lulalullabye · 17/04/2013 05:46

My sister had a cat, it was bitten by next doors dog and had a spinal fracture. She kept it in a crate for six weeks and it walked again, worth a try.

throckenholt · 17/04/2013 07:42

Not the same - but our collie broke her cruciate ligament (that holds the knee together). Similar prognosis - extortionately expensive operation that might not work, PTS, or complete rest and see what happens). We went with the complete rest (not easy with a collie). And she recovered well and had another good few years.

I hope it works out with your collie. It sounds like you are round and about during the day so at least she won't get too lonely.

BinarySolo · 17/04/2013 07:48

Poor you. Sorry no advice, but just wanted to add some sympathy. Could you wheel her about on a trolley to avoid having to lift her?

Fingers crossed the rest will work.

throckenholt · 17/04/2013 13:25

just done some lunchtime googling and came up with this - might make you feel a bit more optimistic.

Original poster
cazboldy · 18/04/2013 09:21

thanks all

she seems a bit brighter. going to speak to the vet though as i don't think she is weeing. as she seems incontinent with poo i can't understand why Sad

she is laying down like a normal dog today instead of flat out on her side, but she can't wag her tail.

OP posts:
throckenholt · 20/04/2013 09:09

Is she any better ?

Original poster
cazboldy · 20/04/2013 14:52

not really, has been small improvement in that she can sit up, but cannot wee, so am having to manually empty her bladder.

vet thinks after further tests it is more likely to be spinal stroke, and that if no better ( no miracle! ) by monday we should pts Sad

vet has been brill, and seems v. worried about how i am coping, and says that normally they would have them stay into do the nursing, but I know poor Fizz would hate being away from us, and am managing ok.

just can't imagine life without her Sad

OP posts:
throckenholt · 20/04/2013 15:10

:(

My gut feeling is if you are coping and she seems happy enough then give her longer to recover. If she seems really sad and you are struggling to cope as well - then it is time to call it a day.

We were lucky that our 8 year old collie recovered from the cruciate ligament - but a few years later when she suddenly (overnight) started voiding blood and looking really really sad we gave a day of rehydration at the vets, but when she was not improving a day or so later we decided she had had enough. Still miss her 3 years later, despite having other dogs.

Original poster
cazboldy · 20/04/2013 15:19

Not sure she is happy - i think she feels a bit confused by it all bless her. The vet said if it is neurological and hasn't shown significant improvement in a week then it won't.

also she is classed as a sever case as she has no deep pain reflex, so total block somewhere along her spine Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
cazboldy · 20/04/2013 15:19

*severe case

OP posts:
bassetfeet · 20/04/2013 22:02

How are things with you and your dear Fizz ? A lurker but very aware how you must be feeling . Collies are unique .

TwllBach · 20/04/2013 22:07

I can't help, OP, but I just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you and your poor dog. I've got a collie lying on the floor in front of me and wouldn't know what to do in your position. I'm so sorry, OP Sad

alicetrefusis · 21/04/2013 17:50

Oh goodness so sorry to hear this. I too have a BC at my feet and can't imagine what you must be going through.

I don't wish to pry, but if it's money that's preventing the surgery option, is there any way you could fund raise for her ( though I know you are PG too..)

Wishing for a miracle for you.

Original poster
cazboldy · 22/04/2013 12:03

alicetrefusis money is a major part, but not the only thing - the vet herself said she wouldn't recommend it - it may not work, and there is nothing to stop it recurring. Anyway things have progressed somewhat from that point. We are now sure it is a spinal stroke rather than a slipped disc.

have been to the vet this morning. We have been agonising all weekend and swinging between what to do, but yesterday i was convinced when I helped her wee she could feel it. She is also moving her tail, although it is hard to know if it is something she means to do iykwim.

anyway, had left it that if no improvement vet would come here and pts (as they were already out on a routine visit at the farm this morning, but would be a different vet to the one we have been seeing), I had also made an appt in case of any improvement. I felt sure the vet would still say pts, but wanted her seen again to put my mind at rest. I couldn't be sure if I was just hoping so much for improvement that I was seeing some where there was none.

BUT - The vet agreed with me and thinks she may have some feeling back in her toes!!

We have agreed to carry on as we are for another week, and after that as long as improvements continue. I also have some physio exercises to do with her.

It will be a long slow thing, and full recovery is unlikely, but if she can walk around here I would be thrilled with that!

Far from certain yet, but am definitely feeling a little more hopeful! Smile

Thanks so much for all your good wishes xx

OP posts:
throckenholt · 22/04/2013 15:01

sending good vibes for further improvement. :)

Mother2many · 22/04/2013 15:40

hugs going to you....

How are your children dealing with it? Do they help you?

Original poster
cazboldy · 22/04/2013 15:47

the dc have been very good so far. They love her, and her them. Has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for us all, as every time we have taken her to the vets they have said good bye, not knowing if she would come back.

I think if the worst does happen, at least they will know we have done all we could for her, and I really think it's them that is making her want to get better Smile

OP posts:
EasyToEatTiger · 23/04/2013 20:08

Thinking of you.

alicetrefusis · 24/04/2013 20:35

Oh that is encouraging :) Hope it continues to improve. What a brave and good girl you are, Fizz!

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 25/04/2013 09:41

How's she doing, caz?

Original poster
cazboldy · 25/04/2013 17:12

really well! Smile

she is getting around a bit (though dragging her back end) and is happy. She is really pleased with herself when she gets to where she wants to be, and when she is laying at my feet (like now) you wouldn't know there is anything wrong with her.

OP posts: