Back surgery on elderly cocker mix

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

My 13 year old cocker mix put a disc out on Wednesday evening. She was struggling with steps that evening. She was worse the following morning (walking funny and not able to do steps) so I brought her to the vet.

She's in excellent health otherwise so after a discussion we decided to go to a specialist for an MRI and possibly surgery. Specialist vet said she had a 90% chance of a full recovery so we decided to go with the surgery.

She had the surgery yesterday, which went very well but as there was a lot of disc to remove the cord was irritated and inflamed.

Update today is that she is a bit worse but that's apparently normal with the inflammation. She has managed to urinate so that's good.

I'm just wondering has anyone else been through this with their dog and how they got on? She's over 2 hours away from me so I can't even go and check on her although I don't think they allow visitors anyway.

No, I just don't think it's kind to make someone feel bad for doing as advised by their vet.

I see your point but where do you draw the line? Should you not get treatment for a dog with a straightforward broken paw or a strained ligament?

I would be very much against medical intervention if they are not going to get a good quality of life as a result of it. I was told she has a 90% chance of making a full recovery.

I know I will eventually have to make a decision but it will be based on vetinary advice based on what is best for her. Hopefully that decision is still a few years off.

Not the same operation and not even the same dog breed, but our dog underwent surgery when she was 13. Her quality of life and health was compromised without the op and she went on to make a great recovery.
You did the right thing after taking trusted, professional advice. I hope your pup continues to make an excellent recovery and that you enjoy spoiling her rotten when she comes home.

Dogs are so precious to us and we can only make the best decision possible in the given circumstances. For great dog owners like you those decisions are always done with love and the very best intentions.

Please don't feel like you need to explain yourself, @OchonAgusOchonOh .

Your vet knows your dog much better than anyone else on here - please don't let them make you feel guilty.

Watching a dog who has lived a very active life suddenly not be able to chase rabbits, to go for long walks, to climb onto the bed even is heartbreaking.

As our dogs ages seeing them pottering in the garden, having fun on their perhaps shorter walks and enjoying their senior years in comfort surrounded by the people they love in a comfortable home is what we all hope to do though isn't it? We adapt as they age, just as we adapt as we age.

I've known and loved many dogs who have had healthy, happy, lovely 'retirements' and lived great years long after their rabbit chasing years are only a memory.

That's lovely to hear.

They are really so precious.

Thank you.

My old spaniel was 13 when he had a big surgery. We got 3 more glorious years with him not in pain. Yes he slowed down but he was very happy to slob around on the sofa and have 5 mad minutes a day!

Hope your girl had a good day and she’s home asap.

She has slowed down but still enjoys an hour's walk every day. The walk consists of a lot of mooching, wandering in to the undergrowth and sniffing everything and then sprinting to catch up with us. We're lucky to have a safe, enclosed area for dogs locally. She also enjoys a good game of fetch in the house with soft toys.

That's fantastic.

That's what I'm hoping for.

one of our spaniels broke her neck at 5 years old! is was horrendous, made even worse by the fact that I had brought her into the world with her mum, who was still at home! we didnt put her through any operation because she was a bouncy well trained gun dog who would have broken her heart if she was not allowed to go out with hubby and her mum and the vet said she would to dangerous to allow her out to run. it was kinder to have her put to sleep. she couldnt even wag her tail.

A friend had an elderly German shepherd that had a similar operation - he recovered very well and lived another 18 months very happily. It was well worth it for them as after recovery he was happier and livelier than he’d been in a while.

That's so sad but it sounds like the right decision in the circumstances.

Honestly spaniels will surprise you. I would have done the surgery if I was you, my old boy had to have his larynx pinned back and I was shitting myself thinking I’d ruined his life.

Nope! Once he’d recovered he was such a shit all the time 😂 he had a new spring in his step for weeks. I so hope your girl gives you the run around once she’s recovered.

That's a lovely story. Thank you.

And yes, they are total shits😁.

its a really hard call with an elderly but otherwise healthy dog for surgery like this and no right or wrong answers. I hope she makes a good recovery OP. I don’t have direct experience but do know of a few who have made good but not full recoveries.

Oh my last dog died at 17. She was still doing days out (with ample rests) and 4 mile walks until her last year. They’re all very different.

That sounds lovely.

Just letting you all know I am off to collect my dog now. She's been doing really well apparently😁

😊

So pleased!

Ah that's great to hear! Hope she is soon happy at home. I've not experienced such a difficult decision, the only such decisions I've had to make for my cats was 1) a horribly sad case when euthanasia was indicated - total paralysis of the back end, no signs of recovery after surgery and 2) a clear case to go ahead with simple repair on a broken ankle in a healthy girl, cat has no pain and 90% range of motion, can leap and sprint with no problem. Both were tough in their way but in both cases it was very clear what decision was best for the cat, which I am grateful for.

Oh she'll be so excited to see you!!

you've had some horrible/thoughtless posts, do ignore them! You made the decision for her with your bet & the specialist. I'd have done what you did too.

i hope her recovery is excellent & speedy.

Spaniels are THE best 😘

Any chance of a photo of her?

Yay! That's amazing news OP.

As requested 😁.

She still needs help with walking with a harness but apparently while the nurse turned her back to get water she got up and took a few steps to get to the food that had just been put down.