We have an 11-year old corgi who for the second time in the last three
yars has been having a problem that appears to originate in the neck
area and refer to his front right quarter. The symptoms are soreness,
walking about with his head stooped downwards, trouble on stairs, and,
often a visible tremor in his shoulder and leg on the right front.
Appetite is unaffected although he'll sometimes let out little squeals
of pain when feeding because he has to bend over (we've elevated the
dish because of this).

He was x-rayed and looked at closely by two vets but no diagnosis
emerged. Both times that this has happened the treatment has been the
steroid prednisone. The first episode (two years ago) this worked
beautifully - almost immediate relief and no problem at all after a
week on a diminishing dosage.

But this time, while the prednisone (same dose) definitely improves
things, there has been no return to full health. we've had to keep re-
administering and, of course, prednisone is not something that can be
used for longer term treatment without serious side effects.

So I am wondering if this sounds at all familiar to anyone. we will
have to try to have another thorough check up done but i thought maybe
someone will say, "oh yes, seen that one before" in a corgi or other
breed.

I am particularly interested in longer term pain killer options for
small dogs.

On May 5, 11:09 am, Skookum wrote:
We have an 11-year old corgi who for the second time in the last three
yars has been having a problem that appears to originate in the neck
area and refer to his front right quarter. The symptoms are soreness,
walking about with his head stooped downwards, trouble on stairs, and,
often a visible tremor in his shoulder and leg on the right front.
Appetite is unaffected although he'll sometimes let out little squeals
of pain when feeding because he has to bend over (we've elevated the
dish because of this).

He was x-rayed and looked at closely by two vets but no diagnosis
emerged. Both times that this has happened the treatment has been the
steroid prednisone. The first episode (two years ago) this worked
beautifully - almost immediate relief and no problem at all after a
week on a diminishing dosage.

But this time, while the prednisone (same dose) definitely improves
things, there has been no return to full health. we've had to keep re-
administering and, of course, prednisone is not something that can be
used for longer term treatment without serious side effects.

So I am wondering if this sounds at all familiar to anyone. we will
have to try to have another thorough check up done but i thought maybe
someone will say, "oh yes, seen that one before" in a corgi or other
breed.

I am particularly interested in longer term pain killer options for
small dogs.

have you thought of acupuncture?

Skookum wrote:
We have an 11-year old corgi who for the second time in the last three
yars has been having a problem that appears to originate in the neck
area and refer to his front right quarter. The symptoms are soreness,
walking about with his head stooped downwards, trouble on stairs, and,
often a visible tremor in his shoulder and leg on the right front.
Appetite is unaffected although he'll sometimes let out little squeals
of pain when feeding because he has to bend over (we've elevated the
dish because of this).

He was x-rayed and looked at closely by two vets but no diagnosis
emerged. Both times that this has happened the treatment has been the
steroid prednisone. The first episode (two years ago) this worked
beautifully - almost immediate relief and no problem at all after a
week on a diminishing dosage.

But this time, while the prednisone (same dose) definitely improves
things, there has been no return to full health. we've had to keep re-
administering and, of course, prednisone is not something that can be
used for longer term treatment without serious side effects.

So I am wondering if this sounds at all familiar to anyone. we will
have to try to have another thorough check up done but i thought maybe
someone will say, "oh yes, seen that one before" in a corgi or other
breed.

I am particularly interested in longer term pain killer options for
small dogs.

It sounds to me like a ruptured disk. Diagnosis is confirmed via a
myleogram - injection of a special dye into the spinal canal - or an MRI.

http://www.westvet.net/Canine%20IVDD.html

The Canine Intervertebrate Disc Disease link was terrific, Kathleen
and to the other responder, no, I had not thought of this and surfing
about after reading Kathleen's link led to some indication that
acupuncture might be excellent. Surgery is widely mentioned but in an
11-year old it's touchy.

So thanks to you both!

Skookum wrote:

The Canine Intervertebrate Disc Disease link was terrific, Kathleen
and to the other responder, no, I had not thought of this and surfing
about after reading Kathleen's link led to some indication that
acupuncture might be excellent. Surgery is widely mentioned but in an
11-year old it's touchy.

So thanks to you both!

If the dog is in otherwise good health and if pre-surgical bloodwork is
done to confirm normal liver and kidney function I would not hesitate to
opt for a surgical solution. If there is a ruptured disk pressing
against the spinal cord, acupuncture is not going to solve the problem.
Be aware that if the dog has been on large doses of prednisone to try
to control pain and inflammation, healing of the incision will be delayed.

The x-ray may show changes that are not detected by your vet. I would Consult with a veterinary acupuncturist.