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Dog has lost mobility
My dog is 14 and has a spinal condition for which she's been on
anti-inflammatories for some time. Suddenly this morning, she really struggled to stand up and only managed to hobble a few steps before falling back down. Her legs have been weak for some time, but she's been mobile and if anything, I felt she was a lot more active than usual just two days ago. I left her in the care of a friend yesterday and I suspect she may have overexerted herself in some way, because the decline was literally overnight. I took her to the vet, who said that damaged nerve endings on her spine are causing her to lose control of her legs. He gave a shot of an anti-inflammatory and switched her to a steroidal medication from tomorrow, but said that if there's no improvement in a few days, the condition probably won't improve. Right now, she's quite drowsy...I offered her some food and she wolfed it down, but she's refused water all day. She picked up a rawhide treat and has gone to sleep, gripping it in her mouth. I'm really struck by how her condition deteriorated from one day to the next. Is this common? What are the chances that steroids can ameliorate this condition? I guess I need to prepare to make some decisions, but it's hard to say she's suffering when she still enjoys eating as much as she does. How would other people approach this? AH |
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"lounger" wrote in message ups.com... My dog is 14 and has a spinal condition said that if there's no improvement in a few days, the condition probably won't improve. Right now, she's quite drowsy...I offered her some food and she wolfed it down, I'm really struck by how her condition deteriorated from one day to the next. Is this common? What are the chances that steroids can ameliorate this condition? .......I don't think anyone can answer this. The only thing to do is to wait and see. That your pup is eating well is a good sign. Dogs in pain don't eat much. The steroids are probably driving the appetite. I guess I need to prepare to make some decisions, but it's hard to say she's suffering when she still enjoys eating as much as she does. How would other people approach this? ............Now may be a good time to think about the fact of euthanasia. Doesn't mean you'll need to go this route, but at least think about it because you'll most likely have to face that decision at some point. Dogs can still have a decent life without the use of their back legs. It takes some work on your part though. You might look at the aids available mentioned at the Senior Dogs Project: www.srdogs.com good luck to you and your oldster buglady take out the dog before replying |
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