Herniated or slipped disc? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

marilynf2 · 10-17-2012, 09:05 PM

Just back from emer. vet... my 4 y.o. 10 pound mickey looked SO SICK! Shaking, whining, panting, and belly so hard felt like it was going to explode! Emer. Vet said a slipped or herniated disc. No xray or MRI- just felt down thespine until he yelped in pain. Meds for 2 weeks and then we'll see. Anyone have any advice or experience with this? Was your baby ok after a couple of weeks of meds or did he need surgery? What was that like? So worried. Any info or comments so welcome. I hope you all have happy and HEALTHY little babies out there!! Marilyn

MandiesMom · 10-18-2012, 08:16 AM

Awww, poor Mickey

I hope the meds work! I'm surprised they didn't do an MRI or x-ray, though

yorkietalkjilly · 10-18-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marilynf2

Just back from emer. vet... my 4 y.o. 10 pound mickey looked SO SICK! Shaking, whining, panting, and belly so hard felt like it was going to explode! Emer. Vet said a slipped or herniated disc. No xray or MRI- just felt down thespine until he yelped in pain. Meds for 2 weeks and then we'll see. Anyone have any advice or experience with this? Was your baby ok after a couple of weeks of meds or did he need surgery? What was that like? So worried. Any info or comments so welcome. I hope you all have happy and HEALTHY little babies out there!! Marilyn

My sister's dog had this years back and the vet said no jumping whatsoever. Said be particularly careful he didn't jump down off furniture. And told them not to lift him other than how he showed them to lift him, keeping the back straight. He allowed him to use a low ramp but no stairs or steps and hold him near using a leash while he was up in the chair or bed with them so he wouldn't suddenly jump off before they could react.

marilynf2 · 10-18-2012, 12:53 PM

Thanks Mandie's Mom... I'm surprised too. Will ask MY vet when I take him in in a few days. He's looking better today... but still has not eaten. Hope the meds are not too hard on his tummy... they say take with food, and I guess you Yorkie owners know how stubborn they can be if they don't want or like their food! Even offered him some roast beef with a little gravy!! Nope!

marilynf2 · 10-18-2012, 12:57 PM

Great advice! Thanks! Vet did not show me how to lift, but I figured it must be in a way that the back is kept straight and flat... so that's how I have been lifting. And I hold him in that position too. We have 2 small steps up and down from our bed... which is not too high,... not like a pillow top etc. He didn't use them last night. We have a doggy door so he's used to letting himself in and out... but he was so tired last night he never stirred once he got fairly comfy. All other jumping alternatives have been cut off from him... thanks!

MandiesMom · 10-18-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marilynf2

Thanks Mandie's Mom... I'm surprised too. Will ask MY vet when I take him in in a few days. He's looking better today... but still has not eaten. Hope the meds are not too hard on his tummy... they say take with food, and I guess you Yorkie owners know how stubborn they can be if they don't want or like their food! Even offered him some roast beef with a little gravy!! Nope!

What about some boiled chicken and/or chicken broth drizzled over the kibble? When Mandie won't eat, that's the fastest way I can get her to eat

marilynf2 · 10-18-2012, 02:39 PM

Boiled chicken with some soft cooked mashed carrots is his daily diet! Now won't touch it! Tired roast beef again today... no takers! Guess he will eat sometime soon!

MandiesMom · 10-18-2012, 07:55 PM

Maybe mush up some stuff (like food process some chicken/carrots) and put some on your fingers to feed him a little at a time.

Praying he feels better really soon!

lillymae · 10-18-2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marilynf2

Just back from emer. vet... my 4 y.o. 10 pound mickey looked SO SICK! Shaking, whining, panting, and belly so hard felt like it was going to explode! Emer. Vet said a slipped or herniated disc. No xray or MRI- just felt down thespine until he yelped in pain. Meds for 2 weeks and then we'll see. Anyone have any advice or experience with this? Was your baby ok after a couple of weeks of meds or did he need surgery? What was that like? So worried. Any info or comments so welcome. I hope you all have happy and HEALTHY little babies out there!! Marilyn

I have LOTS of experience in this area & I take all of mine to a Chiropractor. You can read about VOM here in the YT library. I love the Chiropractor as there is no down time or meds involved. FYI, surgery is not always successful & often the dog still needs to see a Chiropractor after surgery.

ladyjane · 10-19-2012, 07:10 AM

In my experience, if there are no neurological deficits, they often do respond very well to rest and anti inflammatory meds. I had one this year who tweaked her back .. at first we thought it was a GI issue, but on close exam she responded the way that yours did when her spine was examined. She had no neurological deficits. She was on rest and meds for two weeks and is just fine now!

Once there are neurological deficits, I would be at a specialist in the blink of an eye. If a disc begins to impinge on the spine that is when issues begin and they can get much worse very quickly. Once it progresses to where there is no deep pain reflex, the surgery is less successful and often pups end up paralyzed.

I had a pup with two herniated discs in 2004. He quickly went down and was unable to stand up when I got him to Texas A&M. They did surgery and he recovered just fine and regained his ability to walk.

Back surgeries are difficult, but can be very successful...it often depends on what the condition is. I have a foster who already had diminished ability to function and it did not respond well to surgery...but her issue was not a herniated disc.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

marilynf2 · 10-20-2012, 06:51 PM

Brought him home some chicken out of a Thai dish... Cicken Pad Thai. It's a flat rice noodle dish with small slim slices of chicken in a peanut buttery sauce. Now THAT he ate right up!!! Gave him his pills first...(he is beginning to HATE peanut butter... what I hide his pills in...now grinding them up cause he can find and isolate them in his mouth and pushes them out the side of his mouth!!- quite a trick!) and followed the pills up with a few bites of Pad Thai Chicken. Also bought him a rotisserri chicken today, and won't touch that either!! Spare ribs and Osso Bucco are his FAVORITES!!! And NO, I'm not kidding!! He has quite a palate! Only gets them occassionally though. Looking better... just cannot LEASH him indoors though. Built a ramp so he doesn't have to jump to get up into his window seat... and has rather short steps to the bed....and he only goes on the couch if we're on it, so we can get him before he jumps. But keeping him leashed all day just won't work. I am not in 1 place for more that a few minutes ALL DAY! I cannot keep dragging him around the house all day- he is very happy laying in his front window bed. No walks allowed vet said... he's waiting for it by the door though. Had to hide the leash!

ladyjane · 10-21-2012, 05:33 AM

You might want to get a dog stroller so that you can take him with you easily!

marilynf2 · 10-21-2012, 09:38 AM

Great idea! Use a doggie bag now... large with lots of screens, but he is only 10 pounds so not heavy. I'm still hoping this will heal in a couple of weeks. He is actually looking pretty good now. Wants to run and jump up on the sofa etc.... but I have to hold him back...at least for another 10 days. Those strollers are SO Cute! And lots more comfy for the dog than the bags... good idea! Thanks

gemy · 10-21-2012, 01:11 PM

I hope your wee one heals up. ClassIV or ClassV Laser Therapy can be a good choice for this type of injury; along with the anti inflam meds and rest. Chiro is an option as well.

Please discuss with your vet and make sure the diagnosis of discal herniation is a firm one.

Food sometimes a little grated parmesan cheese over meat might entice the appetite. Also fresh fish - boiled might be just different and yummy enough as well.

marilynf2 · 10-21-2012, 05:58 PM

Thanks Gemy! He DOES love the parm cheese! Pretty much all cheeses! Just came back from a steak house, and of course, I ordered his favorite! I have to hide it from my husband, but I cut a big piece off of my steak and drop it into a sandwich bag in my purse for Mickey. Still warm when he gets it... and ate it all up! I can't wait to see my vet next week and see what he says about his back. So far his back legs are looking good. Never knew about Laser Therapy on dogs... but makes sense. I am so glad I found this site... I am learning so much! You guys are all so great... but then, we all have a common love. I am sorry to see your RIP Zoey! Not quite 4 yrs. old? How awful... I can feel your sorrow. They never leave us. May I ask what happen to her? I love your photo... your pups are SOOO cute. How does Karma handle it?

10-17-2012, 09:05 PM	#1
marilynf2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Levittown, NY, USA Posts: 7	Herniated or slipped disc? Just back from emer. vet... my 4 y.o. 10 pound mickey looked SO SICK! Shaking, whining, panting, and belly so hard felt like it was going to explode! Emer. Vet said a slipped or herniated disc. No xray or MRI- just felt down thespine until he yelped in pain. Meds for 2 weeks and then we'll see. Anyone have any advice or experience with this? Was your baby ok after a couple of weeks of meds or did he need surgery? What was that like? So worried. Any info or comments so welcome. I hope you all have happy and HEALTHY little babies out there!! Marilyn

10-18-2012, 08:16 AM	#2
MandiesMom and Shelby's too Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Millbrook, AL Posts: 7,842	Awww, poor Mickey I hope the meds work! I'm surprised they didn't do an MRI or x-ray, though __________________ Terri, proud mom to Mandie & Shelby-Dale

10-18-2012, 07:55 PM	#8
MandiesMom and Shelby's too Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Millbrook, AL Posts: 7,842	Maybe mush up some stuff (like food process some chicken/carrots) and put some on your fingers to feed him a little at a time. Praying he feels better really soon! __________________ Terri, proud mom to Mandie & Shelby-Dale

10-19-2012, 07:10 AM	#10
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,469	In my experience, if there are no neurological deficits, they often do respond very well to rest and anti inflammatory meds. I had one this year who tweaked her back .. at first we thought it was a GI issue, but on close exam she responded the way that yours did when her spine was examined. She had no neurological deficits. She was on rest and meds for two weeks and is just fine now! Once there are neurological deficits, I would be at a specialist in the blink of an eye. If a disc begins to impinge on the spine that is when issues begin and they can get much worse very quickly. Once it progresses to where there is no deep pain reflex, the surgery is less successful and often pups end up paralyzed. I had a pup with two herniated discs in 2004. He quickly went down and was unable to stand up when I got him to Texas A&M. They did surgery and he recovered just fine and regained his ability to walk. Back surgeries are difficult, but can be very successful...it often depends on what the condition is. I have a foster who already had diminished ability to function and it did not respond well to surgery...but her issue was not a herniated disc. Good luck and please keep us posted! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

10-21-2012, 05:33 AM	#12
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,469	You might want to get a dog stroller so that you can take him with you easily! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

10-18-2012, 12:53 PM	#4
marilynf2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Levittown, NY, USA Posts: 7	Thanks Mandie's Mom... I'm surprised too. Will ask MY vet when I take him in in a few days. He's looking better today... but still has not eaten. Hope the meds are not too hard on his tummy... they say take with food, and I guess you Yorkie owners know how stubborn they can be if they don't want or like their food! Even offered him some roast beef with a little gravy!! Nope!

10-18-2012, 12:57 PM	#5
marilynf2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Levittown, NY, USA Posts: 7	Great advice! Thanks! Vet did not show me how to lift, but I figured it must be in a way that the back is kept straight and flat... so that's how I have been lifting. And I hold him in that position too. We have 2 small steps up and down from our bed... which is not too high,... not like a pillow top etc. He didn't use them last night. We have a doggy door so he's used to letting himself in and out... but he was so tired last night he never stirred once he got fairly comfy. All other jumping alternatives have been cut off from him... thanks!

10-18-2012, 02:39 PM	#7
marilynf2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Levittown, NY, USA Posts: 7	Boiled chicken with some soft cooked mashed carrots is his daily diet! Now won't touch it! Tired roast beef again today... no takers! Guess he will eat sometime soon!

10-20-2012, 06:51 PM	#11
marilynf2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Levittown, NY, USA Posts: 7	Brought him home some chicken out of a Thai dish... Cicken Pad Thai. It's a flat rice noodle dish with small slim slices of chicken in a peanut buttery sauce. Now THAT he ate right up!!! Gave him his pills first...(he is beginning to HATE peanut butter... what I hide his pills in...now grinding them up cause he can find and isolate them in his mouth and pushes them out the side of his mouth!!- quite a trick!) and followed the pills up with a few bites of Pad Thai Chicken. Also bought him a rotisserri chicken today, and won't touch that either!! Spare ribs and Osso Bucco are his FAVORITES!!! And NO, I'm not kidding!! He has quite a palate! Only gets them occassionally though. Looking better... just cannot LEASH him indoors though. Built a ramp so he doesn't have to jump to get up into his window seat... and has rather short steps to the bed....and he only goes on the couch if we're on it, so we can get him before he jumps. But keeping him leashed all day just won't work. I am not in 1 place for more that a few minutes ALL DAY! I cannot keep dragging him around the house all day- he is very happy laying in his front window bed. No walks allowed vet said... he's waiting for it by the door though. Had to hide the leash!

10-21-2012, 09:38 AM	#13
marilynf2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Levittown, NY, USA Posts: 7	Great idea! Use a doggie bag now... large with lots of screens, but he is only 10 pounds so not heavy. I'm still hoping this will heal in a couple of weeks. He is actually looking pretty good now. Wants to run and jump up on the sofa etc.... but I have to hold him back...at least for another 10 days. Those strollers are SO Cute! And lots more comfy for the dog than the bags... good idea! Thanks

10-21-2012, 01:11 PM	#14
gemy YT 2000 Club Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Huntsville,Ont,Canaada Posts: 12,340 Blog Entries: 2	I hope your wee one heals up. ClassIV or ClassV Laser Therapy can be a good choice for this type of injury; along with the anti inflam meds and rest. Chiro is an option as well. Please discuss with your vet and make sure the diagnosis of discal herniation is a firm one. Food sometimes a little grated parmesan cheese over meat might entice the appetite. Also fresh fish - boiled might be just different and yummy enough as well. __________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018

10-21-2012, 05:58 PM	#15
marilynf2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Levittown, NY, USA Posts: 7	Thanks Gemy! He DOES love the parm cheese! Pretty much all cheeses! Just came back from a steak house, and of course, I ordered his favorite! I have to hide it from my husband, but I cut a big piece off of my steak and drop it into a sandwich bag in my purse for Mickey. Still warm when he gets it... and ate it all up! I can't wait to see my vet next week and see what he says about his back. So far his back legs are looking good. Never knew about Laser Therapy on dogs... but makes sense. I am so glad I found this site... I am learning so much! You guys are all so great... but then, we all have a common love. I am sorry to see your RIP Zoey! Not quite 4 yrs. old? How awful... I can feel your sorrow. They never leave us. May I ask what happen to her? I love your photo... your pups are SOOO cute. How does Karma handle it?