prolapsed disc

My brothers staffy jake hes 9 years old has had surgery today on his spine today as he had a prolapsed disc in his neck hes in recovery at the moment and wont know for sure how its gone till a couple of days just wondered if anyone has had this problem with there dog before and how it went im really worried

Never experienced it Vikki but fingers and paws crossed for a positive outcome ><

Thanks janey im sure he will he is a fighter

How's Kaiser? Xx

Kaiser is fine snoring his socks off in bed right now hes got a new friend managed to talk my bfs mum into getting a staffy she rescued her 2 weeks ago shes lovely called bella shes red ill post some pics on here just in the process of training her

Thats great, look forward to pics, saw a stunning staff identical to Kaiser in rescue, tugged the whole heart strings...............one day!

No experience with it either. I hope Jake is okay and makes a speedy recovery.

I've not experienced it in Staffie's before but looked after/assisted/been involved in lots of spinal surgeries on Dachshunds, Pekineses, Rottweilers etc.

Any particular questions?

Just wondered how they generally cope after surgery and how successful it is ive read they can become paralysed after surgery if it isnt succesful just really worried

Depends on numerous things unfortunately, for example:
- What were his symptoms/signs?
- How soon after the symptoms did he have surgery?
- How much disc material did they remove?
- In what direction was the prolapse?

These and many other things can affect the results. You never know after the surgery how its gone, it can take days (up to 10 days or even two weeks) to see any improvement of the signs. I wish I could tell you that your dog will definitely be better but even the surgeon/vet there cannot say for sure. I had a Pekinese that came in with acute paralysis, we removed a lot of disc material but she still didn't use her legs for 2 weeks and then suddenly she started being able to use them.

Some things to monitor (or ask the vets/vet nurses to monitor and keep you informed) are deep pain (generally not a good indicator if there is no deep pain), hindquarter strength (if you lift the dog so its hind legs are underneath it and you put a bit of weight on its hindquarters and see if there is resistance). I would also recommend looking into hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and supplementation (we use Pet Tabs Forte). The hydrotherapy and physiotherapy does not need to be expensive as a lot of it can be done at home if the owners had the time and dedication. We also sometimes use infra-red therapy, photo-stimulation and electrical muscle stimulation.

I hope this has helped a little.

Thank you has helped havent really spoke to my brother about what they have said just know he is having surgery was just worried. I guess will just have to wait and see thank you

Being an oldie does mean you have quite a lot of experience of various things,

I used to have a Greyhound who had a slipped disc that calcified and was in danger of cutting through his spinal cord, the vet had to use a hammer and chisel to get it clear of his spinal cord.

Merlin made a really good recovery, at first it was 3, 5 minutes walks a day, then it was increased by a 5 minute walk a week, when he had 6 walks a day for 2 weeks he was able to do 1, 30 minute walk a day instead.

What really helped Merlin was hydrotherapy, my vets have a treadmill in a tank which really built up the right muscles instead of some which often happens. This was also very good for my little girl Gracie who was crippled with arthritis and gave me another 2 years with her, I was on the point of having her pts when we started the hydro.

This will be harder on Jake's family than Jake, he doesn't know what is happening but his family does.

Just an update jake is still at the vets and hasnt stood up yet but they did a scan today and theres no damage to the spinal cord or the area they worked on and he has feeling in his legs too so fingers crossed he will stand up soon. Hes just none stop cried since friday and when they went to see him monday he was very wimpery and howled the place.down when they left there going again tomorrow try to encourage him abit more poor lad doesnt know whats going on he had a bad start in life and probably thinks he has been abandoned again so im sure he will be getting lots of cuddles to reasure him everythings ok

Toes, fingers and paws crossed here ><

That's so sad, poor little guy. Hope he's on the mend really soon.

Would you like me to send Jake Reiki? If so is the photo on your avatar Jake? If it isn't please can you put a photo up of him?

Fingers crossed all goes well. Poor fella. ><

Better news for jake he stood up today and took a few steps but decided it was a bit too much and lay back down but its progress he was in a lot better mood today so fingers crossed he will be back with my brother soon although they said he could be there for weeks but will just have to wait and see

That's good news! At least he's trying to put weight on his legs & succeeding. He's bound to be a bit weak for a while yet, but it's progress!

Still got everything crossed Xx

That's absolutely great news! Wow, so happy for you and your brother!

Sadly my brother and his partner recieved the devastating news today that no more could be done for jake and they want to put him to sleep im absolutely devastated he was an absolutely amazing dog and will be missed by us all. Hes being put to sleep in the morning

So sorry Vikki, thoughts going out to your brother and family Xx