Discospondylitis Please Help

Hi Guys

I’m currently dealing with my dog recovering from dicospondylitis surgery (Saturday 17th June 2017) and it’s a horrific journey we’ve had getting to this point and dealing with seeing your best friend struggling in pain and still at this point 2 weeks after surgery he can’t walk. ill do a full little blog post detailing the symptoms and everything that’s happened during the diagnosis treatment failures and ultimate surgery (current vet bill is £6600). Has anyone else dog had this surgery I’m keen to understand recovery times and any tips on physio to aid his recovery, at this point he cant use his back legs at all and we are using a scalf to prop him up its just heartbreaking.

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Hi ya, welcome to the forum from Flo and me

You've happened across the one person that has full experience of what you are going through, here's my Flo's thread https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t66494-a-bit-worried

Flo didn't have exactly the same thing as your lad but the resulting paralysis is very similar. Obviously I can't promise that your little lad will come on as my Flo as they all respond differently but I will happily share me experience thus far.

Our surgeon wouldn't let Flo home before she had leg movement but as soon as the signs were there she came home. Her left leg is better than the right but its ongoing work. Does your lad have feeling in the paws? If so touch his paws to make him move them, I don't mean squeezing or anything just tickling. This is the first step, let me know how far along he is so that I can offer therapy advice based on my Flo and what your lad can achieve now.

I just wanted to add my welcome. I can't add anything other than to say that this place is great for support, even if we are unable to help in any other way. We'll be here for you if you need us.

Thanks guys. Bootwick is now 2 weeks post operation he scoots around on the floor in the house dragging his back legs like a mermaid he doesn’t even attempt to stand. I take him out daily using a scarf under his body and make him try to stand on his own but it’s like he has no co-ordination or control of his legs at all. vie been back the vets 4 days ago who said they was really pleased he was moving around but I’m really worried he won’t walk again ill upload a video of him so you can see what I mean.

Is he doing any physio/hydrotherapy?

The first 3 weeks are the worst. My Flo was at the vets 24/7 for nearly 2 weeks as she made no effort at all but then there was a dramatic recovery at the start of the third week.

I'm sure things have been explained by the vet but if you're like me you tend to nod but it doesn't all really register in our minds. Our vet advised us that it could take up to 3 weeks before the signals to the legs start to return but I was expecting to see what you see on TV with the dogs walking the next day, in reality it's not always that quick.

The first thing to do is to stimulate the paws by tickling and rub the thigh muscles to stimulate them also, you can't do enough of that, I used to be on the floor all evening rubbing her thighs and touching the paws.

We are at about week 5/6 now (not certain without looking it up) and my Flo is walking, still a bit wobbly at times but well on the road to recovery. Physio will really all depend on what is needed once your lad is back standing. They lose thigh muscle really quickly which makes it a double effort, not only do you have the back/spinal issues you also have the leg muscle to build up again.

Physio should be done on the advice of your vet or their recommend physio once he's up on all fours but I can give you some pointers with building the muscle once he's there. We have had a couple of sessions with the physio and now had 3 hydro sessions with maybe one more to go after her physio session next week.

It is a long roller coaster road with many ups and downs but at 7 your lad is easily young enough to bounce back so please don't get too down.

Do start stimulating the the legs and paws though, that's the first step... Literally

So I've just got back from the vets in her opinion he's not progressing at all and she carried out a pinch test with a pair of forceps on his rear paws only when she really really pressed. Hard did he even twinge. She observed him dragging himself around in which there was no effort at all from his rear legs she wanted to carry out a further MRI scan at £1500 then potentially more surgery if there was a problem. We decide me and my girlfriend to take him home and give him another week to show any signs at all that things are improving. We discussed further surgery to which she said potentially will involve metal being inserted into his spine and as there's already an infection the body could reject it. Next steps basically is a really hard tough soul destroying conversation about quality of life. To say I'm praying and have everything crossed is an understatement my heads gone

My thoughts are with you, it really is hard seeing them like this.

Do keep up with the stimulation, they can all of a sudden turn the corner... Fingers are crossed for you

I'm thinking of you too. What an uneviable position.

For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing.

I'm sorry I have no information to help you. I just wanted to say I really hope your boy is ok & you will be in my thoughts. You are doing all you can to help him recover