Intervertebral disk disease

    • Bronze

    Intervertebral disk disease

    Hi,
     
    I just got a diagnose for my 5yr old Boston Terrier.
    Apparently he has IVDD.
    Any one here has been thtough this ? if he does not get better he might need surgery....
     
    I would greatly appreciate if you can share your experiences,
    Thank you!
    Anahi
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    Anahi, I can't help you as I know nothing about it, but there are people here that might be able to help.  Some people have posted on the thread you started yesterday when you told us that your dog is sick!  Please check back later, I'm sure someone here will be able to help.
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    What is IVDD stand for? Once I know what it is maybe I can be of help.
    • Gold Top Dog
    If I had of looked at the header I would have known what IVDD is. DUH on my part.
     
    Is this some sort of infection in the spinal cord? Or something like degenerative disc disease in humans?
     
    Thanks for redirecting Dyan. I would have never known. lol
    • Bronze
    Here is a link with additional info:
     
    [linkhttp://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/ivd.asp]http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/ivd.asp[/link]
     
    I just visited him ( he will be at the vet's office for 3 days) I did not really see him getting better. But the Vet said he did see improvement...apparently he is in a lot of pain. he will be increasing the pain killers...he said that the blod test came out good, and the swollen area on his back was not as bad as yesterday...but he was trying to sit and he couldn't...he said that if we do not see improvement with the meds the next step would be surgery....gods know I can't afford it...there is always away and i will find it...it is just too much stress right now....I  felt so bad leaving him...
     
    I will be sleeping downstairs with him saturday, he is only allow to walk with a leash to go out to pee and poop :), and the rest of the time in his little cage...
     
    I would really really appreciate if someone can share their experiences with this type of  disease or somehting similar...thanks!
    • Gold Top Dog
        anahi, Don't feel bad about leaving him, he's in good hands. I've never experienced something like this, but there are thousands of people on this board so the odds are someone has. Please keep us posted about your dog and what the vet decides to do. I'm sorry to hear he's in pain, and I hope the vet can help him.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yes, I have had an experience with one of my pet sitting clients! 
     
    When he first started showing symptoms, pain, unable to get up, they tried chiropractic and supplements for him.  That went on for awhile until the last big episode before he finally had surgery.  I came by to walk him and he could barely move.  Back to the hospital for a week or so, surgery which he had a bit of a time recovering from, crate rest at home for I think it was 8 weeks.  Then short walks, then eventually he was back to his regular walks.  But, it did take awhile and then after he was better he was on gluc/cond and some other supplements at dinnertime. 
     
    His mom was scared, very scared she would loose him, but he was an older dog.  He walks fine now, the fur they shaved grew back, you can't even tell he ever went thru anything.  He isn't allowed to jump though, that's important and  he has to always wear a harness, no collars around him.  But, that could depend on which level the problem is at in the back. 
     
    Hope this helps, sorry it's a little disorganized I just kept typing as I remembered things. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Dr. Roger Clemmons at the University of Florida at Gainesville is a specialist in this and I know he's got papers and stuff published --- you can find someo of his stuff at the AltVetmed website and he's got a ton of stuff up thru the U of Florida.  He does all sorts of stuff on neuro/surgical stuff -- like DM and IVDD..
     
    In fact, he will consult with vets all over the country -- so don't be afraid to suggest it.  (and if you need his e-mail let me know -- but you can find it on the U of FL vet school website).
     
    Acupuncture is a BIG HUGE help.  you might want to find out from the Chi Institute website who practices near you -- no I'm not saying ditch your vet -- I'm saying use this WITH the traditional stuff (and this is straight from Dr. Clemmons -- he's the one who got ME hooked on acupuncture several years ago -- the U of Florida actually ***teaches*** it at their vet school.  Acupuncture will help 'heal' the place that is inflamed.
     
    [linkhttp://www.chi-institute.com]http://www.chi-institute.com[/link]
     
    I've got a bunch of stuff on arthritis I'd be glad to send you if you email me -- this is not arthritis -- but a lot of the things used are very similar.  In particular, massage is a SUPER big help.  It helps keep blood flowing to the injured are which helps healing take place. 
     
    [linkhttp://www.petmassage.com]http://www.petmassage.com[/link] -- that's the website I found Jed Stone thru (he's here in Orlando) -- nice folks and they are the certifying agency for pet massage therapy. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    I do have a dog who had disc surgery about 6 years ago.  After a very short course of steroids, there was no improvement in her rear leg paralysis, so we took her to UGA for the surgery.  We had to keep her crated for 6 weeks, take her out for potty breaks only, then gradually let her do more.  It was 99% successful and she has led a normal life ever since, right down to chasing squirrels in the back yard.  Yes, it was worth the money to have her back.  She is almost 11 now and doing fine.
    • Puppy
    Dodgerslist was created for Dachshunds with this disease, however other breeds can be affected also. You need to see a vet neurosurgeon asap there is a short window to have surgery that will be successful.   Here's a couple of links, one with lots of info on IVDD and the other is a Yahoo Group that can help you with any questions.  The members are very knowledgeable as all have had pets with this disease.  Sending positive thoughts for your little one.

    [linkhttp://www.dodgerslist.com/]http://www.dodgerslist.com/[/link]

    [linkhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/[/link]

    • Bronze
    Thank you all for the info and support.
    Patt: the links you gave me are priceless!
    Flash is improving slowly...I still have a long way to go...just trying to take one day at a time.
     
    You guys are great !
    Anahi
    • Puppy
    I'm happy to hear Flash is doing a little better, it is going to be a long road for complete recovery.  I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.