Dogs commonly suffer from back pain - How to Figure it Out

Our 12-year-old Dachshund Tyler has strained his back twice before, chasing squirrels in our back yard and he's done it again. He did have a vertebrate issue in his neck that required surgery, so I know the difference between disc slippage and a back strain. Just like you get a back strain by bending over or lifting something you shouldn't, dogs do, too. Tyler's issue is a back strain since he's done this before and it's the same symptoms: Back legs tensing up very tightly which means it's treatable (he's using a heating pad, pain medicine, and on restricted activity). Today's blog is a helpful sharing of information from Elwood Veterinary Hospital and our experiences with our Dachshunds.

(Photo: Tyler resting with his toy unicorn. Credit: R.G.)

OUR EXPERIENCES: 

1) In 2021, Tyler couldn't lift his head up without yelping in pain. He was a Grade 3, and needed surgery on his neck. That corrected the problem and eradicated the pain. Here's the link to the story on how I noticed Tyler's Neck Injury and the surgery and recovery that followed: https://rob-tom-dolly-franklin.blogspot.com/2021/02/tylers-ivdd-neck-surgery-how-i-noticed.html 

2) Back in 2014 when our Dachshund Franklin was alive, he jumped off a chair and was immediately paralyzed. He experienced Grade 4 or 5 in the chart below. He had immediate surgery *Surgery MUST happen very quickly*  Franklin had to re-learn how to walk, and we had to put our hands on his tummy to help him pee. He became fully functional again, months afterward.  Here's the link to the story on his surgery and recovery: https://rob-tom-dolly-franklin.blogspot.com/2014/09/our-dog-franklins-surgery-for-herniated.html 

(Photo: Franklin in 2020. Credit: R.G.) 

BACK INJURY SYMPTOMS:  Dogs with acute back pain appear stiff and often yelp when moving or being touched. They can also tremble, pant and seem unsteady on their legs. Chronic back pain on the other hand may only show up as talking more time than usual to get comfortable.

MUSCLE STRAIN

When we find spasming back muscles in dogs, it’s very often due to IVDD – the herniated disc triggers the spasm.

It is possible for dogs to strain their back muscles through overexertion or injury. This usually settles down quite quickly with rest.

DISC DISEASE: BY GRADE

The symptoms of IVDD depend on where the bulge occurs and what it presses on. In mild cases, there may just be some pain over the site of the herniation. In severe cases, the spinal cord may be compressed enough to cause paralysis. A grading system has been developed for dogs:

Grade 1 (Pain only) – affected dogs are able to walk normally but show signs of pain (eg reluctance to move, reluctance to jump, shivering, crying, muscle spasms and/or a tense abdomen). It usually resolves within a few days

Grade 2 (Ambulatory paresis) – affected dogs display pain and can walk but are weak and wobbly in the back legs. They may cross their back legs when walking, splay out, knuckle over or stumble in their back legs

Grade 3 (Non-ambulatory paresis) – affected dogs can move their legs and wag their tails but are not strong enough to support their own weight and walk

Grade 4 (Paralysis) – affected dogs have no voluntary movement in their back legs

Grade 5 (Paralysis with no ‘deep pain’) – these dogs are unable to move or feel their back legs

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Grades 4 and 5 are generally considered surgical. Lower grades are usually managed medically, but may be considered for surgery if not responding to treatment.

About 15% of herniations occur in the neck, with the rest occurring in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine. The most common sites for disc herniation are between the 11th and 12th thoracic vertebrae and between the 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebrae.

FULL ARTICLE THAT EXPLAINS HOW DISC DISEASE WORKS: https://www.elwoodvet.net/back-pain-dogs#:~:text=When%20we%20find%20spasming%20back,down%20quite%20quickly%20with%20rest

Our Dog Franklin's Surgery for Herniated Disc - Video/ What to Expect

Franklin ready to come home

On Sunday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. we came home from a dinner out (gone 90 minutes) to find our older Dachshund, Franklin (10 years old) on the kitchen floor with his back legs paralyzed and sitting in a pool of drool. We thought it was either a spinal injury or a stroke so we rushed him to Dogs & Cats Emergency Vet in Bowie. (See below for video a couple of days after surgery) 
    As we were waiting a couple of minutes, I felt his back and noticed one area that was raised. The doctor confirmed that that was the area where the disc herniated.

Daddy Tom and Franklin coming home

SURGERY RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATELY -  The doctor recommended surgery immediately for the best chance of regaining mobility, so of course we agreed. The hospital called in a neurosurgeon and the doctor called me at 10:30pm and told me the surgery would begin at 11:30 p.m. He called me at 1:30 a.m. after the surgery and said it went very well. Franklin had decompressive surgery of a herniated disc T13-L1.

COMING HOME - CAN'T WALK -  Franklin was in the hospital for 6 days and came home this past Friday, September 12 at 5:30 p.m. EDT. He cannot walk on his back legs, so we "tail walk" him by holding his tail (at its base) so he can do his business. His back legs cross, so it's going to take weeks / months of therapy, corrections, and movements to get him walking again - if we can. His right leg is stronger, but his left leg is very weak and crosses over his right leg. He's on 4 weeks crated bed rest except for being carried outside. His appetite never wavered, though. :)

Franklin held by Tom post-surgery

GOOD SIGNS- On Thursday, the day before Franklin came home, our friend and huge dog lover, Elvina, met us at the hospital. Franklin wagged is tail for Elvina and that's a great sign- it means he has feeling there again! After working the weekend with his legs, he is now trying to walk on his back right leg, but it's going to be a long road of recovery.

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OUR NOTE TO THE STAFF OF DOGS AND CATS ANIMAL HOSPITAL: Thank you for all you have done for our 10 year old Dachshund Franklin who had a herniated disc. Dr. Neravanda is amazing. The vet tech who worked with us is also amazing. The staff was always helpful, patient and attentive. We were so amazed by the daily phone calls from the doctor with updates, and the amazing care. - This staff and facility wonderful and the care is great. Everyone was patient and kind with explanations, too. We would love to share this review for all. Thank you Dogs & Cats! Rob and Tom 

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Confined to a crate w/pee pad for 4 weeks

WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOUR DOG HAS A HERNIATED DISC
1) Get the surgery done immediately
2) Your dog is in pain- get them to an emergency room ASAP
3) Understand that the cost will be between five and six thousand dollars
4) Get VPI Pet Insurance NOW (especially if you have a Dachshund) - they'll pay some portion
5) After surgery the dog requires bed rest for 3-4 weeks and will be on pain meds for a week (which may constipate them).
6) After surgery dogs bladders need to be expressed (pushing gently on sides of bladder to help them pee until they can pee on their own.
7) During the first week, put pee pads in their crates until the regain bladder control.
8) Carry the dog outside to pee and poop. Do NOT let the dog try to walk outside by themselves. You can always put a sheet under the tummy of bigger dogs.
8) Pooping is no issue, btw. - Hold the dog by the tail to do so (close to the butt, NOT tip of tail)
VIDEO OF FRANKLIN - A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER SURGERY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmnup0jB1MM&list=UUGg7XCCzeMRdspujdRjiCUQ