It just the start of bicyclists riding by our place, and Rocky’s out of commission for running up and down the fence and howling. This morning he was hiding under the coffee table and growling with his tail between the legs. The vet confirmed the diagnosis by X-ray:
He has severe L7-S1 degenerative disc disease. He is on rest and anti-inflammatories for 1-2 weeks and is expected to have recurrent exacerbations and progressive neurologic symptoms. So now we have to figure out how to get a beagle to rest and to take pills. Wish us all luck in Rocky’s rehab assignment.
By the way, this is remarkable similar to my back problem. So I can sympathize.
They say people and their pets start to look and feel similar. I didn’t know it extended to x-rays, but there you go.
Yeap, I guess it does.
What a shame. Certainly do wish you luck in figuring that out!
Thanks Teresa!
It may be cheaper to have a vet/doctor move in with you!
It may be at this rate.
I think you guys are due for a family discount.
I don’t know how this would work with a beagle, but when I’ve had to keep cats from jumping after surgery I’ve kept them in a large cage (at home) for the week or so. It’s larger than a regular cage in a vet’s office, so they have room to walk but not jump.
I should bring that up. Thanks for the cage idea. I brought up using a crate, and Tom did not like that idea. Rocky is a little spoiled (read a lot) so I don’t think a cage is going to work either. He managed to jump on the recliner last night so we definitely need to come up with a better system.
I kept the cage in the middle of the living room, even slept next to it, which I think helped.
We should have done that Karen Anne. We put him in the laundry room last evening when we went out to see my in-laws. We came home to a bunch of chewed up clothes including my insulated Christmas-present overalls and peed-on blankets. So I think it will be a kennel from now on. My back is not up to sleeping next to him though.
I’m sorry to hear about Rocky. It’s hard to keep an active dog down. Just do the best you can. If he is jumping up on the recliner, he might be feeling better. And sorry to hear about your overalls. Can you tranquilize him before you go anywhere?
Jackie
Today he was on the back porch and chewed up bags of pellets and boot laces. I think he is feeling better. I do have some Valium 😉
For Rocky or you 🙂
Poor Rocky – Poor Donna! – At this rate YOU are going to need that Valium!
I think we both need Valium and TLC!
My sister just sent me this link to your site……just to let you know, my little dog was also diagnosed with this disease last November. I suspect he’s had several mild bouts of it though before the official diagnosis. I was told he could have surgery or go the crating route and I chose the crating. I didn’t think I could do it either, I mean after all, my dog had never been crated. Lo and behold though, it worked like a charm. He was to be crated for 3 weeks, preferably for 6. I decided to crate him for 9 weeks. After that he was not to jump onto the bed, nor chairs or going up or down stairs. Let me tell you, THAT’S the hard part, not the crating. I’ve caught him doing moves he shouldn’t be doing but after a while I decided to let him have a little fun in life and I’ve relaxed a bit. Just a bit!
Best of luck to you and Rocky! Petsmart has some doggie ‘tranqs’ that I occassionally use to calm my dog, they’re worth a try. Not the real thing but they do a good job…
Thanks Kathryn!
Sorry to hear about Rocky’s back troubles. Poor little guy. He’s lucky he’s got an owner who can sympathize, though.
I definitely can sympathize. He seems to be recovering but I am worried about putting him back on the front yard roster. I think he may hurt his back again while chasing the bicyclists.