Low-rider breeds, people, and spinal injuries

[cardicorgi]

I know there are a lot of low-rider breed lovers here, including me. Most of us know that our long-backed dogs are susceptible to spinal problems (IVDD, DM, etc).

My best dog, ever, herniated a disc when he was 5, and narrowly escaped paralysis thanks to a vet who cancelled his T-giving plans; we let him go last year at 13 yo after another disc herniated.

There’s an experimental drug trial going on at UCSF - sounds promising for dogs, and perhaps eventually, people. The drug apparently mitigates further damage after a spinal injury.

Press release: http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2012/01/11318/saving-dogs-spinal-cord-injuries

[irkenequine]

One of my vets was talking about this a day or two ago, as our ‘bread and butter’ here is a hemilaminectomy. Lets hope things go well with this study. Just last night we had to euth a dachshund that came in for an emergency, no tone or deep pain in the rear legs; at 4k, 50/50 odds aren’t good enough for anyone.

[incentive]

Thank you for posting this. A corgi friend had sent this to me, but I didn’t have the computer skills to post it here.

[vineyridge]

Big beagles also have spine problems just like low riders. This could be very good news.

I wonder if it could help humans with West Nile Polio?

[BetterOffRed]

Thank you for posting! I’m always afraid of spine problems with my two.

I had a mild scare today…my corgi was racing towards me was running pretty face…he normally tries to clothesline me at my knees at a full run…but he was going to sow fast he sort of flipped over backwards on his back. Scared the cr@p out of me because his back is soo long…but he got up and started running again. scared myself for a moment!

[cardicorgi]

[QUOTE=irkenequine;6092820]
hemilaminectomy. … no tone or deep pain in the rear legs; at 4k, 50/50 odds aren’t good enough for anyone.[/QUOTE]

We took those odds and won another 8 years with our boy!

He barely had a deep pain response. He recovered the use of his hind end over the next weeks, but had a deficit (think cartoon animals: hind end catching up with front while running).

We had to manage him carefully, but mostly his quality of life was great. He had a few “episodes” where we crated him w/course of steroids, but he was pretty vigorous until the end. :sadsmile:

BetteroffRed, I know what you mean. After our experience I worry about our two - when they play they T-bone each other HARD if we’re not diligent. We’re pretty careful about steps/jumping, too. Saps that we are, the bed is on the floor :o so they can get up easily.

Crossing fingers. About 2004 or so, there was another study involving injections of propylene glycol that reversed paralysis within 3 days of spinal injury - I haven’t read anything since.

[buschkn]

I am at work so can’t watch the video with sound, but how exciting to think they may be developing new techniques and treatments. It’s not just low riders who have this. My big GSD male had a herniated disc with paralysis several years ago. We did the surgery and he is happy and mobile, although his back end doesn’t work as well as it once did! The surgeon said it was the worst one he had seen, with the disc material literally exploded into the canal and spread across several spinal levels. We were very lucky.

I am always paranoid he will have another one, and we just rescued a Bassett Hound a week ago, and I already worry about her too. Fingers crossed they can do more for our canine, and eventually human, friends with the results of this study!

[LibertyRun]

My dachshund was attacked by the neighbor’s white GSD 1 1/2 yrs ago. We opted no surgery. AFter heartache and anguish and lots of therapy and voodoo treatments he is starting to walk on his own!!! He had no deep pain feeling, no reflexes in both hind legs. Dr said 85-90% chance of recovery with surgery- 80-85% without. We had no idea what we were in for! It’s been a series of highs and lows but thru it all our little guy has had more heart and spirit than me. I got my will power from him. Just this week he started standing on his own-without being bribed! We have another dachshund and I am paranoid about her! Am interested in this kind of research! Way cool!

[ManyDogs]

Good to know, since we have a mini dox, a standard dox (both from the pound) and a basset. I worry about them and try to take as many precautions as possible. I have noticed the mini dox, especially, sails off of the bed almost like a belly flop leap, instead of jumping down like the other dogs. We try to grab her before she does that!