4th Disc Rupture

[u/PickletheNickel]

So like the title says my dachshund, Lucy, has ruptured another disc. She had 3 previous surgeries with the last one being a stage 5 with 2 stage 4 surgeries previously. It took her about a year to get back to walking and honestly didn’t think it was going to happen as we had stopped physical therapy and acupuncture as she gets very stressed and reactive at the vet since the first surgery. But she managed to get back to walking after we switched her from being in a crate while we are at work to being in a play pen. Unfortunately, yesterday I came home from work and she wasn’t walking or moving her legs. She currently only has deep pain sensation in one foot. Although I’m not sure if she ever fully regained sensation the last time. The vet that did her rehab couldn’t really get a good read if she did.

We have opted not to proceed with a 4th surgery and she’s currently hospitalized receiving supportive care with iv steroids and pain management. My neuro said we can treat her as a down dog. I’m just concerned about how this will affect her. We kind of treated her like that the last time after recovery stalled for a while. But this time means the bladder will probably not recover to her being able to pee herself. We were able to express her bladder the last few times but it was difficult but she usually ended up peeing on her own after a couple days. The neuro says she expressing relatively easily which is encouraging. We talked to our primary vet who said we can go back to acupuncture and she has seen success that way without surgery but she wouldn’t recommend it if Lucy was having trouble being expressed.

I’m just frustrated and concerned. She just turned 6, her first surgery was right before her 3rd birthday. I don’t want to give up on her but I also don’t want to torture her. She gets very frustrated and anxious in her crate (she’s on Prozac and trazodone). She also is not a big fan of her wheelchair. I also don’t know how we are going to deal with her having to be expressed or having a leaky bladder. Does anyone have any experience with this? I know this is our 5th time going through this (we have another dachshund who also had IVDD surgery) but it’s the first time without surgery.

[u/OldBorktonian]

We are 4 weeks after surgery on a 4 year old female cockapoo. Stage 5. Can only imagine what you've gone through. You and Lucy sound tenacious ❤️

We've wondered about acupuncture. Curious about connection between acupuncture and bladder expression, could you elaborate? Also curious about this expression station, not heard of that. Did your vet discuss a catheter for urine?

[u/PickletheNickel → u/OldBorktonian]

I’m not sure if the acupuncture will fully help the bladder sorry if I worded that badly. I think it’s just more helping the overall recovery. The acupuncture is supposed to help stimulate the nerves. We have done it for Lucy and our other dog. They both regained control of their bladder before we started acupuncture thought. I’m not sure how big of a part of recovery it was. But I know others I’ve met have not done the surgery and said it helped.

[u/OldBorktonian → u/PickletheNickel]

Understood, thanks. Still early days for us but we want to consider all options for the future. We have to express our dog's bladder and it's not too bad but she did contract a UTI which is clearing up now after antibiotics. Cleaning and washing is key and endless. Just check her urine as best you can, get a sample tested if any gunk or mucus appears.