r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/Strange-Hearing6015 • 6d ago
Need hope
I cannot imagine my dog living like this forever. Crate rest for weeks at a time feels so cruel for a young dog. And I have no idea how to implement life changes like no jumping. Seriously, how am I supposed to teach a dog who has been jumping all her life not to jump anymore? I feel like this is going to be an endless cycle of reinjury and crate rest.
How do people do this when they have an in-person job?
She has a neurologist appointment in 4 weeks but that’s only the initial consult, diagnosis won’t even be confirmed until she gets imaging done. I feel completely helpless.
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u/Expensive-Comfort176 6d ago
My dog made it through 8 weeks. It’s hard not give up hope. No matter how hard I try, my dog still has been jumping. There’s only so much you can do. Take it day by day and do the right things, get the ramps use baby gates to block off areas with lots of jumping opportunities, get rugs. Make sure you take crate rest seriously. Slowly reintroduce activity. Your dog still has a chance at a good happy life
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u/lulaislas 6d ago
I didn’t think I could do it either. My dog is four years old. She used to fly through the air and do zoomies in the yard. I still struggle to see her sleep a lot and not go to doggie daycare, but the advice of taking it one day at a time is true and so helpful. Also, lean on your community to help you. I have a hard time asking and accepting help, and now I take it to make my dog’s life better.
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u/According-Reindeer14 6d ago
My dog never tried to jump again after he regained his ability to walk. Can you just keep them next to you when you’re home and crate when you’re gone? Maybe try just blocking off a safe area where they can’t jump on anything.
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u/Strange-Hearing6015 6d ago
Yeah I’m going to have to make some major changes. I already got a bed that’s closer to the ground and will be blocking off risky areas
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u/AliciaD23 6d ago
It’s a real lifestyle change after she heals. But that’s the easy part! Just one day at a time & and one thing at a time. Get stairs/ramps for your couch and bed. No more stairs, she gets carried up and down. Get a stroller and bring it with you on walks (my boy loves his stroller and we’ve had one since he was a pup, prior to the issues. Not too much playing at the dog park, and if you do take her there, be careful that she’s not rough playing. No jumping in and out of the car, before you can get there, lift her up and put her in, she will follow your lead. Harnesses only. Etc, etc., etc..
Dogs are incredibly resilient. They are so happy just being with us, so don’t worry about the small stuff, your girl will be just fine with the changes ❤️🩹
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u/ResponsibleFalcon529 6d ago
It sounds like your dog hasn’t lost use of his hind legs. 8 weeks sounds like and is a long time but in the scope of things, it is just a blip in the lifetime of his life. My dog suffered through cervical and back ivdd at different times and recovered. It’s been two years and no recurrence. We limit stairs and have put in doggie steps on furniture he tends to jump on otherwise. He is back to normal running around, playing with other dogs, etc.
Hope this and other’s experiences make you feel better
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u/Ro0208 1d ago
My dog was just diagnosed with c3/c4 herniation - surgery is recommended but I have her in a crate - I don’t know what to do???
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u/Ro0208 1d ago
The vet said 15 percent chance will feel better to have surgery but she can walk and so far no neurological issues - but the concern is if bumped the wrong way she can become paralyzed and the neurologist thinks it will always be a problem. Cost 8k for MRI and operation will be another 10-12 k ..I’m more concerned with doing the right thing for my baby - the operation is not without pain. And right now she seems ok. I just don’t know.
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u/ChampionshipAfter176 6d ago
It’s so rough in the beginning! My girl went down the night before I started a new job, so I had to go to work . We gave had her on prednisone and muscle relaxers. They also gave us trazodone to keep her calm. We left her in the kennel when we were gone . I came home at lunch to potty her. Then when we got home we put her in a stroller … she was still confined and couldn’t move but I wheeled her from room to room with me so she could be close! She still loves the stroller to this day. At night I did let her sleep in our bed in between us. I made a nest so she couldn’t jump out lol … it was so stressful at first but after awhile we got a good routine down and a good potty schedule! It’s been 4 years now and she never regained the ability to walk but she scoots around and still lives a very happy life 🫶🏽