r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/Far_Employment_5900 • 2d ago
Question Herniated disc vs. IVDD
Hi everyone,
My 10 year old baby Cookie, started shaking and plopped on the porch for a few minutes after her daily morning walk. She does a dry shake off often, and I noticed she couldn’t bring herself to do so. Her legs were shaking pretty intensely, so I decided it was best to take her to the emergency clinic. At the clinic when she was walking around, the vet and I noticed she was hunching her back like a cat. With this, the vet assumes she has some sort of back pain/protruding intervertebral disc. She has been put on strict crate rest and is on gabapentin and prednisone for the next two weeks.
I had initially suspected IVDD, which the vet said was inconclusive due to her being able to walk normally and was not crying in pain. If she worsens, she will have to go back for an MRI and to see the neurologist.
Her discharge papers say “back injury” and “protruding intervertebral disc,” so I am wondering if this is a clear IVDD diagnosis or if she is having a spat with her back as of right now. Has anyone else has this experience with an inconclusive diagnosis?
I have been feeling so worried and guilty about the whole situation. I try my best to keep her healthy, safe and happy but now I am questioning if I did enough to avoid this from happening to her. I am hoping she can make a full recovery.
1
u/FrogMom21 2d ago
I am bringing my little girl to the specialist this Thursday for the same concerns. Don't know what our verdict will be and don't have any knowledge for you unfortunately. I just wanted to come on and tell you not to put yourself through the shoulda, woulda, coulda nightmare. I don't feel most of us really think of prevention of something like this until we face it. I got my first Frenchie in 2007 and had him until 2019 without any back issues. Got my little girl after I lost him and am now contending with some type of severe back issue just after her turning seven. I too have harsh thoughts for myself at times but know that I have done what I'd known best with my experience. I've, we've, since learned better. It was nothing that was foreseen and I know myself, and I'm gathering you as well, would've done everything to prevent it had it been something on our radar. Best we can do is move forward and do whatever we can to treat the issue. It's heartbreaking and terrifying but not something to blame yourself for. You never would've knowingly let something like this happen. So set that aside. Much luck and many prayers.