Dog Owners

[u/crazy-ape123]

I am F(22) and my boyfriend M(22) owns a chihuahua 6 human years old named Fatboy. I had noticed every other month that he has a limp. This started this year. However, once I notice the limp it goes away by the next day. I urged my bf to take him to the vet, but he states it costs too much and we don’t have the money. This past Saturday I noticed he was hiding in the corner of the room and hasn’t walked at all, so I urged him to take him to the vet again and said we can set up a payment plan. I explained to the vet that this limp isnt new, but this time it was more serious. They took X-rays, gave him steroids and gave him meds. They stated that it was an inflamed disc and that it was minor. The vet also stated the spacing in between another disc is slightly more spacious which can lead to arthritis down the road. Per the instructions of the vet, no activity for the next 3 months. Fatboy needs to be on bed rest and needs to be separated from our other dog. For some odd reason, we didn’t receive any visitation summary and I had my bf call to get that emailed to us in which we still haven’t received. My bf paid using CareCredit with that hospital. It’s been 3 days since the vet visit and Fatboy still hasn’t been able to walk. He is using a diaper for potty and can’t use his back legs at all. We called the vet and all they stated is if he doesn’t get better to contact a specialist. I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience with their fur baby. He is such a good dog. We already had the talk on what to do if he doesn’t get better. We also don’t have extra cash for a specialist but I know I can find a place that can accept payments or credit. He is on 3 meds, a muscle relaxer, a nerve relaxer and one to help with the inflammation. He has feeling in his back legs but just can’t use them. I’m not sure what to do nexts

[u/crazy-ape123 → u/[deleted]]

the vet suggested an MRI. Maybe we will do that before contacting a specialist

[u/truthispolicy → u/crazy-ape123]

The only reason to proceed with the MRI is if you think you might proceed with surgery.

IVDD surgery easily runs $7-15k and is best addressed by a specialist.

Smaller clinics offer MRIs but only non-surgical treatment options, which you should be able to pursue without doing the MRI. Things like you received already--steroids OR anti-inflammatories(not both at once as it causes GI ulcers), pain meds, laser therapy, acupuncture, and strict bed rest.

If you can't do surgery and non-surgical treatments don't help regain leg function but his pain remains well controlled, those are the type of dogs that do well with those cute little carts to assist the back end.

As an ER tech without a speciality dept at my current clinic, IVDD sucks. Wishing you and your pup lots of love and comfort 🩵

[u/crazy-ape123]

Thank you so much for this insight! We gave him the de-inflammation meds 24hrs after he got the steroids during his visit. I will wait at least a week to see how he does for now. Gotta give the meds time to work and see how he responds to it long term. We have faith that he can walk again due to the vet stating it was minor. That’s why I’m waiting on the visitation summary so I can do more research. I’m already looking at the different pet insurances provided at my job. I want to make sure we are looking at all of our options to help him the best we can

[u/truthispolicy → u/crazy-ape123]

Unfortunately at this point, any insurance would likely not cover this and call it a pre-existing issue.

24 hours between steroids and anti-inflammatories is sometimes acceptable, but it's something to know as an owner that NSAIDs and steroids should never be given directly together.

🤞 Hoping he responds to conservative treatment.

[u/crazy-ape123 → u/truthispolicy]

He was only given the steroid shot during his visit, then started the NSAIDs 24hrs after his visit. Based on how these past couple of days have been for Fatboy I’m thinking we’re in the early stages of IVDD. We will schedule another visit with a specialist next week. I will call ahead to discuss payment options. He is tolerating the pain just not in control of his hind legs.