Have you tried finding a place with a physical rehabilitation department? My dog goes to one after a torn knee. Mine is at a major animal hospital, and they have great tools. They do and teach you to do stretches and exercises. They have laser therapy and and underwater treadmill, as well as acupuncture treatment. My dog was hopping around on three legs, but with a custom brace and physical therapy, he is now walking and trotting on all four legs. The progress has been slow but steady, and we haven’t had to do surgery, which was my main concern, due to how invasive it is. My dog is almost 11 and over 50 pounds.
I will just add to what @BunsenBurner said above. My sister’s dog had a neurological disease that slowly paralyzed her from back to front. Her urine frequently dribbled out once that area was paralyzed. She got to the point where she had to pretty much drag herself around the house. Around the same time she started getting frequent infections due to the constant presence of urine and probably the fact that her bottom was always on the floor since she couldn’t stand. My sister tried a cart, but her dog did not learn to like it. She had to use a sling for bathroom time and holding up the back end up an 80 pound dog several times a day was not kind to my sister’s back. Unfortunately she did have to have the dog euthanized. If your dachshund does need a sling for any amount of time, I’d recommend finding a way to extend the handle so you don’t have to constantly bend over. At least weight would not be an issue. Good luck to you and I hope your dog will recover soon.
Much as with human issues, there are things that can be rehabbed and things that need to be repaired. Bff had the surgery for her Doxie and the dog had a number of good years. Mine suffered back issues but not needing surgery. Best wishes.
Thanks all. She is better this morning. Not normal -but not dragging the leg like she was. I am going to make some phone calls this AM .
Thanks for the update. So are you saying that she’s able to use her back leg(s) a bit?
Was only one leg affected???
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had to use a sling for bathroom time and holding up the back end up an 80 pound dog several times a day
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That would be difficult. Sounds like this Doxie is getting better and since he’s a mini, he only weighs 9-15 lbs.
She never was completely paralyzed. Now she doesn’t fall over when she goes out to pee as much. She is still wobbly though. She also seems to mind being in the crate more -which I am hoping is a sign that she is feeling better
She is tiny -about 7 lbs. Black and tan long hair -her name is Cookie
Here is a good idea - how to make a supportive dog sling.
https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/how-to-make-a-supportive-dog-sling/
After our dachshund had puppies in 1970, she started in with back problems. I was only 8 but I remember it very clearly. She was at the vet for about a week, then my parents brought her home for a few days. We had to carry her around in a basket and my parents had to hold her up to do her business. They had all but decided to put her down and she went back to the vet for a few more days. She began to recover the use of her back legs, came home for good shortly after and lived until January 1977, just shy of her 10th birthday. RIP, Heidi!
One of our Ds has a rescue dog that needed this surgery. It was done promptly and she recovered well. If you haven’t already done so, you need to see a veterinary neurosurgeon. Certain breeds are more likely to have this issue than others and my D’s dog is a combination of two of those breeds!
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She never was completely paralyzed. Now she doesn’t fall over when she goes out to pee as much. She is still wobbly though. She also seems to mind being in the crate more -which I am hoping is a sign that she is feeling better
She is tiny -about 7 lbs. Black and tan long hair -her name is Cookie
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Yes, she’s a small mini. For some reason, I thought the pet was male. Mini males are usually bigger.
Glad to hear that she seems to be getting better.
<3 doxies.
Fingers crossed! She is definitely steadier when she gets out of the crate to go potty. She is using both back legs now -just not correctly. They aren’t lining up quite right. Of course we don’t let her walk around much at all -so It is hard to get a good picture. Thanks everyone for all your support
Changed my profile pic
Looks like she’s on the mend!!!
Is she allowed to have an amount of a baby aspirin for any pain? (Which for her 7lb size would be slightly less than 1/2 of a BABY aspirin (baby aspirins are 81 mg…and a 7lb dog could - with vet approval - take 35mg. )
Right now she is still on the hard stuff. I will ask tomorrow about what happens after that. I don’t think aspirin and steroids go together
Thanks
You really need to towelwalk the pup. Do not let her use her hind legs without spinal support - but do NOT wheelbarrow her.
Just an update. She is almost normal! Still on crate rest. Still on steroids. She is getting laser treatments (I am a little skeptical about those but the vet said they wouldn’t hurt) . There is still a little weakness in one leg.
I never thought I would do this -but we actually bought one of those doggy strollers. So she could get outside
Laser treatments are excellent at accelerating healing. Just make sure it is a class IV laser.
It’s a shame that the insurance industry refuses to pay for laser treatments for humans.
Thanks for the update. Hugs to your buddy.