Disc Disease Reoccurrence Prevention Tips

Disc disease has the potential to lead to lifelong neurological problems. Therefore, treatment should never be delayed, either by conventional method (crate rest for 6-8 weeks and meds), or via the surgical method.

Surgery is generally preferred if discs have herniated, which are causing extreme pain (neck discs) or the dog is completely paralyzed as a result of back disc herniations and/or when a herniation in neck or back have not been treated in time.

If the dog is still walking, and exhibits no pain or paralysis, sometimes it is worth it to try medicines and crate rest first. But it depends on many other factors and the vet or surgeon will advise the best route to take.

Lifestyle modifications may help to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Reocurrences, whether the dog had surgery or not, potentially can happen to 20-25% of dogs diagnosed with disc disease. Recognizing the early symptoms and taking prompt action give your dog the best possibility for the best outcome. Do not waste time taking your dog to the vet at the first sign of a disc herniation!

Note: Not all contributions offered in this article are from medical professionals.  Most have been offered by laypeople who have direct or indirect experience with disc disease, and want to offer help to those going through it with their own dogs. Please seek expert medical care immediately, as time is of the essence if your dog is showing any signs of disc disease.

Tips

Supplements: Diana Romer, Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue Representative, recommends GlycoflexIII, Duralactin and Noni Juice. Glycoflex III has Glucosamine, which is a joint supplement. Duralactin stimulates the immune system, and Noni Juice helps reduce pain and inflamation.

Supplements are meant to be given while on meds or after medication is over, to help prevent a future herniation. Please ask your vet what supplements he recommends as some dogs may react to some of the contents. Another option are homeopathic remedies, which can be supplied by a holistic vet. These can sometimes be given alone if the dog has a medical condition in which regular meds cannot be administered.

Roughhousing:

Jacinta, Jeannie and Maura remind us that dogs who have had back problems could reinjure themselves easily, so it is important to remember not to allow them to be rambunctious around other dogs. Keep a close eye on them, do not allow them to jump on tall grass or snow, or allow them to play rough games. When taking them out it is best to use a harness and a leash. Also, keep their weight at an appropriate level.

According to board certified veterinary neurologist Dr. Alan Pothoff: Dachshunds should never be allowed to trudge through deep snow, tall grass, given their predisposition to disc disease and the way that they are proportioned in their backs. The discs are highly compromised when doing these activities for it simulates jumping. A harness is also safer than a collar as the harness will not pull on the neck.

Crating/ recovery:

Some suggestions are by Shelley Dering, Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue Representative:

1) Put them in a wire crate where they can see all the family activity following surgery or during conventional, sometimes having more than one crate (one upstairs and one downstairs) helps too.

2) Swimming is excellent therapy and swim vests can be purchased on the web or at PetSmart. You must be with you dog at all times while in the pool.

***Water therapy must be started only when the vet or surgeon approves. Starting it too early could cause a setback in recovery.

3) There are physical therapists for dogs who are well versed in therapy and massage for postsurgery doxies.

***Investing in a few sessions is a good idea if possible.

4) Getting a pet stroller could help by allowing you to move the dog from room to room, and going outside.

5) Kongs and calming aids, like Rescue Remedy, can make the long hours inside the crate go faster.

TIPS TO PREVENT A HERNIATION

• Don't let your dachshund get overweight.
• Keep them slim and trim. Healthy, active exercise that doesn't include jumping. Walking and swimming are good choices.
• No stairs. Carry the dog up and down or block them off. If there are a couple of steps, use ramps.
• No jumping on or off of furniture.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A HERNIATION IS SUSPECTED

Some symptoms to watch for are reluctance to walk or jump; pain; shivering; holding a paw up; a hunched appearance; etc.

If you suspect disc disease, crate your dog, keeping him very quiet until you get to a vet. Time is of the essence. Go to an emergency vet if you must! Lingering without proper care could result in extreme pain and/or paralysis.

Crate rest 6-8 weeks is a must if a herniation has been diagnosed.

When to start physical therapy depends on the neurological state of the dog. If the dog had surgery, the surgeon will let you know when to start and what to do. If the dog did not have surgery, you generally have to wait until the dog is off all meds and showing no signs of pain (usually around 4-6 weeks) to start active therapy. In the mean time, range of motion exercises, massages and stretches, called passive therapy, are recommended so the joints are flexible when the dog recovers.

Do range of motion work by moving each joint through its normal range slowly 10 times so that it doesn't degenerate as fast. Massage the muscles throughout the legs and back.

If the dog had surgery, once the scar is healed, get him in a warm bath. Move the joints, massage and use healthy treats as a lure to get them to move forward and hopefully, eventually take their first steps. If the dog did not have surgery, do this after the 4th week of crate rest or as indicated by the vet.

If they can't move their legs after the surgery or crating period, use a "pocket pup" outfit, which is mportant for preventing friction burns and preventing them from injuring their legs. Helps keep diapers on, as well. The No P Pants from Doge Designs - especially for the boy dogs - is a good one. It is so difficult keeping the working end of the boy dog in the diaper. If they are outside, they get colder quicker as they can't build up as much heat so watch that they don't get hypothermic.

Love. Don't underestimate this. Our love to our dogs will be their greatest motivation to heal.

Make the therapy fun, with praise and treats, so the dog looks forward to it.

If the dogs are starting to move their legs then use a tensor (or Ace) bandage to help them walk, using also a harness and a leash so they don't take off running.

Most have stood for the first time at the water or food bowl. So while they eat, if they have some leg function hold up their bums as much as they need to stay standing. You should get excited when the dog starts to step. If he doesn't just fall down but corrects it tells you that he sensed he was going too far in one direction and knew to contract to get toward the right position. This is a very good thing and cause for celebration.

Tail wagging is along the same nerve that can help the dog hold his bowels. So that's a great thing to see.

Watch for urinary tract infections with the dogs that have lost bladder control. Don't be fooled that they can hold it. If they lost nerve function to the bladder they can't release the sphincter and the bladder can rupture (a terrible death). If it isn't expressed (which is easy, just get your vet to show you) the bladder ruptures or the sphincter does. Once the bladder and/or sphincter die, they'll never be able to hold their bladder again and will always dribble and be getting urinary and bladder infections as the valve the closes off the bladder to the outside can't close. Signs of an infection are urine odors, blood in the urine and the dog becomes harder to express.

Acupuncture has helped many dogs by relaxing them, reducing swelling and helping healing. Discuss this option with your holistic vet.

Thanks to Guadalupe Rivera for assistance in writing this article.