Jessica
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IVDD – Beagle My 9 Year Old Beagle Is Displaying Symptoms Of IVDD. Currently He Is Still …
IVDD – Beagle
My 9 year old beagle is displaying symptoms of IVDD. Currently he is still able to walk. He holds up a paw when he stands but does have pain in the neck area. He has been displaying these symptoms for a month. This is the third times he has had issues with this leg which we always assumed was so sort of sprain and was helped by rest. The nuroligst wanted to do an emergency MRI and possible surgery if the MRI confirmed IVDD. However, his symptoms don’t seem nearly as bad as other have expressed. Is surgery really the way to go if I can afford it to help him heal the quickest? I want him to heal as quickly as possible, but I am nervous that the surgery seems risky. Any advice?
2 Responses
Hello,,
I can only answer this as an “in general” answer. I dont know your pup and therefore I cannot provide much help in providing the kind of answered tailored to your pup like your vet, or your neurologist can. We do believe, in general, that pets who with an acutely ruptured disc will have a better prognosis than those who do not. This does not remove the risk of surgery or general anesthesia, but, it doesnt allow the disc to stay impeding the spinal cord and acting like a crushing tourniquet. I have seen some pets do amazing after surgery, and others also do amazing when they couldnt afford surgery.
In general, dogs who are acutely paralyzed do best wiht immediate surgery. Dogs with slow, mild disease do fine with cage rest and time.
I have to say, honestly, if he were my pup or my patient that I would be hesitant to do surgery on dog that has such mild clinical signs. This absolutely means that you use a harness, dont allow anytime off the leash, no running, jumping, or excessive play. On a leash or in a cage.
This is my personal opinion. I hope that your vet and your neurologist can give you theirs.
keep us posted.
krista
Thank you so much for the quick response! I have decided to cage rest and lifestyle change to restrict all jumping and stairs to see how he reacts to that treatment. I am looking to have him check out by another neurologist to get a second opinion on his progress. Again really appreciate your response!