Slipped disc and steroid use :(

[mokkurboxer]

Hi, i posted a thread not so long ago... My 10 months old boxer possibly has a slipped disc (since 20th dec) - he has all the possible symptoms. He's been on steroids for the last two months and they work fine on him - but he's definitely not the same as before.

As you might know... dogs can't be on steroids for long time because the may induce internal changes to the body, resulting in an over-production of cortisol (dogs own body steroid) production = known as Cushing's disease. Im scared that might happen :(

But its the only thing (steroids) we have found that works! Maybe he needs surgery or better physiotherapy (we've tried some).

Any advises ? please im desperate :(

 

[mancin]

I'm sorry you are going through this. My 10.5 year old boxer just had a slipped disc in her neck late last year and it was so hard to see her in that much pain.
I don't know if it's just me, but 10 months seems young to get a slipped disc. Have you gotten a second opinion? Have they done x-rays to confirm the diagnosis?
Before Abby fully recovered, the vet said I could see a specialist if I wanted to discuss surgery options. The problem is, the specialist didn't want to see Abby while she was on steroids because they can't see the inflammation. I wasn't able to get her to manageable enough level without the steroids to bring her in, a catch 22! Luckily, she seems to be normal now and she's been off of the steroids for a couple of months so I can only assume that she was able to heal on her own.
Have you restricted his exercise? I know it's hard for a puppy, but that really was key for Abby's recovery. The vet said that Abby wasn't allowed to play or go on walks during her recovery - only outside to potty and then back in. She also wasn't allowed to get up on any furniture so that she wasn't in a position where she had to jump down. I also got a bunch of area rugs to put around the house (I have wood floors) to help her traction. The vet also advised that even once she recovered, we should only use a harness on her and not a collar to prevent further injury to her neck.
Good luck! Sending healing vibes your way!

 

[mokkurboxer]

Hi, thank you so much

Three different vets have seen the x-rays that were taken of him, but they are not 100% sure its a slipped disc - but we have tried every pain killers, relaxers and drugs - and the steroids are the only thing that seems to work - and they work really good while he's on them! But he doesnt seem to heal! After two months now, he is still in pain when he is not on them:/ So i have to give it to him... there is nothing else to do.

Im so happy to hear tha Abby is ok I hope Mökkur will too!

And yes i have REALLY restricted his exercise! NO jumping, playing and running - only short (10 - 15 min) walks in lead.

Thanks for the answer! Hope my english is ok We're from Iceland!

 

[mancin]

Your English is fine.
What dosage instructions did they give you for the steroids? I had to put Abby back on the steroids a couple of times because I don't think they gave it enough time. The first time she was on steroids, she got 2 dosages each day for 3 days, then 1 dosage each day for 3 days, and then 1 dosage each day every other day. After she was done with that round, she reverted back but wasn't as in much pain as she was the first time. The second time they had her on 2 dosages each day for a week, and then tapered off. The third time she was on 2 dosages each day for 2 weeks and then tapered off. Third time was the charm in this case. Obviously you wouldn't want to increase his dosage without first talking to the vet, but I'm just curious what they prescribed.
You mention Mökkur is still in pain... is it as bad as when you first noticed the injury?
If I were you, I probably would reduce his walking for a couple of weeks. Depending on the surface he's walking on, it could be causing some jarring that is irritating his neck. With Abby, it took only the slightest bump to reinjure her while she was healing. I think it was after the second dose of steroids, I weaned her off and thought she was doing OK for the first couple of days. Then she slipped on the floor. She didn't fall, but the slipping was enough to hurt her all over again because I don't think she was entirely healed at that point.
I hear you with the muscle relaxers. My vet had given Abby some pain medication and muscle relaxers. The muscle relaxers made her loopy! They seemed to make her stumbling worse, not better. The last thing I wanted was for her to be even more clumsy! I know why they prescribed them - she was having visible muscle spasms in her shoulder near her neck, but they didn't do squat for her.
If it makes you feel any better, Abby injured herself in mid-October and I didn't notice her being herself again until January. Here's hoping Mökkur recovers soon!!