IVDD

[Lessie]

Hi,
 
I am seeking advice regarding my 5 year old Working Cocker Spaniel. I have literally spent all day yesterday researching any cases of this on the internet in the UK. Only found a few american sites - but they were extreme cases (dogs with cart-wheels) Also I wanted to hear and share Dog Owners experience with IVDD in the UK. As I've yet heard or found any. Until someone mentioned - Forums - so here I am!
 
My Spaniel was diagnosed with Thoraculumbar Intervertebral Disc Disease back in late 2010 and had surgery for this with intensive after care. Thankfully this was successful and returned back to his normal self and was able to return to his normal every day lifestyle - including his activity levels.
 
However ever since the operation, there are days when he appears stiff, and suffers with lameness and therefore requires extra care and rest until he recovers. We are fully aware he may experience another disc blown in his spinal cord at some point in the future however we are trying our best to prevent this occurring but also allow him to have his freedom.
 
He went back to the vets few weeks ago as he was showing signs similar to when he had 3 of his discs blown back in 2010, however the medication and intestive rest with no exercise has helped dramatically. He has now returned back to his normal self.
 
He is absolutely fine but cheeky! Anyway I am convinced the cold weather is a major impact on his health, as only around this time of the year he really suffers, sometimes lame and occasionally stiff. Just like any other dogs with arthritis would have. 
 
Do any of your dogs with history of IVDD also suffers from cold weathers? Or do they suffer any specific days, like too much exercise?
 
I am currently doing a lot of research for support, such as supplements that may be a significant help to his health. As I've heard there are so many out there for dogs, but I have been e-mailing a lot of companies, especially the natural products as I only want natural products with no side affects. The best one I've found so far with brilliant service, is Yumove. Have any of you used this before? I am currently trying out the samples.

 
I'd like to hear any of your opinions and advice especially those of you with dogs that have a history of IVDD.
 
Any tips/advice/recommendation are welcome.
 
Sorry this is long and thank-you for reading this,

Lessie 

[Maria n Dennis]

My dog Dennis had surgery for the same in September 2010 when he went in he was a grade 4. Unfortunately in December the same happened again and he had another surgery, and he is still on crate rest. I don't have time at the moment to have a good read through your post but I will later and reply in more detail.
There is a couple of dogs on this forum that have IVDD.

[Maria n Dennis]

Dennis suffers when it's cold , I asked the vet about it and apparently the fluid in the spine when he's been laid down or cold gets thicker and this is why he's stiff when he gets up, if it's really cold I put his equfleece on and he has a hurtta coat for walks. I did also find that if he over did it a little that he would get a little wobbly especially on his left hind leg.

I would be very interested in any supplements you find. I have tried to look into but get really confused by all the different opinions. Dennis is currently on synoquin which was advised by his vet.

If you don't mind me asking , what advice where you given regarding the exercise he can do.

When Dennis was 1st diagnosed with IVDD , I'd never heard of it , especially being associated with cockers but I got some great advice off charlies owner (catmartin)but now I know of 3 others over the last month.

[bluegirl]

This is a link to a thread which was started recently and could be what you are looking for re supplements.

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=89804.msg1335012#msg1335012

[dizzytrish]

Hi

at present, my dog does not have this,but being a poorly bred dachshund, I am very aware this could happen at any time.

not sure how relevant this is, but here is a link to a site I found when doing some research  http://www.dodgerslist.com/

it is american, but they seem to talk about it alot more.

hope it helps, and squidgy hugs to all your poorly pups  

[KellyT]

our youngest cocker has just had surgery on a slipped disc, and has other calcified discs too.

I'm really interested in what you've said and have now being busily off investigating supplements and alternative 'care therapy' (such as massage and Ttouch) as a way of keeping my mind occupied whilst we wait for news this morning on how she's been affected by her op.

So whilst I don't have any kind of experience (yet) I'm really interested in sharing and reading through anyone else's experiences

Kelly x

[Sheryl]

Lyla had her disc op just over three and a half weeks ago.  The surgeon suggested that cockers are susceptible to it and that the general opinion is that it would be daschunds, beagles etc but not so and he sees an equal amount of cases in other breeds, cockers included.  He called it a spinal design flaw which I am trying to get more info on.  The sites I have visited state that the age for this appearing seems to be between 3-7 years old with a few exceptions at either end.  He said that the disc fluid goes from a gel like substance to the consistency of old drying toothpaste.  All very scary when you first get hit in the face with it!

[bluegirl]

They are all classed as chondrodystroid breeds (basically dwarf) but the daschunds and beagles and basset hounds are  disproportionate chondrodystrophoids and cockers, mini poodles, mini snauzers are proportionate chondrodystrophoids. The presenting problems are the same.

[Lessie]

Hi,

Sorry for a late reply - I don't have internet at home.

Thank-you for all of your replies, I am amazed to hear there are quite a few cockers that have experienced it. Which is nice to know, as I've yet heard any cockers that have experienced it.

I agree - it is such a scary experience especially with little information available. Even Vets arent always sure, we were lucky to be transferred to a specialist which was located in Nottingham, but was a weird experience. So overwhelming.

I am grateful and relieved he doesnt need a second surgery yet but I am dreading if he does need one asa obviously he's getting older and I do worry a lot about it.

So like you guys, we are constantly searching about this condition and if there's anything we can do about it. That's the worst thing, not being able to do anything.

Maria & Dennis - I am sorry to hear about your dog, mine was diagnosed as grade 3. He was on crate rest for about a week, and then strict rest for the following 2 with gentle exercise - only went outside for wees and poos. Then we just took baby steps afterwards, even though he got rather frustrated and started jumping up - back to his normal self. Was hard to keep him pre-occupied!

We are lucky  he returned back to his normal self, although just like you said, some days he's quite wobbly and stiff - finds it hard to jump. Especially from his walks, sometimes he over does it, by trying to catch a rabbit or  playing excessively. Now he's much better, he kind of takes it easy when he's out, he doesnt go far.  Also I monitor him a lot more now, so depending how he is, I tend to limit his - off lead exercise to make sure he doesnt do too much.

He still has hour and half - 2 hour daly exercise, but as long it's moderate - he's allright.

When he has bad days - when he refused to go out for walks and appears really hard and stiff, just  like  he was earlier this month and after a trip to the vets, he was on rimadyl for a week, followed by mectam with strict rest.( no jumping, no sleeping on coach, bed, no stairs, no playing , not letting him play with our lab - horrible and hard but worth it for his sake) First week he was only allowed to go outside for wee and poos - he refuse to do it in the garden!? But he was reluctant to go outside as he couldnt go over the step so we had to pick him up etc.
But towards the end of the week, he was a lot better and not as stiff but still weak.

Then after that follwed by strict rest, he returned to hhis normal self, and we just gradually increased his exercise levels. So we started just walking him to the bottom of our road and nback then extra 10 metres and so on.

At that time, it was absouletely freezing - and he hates the cold. So that's why I was so sure the weather affects him.

Anyway I hope your dog gets better, it really is down to being patience, and making sure they're comfortable for time being.

Now I am trying out Yumove - they've sent me a sample - the only reason I liked about this product is  its all 100% natural, aunlike some other supplemetnts. I you like I can post  on here the e-mail they sent me?

 Sorry this is long!

Lessie

[catcmartin]

Our Charlie has IVDD.  He went down completly in his rear legs 7 years ago at 6y/o, he had spinal surgery in the Glasgow Vet school.  We try to avoid stairs and allowing him to jump on/off the furniture.  I am also a member of Dodgerslist who were a great help to me all those years ago when he went down.  Charlie now at nearly 13y/o is walked using a harness never a collar and an exending lead.  The suplements I use are Glucosamine/condroitin, Omega 3, low dose Vit C.  Some use serrazyme if you want to google this one. 
Charlie is very prone to server muscle spasm in both his rear legs especially when it is snow and icy weather usually.  I manage this by heating a damp towel in the microwave and wrapping it round his leg, then massaging the leg until the spasm stope, this can at times take an hour.  We havent had any so far this winter but I have discussed this with our vet and rather than put him on meds if it start again this winter we will go for acu-puncture which she reckons will help. 
Another gourp if you are interested is Abeldoge a support group for people with handicapped dogs and are also very knowledgable
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/AbleDogs/
Cathy   

[Lessie]

Catcmartin - Just wanted to say thank-you for your post and sharing your experience. It certainly shows, with correct care and a loving owner, they can survive and still have a 'normal' life.

I hope your dog will have a  lovely painless years ahead of him.

Lessie 

[catcmartin]

thankyou Lessie we try to keep him going as long as we can but then as we all know cockers are a breed apart, hopefully his heart will continue on as it has in the past year.
Cathy