Prayers for my poor dog!

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

As some of you may know, I have a female boxer mix. Her exact age isn't known to us because but she is estimated to be 3. She has been unbelievably active. She runs around the back yard like crazy, runs through the house, chases her toys around, etc. Saturday I was doing yard work and she was outside with me running around the back yard having a ball.

Sunday I noticed that she was generally "blah" and didn't seem to feel well. My first thought was that she had an upset stomach from something. Then I was making my bed and she tried to jump on the bed, hit into the side and fell. This is a dog who can jump like nobody's business. As the day went on it was hard for her to go up steps or even get up on the couch. DH carried her upstairs and set her on the bed.

Monday as soon as the vet opened I took her in. They performed x-rays and I went to pick her up and was told she has a narrowing of the disc space in her spine. I was told it may progress at which time we would want to take her to see a specialist. The vet suggested keeping her calm for 2 weeks and she is on an NSAID. They told me not to encourage playing, don't play Frisbee with her, don't play ball and only short walks with her and if she won't be pulling and tugging. They brought Sally out to me and she was wobbly. They didn't say anything and I assumed it was from the anesthesia they had to give her to perform the x-rays. I was told to call there on Thursday and let them know how she's doing but if I had problems, call them sooner.

Last night she remained very wobbly and unable to control her hind end. If she attempts to squat outside to do her business, her back end collapses. This morning she was no better so obviously it wasn't effects from anesthesia. I contacted the vet's office and the vet didn't get on the phone with me but the receptionist said that she spoke to the vet who said that she went over everything with me and I was made aware that this could progress.

I am not happy with the vet over this. At no time did she tell me Sally's condition had deteriorated IN the office to her barely being able to walk. What was with the speech about not playing ball and short walks? How could I play with her and how in the world could she go on *any* walk at all? What she needed to tell me was the dog needed a specialist NOW.

I contacted the recommended specialist and what I was told was that this was nothing to wait and see, she needs to be seen ASAP. If she gets to the point of paralysis, there is a very short window of time where this could possibly be fixed. We go to the specialist tomorrow morning unless her condition worsens in which case we have to take her in ASAP. So far, so good.

I'm not sure what the outcome of this is going to be. It breaks my heart that this active young dog went from running around Saturday to doing nothing but lying around 2 days later. She doesn't understand what is going on and her little eyes just stare at me like she wants to get moving but can't.

Any prayers for my baby would be appreciated! ${#emotions_dlg.crying}$

NChgOfMyAttitude · ‎03-10-2010

I've had boxers for 26 years. Give her a chance to rest it. Might have just pulled something. There's also a name for a disorder that affects their back legs, some sort of "opathy" thing. Boxers are prone to it.But you would have seen signs before.

I had one guy who every time he went crazy running and playing he could hardly walk for a few days. I will say a prayer for your baby. But hang in there, it might just need a little rest.

kittymomNC · ‎08-09-2012

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you and your baby. I have no suggestions other than, if this vet did not make it clear that the problem could get that bad that quickly and then did not speak to you on the phone, I would find another vet. Of course, get her to the specialist as soon as possible, while something may be able to be done. I've had poodles and cats for most of my adult life, and the vets I've been seeing for the past 25 years ALWAYS talk to me on the phone if it's something serious. If it's something a tech or receptionist can handle going back and forth, that's fine, but not for something like you're experiencing.

My elderly neighbor has a female boxer named Roxie, who is now about 8-1/2 years old. Her husband passed away, and Roxie did not have anyone who really cared for her as much as he did. My neighbor had a Jack Russell who lived in the house, and Roxie lived outside. I wound up making sure her house was winterized, and bought and set up fans for her in the summer. I took care of her when my neighbor has been in a nursing home for weeks at a time, and then several times after that. I fell totally in love with Roxie - the first boxer I had ever known. She lives in the house now and is well taken care of, but for years I worried about her like she was my own.

Boxers are wonderful, playful, loving dogs! I wish you all the best with yours, and please keep us updated on how she's doing. ${#emotions_dlg.ohmy}$

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

On 4/29/2014 NChgOfMyAttitude said:
I've had boxers for 26 years. Give her a chance to rest it. Might have just pulled something. There's also a name for a disorder that affects their back legs, some sort of "opathy" thing. Boxers are prone to it.But you would have seen signs before.

I had one guy who every time he went crazy running and playing he could hardly walk for a few days. I will say a prayer for your baby. But hang in there, it might just need a little rest.

I believe what you are referring to might be central peripheral neuropathy. We had a boxer that had that from when she was born. We got her at 6 weeks and noticed it by 8 weeks. She had to be euthanized the day before her third birthday. Besides that she had a disc problem in her neck and then her entire body started to shut down and she began having seizures and other issues. ${#emotions_dlg.crying}$

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this just needs some rest. She only had the steroid shot yesterday and so far a 1/2 pill this morning.

Thank you.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

kittymom, thank you very much. We've had boxers since we were married. 2 we bought from a breeder before we really knew better and from then on we've rescued. I have such a soft spot in my heart for the breed even though they can be real medical messes.

Shop Till you Drop · ‎03-10-2010

I have nothing to offer but prayer for your sweet baby Sally. Please let us know how she is doing after seeing the specialist. I will continue to pray for comfort and healing for her.

Stay strong (hugs)

Sammycat1 · ‎03-09-2010

Prayers heading up for your baby right away! Try to hang in there and keep her quiet and resting. We had a collie whose best dog buddy was a boxer -- they are fantastic!

JLLH358 · ‎03-10-2010

I will pray for your baby. You may at some point want to consider a vet who practices acupuncture as well (vets can be found at www.ahvma.org). They can work wonders with acupuncture!! Please keep us posted.