Just got home from the vet...?

A dear friend of mine's dog not only slipped on a rug in their home, but broke the dog's back and the dog needed to be euthanized. Could that have happened to your dogs?

Well when I clicked on your previous question, nothing came up, so I am going to wing it here. I think it is odd that two dogs both have slipped disc. You have the right to request xrays and blood work ups, but if it is a slipped disc, and you popped it back in, then I would imagine nothing would show up. I had a dog that would slip a disc in his back that would paralyze his hind legs. It turned out he was doing it by going up and down stairs, so we had to start carrying him up and down stairs and lifting him on the couch and bed. We started with glucosamine, then rimadyl, and then metacam liquid when it was time to let go. I don't know the ages of your dogs, so I would think that you should look into the side effects of the meds, so you will know if you are making a right decision. Our dog was soo old at this point, that we had nothing to loose with the meds. So any way he would slip this disc, get a steroid shot, and some pain pills, I would take him home and pile up the comforters and sit on the floor with him between my legs so he wouldn't fall over. I would rub his back and find the place where he had slipped it, and gently, and I mean gently, put pressure on the spot and pop his back back in. He would still be in some pain for two days or so. You might want to ask a chiropractor, or someone who give back massages to help you, if this freaks you out. I guess I did it so often, I just got used to it. We would use an old tee shirt, or old bath towel, and put it under his belly, we had an end in each hand, and we would lift the dog that way to help him walk when we went through this. I wish I could have read your other question, but I hope this helps you. Good luck

That URL didn't work to your previous question.

My concern would be that they both showed up at the same time with the same problem.

Do you have rat poison around?

Did someone change the coolant (anti freeze) and not clean up or the dogs were out when this was done?

I'm shooting for poisoning myself.

Oh..I now see where you said the JRT came up with the symptoms last year and now the Lab has it.

I'm still shooting for some type of poisoning.

Have you had your water checked lately (if you have a well) and checked for Arsenic (naturally occurring)

Do you think someone is tossing poison over the fence?

Do you spray poisons?

I dunno..I just keep thinking poisoning.

Another thought...do they jump in and out of a truck alot? Such a high distance they may have finally just blew their knees.

I'd love to know what finally becomes concrete. This is interesting.

***edit*** I like what Apacapacas said. Maybe the whole thing is coincidental and they do have two completely different injuries. The JRT pinched a nerve in his back and the Lab actually has hip dysplasia *sad*.

JRT's are very hyper dogs and stay active, I can't see restriction of activity helping much. They tend to pull ligiments easily and that could be the problem. Considering both are having similar symptoms, they may have gotten into something or had a scrimage and have become sore. If the tests show neg. more than likely it will not change. Unless you feel your vet is not handling your case properly, i'd get a second opinion from another vet. Good luck

It may be a slipped disk with your JRT, but the lab sounds like she may have hip dysplasia. It's common problem with the puppies of large dogs that are bred by backyard breeders or puppy mills. When you take the dogs to your own vet, suggest that to him as a possibility for the lab. He'll know a lot more about it than anyone here.

Doing nothing is a good option. Dogs seem to have a better recovery rate from back trouble than humans do. I was amazed that my wife's vet hospital had a paralyzed dog come in (rear legs wouldn't move) and they put a sling under its belly and did gait training for a week or so, and the dog walked again. (Probably wasn't really paralyzed.)

It sounds like you are not completely satified with the reponse you got from this Vet...I dont blame you it does seem awful coincidental that they would both slip dics on the same day... Hopefully the medicine will help, if not it is a great idea to follow up with your Vet when she gets back!!

Anti-inflammatories and crate rest is generally a safe course of action, but that doesn't sound like a slipped disc to me.

Did she test them by putting their rear feet backwards?

Definitely monitor the situation. If they get worse, or don't show improvement quickly I'd want a re-check or second opinion.