My Poor Puppy

Updated on March 23, 2012
D.F. asks from New Braunfels, TX
16 answers

I am so sad. Our two year old cocker spaniel Dalyla hurt her back.
On Sunday she was acting strange. She would just sit in one spot and and stare at us. Then all of sudden she was walking and sat down and her back legs went straight out and she could not get back up. We rushed her to an emergency vet. They said she ruptured a disc in her back. They say it is very common for small dogs. They jump off the bed or couch wrong and it just ruptures. So $350 later, they send us home with pain, steroid, mucle relaxer and one more prescription. She had movement when we walked in, now she has no control over her hind legs at all!!
I spent Sunday night and all day yesterday with her. She is in so much pain. She just stares up at you and pants. It takes forever for the medicine to kick in. She cannot walk therefore she cannot go outside to pee or poop. You have to rub her belly to get her to pee and clean her up if she poops.
To me it feels just like when my sister got sick! Walking talking normal then all of a sudden needs 24 hr care. Only to not make it and be gone!! I lost my sister in 2009. Then in 2011 I lost my husband. Now my dog?!?!
I feel so bad for my kids!! They have been through so much. Now they are going to lose their puppy!! How much more can we take??? I am tired! I want joy back in my life! We have each other and we have become very close. But cmon, it is hard to keep it together when I feel crushed AGAIN!! I am not a needy person, never have been, but I NEED A BREAK!
I know all the right things to say, I know logically what to do, BUT PULEASSSEEE! Can I get a hole to crawl in?? Cuz I don't know how much more I can take!! I know all the cliche's. God will not give you more than you can handle> REALLY!! Cuz i feel like I am fixing to explode!!

I am not really asking for advice, I just need a vent and this is the safest place I know. Like I said, I am not needy, just getting wore out by all the sadness in our lives. My question, will you please pray for us? We need to be uplifted.
Thanks!
D.

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So What Happened?

Thank you Megan! I do cry in front of them. Man have we cried lately!! I am so blessed to have them!! We have become very close, but the same for them, how much more can we take!
Thanks DVMom. They did recommend surgery, but it is $4000 that I do not have and with no guarantee she will walk again. I feel like is a quality of life issue. I know there are other paralyzed dogs out there, but if I don't have the finances to support this what do I do? We are going to another vet tomorrow. But I cannot keep taking off of work either, I feel bad! I talked with my sons and we are going to see what this other vet says tomorrow to see what we can do.

More Answers

C.P.

answers from Columbia on

Lord God,

I know you are busy, what with the pain and suffering and starvation and floods and such in the world. I ask that you might take a moment to give a little of your divine attention to the needs of D.. We are all so very small in the grander scheme of things, but even the smallest being can affect great change in this world.

I pray that you watch over D.'s little dog, D. and her family. If it is Your will, I pray that you touch that little dog with your healing power so it may walk and run and play again. I pray that You give strength of heart and mind to D. to be able to choose to do whatever she must to care for her puppy.

God, I pray that You embrace this family in Your loving arms and bring them all comfort in knowing that You love us all and care for all things.

Amen.

9 moms found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

Talk to your vet. Maybe she needs a better pain medication, or something stronger. I often see cases of other vets not treating pain adequately.

Also, sometimes these dogs need surgery. Not to add to your anxiety, but ruptured discs can put pressure on the spinal cord, causing varying degrees of weakness, paralysis and other neurological issues. An MRI is needed to pinpoint the problem and location and then surgery to remove the herniated disc material can be performed. I used to work at a veterinary neurology specialty center where these type of cases and procedures were quite common and routine. If she has suddenly lost control of her back legs - not just too painful too walk but really can't use them (i.e. losing balance, dragging, knuckling over, etc.), she needs to be re-evaluated immediately.

There is nothing that says you are going to lose your dog from this. But if she is not getting better, or seems to be getting worse, you need to go back to your regular veterinarian, or possibly seek a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the answers you are getting.

I know you said you were not looking for advice, but being a vet myself, I had to give my 0.02. Hope she feels better soon!

ETA: Surgery is not a guarantee, but nothing ever is. Look into Care Credit as a way to help with expenses - most vets offer it and accept it for payment. I have seen many many dogs improve and recover with surgery, though it can take time. A "doggie cart" might be an option too, for helping her get around, if she is in fact paralyzed and surgery is not an option. I wish you the best of luck and sincerely hope it works out for the best!

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M.P.

answers from Green Bay on

:-( So sorry to hear about your dog! This happened to us back in October, but it was not a ruptured disc. Did the vet say it would heal? Or is this something that is permanent?

You don't want advice so I don't want to overstep the situation and offer any. I hope things get better for you!

One thing I will say though, is, don't be afraid to show your emotions to your kids. You don't want to go overboard, but if for whatever reason, you find yourself tearing up or crying, don't try to hide that. It will help your kids deal with the things they are feeling, to know it is okay to let their emotions show.

I am so sorry for all you are going through. It is not "needy" to need a break!! Good luck!

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☼.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

D.,
Sending prayers your way for the healing of your family and your doggie. Peace and hugs to you. xo

4 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Oh D., no advice, I just wish I could make it all go away for you. I'm so sorry. Of course I'll pray.

:(

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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

Oh my goodness . . . I'm so, so sorry. Will definitely pray for you and your family and of course your sweet doggie.

PS: Christy - that was a wonderful prayer. Well done.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from New York on

I hate cliches too. In times like these it is good to remember and know that God loves you and wants to carry you through these tough times like in the poem. Footprints

Tonight is prayer night at my church. We will lift you, your family and your dog up in our prayers. I'm praying that God will become your peace.

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P.R.

answers from Cleveland on

I'm so sorry and will say a prayer for you and your family and sweet puppy.

3 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I am sending giant hugs and prayers your way!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.K.

answers from Chicago on

Oh my goodness does my heart break for you, literally! I just went through almost your exact situation almost 2 months ago. My dog was older but same thing w herniated discs. I tried everything, got 2nd Nd 3rd opinions, he was on like 10 pills a day. After 2 weeks I had to come to terms w the fact that he wasn't going to get better. Having to tell my 6
yo was so awful, we both cried for days and still do sometimes...like right now because I feel so bad for you and your family.

1 mom found this helpful

M.B.

answers from Beaumont on

D., I feel so bad for you. It seems that when bad things happen that they just keep coming. I hate that and it has happened to me. I think you need to bring the dog back to the vet or another vet that is maybe cheaper or cut your losses if this is more than you can take and have it put down. (you already said this and you are doing everything you can.) My daughter's cocker just hurt his back a few months ago too and did get over it, but you have to decide what you can handle emotionally and financially.
Life will get better but I am so sorry again that you are having this all at once. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My husband died when I was 23 and pregnant with our first baby and it is devastating. Then everything that happens seems to pile more straw on the camels back.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm so sorry you're going through so much in such a short period of time. Life truly does suck sometimes. Yes, there are blessed days but there are also crappy ones. I'm sending you hugs, strength and wisdom. You, your sons and your dog will be in my prayers tonight!

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

I hear you loud and clear.

About six years ago, I lost my dog to illness. Three months' later my daughter's dog a daschund did something similar to yours. The vet told my daughter what it would cost to operate with no guarantee. She decided to put her down. We both were with her when it happened with me holding the dog. (I did not get closure with mine as she was at the vets and I couldn't be there.) It was hard but we know that she is in a better place.

I have her ashes and the others in boxes in my sewing room with a special spot for them. When I go they go with me in my big box.

You have my deepest sympathy and I am with you whatever way you go.
She is looking for you to help her mommy.

The other S.

PS Vent on if it will help you. I hear and feel ya.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Oh my gosh. Huge prayers and hugs coming your way. Keep your head up, mama. God only puts us through these things for a reason...one day he'll let you know why so much sadness came to you at once.

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C.T.

answers from College Station on

This happened to my daughters dachshund about 3 years ago - she took him to vet - steroids for about a week - had to keep him in kennel - help him to go to bathroom - and he got well...happened again about 2 months ago - not as bad - back to vet more steroids and he is fine again. So do not give up yet.. give him a little time. I hope he gets well for you and your children.

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S.P.

answers from Houston on

The same thing happened to my dog and the surgery would have been the same price. They gave her medicine and she took it for months and months and after that she didn't hurt anymore but she still can't walk. She drags her back legs but gets around fine. I keep her in a pen with towels and blankets and I change her every other day. She is happy and pain free. I take her out in the backyard some so she can get sunshine and move around. She goes after my other dog and grawls at him like nothing is wrong. There is NO way I could have put her to sleep. She has been like this for at least 3 years now. I look at it like this I was meant to be with her. God knew we were meant to be together and that I would do anything and everything for her. She is my life and I love her so much!!!!! Thoughts and prayer's coming your way!!

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