Hi, @Dr. Jeff, My little Coton De Tulear Lexi is 7 years old. Recently she started having a back pain issue. She was in the ER for a whole weekend.
She does have luxated patellas however, no orthopedic cause was found for her back pain.
She was put on Gabapentin for pain. Eventually, she seemed better for a few days. Then the same pain issue happened again.
This time my regular vet gave her Prednisone.
Eventually, she seemed better again for a few days.
Now the issue has started again. My regular vet today gave me Gabapentin and Prednisone. She gets some relief with the pain meds and bed rest but I need to get her better.
Is there anything I can do to fix this? Thank you.
Dr. Jeff wrote:
Hi Leslie-
I'm sorry to hear about your pup!
Yes, there definitely are strategies to help back problems.
Depending on the exact problem (a prolapsed disc?) she may need up to 6 weeks of crate rest.
Do you have a vet chiropractor, acupuncturist or rehab. facility nearby? What do you feed? Has she had other health challenges like diarrhea, skin stuff or prior back problems?
Leslie wrote:
I took Lexi to my vet today. He thinks that she has a disc problem in her back. She is now taking Prednisone, Gabapentin, and Robaxin-V 500 mg. She finally ate a meal and drank some water today after getting the Robaxin-V. My vet told me that if her back pain continues, taker her back to the ER. He mentioned she might need surgery.
Thursday, she has an appointment at a different vet clinic for Accupuncture for the first time. I was told that she would be evaluated at that time to see if their chiropractor could help her.
She has luxated patellas but other than that has not really had many other health issues. She has been a healthy girl. She generally hasn't really had diarrhea, skin stuff or prior back problems.
Can disk issues be cured without surgery? If she does need surgery, I would do that for her, of course. But if she can be cured without invasive surgery, that would be preferred.
I welcome your advice.
Thank you, @Dr. Christina, @Dr. Sara .
She does have luxated patellas however, no orthopedic cause was found for her back pain.
She was put on Gabapentin for pain. Eventually, she seemed better for a few days. Then the same pain issue happened again.
This time my regular vet gave her Prednisone.
Eventually, she seemed better again for a few days.
Now the issue has started again. My regular vet today gave me Gabapentin and Prednisone. She gets some relief with the pain meds and bed rest but I need to get her better.
Is there anything I can do to fix this? Thank you.
Dr. Jeff wrote:
Hi Leslie-
I'm sorry to hear about your pup!
Yes, there definitely are strategies to help back problems.
Depending on the exact problem (a prolapsed disc?) she may need up to 6 weeks of crate rest.
Do you have a vet chiropractor, acupuncturist or rehab. facility nearby? What do you feed? Has she had other health challenges like diarrhea, skin stuff or prior back problems?
Leslie wrote:
I took Lexi to my vet today. He thinks that she has a disc problem in her back. She is now taking Prednisone, Gabapentin, and Robaxin-V 500 mg. She finally ate a meal and drank some water today after getting the Robaxin-V. My vet told me that if her back pain continues, taker her back to the ER. He mentioned she might need surgery.
Thursday, she has an appointment at a different vet clinic for Accupuncture for the first time. I was told that she would be evaluated at that time to see if their chiropractor could help her.
She has luxated patellas but other than that has not really had many other health issues. She has been a healthy girl. She generally hasn't really had diarrhea, skin stuff or prior back problems.
Can disk issues be cured without surgery? If she does need surgery, I would do that for her, of course. But if she can be cured without invasive surgery, that would be preferred.
I welcome your advice.
Thank you, @Dr. Christina, @Dr. Sara .