Cocker Spaniel - Hind legs not working suddenly

mdd

Hi

our 7 year old cocker spaniels legs have stopped working suddenly.

She was walked last night and seemed fine, and also walked at about 1.30pm today and also fine (in hindsight thought she was walking a little funny - but at the time not enough for a second thought)

Came home this evening at 7pm or so - she would not leave her basket and when she was lifted out - her back legs would not work correctly - dragging them behind - not able to jump etc. - on closer investigation she cannot extend her paws flat on the ground.

Brought her to the vet immediately - said it could be a slipped disk, suggested the medical route - which may work or the surgical route (with no guarantees) which could cost up to 2K.

Obviously very worried - Has anyone any experience of this?
Does the medical route work?
Does the surgical route work?
Could it be anything else?

Any advice appreciated

tazwaz

hi op, i've no experience on this in particular but do know what its like to be worried about a pet having an op (our past dog had hip dysplacia).
i hope he'll be ok.
may i ask if you have pet insurance to cover the bills, the op is a lot of money but hopefully it works if you go ahead with it.
where are you based as theres a fab vet (shane guernin) that specialises in these kind of things in cork, could be worth a second opinion from him.
http://gilabbeyvet.com/ (mods please remove if i not allowed to post this site)

mymo

My uncle had a dog with a slipped disk years ago, as I remember it was strict rest, meds and then after a while small bit of swimming (luckily this was summer time). It worked quite well, the dog was never a lively dog, but was back walking after about 4 months. (I mean walkies, not that he couldn't walk for 4 months)

Best of luck.

Gen.Zhukov

Happened briefly with my Jack cross. There was a bit of 'handbags' with another dog and suddenly my lad was paralyzed in the rear.

He has had disk trouble over the years as he's a long fella (bit of Corgi in there I think) and prone to back trouble.

However after 10-15 mins he was ok again. Scared the crap out of me at time.

Not sure how much help this is bar to say that it may come right on its own. I hope your dog does get better.

mdd

Thanks for the replies - just to update you

The vet pretty much said the only hope was surgery
So we brought her to Dan O'Neill - a bonesetter in Myschel in Carlow. He said he felt 2 slipped discs and popped them back in - A remarkable difference, she is not 100% but not far off so fingers crossed