Slipped disc in Shelties??

[Shelletlover]

Has anyone ever experienced slipped discs in their Sheltie. CeCe went in to the vet last week when we noticed she wasn't acting right, he took x-rays, and told us she had some spaces in her spine. He gave us tramadol and said it should get better in 7-10 days. But she still isn't acting right. Walking a little better, but still dropping her head when she walks, and she seems depressed, not eating right. I just wonder if I need a second opinion. How long does it take to heal, I suppose it's like a person with a slipped disc, and it can take a while, but I'm a little worried.

(Sorry I haven't been on in a while, new job, lots to do. Many new people I see, hope everyone is doing great!)

 

[dawns2shelties]

My dog Chandler had a spinal stroke and the vet referred us to a neurologist so I think that's who you would want to see since they are both spine related.
If you aren't comfortable and she still isn't feeling well that would be my next step. I'd call the vet and tell him she is not feeling any better and tell him you would like to explore it a little further and ask if he can refer you to a good neurologist in the area. He should be ok with that if he's not that's not a vet I would want to continue seeing, and I would search for a neurologist on my own.
We'll keep you in our prayers and hope for a speedy recovery. Keep us up to date.

Dawn,Chandler,and Gypsy

 

[Caro]

2 dogs in my agility class have had slipped discs. A BC was back at training after 2 weeks rest, but the Cocker Spaniel hasnt made it to training all session and probably wont be coming back.

I would recommend seeing a vet physio - they will give you stretches and exercises to help it heal quicker and strengthen it. In addition a physio will be able to tell you a lot about the injury and advise if they think it is something more.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

My dog Chandler had a spinal stroke and the vet referred us to a neurologist so I think that's who you would want to see since they are both spine related.
If you aren't comfortable and she still isn't feeling well that would be my next step. I'd call the vet and tell him she is not feeling any better and tell him you would like to explore it a little further and ask if he can refer you to a good neurologist in the area. He should be ok with that if he's not that's not a vet I would want to continue seeing, and I would search for a neurologist on my own.
We'll keep you in our prayers and hope for a speedy recovery. Keep us up to date.

Dawn,Chandler,and Gypsy

I would recommend seeing a vet physio - they will give you stretches and exercises to help it heal quicker and strengthen it. In addition a physio will be able to tell you a lot about the injury and advise if they think it is something more.

If you like and trust your vet, I'd definitely go back and tell him/her that she's not doing any better, before you go get a second opinion.

As dawns2shelties suggested, you may want to go to a vet neurologist. We believe my sheltie Sadie also had a spinal stroke, and we were told that seeing a specialist would be the next step. Some low impact physio like Caro suggested, such as swimming in a pool would probably be really good for her. Swimming has helped Sadie tremendously.

I don't know what the proper medication is for treating a slipped disk, but Prednisone has helped Sadie tremendously.

I've noticed that Sadie was depressed, especially within the first 5-7 days after her collapse. I can only imagine what it would be like to have full use of your limbs one minute and then be 75-80% paralyzed the next. To say the least, I'd be depressed too. I would suggest trying to be up beat and treating her as you usually would. Don't feel sorry for her, or at least don't let it show. Treating her as normally as possible will help her to get through this.

I know a slipped disc can be painful, is it possible maybe she's not depressed, that she's in pain? This is something I'd definitely talk to your vet about. The only good thing about the spinal stroke that Sadie and dawns2shelties' Chandler suffered, isn't painful after the fact.

I hope that Cece is back to her old self soon!