My 15 yr old cockapoo had...

Question
My 15 yr old cockapoo had a problem 2 months ago
which the vet treated with Pregnosone. She was
bobbing her head and favoring a front leg. She
seemed to be having pain spasms in her neck.
The vet pushed her head back then gave her a shot
then prescribed the meds. By the time we left the
office she seemed fine. The meds seemed to work great but after about 10
days the symptom returned. The amount of pregnosone and the tailing
pattern is becoming more and more curious as we are now in the 4th
iteration of trying to back off. The latest pattern is 1-1/2mg
for 5 days, then 1-1/2mg every other day.
But where I thought the meds were for arthritis he now tells me it is more
likely a pinched nerve in the spinal vertebrae and she's too old for
surgery. This is getting scary, but how can he know if its not arthritis
anyway. And should I start using arthritis meds (he says no)...
How could it hurt ?  

Answer
Hi there!  Wow, 15 years old!  That is wonderful!  Older dogs do tend to get a variety of ailments.  Some are curable, and some just need to be treated with medications for the rest of their lives.  It's hard for me to say what this could be without seeing your dog, but I can definately tell you that there is something neurological going on, which is quite common in older dogs.  Prednosone is a steroid.  (I think that's what you meant?), and is the proper treatment for a neurological problem.  I am assuming that the injection your veterinarian gave her was a cortisone injection, which again would be the proper treatment.  I would think that their is either a degenerative disc disorder, a pinched nerve, stroke, or simply nerve problems going on.  Glucosamine, Etogesic and Glycoflex are used for canine arthritis.  I would not see a problem with using an arthritic medication, but it does concern me as there must be a reason why your veterinarian was against it.  If at all possible, you may want to get a second opinion.  I am not sure what kind of diagnostic procedures your dog has been through, but with a diagnosis or even possible diagnosis of a disc problem, or a pinched nerve, would definately require an x-ray or ultrasound to pinpoint the area and see exactly what is going on in there.  At 15 years of age, surgery would definately not be a possibility, but there are other treatments that can be done through medications.  I would recommend another veterinarians opinion upon a physical examination, as it's not very fair to you or your dog to not be given an exact diagnosis and no course of treatment. It's been kind of left open ended for you, and that's very frustrating, believe me, I know!  There are plenty of canine muscle relaxers, steroids (for permanent use), pain relievers, ect., that your veterinarian could prescribe.  The way I always look at it is like this; the best way to deal with a problem is by curing it.  If it can not be cured, the symptoms and pain can at least be masked so that the animal can live happy and pain free and the owner can be at ease.  There definately is another answer for you.  I truly hope that you find it.  Unfortunately, my information on this is limited because I can't physically examine her, but there definately will be a veterinarian out there who will be able to physically examine her and offer both of you some relief.
Please let me know how she does and know that I am thinking of you both!
Sending millions of get well kisses to your little girl!
Hilary