Poodle

Question
My 9 yr old (6 lb) Toy Poodle has stiffness, arched back, difficulty climbing stairs & unable to put head down to eat from her dish. She seems to be in pain and if not, very uncomfortable.  It lasts about 2 - 3 days and then she gets well.  She has had this happen in the last 2 years about 6 times.  Have taken her to the vet several times and they give her medication for stomachache or pancreaitis.  The medication does not seem to help & I don't feel that she is suffering from a stomachache. Does not have any vomiting or diarrhea.  Does eat her food.  Normally she is a very happy, running around playing with her toys dog.  I do notice that at times she is clumsy when climbing stairs. Seems to hit her back legs on them.


Answer
Nadine,
I am not a vet but I can tell you I think they are looking in the wrong place. It would probably behoove you to take her to a new vet and tell them she seems to be having some spinal problems that are starting in the neck region.

Dogs get neck problems just as we do. She might have some bone spurs on her neck vertebrae. In any case, she needs a full body xray and maybe even an ultrasound.

If your vet will not look beyond her stomach then I would look elsewhere.