My Buddy Quiver

Question
Hello,
I need help. My basset hound quiver is unable to move his rear legs. This came on very suddenly. I took him to the vet and they are giving him some pain meds and steroids. He is 11 years old and I am not sure if surgery is right for him. I want to know how effective can this type of treatment be? Can they try to manage his pain? i do not care if he is handicap, I just do not want to suffer with pain. I can take care of him. Please help us!!!!

Answer
Given the sudden onset of the paralysis the cause would most likely be a thromboembolism (blood clot), traumatic injury or intervertebral disc disease/herniation.  The steroids can help to reduce the inflammation and pain medications make him more comfortable.  Given this is the course of treatment that they went with I am guessing upon physical exam they found a disc problem to be most likely.

I am unsure if they took x-rays to confirm this or not.  The surgery if a laminectory cannot guarantee that he will resume function in the limbs but at the least can reduce pressure on the spinal cord.  Does he still have bladder function?  If so this is a positive sign and also a much easier animal to care for in the long run.

There are several companies that make products such as slings and walkers which can help paralyzed pets lead reasonably happy lives and their owners be able to care for them with manageable effort.  If he does not have bladder function dog diapers are made specially for this also.

If Quiver is otherwise in good health and surgery is financially feasible for you I would say it is worth giving him this chance.  He may not recover use of his rear limbs, but even if he can no longer use them he should not feel pain in them once any associated swelling from a disc rupture or surgery subsides.

Very best of luck to you and Quiver.