Pinched nerve

19 9:28:30

Question

Agustus Tybierius vonG My 4 y/o, intact male German Shepherd has come down with a pinched nerve (1 week ago) where he is not using his right leg and is verbal about his pain level. he is on methocarbamol 1000mg bid and had 3 submuscular shots on 10/12 . Tomorrow, 10/15, he is going in to get anesthesia with xrays because the meds are not touching his pain. What can I do about reducing his pain? How long does this last? Is this a sign that he will have other problems like this in the future? Will the xray show how the injury happened? I have been searching online with many sites and you are by far the most detailed regarding this topic...thank you. Where can I try icing it? Again thank you for your information. I am desperate to relieve him and get him fixed. He and I have not gotten to do all the things we want to do and he so young to be so debilitated like this. Thanks again.

Answer

Hi Debra,

I'm sorry to hear that your dog is suffering such pain!

I think having your dog go for x-rays will help with diagnosing the problem. There's always the chance this is more than a pinched nerve. X-rays will only show a problem in the bones, soft tissue ailments usually do not show up. If the x-rays don't show a bone problem, talk to your vet about the possibility of this being a torn ligament, or other soft tissue problem such as Bursitis.

Along with the pain medication, limit your dog's moment to rest the area. If he's crate trained, crate him, prevent him from jumping up and down from furniture. No long walks, only go out long enough for him to relieve himself. A a hot or cold compress can help to ease the pain. Ask your vet which he/she recommends.

The severity of the pinched will determine the recover time. Pinched nerves can be difficult to treat, in severe cases a dog will have to undergo surgery to remedy a pinched nerve. If you are not pleased with the results you're getting at your current vet, ask your vet for a recommendation for a board certified veterinary neurologist, who would be better able to determine what is bothering your dog. Or, you may be able to locate one here:

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/neurologists.htm#Click_on_a_state

It's possible your dog would benefit from a rehabilitation specialist to provide physical therapy and canine massage. It's also possible that acupuncturist would help. Talk to your vet about these possibilities. You can locate a veterinary acupuncturist here:

http://www.aava.org/php/aava_blog/aava-directory/

http://www.ivas.org/Members/VetSearch/tabid/124/Default.aspx

As far as your dog's future ailments, German Shepherds are prone to develop hip/elbow dysplasia, so it's possible that your dog will develop that in the future. The x-rays will help in ruling that out as the current problem. You didn't say if your dog's problem is in the front or rear legs. If it's the rear leg that's affected, ask your vet about the possibility of Degenerative Myelopathy, which is a disorder that occurs primarily in German shepherds and involves degeneration of the sheath that covers nerves. As the sheath deteriorates nerve function also deteriorates and this leads to weakness in the rear legs.

I know from experience when your dog is in pain you want to do more, but you're doing everything you should be doing. I hope all goes well at the vet tomorrow.

Best of luck,

Patti

Prev:hank
Next:rapid breathing rate - standard daschund

Dogs

Reproduction Canine Behavior Dog Food Dog Grooming Dog Training Dogs Dog Breeds

Pinched nerve

Related Articles

Dogs

Most Popular

You Might Also Like

DON'T MISS

More Great Links