Daschund Back problems

Question
Help Im desperate!!! About 6 weeks ago my precious coco who is 5 years old starting having back problems.She drags her feet and screams if you try to pick her up.We have took her to the vet 3 times now they gave her a steroid shot and she got worse. She is a little over weight so i have her on the weight control dog food but since she barely moves its going slow. Our vet has suggest that if she doesn't show improvement in 3 weeks to put her down. She has always went every where with me and is the joy of my life. I found hope when i found this site.Can anyone explain to me about crating and what else i can do to help her.

Answer
Hi Rhonda,

Thank you for writing to me about your situation.  My heart goes out to you and I can tell that you are in a panic.

Your vet, although meaning well, should have given you a referal to an orthopedic specialist or neurologist.  This is not your vet's expertise.  You need an expert.

Do you live anywhere near a teaching vet school?  There should be a list on the interet on google if you type in Veterinary Teaching Schools.  That is a good place to take your dog.

Unless your vet can tell you exactly what is going on, how can he possibly tell you to put her down?  He doesn't know or he could fix it.   

First you have to find out exactly what the problem is and then find out how to fix it.  There is obviously a pinched nerve, or pulled muscle or something similiar.  Even acupunture could be a relief for your dog if this involves a pinched nerve.  You must find out what the problem is.

Did your dog have an accident?  Did your vet put her on an anti-inflamatory for a week to see if that could help?

If you decide to crate her in order to keep her quiet, please email me when you get the crate and I will give you the protocol to get her used to it. I am a big believer in feeding a dog in their crate so it's a happy place for them.

In the meantime, you can block her into a small space with a baby gate..in the kitchen or bathroom perhaps.  The idea is to keep her comfortable until you can get her to a specialist.

I would also recommend joining a doxie group on yahoo where others may have experienced something similiar with their dogs.

Best Regards,
Shelley Davis