Dog operation advice

[Jakesmom]

I would get a second opinion. In humans, if a cervical disk ruptures and pinches the nerves, the options are to wait and see, or do surgery (pretty much the same surgery you are contemplating). Many people recover fully without surgery, though it often takes several months before any weakness fully recovers. If the fusion fully heals, the dog should be pretty fuctional, though really rough play is probably not a good idea, but running, walks, swimming etc should be fine. Whether or not surgery is indicated depends on pain, neurologic dysfunction, and the anatomy of the involved disk. If the spinal cord is in danger, surgery is usually indicated. If the spinal cord is involved, the dog would have back leg weakness as well as front leg weakness, and bowel/bladder dysfunction.

The other option that worked very well for me (herniated disk, myself) was accupuncture. It helped tremendously with the pain, not so sure it helped the weakness as that took quite a bit longer, but it takes the nerves time to heal.

Good luck!

Jake's mom

[lizbud]

I probably would pay any amount to give my dog a better, pain free
life, but, that's me.

If that's all this puppy needed (9 mos old) & the success rate of the
surgery good, I'd do it. She's still a baby really & can have a good long
life.

[Jakesmom]

The best decision is not always surgery, sometimes it is, sometimes its not. Even if you're willing and able to spend any amount of money, you need to make the best decision about treatment options, and often this takes getting more opinions and reading/learning more about the problem yourself so you can make an informed decision. Your vet will offer their best opinion, but you have to live with the outcome, so you need to feel you made an informed choice.

Jakesmom