Dog's fear of outside is making her sick?

[poodlemom]

Thank you for your help. We think that she hurt herself somehow while she was playing outside with my daughters Schnauzer. I was outside with her but didn't actually see what happened she just came scurrying up to me with her tail tucked and drawing her back leg up. We thought she had hurt her leg. The Vet did x-rays and extensive blood work and found nothing conclusive. There was some inflammation of 2 discs in her back so we think she may have pulled or strained her back which scared her. They think she is going to take time to heal but I'm concerned about holding everything in. My Vet is great and is concerned but thinks we are making progress with her medically.

She will not potty inside the house - she just holds it. Sometimes for 2 or 3 days!! I think I would feel better if she did have accidents, I could retrain her but she just holds and holds and that can't be healthy. I read that it wasn't good to carry them out but to leash them so that's what we've done and now she sits down and won't move. She's a stubborn little sweetie.

I have offered her favorite treats to her and can't even get her close to the door. She has become lethargic possibly side effects of the meds, I can't believe what a different dog she has become in just a week. She still has her sweet loving disposition and she does eat her food.

I tried to get a photo of my sweet girl to post here but I don't know if it will work or not. Thank you for your help!

[Freedom]

She has become lethargic possibly side effects of the meds,

What meds is she on? One of my dogs, Lacey, had a really bad reaction to buproprion, I had to stop it and the vet marked not to give that to her ever again. We found alternatives.

If she has back issues, she may need to see a specialist to determine the extent of her injuries. It sounds like it hurts for her to squat.

Poor girl.

Love seeing your photo of the 2 -- on the sofa, naturally, best seat in the house, lol. I'm curious, did she jump up there herself? Or did you place her there?

[poodlemom]

Thank you Freedom. That photo is a couple of weeks ago with my grand pup. She has always been able to hop the sofa but she doesn't jump on beds or anything else. She was able to go up and down the stairs but I have put up puppy gates for now, no stairs for her. Of course right now, I pick her up and put her down when she wants.

She is on Tramadol for the pain and Prednisone for the inflammation. She is a tiny bit better today. I gave her pumpkin and she went potty this morning for the first time in 2 days!! She was terrified, shaking like a leaf and I picked her up and put her down on the sidewalk about 2 houses down from ours and she went! We had a party in the street!!!! Treats and praise and kisses!!! That's it though, she hasn't gone after dinner tonight. She has whined a few times and I thought she might need to go out but no such luck.

Back to the Vet in the morning so he can check her out again.

[Karen]

Never knew you'd be so excited to have a dog poop, did you! Glad she went today, and I hope it continues. Do keep up with the pumpkin, as the "smoother" we can make things for her, the better!

Prednisone is a wonderful medication, but can effect the appetite a lot. My brother and I - so two humans who share a gene pool - have the opposite reaction to the same dosage of it - I think I am hungry enough to eat the entire supermarket, whereas he has no appetite at all, and has to be reminded to eat. So that may be part of the problem as well!

[Freedom]

Good luck at the vet this morning.

Have to agree with Karen, you never knew you'd be so happy for poop!

Came back to add this: if your dog has ANY difficulty walking or standing, get to a vet / neurologist asap!

Prednisone is VERY hard on the stomach, so don't give that without making sure the dog has some food in his stomach. If he doesn't have food in his stomach and he won't eat, force him to swallow a Tums... which will help protect his stomach. If he starts showing any weakness in any of his legs or worse yet, has trouble walking or standing, get him to your Vet or a Veterinary Neurologist immediately. A GOOD Chiropractic Vet or Acupuncturist Vet may also help and maybe help you avoid surgery.

[poodlemom]

Thank you both so much! The news wasn't great this morning, she was having trouble walking after she woke up. My Vet is keeping her today for IV meds and observation and he said we are at a crossroads (my word not his). We can take her to Dallas to a specialist and probably surgery - expensive but I would mortgage my house of needed or we can treat her with lots of rest , anti-inflammatories and pain control. It could be several weeks before we see much improvement. I'm not a big advocate for surgery so I will probably just make the adjustment and learn how to mommy a chronically ill fur baby.

I love my Vet and he has been wonderful but just the same I will probably at least take her for a second opinion just t be on the safe side. He does seem to think that as long as she is eating and drinking and if we can get her to potty at least once a day that she will be okay.

Thank you again for your help with my sweet girl.

[Karen]

Thank you both so much! The news wasn't great this morning, she was having trouble walking after she woke up. My Vet is keeping her today for IV meds and observation and he said we are at a crossroads (my word not his). We can take her to Dallas to a specialist and probably surgery - expensive but I would mortgage my house of needed or we can treat her with lots of rest , anti-inflammatories and pain control. It could be several weeks before we see much improvement. I'm not a big advocate for surgery so I will probably just make the adjustment and learn how to mommy a chronically ill fur baby.

I love my Vet and he has been wonderful but just the same I will probably at least take her for a second opinion just t be on the safe side. He does seem to think that as long as she is eating and drinking and if we can get her to potty at least once a day that she will be okay.

Thank you again for your help with my sweet girl.

Aww, you're welcome! I hope the vet will be able to find something out, at least!