The vet says it is a possible pinched nerve. But he is Lymes positive and I have read that may have some neurological effects. Is it possible that the Lymes disease is causing the problem with his rear legs? He isn't in pain, he reposnds to pinching of his toes, he wags his tail and has bowel and bladder control. Has anyone had a similar experience?
2006-12-18 16:03:07 · 5 answers · asked by Patrick J 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Lyme can cause extreme inflammation and pain in the joints (especially the larger joints like the hips). Dogs have a very high pain tolerance and it is possibly that your dog is in pain, but as long as he doesn't move it is okay (he just doesn't want to move). I would think that if he had a pinched nerve bad enough that he couldn't walk, he wouldn't have feeling in his legs and bladder/bowel control.
I have had a dog with a slipped disc and pinched nerves and she was I a lot of pain when she tried to move her back end. I would think that your dogs problems are Lyme related. I actually think that the vet may be drawing their conclusion based on the breed alone, as bassets and dachshunds are prone to back problems, and may not be considering all of the symptoms and the history of the dog.
2006-12-18 17:06:33 · answer #1 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I had a similar experience with two of my dogs. None had Lyme's, however. they both had disc problems. The best thing for your bassett right now is rest. No climbing stairs or jumping off of furniture, etc. It can get worse rather unexpectantly, so please restrict your dogs activity. Their long backs have a great amount of pressure on them and they are at risk for back problems, as are dachshunds.
Keep him restricted for a couple of weeks, then return to your vet for a recheck. If he is not improved, he will probably need surgery if the problem is severe.
Also, I recommend swimming for dogs with this type of problem. I am lucky to have a dog rehabilatator (who uses floatation devices and human assistance) in my area who uses an endless lap indoor heated pool. It helped my dogs greatly and they were actually running again and were much stronger. If you want more info on this than email me. The swimming was what helped my dogs the most. I highy recommend it.
This is what I found about Lyme's.
The early signs of Lyme disease in dogs are supposed to be loss of
appetite, fever and lethargy. Lameness may occur at the same time or may
occur later. In some dogs, enlargement of the lymph nodes (usually
generalized enlargement) occurs. In dogs, skin signs, heart disease, kidney
problems and neurologic signs are reported to be rare. Symptoms of Lyme
disease are usually delayed for several months but start to occur about 2
months after exposure and should show up by 5 to 6 months after a dog or
cat is bitten by a tick carrying the bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi).
Your dog may not be showing any of the other symptoms and maybe that is why your vet is suggesting a pinched nerve.
2006-12-18 16:18:47 · answer #2 · answered by Animaholic 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
we've just recently had a tick issue, and researched Lyme disease to know what to watch for. In dogs, Lyme disease causes swelling and pain of the joints in the legs, that's why the legs go lame (and usually one at a time). This doesn't sound the same as what your dog has. It sounds like a lower spine issue. As you travel down the vertebra, injuries at different spots will have different results. A friend's cat was caught by a dog, and its tail was ripped off. The abrupt severing of the spinal column caused paralysis of its back legs, but it still had sensation. The injury was very low on the spine, so it didn't effect the bladder, bowels, or sensation, just the motor control.
Best of luck with getting it figured out.
2006-12-18 16:28:37 · answer #3 · answered by Kareen L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check him from one end to the other and all over for ticks. Even one tick can cause a reaction in a dog or a person. Usually when the tick is removed the animal gets better.
But your Vet also knows that Bassetts and Dachshunds are prone to back injury because of their build and activity puts more pressure on them than other breeds when they jump up and down or on and off of things. What did the Vet recommend? You should ask your Vet these questions, whomever did that test.
2006-12-18 16:19:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how sad you are, I think you should go to another Vet I don't want to upset you but maybe your Vet isn't doing the right thing for buster he is very old and that shows that he's had a wonderful life and a wonderful owner, and he is very loved and he loves you or else he would probably be to tired to fight his illness, maybe the other Vet will tell what his quality of life is like right now, it doesn't seem to good, a dog want to do his little walks enjoy his food be able to play with his owner who he loves, so if you gave him a good life, I can tell you did) let him have peace at the end, let him go if he's suffering or losing his dignity (they know) and be with him holding his head and telling him what a great dog he is, he won't be afraid if your there and he will be at peace, let us know what happens and I'm happy that you had a great friend for 16 yrs and he had you, somtimes life just sucks
2016-03-14 00:57:01 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I know of two dogs who were paralyzed from Lyme - one could move nothing from the neck down. Both recovered on high doses of doxycycine (sp), which I HOPE your dog is on if hes Lyme positive.
TheTick-L e-mail list is an invaluable resource - and credited with saving the totally paralyzed dogs life......
2006-12-18 22:26:36 · answer #6 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cocker like that and it turned out to be a ruptured disc...
2006-12-18 16:07:38 · answer #7 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋