Another type of back brace for IVDD

[lotsadox]

Lisa, I totally agree. About the value of discussion and about the fact that surgery seems to be the only treatment recommended. When Bandit was down, I took her to a neuro for diagnosis and a mileogram so we would know what we were dealing with. He said that she was a good candidate for surgery. Having been thru it was Amanda, I didn't want to do surgery on a 13 year old dog. When I told them that, he basically handed me my dog and said "Good luck with that". I cried all the way home. I wish that more neuro's would explore alternative treatments for IVDD. I got better help for Bogart from my vet than I got for Bandit at the neuro. It's sad.

Keep posting, Patt. This has been a great discussion!

And, Kim, no to the motorized stroller. I can see dogs whacking into the walls and trying to get near the table so they can get some dinner off it

[Alex's Mom]

And, Kim, no to the motorized stroller. I can see dogs whacking into the walls and trying to get near the table so they can get some dinner off it

And god help us all if it sounds anything like a vacuum cleaner!!

ITA...great discussion, and thanks, Patt, for starting it! I also have to say that IVDD research has progressed in leaps and bounds in the last few years. Maxe first went down in 1990, and at that point (at least here), surgery, unless done within the first 24 hours, wasn't an option even, and there wasn't anyone within 1000 miles (vet college at St. Hyacinthe outside of Montreal) who was even ABLE to do it. When I took her into my vet, who was an orthopedic specialist, his best advice was pred and crate rest, or else euthanasia. I think nowadays people are more willing to pay $$ for their dogs, so research (as in all things *sigh*) goes into whatever's going to rake in the most bucks. Esp since alternative therapies like chiro and acupuncture are only now starting to be considered mainstream. I'm with you, Lisa...more research needs to be done on this stuff.

BTW, Laura is also starting to offer stem cell treatment for mobility issues. They've only done a couple so far, cuz it's jeezly expensive, but the results have been amazing!!! One old dog (a shepherd, I think) who was at the point of being euthanized because of spinal issues exacerbated by arthritis, and who couldn't even stand without help, had the surgery as a last ditch attempt by his owners, and after it was jumping up on the bed, running, and acting like a dog half his age. Amazing stuff.

[lotsadox]

BTW, Laura is also starting to offer stem cell treatment for mobility issues. They've only done a couple so far, cuz it's jeezly expensive, but the results have been amazing!!! One old dog (a shepherd, I think) who was at the point of being euthanized because of spinal issues exacerbated by arthritis, and who couldn't even stand without help, had the surgery as a last ditch attempt by his owners, and after it was jumping up on the bed, running, and acting like a dog half his age. Amazing stuff.

There is a clinic here that offers stem cell therapy. I'd definitely look into it.

[oceangirls]

And, Kim, no to the motorized stroller. I can see dogs whacking into the walls and trying to get near the table so they can get some dinner off it

I'm going to put a six-inch flexible impact-resistant bumper around it. It will also serve as a flotation device.

Taking orders now at 1-800-MOTO-DOX, and if you enter code VAC2 at checkout, you can upgrade to one with a Roomba attched to the bottom so your doxie will clean your floors while following you around.

[Frzframe]

I think its a great idea and would even consider one for Gunner. I mean it's makes sense for humans who have back problems to wear a brace so why not dogs? Also Dodgerslist while awesome they tend to be very slow on somethings (which they should be) before recommending or suggesting anything. They were very against Gunner going to see a vet chiropractor and it worked great the first two times Gunner went down. Not sure if they support it now or not cause I don't read their emails all that often.

[lotsadox]

I agree that Dodger's List is slow to accept new ideas. I also understand that a lot of the people going there have no clue about IVDD or the healing process (thanks Amy for teaching me about that) and so they need to talk a conservative line. But I also know that things change and advances are made that really work. They didn't seem to interested in the stroller when I mentioned I was using it for Bogart on Dodger's List. The response was more like "good luck with that". Now I understand that they are recommending it.