Similar to many of the stories I have read, Bijoux started displaying problems with his back legs around a year ago when he was 7. He is now closer to 8 and there seems to have been deterioration although most of the problem seem to be when he first wakes up in the morning and although he losses control he doesn't seem to be in pain. The MRI showed major deterioration in at least 4 of the vertebra and some spinal congestion. Although we are trying the medicine route first, we have been advised that he will most probably need surgery and at the same time that the surgery has a 20% chance of going totally wrong!! Needless to say this is totally freaking me out. Can anyone advise whether they have decided for / against such an operation please? Any advice will be greatly appreciated I'm stumped.
Operation or no operation?
- Thread starter Adva
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I am so sorry to hear this. Spinal problems are so scary! Our English Bulldog, Mack had 3 vertebra fuse in his lower back. Because most of his strength was in his powerful front end he wasn't handicapped from it. Do they predict the deterioration will continue on up his spine? Will surgery stop the deterioration? If the answer is yes to both those questions I'd probably have the surgery done by someone who does these frequently and has a good track record. If Bijoux is happy and comfortable on the meds and feels better after having laser treatments on his spine I'd be tempted to wait on the surgery. This is a tough call. Whatever, you'll need to keep his weight down.
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Welcome -- very sorry you and your baby are going through this ordeal... What medicine are you currently giving to your boy?
My Cheli has back issues, his vertebrae are fusing together in the upper back/neck area. He is 5 yrs old and we are not on any medication. We went the route of MovoFlex and laser therapy, and he was back to his normal self within a few weeks.
Thank you all!
Bijoux is currently on cortisone and anti-inflammatories, which obviously have implications of their own.
The doctors have unfortunately not given me any guarantees that surgery will minimize future deteriorations, but it could if successful. The problem is also that we live in South Africa and that the experience of operating on these dogs is not as vast as other countries. In fact it is currently very minimum. In fact I have never been offered or even heard of Lazer treatment as an option for Bij at all, which is something I am definitely going to look into before I make any decisions. Thank you so much for all the advice
Bijoux is currently on cortisone and anti-inflammatories, which obviously have implications of their own.
The doctors have unfortunately not given me any guarantees that surgery will minimize future deteriorations, but it could if successful. The problem is also that we live in South Africa and that the experience of operating on these dogs is not as vast as other countries. In fact it is currently very minimum. In fact I have never been offered or even heard of Lazer treatment as an option for Bij at all, which is something I am definitely going to look into before I make any decisions. Thank you so much for all the advice
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