Poorly pup

It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare: seeing your beloved pet in pain and not knowing what’s wrong. Recently, we faced this challenge when our dog began showing signs of severe discomfort. After visiting our regular vet and getting referred to a specialist. 

Here’s our story… 

It all started at the beginning of June. I was at work when I got a message saying that our dog was crying out in pain. I rushed home immediately and took him to the vet. The vet noted he was showing signs of discomfort in his neck and prescribed pain medication for the week to see if it would help. After a week on the medication, he seemed to be back to his usual self—the naughty, hyper dog we knew and loved. 

For a while, everything seemed fine. He wasn’t showing any signs of pain or discomfort until the end of July. One day, while giving him his usual scratches under the chin, he suddenly yelped in pain. Concerned, I took him back to the vet, who again prescribed pain medication after noting tenderness in his neck. 

A week later, we returned to the vet for a regular weight check. This time, the vet noticed that our dog wasn’t acting like himself. She asked if I would be open to seeking further advice from a specialist. Later that same day, we were back at the vet’s office for a neurological assessment, which was sent to a specialist for consideration of an MRI scan. 

We travelled up to Somerset to see the specialist vet. They were so friendly and welcoming, which instantly reduced my anxiety. After an initial examination, the vet noted tenderness around his neck and recommended an MRI scan to see if anything more serious was going on. 

The MRI revealed that our dog had a slipped disc, which was pressing on his spinal cord. The news hit us hard. We’d heard of disc problems in dogs, but never thought it would happen to ours. The specialist explained that the disc was causing significant compression on the spinal cord, which explained the pain and difficulty moving. Surgery was the best option to relieve the pressure and help him regain mobility. 

They could perform the surgery that same day. It was a lot to take in, but knowing we were in good hands helped ease the overwhelming emotions. 

As pet parents, you always want to be there to comfort them, but we knew this was the best course of action for his health. The surgery took several hours, and we anxiously waited for the call from the vet. Finally, we got the news that everything had gone as planned—the disc had been successfully removed and the spinal cord was no longer being compressed. Relief washed over us, but we knew the road to recovery had just begun. 

We were advised that he would need to stay for a few nights to ensure he was stable and fit to go home. It was hard leaving him there, but we knew it was for the best. We travelled home, anxiously waiting for the call that would tell us when we could pick up our beloved pup. 

To our surprise, I received a call the next morning to say he would be able to go home later that day. We travelled back up to Somerset to collect our boy. When we arrived, the vet took the time to go through the MRI scans with us, explained the surgery procedure in detail, and provided us with specific instructions on how to manage his recovery over the next four weeks. They emphasised the importance of rest, limited movement, and consistent monitoring to avoid any setbacks. 

Here’s how we are managing his recovery: 

1. Crate Rest: This is a must for the four weeks. We have set up a large, comfortable crate with plenty of cushions and blankets so he could rest comfortably without being tempted to move around too much. The vet stressed that too much movement could undo the surgery, so we are being very careful about this. 
2. Pain Management: He is on pain medication to help him stay comfortable. We are following the vet’s instructions closely, making sure to give him his meds on time. I have found it so helpful to set them as alarms on my phone so I stick to the strict timings. 
   
   
3. Bathroom Breaks: We are having to carry him outside for short bathroom breaks. It was important to support his back as we did so, ensuring that no unnecessary pressure was put on his spine. 
   
   
4. Emotional Support: We offered him plenty of gentle pets and soothing words to let him know he wasn’t alone. We have even found putting a film on the iPad has helped to keep him settled throughout the day (although this doesn’t work at night). 
   
   

We’re not even a week into recovery yet, but he’s already doing so well. However, he has developed some separation anxiety, which has made things a bit more challenging. It’s almost like having a newborn baby - there are sleepless nights, constant check-ins, and a lot of worrying (and that’s just me). I keep waking every 45 minutes to make sure he’s okay, only to find him fast asleep, while I’m the one struggling with broken sleep and feeling mentally and physically exhausted. 

As the days go by, we’re celebrating every little victory. Even though the road to full recovery is long, seeing him gradually improve makes it all worthwhile. Watching him begin to regain his strength and seeing the spark return to his eyes has been incredibly rewarding, despite the exhaustion! 

This journey has been an emotional rollercoaster, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Seeing our dog in pain was heart breaking, but the progress he’s made since the surgery fills us with hope and gratitude. The experience has taught us the importance of quick action, the value of expert veterinary care, and the resilience of our furry friends. While we’re still navigating his recovery, we’re optimistic that he’ll soon be back to his playful, happy self.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, trust that with patience, love, and the right care, your pet can overcome even the toughest challenges.