OUCH!!! Why am I in pain???

[Coltrane]

Hello...
I'm new to this forum and am searching for some help. My name is Coltrane and I'm a basset hound that will be turning 8 years old in early May. I've always been in excellent health for the most part with the exception of cherry eye that I had fixed up when I was neutered at 6 months old, and a recent **** gland problem. My owners spoil me rotten and take such good care of me. I really think they're worry warts sometimes, but I'm sure it's out of that thing called "love" that they're always telling me

I'm very active, I go for walks almost everyday...at least 6 times a week at a good 20 minutes to 1/2 hour each (I'd go longer, but these short little legs of mine get tired easily. Don't laugh guys, I have to take twice as many steps as most of you to get the same distance). Plus there's this great place here where all these other dogs come to see me once a week. It's like they're all waiting for me to arrive so I can chase them around a big field in a circle. I'm fed a strict diet of Nutro lamb & rice every morning. I get two cups of food and this special cookie treat afterwards. Since I can remember growing up, I've maintained a consistent 60-65lbs, and I have all of the hair on my belly because it doesn't scrape the ground like some of the other ones that looks like me. Therefore, I believe I'm in tip top shape. In fact, everyone I meet still thinks I'm a puppy!

The problem is...I woke up 2 Wednesdays ago and was in a lot of pain. I'm not really sure where, but I think it's in my back, legs, or hips. This just came out of nowhere! I used to run right up and down those stairs with no problem up till this day. Now, I have to take them one step at a time and sometimes zig-zag back and forth because it seems to feel better that way. I was always quiet except for the occaisonal excited bark or howl, and now sometimes I'll just be laying in bed giving out a high pitched whine because it hurts so bad. I don't even feel like running around at that fun place with all of the other dogs anymore.

I mentioned the **** gland thing earlier, and over the last few months, I've had a hard time expressing them. My owners took me to that nice old guy with the white coat who looked me over again and he helped relieve my glands. I always seem to struggle with this myself, so I think my owner's thought that may have been my problem. So they learned how that vet guy did it and relieved them for me on the saturday after this pain came. I'll admit, they were pretty full as a lot came out and my owners looked thuroughly disgusted, so I think that they might have thought this was the problem. I don't think it is though, and I really can't explain it to them well. It never hurts when they give me those nice rubbings everyday though, so I don't complain when they do that.

They took me back to that nice guy with the white coat and he lifted my head up and slowly turned it around then mentioned some word called Dysplasia or something, but definately did not sound certain...they just said for my owners to keep an eye on me for a bit.

I've heard of this dysplasia thing before, but thought it would be more of a gradual problem, rather than just coming on all of a sudden. Is this something my breed is prone to? I know we can have back problems, but I'm never allowed to jump on anything except my bed which is only about 10" off of the ground. But on special days, they'll pick me up and let me lie on their bed with them. I'm just really worried for my owners as I can't tell them what's wrong, and it seems to be making them upset. I wish I knew if maybe I sprained something, twisted something wrong or just have a pinched nerve of sorts. Is there anything that anyone here could suggest? I just doubt it's that dysplasia thing, because I've never been like this before.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

WOOF!
Coltrane

P.S...here's a few pictures of me!

[Dax]

Hi sweetie. You type wonderfully for a dog (good spelling too). My bet would be on a slipped disc based on what you've told us. Even without jumping it can happen. If you are lucky there is an animal chiropractor in your area. If not, you owners can use baby aspirin for pain relief and mild massage to keep you comfortable.

You might also be experiencing the start of arthritis. Again, if your mommmy & daddy get the nice man in the white coat to prescribe Metacam, you'll feel loads better.

You are a handsome dog (I was never a leg person anyway). I hope you feel better real soon.

[dobermom]

Your adorable!
I hope the doctor can help you out.
I'm glad you have joined us!

[weezyNollie]

Definitely sounds like a slipped disc to me too. Dysplasia of what? Your signs don't seem to fit hip dysplasia..

Did the Vet mention anything about that?

Back problems are common in Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, Corgis and those little short-legged breeds because of their conformation. Slipped discs can potentially be paralyzing, so be careful.

I would try to see a specialized Vet for back injuries/disorders/slipped discs.

For the pain I would use Buffered Aspirin or Baby Aspirin (some say buffered is better because it's easier on the stomach). It is 5 mg/lb. So if your dog weighs 10 lbs. they get 50 mg. (If you need help figuring out the dosage, I can help). Or see if the Vet can prescribe something like Rimadyl or other anti-inflammatory for you.

[Coltrane]

Thanks much for all of the advice!

My owner had a disk problem some years back and had Sciatica for a long time before he got it fixed. I saw the pain he was in and now it's starting to make sense that this could be the cause of it.

Is this something that is usually taken care of with medication? Or am I going to have to have surgery like he did? Not sure if there's much of a difference as far as the central nervous system between dogs and humans, but it seems to make sense as his pain ran from his hip to his toes when he moved wrong.

I'll make sure he mentions this to the vet and see if that could be a possibility. Thank you again for the quick responses and suggestions!

WOOF!
Coltrane

[Dax]

I think surgery would be a last resort at your age. (Sorry but you aren't a spring chicken anymore). I don't know where abouts you live but here is a site in Canada

http://www.animalchiro.ca/links.html

I would see about getting the meds recommended above from the white coated man.

[Coltrane]

Originally Posted by DaxAriel's Toy

I think surgery would be a last resort at your age. (Sorry but you aren't a spring chicken anymore). I don't know where abouts you live but here is a site in Canada

http://www.animalchiro.ca/links.html

I would see about getting the meds recommended above from the white coated man.

Hey!!! I'm a YOUNG 8 year old!!!
But I appreciate your honesty and truthfully, I would hope that surgery would be a last resort. We all reside back here in Connecticut. I've been all over the country in my SHORT 8 years...starting in Utica, NY...then to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, back to Connecticut, out to Colorado for 5 years and now back in Connecticut (favorite place of all). As you can tell, I'm always down for a road trip, and last I've heard, I have about 20k miles tacked on me

I did find that link very useful, so thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! (I think the owners have a feeling of relief now). There was a link from that site for Chiropracters in the US and 2 of them happen to be within 10 miles from home...PERFECT!

Thanks again, and I will be certain to keep you all updated on my progress.

WOOF!
Coltrane

[Coltrane]

Just following up here

Good news! No slipped disks, no dysplasia, just needed a good stretch and my back cracked. Just a twisted or bruised muscle it seems in my lower back. Doctor said I'm in tip top shape and found it hard to believe that I'm almost 8 years old! Said my joints are in amazing condition along with everything else. Said I need to shed about 3-5 lbs though, but hey, it's winter weight right?

I'm going to be going on some vitamins for muscles/joints to keep me as healthy as can be for days to come. I think the owners are a bit more relieved as they have smiles on their faces now and don't look so worried anymore.

Wanted to say thanks again to Dax for the link and to everyone else for their suggestions. You guys are great!

WOOF!
Coltrane

[Kodi's Korner]

Wow - Coltane, you are one cute puppy doggie. Now, if I can just teach Kodiak how to type, not merely read fence signs and open refrigerators, I will have it made! (He thinks he can count, but I still only get one house slipper every hour or so...)
cat

[Dax]

That is the best news possible. I'm so glad! I'm sure you'll be feeling great in no time. Tell your mommy & daddy to keep posting and showing us more pictures of you.