Post crate rest IVDD
Hi! I have a 4-year-old, 53 lb bully I rescued her name is Buffy who, back at the end of March, began screaming in pain anytime she moved her head or walked. I first took her to the vet, who put her on pain meds and treated it as a sprain or muscle injury. Two weeks later, with no improvements, I ended up taking her to the ER as the screaming cries hadn’t stopped. Without an MRI, they said it was likely IVDD, and she was put on more pain meds and anti-inflammatory medication with rest for another 12 days before we then saw a neurologist. The neurologist said an MRI wasn’t needed since she didn’t think surgery was necessary at this stage, as she can walk and feel. She said to treat this mild case of IVDD with meds and strict crate rest for 4 weeks and said without the mri she can’t be 100% but she was certain it was IVDD.
She is now at week 4, and her happy self is back. She used to go on long hikes up mountains and swim, and it breaks my heart that life may not be the same for her. I took her today for her first day out in the stroller and a short 10-minute trail sniff walk, and then we hung out outside for a few hours, which she loved. Car rides seem to be something she’s not comfortable with, and she let out a small, very quick whisper of a cry when I put her back in her car seat, as her little leg was struggling to get in comfortably, so I had to help her more. I uploaded a picture of her recently in her car seat :( She did well during crate rest I read to her almost every night, slept with her on the ground, bought so many mental stimulation games, converted my apartment balcony into a yard with fresh grass and would bring leaves and sticks from the outside for her (thankfully we are moving soon to a house).
I guess I’m looking to see if there are others who have dogs who had very mild IVDD with no paralysis. She walks a little funky, but she’s always had a wobbly walk lol, though I have been noticing her back legs struggling just slightly. I’m mainly just looking for experience, strength, and hope. Our neuro follow-up is this week. I also just have so much guilt wondering if she will always be in pain for the rest of her life, especially after doing mild activities she used to love, and if this is just their new state of life.