Dachshund suddenly can't walk, hind legs drag. Is it a slipped disk?

Sadie may be having a bulging or ruptured disc issue in her back. She needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately because the sooner this issue is addressed the better chance she has for a full recovery. Disc disease is very painful and can result in paralysis if not treated. Depending on the severity of the disease Sadie may just need prescription medication and rest or if the condition is more severe she may need surgery for a full recovery. Please remember there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs so you will need to have these prescribed by a veterinarian. Again, the sooner Sadie is treated the better chance for a full recovery so please take her to see a veterinarian right away. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and hope hope Sadie gets the care she needs to make a full recovery!

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Oh dear, I am sorry to hear about the slipped disc. Once a patient becomes non ambulatory (unable to move legs), surgery is recommended. However, the success of the surgery and overall prognosis depends on how quickly surgery is performed. Usually, most pets that are taken to surgery within the first 24 hours after becoming non ambulatory will regain the ability to walk and urinate normally again. Pets taken to surgery after that 24 hour period do not have quite the same outcome, unfortunately. If Luna is not able to walk and has lost all sensation to her legs, there is about a 10% chance of regaining normal bladder and motor function. Sometimes pain medications and additional therapies such as cold laser therapy, acupuncture, water therapy, etc can be tried but with varying success rates. I hope this helps and I wish you and Luna the best!

These signs are due to a spinal cord injury most likely due to intervertebral disk extrusion in the thoracolumbar tract. The presence of paresthesia (due to nervous system lesion) is causing tingling sensations on the penis and a sort of itch (that is why is persistently licking it). A buster collar would be essential to avoid excessive licking. Physiotherapy would be very useful to improve recovery, but sometimes only neurosurgery can give best outcome (as the disc material keep compressing spinal cord). Learn how to do it on this link http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/rehabilitating-canine-veterinary-patients-after-neurosurgery Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

It does sound like a back injury. If he is getting worse (meaning he started out stumbling and then was dragging his limbs then stopped urinating), the best solution for him is surgery. Make sure you talk to the vet about medications and the biggest importance is REST! This means in a cage only- no walking, carry outside to potty and carry back in. Talk to the vet about how to express his bladder, too. Good luck and kisses to Hannu!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Abel! Due to his breed, back issues are very likely which is usually due to intervertebral disk disease. The holding up of one leg in that situation is due to sciatic pain. Other causes are a muscle strain or sprain, Lyme disease, torn ACL, loose knee cap or due to his age a bone tumor. I would have him seen Monday as soon as possible and on emergency if he is very painful or stops using the other leg. I wish Abel the best!

Poor Loki. He could have injured his back or hips causing these problems. This cannot wait until the morning. If there isn't an ER vet in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.

You will need to take Belly back to your vets today. Dragging a leg is a very concerning signs, it could be due to leg fracture, pelvic fracture or hip dislocation. It also could be a sign of spinal cord compression (from diseased intervertebral disc) or a small clot that is causing spinal cord problems. Please, do not give any anti-inflammatory medications before you see your vets as they may want to give him a stronger anti-inflammatory drug today.