My dog fell and can't move his back legs. What are treatment options?

I'm so sorry to hear Hannu is having back issues. With dachshunds, a bulging disc in the spinal cord is a very likely possibility, and the best treatment option to give the best chance for a return to normal function is surgery to remove the protruding disc material. There is also the chance that there could be an inflammatory process or trauma going on. Ideally, he would be evaluated by a veterinary neurologist to determine the underlying cause and what treatment options are available to him. You can discuss with your regular veterinarian medical management such as cage rest and steroids/antiinflammatories, but time is critical in these cases and I would have a plan decided for him as soon as possible. Good luck!

Without seeing Browny or any diagnostic images that may have been obtained I really can't speak about the accuracy of your vet's diagnosis. There certainly are spinal issues that can result in an inability to ambulate well in the hind end. Some of these can be traumatic, infectious, or congenital in origin. If there is a spinal problem and you want to obtain a permanent fix, the best thing to do would be to speak with a specialist. Specialty facilities have the ability to perform advanced imaging such as MRIs and CT Scans to identify the exact spot where the spinal issue resides. In the event of a bony spinal issue (versus a disk issue), identifying the problem can be done with basic x-rays. Depending on what the problem is the treatment to fix it will vary considerably, from medical therapy and rest, to a surgical procedure with significant recovery time. Hope this helps.

Poor guy. I would be most worried about a vertebral disc issue with that description. It wouldn't show up on x-rays, only an MRI or other advanced imaging study. If it is related to a disc, quick aggressive treatment will give him the best chance of recovery. Since he doesn't have pain perception, this is an emergency and he should go to a neurologist immediately.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Vito. If a fracture has been ruled out by x-rays, then I suspect that he suffered a painful soft tissue injury. He likely has a fair amount of swelling causing the firmness that you feel. I assume that his veterinarian prescribed him pain medication. Keep him very quiet and give the medication as directed. If he was not given any medication, do not give any over-the-counter pain medication as these can be toxic to dogs. Contact your veterinarian for one if it was not provided. If he does have medication, but it does not seem to be strong enough than ask for a secondary one to be added. I hope this information helps!

Oh dear! This is a very serious problem - I'm afraid she really has to see a vet right away. She may have a herniated disc in her back causing the paralysis, or some other neurologic problem affecting her spinal cord. She may be in pain, or she may have no feeling at all in her rear legs - it's impossible to say without an exam. She needs immediate treatment to have a reasonable chance of regaining function in her rear legs, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do at home that will help her. If costs are a concern, you can see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help. You could also apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most vet clinics: www.carecredit.com

The Trineurosol is just a vitamin injection. That is not really treating anything. My suggestion would be to have him x-rayed. This can be a severe case of hip dysplasia or a problem with this spine (a protruding disk, a fractured vertebra, etc). He needs some stronger medications. If this is a neurological disorder then he needs steroids and if this is an orthopedic issue he needs strong non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Start with the x-rays. This is not something you can treat at home with home remedies. Best wishes.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Boris. Given his breed and your description of not being able to use his rear limbs, I am concerned that he has a condition known as IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). The disc sitting between each vertebra can bulge placing pressure on the spinal cord. In worst cases, this can cause weakness or paralysis in one or more legs. When the hind limbs are affected some dogs will have difficulty going to the bathroom as well. He will need prompt treatment to help him regain function of his legs. Rarely a dog will require back surgery. Of course, something else could be wrong which is why he will need to be seen again. I hope this information helps you and Boris.