How long does it take for a dog to walk after spinal inflammation?

Neurologic issues can take time. It is great that she is up and bearing weight on her own, dogs are so amazing. Hopefully she had xrays to look for a spinal/pelvic fracture, collapsed disc space, etc. as these would be important to rule out as well. You will need to give her potentially even months to know what her new normal with be. Hopefully she will at some point be deficit free or only have a mild deficit but it is too soon to tell. Keep working with her. Hopefully your vet has recommended a physical therapy/rehab plan for her. If not, you could request referral to a rehab therapist. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I'm so sorry that Marcela is not doing well. myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord. A steroid such as methylprednisolone is an appropriate treatment to try to reduce the inflammation. However, if there is compression of the cord that is causing the inflammation (such as compression for an intervertebral disc or from a tumor, etc) then the steroid alone may not be sufficient. An MRI would definitely diagnose whether or not there is compression of the cord; its very hard to see this on CT and impossible on plain film X-rays. If there is compression of the cord, surgery may be needed. If surgery is not an option (due to finances or other issues), additional therapies such as therapeutic laser and or acupuncture may be of benefit. As for the prognosis for recovery of function, I would say its "gaurded," meaning it could improve but its probably going to take weeks, and is uncertain at that. I hope that is helpful for you. Best of luck with him. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

The medications should help and I would continue them as well as limiting her activity. I have good success in my practice with pain relief with heat, massage, laser and acupuncture. I would check your area for an acupuncture veterinarian or a dog rehabilitation practice. They will be able to perform these treatments. Many dogs get immediate relief with acupuncture. Relieving the muscle spasms by using a heating pad and gentle massage is something you can do at home. Please do not use a collar, use a harness if you need to walk her on a leash. Unfortunately this may take several weeks to fully resolve, so seeking alternative care can speed up the healing. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Poor Socks! It sounds like she may have diskspondylitis, which is inflammation of the vertebral discs due to infection. Because her symptoms return when the medication is done, she may need surgery. It sounds like her spinal cord has been severely compromised, and surgery should be considered to decrease pressure on the spinal cord. This tends to be a specialist surgery, so I would discuss with your vet if this is an option for Socks, and they can make a referral.

Hello. Unfortunately, x-rays do not show every kind of injury that can happen, especially when it may involve soft tissues like muscles, ligaments & tendons. A torn or partially torn tendon can take twice as long to heal as a broken bone & you can not tell Bane to take it easy or use crutches. I would give him at least another 4-6 weeks to see if this will heal, especially if he is showing some improvement. Rest & gently exercise are important, so working with a canine rehabilitation medicine specialist, especially if they offer water therapy can be very helpful. If you really want to diagnose the problem, the best solution would be an MRI, as this is how most sports injuries are diagnosed. It may be something to consider & talk to your vet about. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, and thanks for your question. Yes, senior dogs can heal fractures, though their healing will definitely be slower compared to young dogs. A 15 year old dog will definitely require some extra healing time, and some extra tender loving care! The fracture must be well aligned, and well stabilized (with a cast, splint, or surgical stabilizer such as a plate or external fixator, depending on the type and location of the fracture) until the fracture is healed. Pain control is very important during this process. Hope this helps and Rayna feels better soon!

Small long-bodied dogs are more prone to spinal and neck injuries so it is understandable to be concerned. If she was seen by your vet, I would follow all advice and medication protocols, and also keep Storm on kennel rest and prevent her from jumping up and down things until she is healed. Once she is better, adding in doggy stairs or ramps onto objects such as the couch can help her get up and down without becoming injured. If you think she isn't healing, is worsening, or there is something else underlying, bringing her back to your vet for further exam is best.