DM

12-yr-old-Alie's having DM (degenerative myelopathy), can hardly lift up her left back leg well. She sill walks and sometimes looks normal but it's getting worse as I see. Thinking of buying a stroller, just take her outside to do her business. She's not that active like other corgis so she might not like WHEELCHAIR. I appreciate if anyone could suggest me anything or share anything w me.... She's been in my life for 12 yrs.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on May 11, 2015 at 12:08pm

You are certainly not failing! I would not myself do surgery on a 12 year old dog, even if it is IVDD. The risk of anesthesia complications is high and the healing time for an aging dog is longer.

I always thought IVDD would be painful too, but it does not have to be. See this for some good info:

http://www.scoutshouse.com/emailers/1010/1010_newsletter.html

“Probably 50%-70% of the dogs presenting with suspected degenerative myelopathy really have chronic disk disease,” says Dr. Lavely. It’s difficult to know for sure because the presenting signs for both diseases are basically the same.

“If we see obvious signs of back pain in a dog, that would suggest intervertebral disk disease, but not every dog with IVDD will appear painful,” and it’s in that subcategory of dogs where the misdiagnosis may occur: it could be degenerative myelopathy or it could be IVDD."

My Maddie has spondylosis and probably a brain tumor. The vet and I agree that it is impossible to determine if her issues are from her back or from DM. Honestly it does not matter much because we are faced with similar outcomes either way. IVDD can be gradual as nerves start to die after being compressed for some time. It does not need to be sudden and painful.

You are the only one who can decide but again don't feel guilty if you choose to give her conservative comfort care. Just try to keep her active for as long as you can and watch those feet! Maddie got a sore on her foot on just one walk and it's taking ages to heal, and now we have to carry her whenever there is pavement....

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Permalink Reply by megumi nakamura on May 11, 2015 at 9:11pm

There're 4 vets at the clinic and one vet I really liked was who took care of her bladder stone removal at the second time. I should have gone while her shift but I didn't wanna wait for even a day so the other vet saw her. He didn't explain to me well, he just told me to take her to neurologist. I looked her X-ray at work but I don't know which discs got problem... I'll talk to my favorite vet tmrw to get more info. I'm giving her meds prescribed and hopefully they will work somewhat. I'm waiting for stroller but maybe not good idea cuz she will be lack of exercise, she's already refused to walk after business and I have to carry her. Thank u for lots of infos, Beth!!

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Permalink Reply by Linda on May 11, 2015 at 7:51am

Beth.....I just read that last night about it being hard to tell the difference between DM and IVDD, I was researching shaking in the back legs, Max started about 2 years ago and now I noticed Katie is doing it also. They are related, their mother's were sisters. It is not constant and does not cause any mobility issues or pain. Max has Level 1 IVDD in his neck.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on May 11, 2015 at 12:09pm

That could certainly cause the shaking, if a nerve is being compressed.

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Permalink Reply by Linda on May 11, 2015 at 6:41pm

You are NOT failing!!! We do the best we can for our critters within our means. Surgery was brought up for Max for the IVDD in his neck...he was in a lot of pain. I could not afford $10,000 for surgery. I also would not leave him in that kind of pain. As a last ditch attempt to help him I tried acupuncture and it was the best thing I could ever have done for him. I am so grateful to the person who recommended it. His problem began 4 years ago and since he started acupuncture the difference in him is amazing. Max will be 13 next month. He still herds the cats, chases squirrels and birds and lets that obnoxious chi/JRT behind us just who owns the neighborhood.

There are groups who can help off set the cost. Corgination, Go Fund Me. Are you on instagram? There is a large corgi community on instagram. There are several Go Fund me campaigns running now. Also one gal did an auction of things that were donated by other members of the instagram community. Her corgi had to have spinal surgery for his back legs, the auction did help her raise a good amount of funds to help offset the medical expenses.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on May 11, 2015 at 8:20pm

I agree with Linda "YOU ARE NOT FAILING", we do what we can but then also have to look at whether or not we want to put the dog through all this. Maybe if you do a consultation with the neurologist the Dr. can give you some alternative ideas that might work? I don't now of many people who can spend this kind of money on their beloved pets.

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Permalink Reply by megumi nakamura on May 11, 2015 at 9:25pm

Thanks, Linda and Jane! I've been checking GoFundMe and other sites. My income is not that low but not steady cuz not full-time. Also this year's giving me a hard time, I lost my car cuz of accident. I needed to ask my friend to take us to the vet... Thank god, there's "online shopping" today so no need to go to stores tho. Anyway, I really appreciate everybody's help. I'll keep my chin up for my baby!!

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Permalink Reply by Holly on May 11, 2015 at 9:21pm

I saw a video of a man who used a sort of sling to carry his dog's ass-end while the dog went out for "walks." The dog looked fine with it, but who knows. You are probably the best judge of how your dog feels. She may be fine with going out with you supporting her in a sling. She may hate it. You (her best friend) are the best judge. My dog is very mellow and inactive so she may love or hate traveling on wheels. I can personally take any kind of equipment as long as I remain independent, but dogs think differently from humans of course. You will make the right decision!! Best wishes