Lumbosacral Disease??
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 Cooper has been seen by several vet/specialists who have the same opinions about his problem. We are carefully debating his options and pray we make the best decisions to help him  . He is 4 1/2 yrs young, is very special to us and we love him a bunch! Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis is also known as cauda equina syndrome. It is more common in large-breed, older dogs. Nerve roots (cauda equina) located in the lower back can become trapped due to arthritis or a disc rupture. Symptoms include sharp pain in the back, intermittent rear leg lameness and increasing difficulty standing.As the condition progresses, the dog may chew the tail or rear feet and lose bladder or bowel control. Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis can be treated surgically. Read more: About Degenerative Diseases in Dogs | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5261078_degen ... zz1VWOKVtk |
Sorry, that was my post as guest, I forgot to log in before submitting post.  |
| Oh, just a baby - I'm so sorry Since it's more common in older dogs, do you know if he has a more acute problem like a ruptured disc...? Have the vets given you any viable treatment options? Kristine |
| Kristine, Thank you so much for your interest and response to our situation. Cooper's been dealing with increasing issues for a while now. We went with a conservative approach since he was so young when symptoms started. We treated with meds but is showing signs of worsening. We are planning an MRI soon. Maybe this will give the specialist better direction with meds? Last resort option, surgery, but we need to talk more to our specialists to get a better understanding of the situation. Believe me when I say I have never been in such a hard spot before. We love Cooper so much and have a lot a things to think through. I appreciate any and all support from those who also love their pets and can understand where we are right now. |
| I would definitely start with the MRI!! Has he had X rays? It sounds like you have some idea that there is a degenerative component to his condition. There are a few possible causes and they may need different approaches. The causes can be: (not exhaustive but most common) -congenital ie he was born with a different shaped lumbosacral spine that puts more stress on the area sn example is something called a spondylolisthesis where the last vertebra doesn't line up with the sacrum properly -increased laxity of the ligaments that should be stabilising the area either congenital or due to injury -injury or congential issues with discs surgery to stabilise a spondylolisthesis or lax ligaments can be helpful but it depends on other factors too like the amount of degeneration or if there are disc bulges or herniations. |
| Hello Mim, Just wondering if you happen to be a vet? Everything you mentioned/explained is exactly what we have been told by the specialists we have seen. He had some x-rays early on which directed them away from any hip problems. Their opinions were degenerative stability issues in the lumbosacral area. At that time he was only 1 1/2 yrs old and we agreed to go conservative. He is slowing down more now so we are going back with the specialist to see what is in store at this point. Thank you so much for your input and concern. We are in a tough spot right now and hope we can make the best decisions for Cooper. p.s. This condition is one I had not connected with OES before when I was so involved researching medical issues with OES? Hip Displasia was top of list for concerns. For some reason German Shepards, Labs come to mind when I heard what could be wrong with Cooper? |
| You are correct, this is not something typically/commonly seen in OES. Though the lack of stability may, in part, be connected with basic structure. OES should be square and in addition to that you also look at the space between the last rib, if you will, through the end of the back. Some dogs have a longer than average space there, what we commonly call long in the loin (they are typically also dogs who are a bit long). My vet (OES breeder) and I speculate that such dogs have less stability in the lower back than dogs who are properly constructed in this area (I have such a bitch and she did indeed experience back problems, but not like what you're describing in Cooper) That said, there are many OES who are long in the loin who do not experience problems, either like my girl or your Cooper, so....? I had a MRI done on her when she experienced her FCE and though it is expensive it really does tell you the full story in a way that other testing cannot. I had hers done at a vet school. Beyond that I don't know what to tell you. I wish I did. Mim's not a vet but - correct me if I'm wrong, here, Mim - as a human chiropractor, she does know a fair amount about backs  Kristine |
Quote: speculate that such dogs have less stability in the lower back than dogs who are properly constructed in this area You just described Jack who is having quite a time. I'm sure CD or some other malformation of the hips and spine have been present since birth......surely since he ended up at the pound and I got him. Degenerative Myelopathy is another thought I've had for him, if it wasn't for his always crappy hips and walk. He's had far more wiggle than is correct for the breed. Now standing and walking are becming an ordeal. Cooper is still young enough to benefit from surgery if found to be helpful. |
| Luckily our regular vet works closely with us and is very sympathetic with Cooper's issues. We have tried several modes of medications, some help for a while, some don't. He is healthy otherwise, our vet feels confident that he is strong and young. We know it's time to investigate more, willing to do MRI, yes is very expensive (that's one reason why we went conservative at first but think differently now.) We are going to a learning vet hospital and have had comfortable/positive interactions with the specialist we are working with. She is very up front and honest with her opinions and doesn't cram any actions upon us, it is up to us what to decide after listening. We tried acupuncture early on but no help, chiropractic in his case wasn't advised. We were willing to try anything non-invasive to control the pain episodes.  I don't post her very often but I visit sometimes. I am glad I have some input from you all. I figured someone out there would understand. Sorry to hear that Jack is having some issues that may be similar. Thank you again, we are gonna try to do what we can to help our poor little guy be comfortable. |
| As Kristine explained I am a human chiropractor and you are correct for a spine that is unstable chiropractic treatment is not the best option. Have your vets mentioned any exercises that you can do to keep your boy's back and abdominal muscles as strong as possible?? Kristine has some good ideas here. Things like asking your dog to sit and then stand repeatedly. I would check with your vet first though as if he's too unstable you could make his pain worse especially if you ask him to do a lot of exercises. I sympathise with you on the vetinary expenses, my Mom's poodle was ill 2 years ago and I was running her back and forward to the teaching hospital and it cost me a bomb. Keep us posted. |
| We are waiting to hear from our Ortho specialist, I will keep in mind your ideas of exercises, sort of like therapy. This has been a long and trying 4 yrs with our buddy. One thing after another, ups and downs. I hope to keep him happy, healthy and pain free for however long I can. Anyone have sucess with Reiki? I will post updates as we go along. I feel the support for us, it helps knowing others understand where we are at. All I know for sure is how much we love our Sheepie Cooper!!!  |
| Our last dalmo had to have hip surgery and a friend who is a trained reiki therapist did some treatments. It didn't cost me and it couldn't hurt. To be honest I really don't think it did anything. |
| A friend is studying Reiki, we talked about Cooper's pain and she explained to me some of how they do Reiki. Just a thought. When we tried the acupuncture, it didn't help either. At that time the vet doing the acupuncture thought his troubles were nerve pain also. We try to keep his weight in order, don't want to add to his troubles. We had been able to walk him a lot to keep him active and happy but lately he doesn't want to go much. Steps are becoming a problem too.On a lighter note, he loves a little bit of peanut butter spread inside his bones, keeps him busy working on it. He absolutely loves it! Oh, and I keep lite whipped cream in frig just for him, a little squirt occasionally treats him like a king.  |
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