well, i thought the magpie was getting better, but then she was all blah again today after a bit of a walk this morning and more general perkiness. i went to take her out this evening and she just kinda sat down again. i feel like she was having some kind of muscle spasm or something with her back legs. so i scooped her up and took her to the emergency vets.

i thought we had been there last year for a similar thing, but actually it was 2006. we fortunately did not have to wait to long, and actually were seen by the same guy who saw us before – he was very good and plain talking.

but here’s the deal – and it kind of sucks. there actually IS something wrong with my little girl. he did and examination and i did ok the x-rays – more for the potential future degeneration or problems than for changing treatment at this point – but she has a degenerative disc and/or disc herniation at probably L4-5. i know she doesn’t have weakness in the lower extremities, which is good (even when i picked her up i could feel that her strength bilaterally seemed equal and strong) and neither he nor i noted any dramatic neurological deficits in any way. the vet did note some lumbar point tenderness which led him to suggest the x-rays.

so, long story short: at this point – non-steroidals and pain relief and (here’s the kicker) restricted activity for about 6 weeks. as in NO stairs, NO hopping up and down the furniture, NO long walks, NO playing. yeah. sounds easy. have i mentioned my pup is somewhat of a dominant aggressive behavioral issue biter dog (that i love)? so crating her is kind of a problem. i have come up with though a solution i guess it will just be her, leashed to my bedside table here, with limited distance at night and then direct her right in and out of the guest bath where she eats and all. she can walk to and from the elevator to go outside and pee. thats it. she is paper trained so that helps alot. to the point that the vet felt i could cancel the pet sitter (for now) that i had coming twice a week on my long days because all she needs to do is lay there. and take her drugs.

from what i can google on-line, i guess with her current condition, it seems her prognosis is good. but i am concerned about the potential for, oh i don’t know, sudden paralysis if she jumps on and off something.

ug. mags is my home girl. if something heinous happens to her, i would be frantic beyond belief. and yet, i’m not sure i am a fan of drastic surgery in animals. only because, as an anesthesia provider, i feel that it is almost more cruel to restrict and confine a pet for so long to recover when they can’t ever fully understand what is going on and that the pain and discomfort and seperation will end. i don’t know. i’m jumping to conclusions here and kind of freaking. and i’m to tired to link up to this post. so that’s all ya get.

 

what you lookin’ at?