Dachshund in pain and will not go up or down steps

[Tammyjpo]

My 7 year old dachshund girl was fine yesterday, running and playing. Last night after I pottied her for the last time she came to the top of the dog stairs where there's about a 4 inch jump to get on the bed and started staring at me. I helped her on the bed and that was the end of it. This morning she wouldn't jump off the bed so I went to her and rolled her on her side to live on her and she whined. Now I am having to put her on and off the bed but she still whines. When we go outside she ace like she doesn't wanna go up the sidewalk step cause its gonna hurt. She is eating fine and pottying fine. When she finally lays down she doesn't move around like she usually does. You can tell she wants to move around to get comfy but she seems afraid to cause of the pain. Is it possible she could have pulled something playing? I know she needs to go to the get but I'm trying to avoid that if its something that will heal.

[diandpat]

Definitely go to the vet. Dachsunds are prone to disc disease which can be permanent and sometimes fatal. Google it and see if the signs/symptoms match but time can be of the essence. Don't spend too much time on the internet...call an e-vet asap.

My shih tzu/terrier had two episodes and got through both of them, thank goodness. Immediate attention is imperative.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Longblades]

She needs to see the Vet immediately. Invertebral disk disease and other spinal ailments are common in the long backed breeds. The sooner you go the more likely it IS something that will heal. Ie, you'll catch it early. Leaving it can allow problems to compound.

[Tammyjpo]

Thank you all for the input. I'm not sure if its her spine cause when I take her out she runs and likes to run around. It's just going up or down on steps or the bed. I will definitely google the signs.

[Tammyjpo]

I googled IVDD and I don't think that's it cause she eats and walks and the whining is about the only symptom. I'm just going to keep her still for awhile and see if she gets better. Thank you all

[Barkingdog]

That is a bad idea , you need to bring your dog to the vet right away, you could end doing more harm if you move her the wrong way.

[Loki Love]

It can deteriorate quickly - I'd get her to a vet sooner than later. I know of someone who went through a similar situation with their Dachshund - they waited a few days and by the time they got their dog to the vet, it had lost all use of its back legs. They ended up having to put it down within a week of the first symptoms appearing.

I'm not trying to scare you - but I do think you should really see a vet.

[Tammyjpo]

I totally understand but I don't have the funds right now. I am going to call the vet tomorrow and see what I can work out. If she won't work with me then I will have to wait until I get the money.

[MaxaLisa]

I would actually see a doggie chiropractor (AVCA certified): www.avcadoctors.com They will know what type of treatments.

I have a young dachshund mix now, and she sees a chiro about every 4 or 5 weeks, and there is always something that is misaligned that causes her discomfort. Those long backs are so prone to problems, and, yes, left unattended, can very quickly turn fatal.

[Longblades]

Poor little dog. Yes, it will likely be expensive. Many Vets will work out a payment plan for you. If you let it get worse it will be more expensive.

If it is IVDD you're already doing things wrong. She needs exercise to keep her back muscles strong. You need to know what kind of exercise she can do. You need to know Where in her back it is so you can help her properly. Meds will releive pain AND reduce inflamation.

That's what I learned when my Lab had an acute espisode of pain and was found to have both IVDD and significant spinal spondylosis. A wrong move by me could have moved her past the point of return to health by medicine to the point of needing surgery.