This is Charlie's world for the next four weeks. We went to the Orthopedic surgeon yesterday expecting to talk about his shoulder. We left with a dog with suspected bones spurs or disc problems.
I really liked the doc as he wants to take the least invasive route first - and so do we. Charlie is on crate rest, Prednisone and higher strength pain meds. We have an appointment in a month for an evaluation of his progress. If this doesn't resolve on it's own we are looking at an MRI that is done at Cincinnati Children's Hospital (who knew) and surgery.
I have had back surgery twice. So even though I walked in there prepared to talk shoulders he didn't lose me when we switched to spinal cords. However, he assures me that if we have to take it that far that dogs respond so much better than people do - I haven't. He has a buddy that is a neurosurgeon and is always telling him he wished he could have the results on two leggers that they get on the four legged patients.
So, not only did Charlie's world get smaller but so has mine. A dog on Prednisone is a peeing machine. I can't just walk off and leave him for too long or I'm not going to like it and neither is he.
So, if you pray, send out healing vibes or talk to the Universe in any way, please put in a good word for Charlie - and our savings account.
I am so sorry about Charlie..... The blind dog Jeffrey has had some physical therapy ...which is costly too but he is doing good and does not seem to be in pain..... Also to old for this type of surgery and they did not feel it would be helpful in his case... Forgot to say the cases sound similar ...I certainly have Charlie in my thoughts and prayers....keep us posted
Oh poor Charlie! Looks like he is going to get b-o-r-e-d for some time. I certainly hope the resting helps and you won't have to go through surgery. Are back problems common with corgis? (My best friend had a corgi when we were teenagers and he had same sort of issues.)
Poor thing, he probably wonders what he has done wrong.
Just read an excellent book called The Accidental Tourist, one of the characters is a wonderful Corgi called Edward, who has some serious attitude problems.
Really hope the cage rest works for Charlie and your (and your pocket's) sakes
Aww, poor Charlie! Good vibes on their way! I know about "peeing machines! Murphy is allergic to ragweed, so when August comes around, he's on a drug that makes him drink and pee gallons!
Such a sad shot! I imagine he spends lots of time sleeping at his age anyway but still sad that he has to do it caged up! It will be a struggle for both of you!
My gosh such sad news for you and Charlie!! Nellie and I will keep her in our nightly doggie prayers!! My Nell would drive me nuts if I put her in a crate, I would have to hold her all day long or she would have no paws left. What a trying time for you both!! Here's to Charlie, get well soon!!
Sorry to hear about Charlie! Poor little guy! Hope he will get better soon. Hate to see him stay in the crate, he probably thinks he is being punished.
give charlie a belly rub from us--our corgi had a torn ACL two years ago(a frisbee injury)--we had to carry him up and down the stairs--to go outside!
good luck to all of you!
@carolmw I sure hope so. @cromwell Thanks Cromwell. He is laying leashed to me right now. Hard day all around. @clmiller Me too, Caren. @photos222 Thank you Sybil. I appreciate it and so does Chuck. @hannak Back problems are very common in Corgis because of the long spinal cord. Every breed has it's problems. @jantan Jan I read that a few years ago. And Corgis do have pretty distinct personalities. @timandelke So you know what I mean. We are on top of it so far but he only has 3 pills in him. @meisen325 Thank you Monica. Much appreciated. @shepardx2 Me, too Margo. Me too. @lyno Nothing much is harder for a Corgi. They are a busy herding breed. @grammyn He is really not that old for a Corgi. Slower than he used to be but they can live to be 12 -14 years old. @rmkgreene Thanks Ruth. My guys were crate trained years ago but now only use them in the car. He has been barking and crying.... @grannysue Thanks Linda. I just don't have a choice and it is so hard. @wordpixman Good one Arthur. I needed a laugh. @doorknee71 Thanks Dawn. So do we. @janets Thank you Janet. Keep them coming. @fernessa1955 Did your Corgi's repair work well? What we won't do for these guys. @sugarmuser You got that right Sharon. I have to take it occasionally and hate it also. Can't sleep, can't stop eating.....
@cdonohoue yes he is dong very well--except--there is no more frisbee time for him--he still runs around the yard looking for it-- corgis are way too smart
Poor little guy:( I will keep Charlie in my prayers. He looks so sad in the cage. It is not easy having a dog on prednisone. It sounds like you have a great vet. I hope he gets well soon.
What a lovely dog and am so sorry to hear about his problem. His expression tells the story ... I will keep you both in my prayers. My cat had been on prednisone .... I know exactly what you mean.
Oh I sympathise... poor little chap and poor you. I hope the time passes quickly and you resolve the problem quickly too. One of the dogs Cathy walks had serious spinal surgery a while ago and keeps up with the pups really well now so hold onto the hope :)
Poor guy. I wish there was some way you could communicate that you wee doing this for his own good. I hope a month of enforced rest will hold the answer. When we had a sick cat the vet geve him a shot of predisone and told us predisone could practically raise you from the dead!
Poor Charlie - the owrst thing about dogs in crates is you can't tell them why!! Our greyhound broke her leg when she was a year old and it was a total nightmare trying to keep her still! hope he gets better with rest
Poor thing, he probably wonders what he has done wrong.
Just read an excellent book called The Accidental Tourist, one of the characters is a wonderful Corgi called Edward, who has some serious attitude problems.
Really hope the cage rest works for Charlie and your (and your pocket's) sakes
good luck to all of you!
@cromwell Thanks Cromwell. He is laying leashed to me right now. Hard day all around.
@clmiller Me too, Caren.
@photos222 Thank you Sybil. I appreciate it and so does Chuck.
@hannak Back problems are very common in Corgis because of the long spinal cord. Every breed has it's problems.
@jantan Jan I read that a few years ago. And Corgis do have pretty distinct personalities.
@timandelke So you know what I mean. We are on top of it so far but he only has 3 pills in him.
@meisen325 Thank you Monica. Much appreciated.
@shepardx2 Me, too Margo. Me too.
@lyno Nothing much is harder for a Corgi. They are a busy herding breed.
@grammyn He is really not that old for a Corgi. Slower than he used to be but they can live to be 12 -14 years old.
@rmkgreene Thanks Ruth. My guys were crate trained years ago but now only use them in the car. He has been barking and crying....
@grannysue Thanks Linda. I just don't have a choice and it is so hard.
@wordpixman Good one Arthur. I needed a laugh.
@doorknee71 Thanks Dawn. So do we.
@janets Thank you Janet. Keep them coming.
@fernessa1955 Did your Corgi's repair work well? What we won't do for these guys.
@sugarmuser You got that right Sharon. I have to take it occasionally and hate it also. Can't sleep, can't stop eating.....