Pinched nerve? Head Down. Pain.

[Julie7177]

Hi all. I am wondering if anyone has experienced similar issues that I am having with my 7 yr. old pug, Ginger. About 5-6 months ago I noticed a slight limp. She was favoring her right paw/leg/shoulder and had a slight limp. I took her to the vet who them prescribed Rimadyl. After being on this drug for about 1 week, somewhat restricting her activity, she wasn't getting any better, or worse. I took her back to the vet where they did an extra of her leg/shoulder area. These xrays didn't find anything conclusive and I was sent home with 2 weeks worth of Rimadyl. After a few weeks of restricted activity she was doing okay, not the best, but better. Over the last few months she still had a limp but was doing well. About 2 weeks ago I came home and she wasn't herself, she woke up the next morning with a severe limp and her head hung down. She couldn't lift her head up and was clearly in pain. I took her to the vet and she is now on laser treatments and just recieved prendisone and gabaphril (sp?) for pain. The vet suggested that she could be suffering from a pinched nerve and it wasn't likely to be a bulging or calcified disc as she shakes her head, etc. The vet said that if the new drugs work, but as she is weened off of them, she goes back to her pain, slumped head, then we would have to schedule a milligram or MRI to determine what the issue is and if surgery is necessary. I am wondering if anyone out there has gone through a similar symptomatic experience with their pug and what was done, what the outcome was, etc. Any feedback or help is appreciated. Many thanks! Julie

[Wonka & Nilla]

Poor Ginger. The kind of behavior you're describing does sound a lot like a neck or back problem. I have had neck problems and pinched nerve in myself, but no experience with that in pugs. I hope the pain meds help Ginger because I remember well just how painful the pinched nerve was for me.
There are several people on PugVillage who've had experience with rehabilitating pugs after injury so hopefully they will chime in with better information. Please give Ginger a gentle hug from me.... I hope she feels better soon and is able to make a full recovery.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Pred and gabapentin are a good course of action in my opinion. I would ask them about adding something like tramadol or Val-torb syrup as well. Strict cage rest is very important too. Expect that with high dose pred your dog will be drinking and peeing more frequently and will need to go much more urgently than before. She may also be a bit more cranky than usual.

I think your vet is giving you good advice.

While you could go straight in and get myleogram or MRI, and have a more definitive diagnosis, they are very expensive procedures. most try to eliminate the obvious first.

Take care,
Lisa

[puglover22]

I would try a chiropractor.......they can help

[Adéloise]

I would try a chiropractor.......they can help

This is what I was going to tell you....or acupuncture, osteopathy....
It's suppose to work well on dogs too...
Good luck!! We don't like to see our babies suffering....

[Tinker's mom]

Prayers she responds to the meds and heals.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Accupuncture maybe, but chiropractic on an undiagnosed spinal or neck issue could be DISASTROUS. PLEASE don't. it may be an option, with your vet's approval down the line, but not now.

Take care,
Lisa

[puglover22]

a reputable chiropractor wouldn't even touch a patient without looking at an x-ray first......
Lisa please don't scare people......chiropractors have a bad enough rap as it is....

[shaynapug]

My doggy chiro requires a letter from the vet stating that chiro is okay! Won't touch a dog without it!

Kelev had a pinched nerve in his neck twice....many years apart. He was given a shot of a muscle relaxer and the next 4 days was on valium. He was fine after that.

That was before I started at the chiro.

If she were mine, I would find a good chiro....

[Julie7177]

Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions. Ginger is currently undergoing laser therapy, and combined with the drugs, is doing well...much better, in fact. She is being kenneled so her "alone" time is restricted. I am hopeful that in 2 weeks after the laser therapy and meds have run the course that she will be well again!

Julie