After crate rest activity
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
ERIN ASKS:
I have a 6 year old miniature dachshund that has been diagnosed with IVDD. She has been on crate rest, currently in week 5; planning on 8. At the completion of 8 weeks, how do we know that she is healed? Do we just let her start to walk around gradually and watch how she does? At this point, she does have some movement in her hind legs, but not perfect by any means. She is definitely showing improvement though. Thank you for your input! It is appreciated!?
ANSWER
Good question.
I’m glad to hear your dog is doing well.
The key is to SLOWLY reintroduce activity after the 8 weeks if rest. If at any point when reintroducing activity you notice him getting painful or less coordinated you need to cage rest him again and consider diagnostics (MRI, CT, or myelogram). Make sure that life long he is on a harness for outdoor activities, not doing high risk activities (jumping on/off sofas/beds, going up/down stairs, etc.) to help prevent another flare up.