New and Need Advice/Thoughts

[Apollo]

I have never posted here but I have been visiting this forum since Apollo was a puppy and he will be 10 in November. Six years ago, Apollo had an episode one night of severe pain. His whole body was stiff and he wouldn't move so I took him to the Emergency Clinic. He was diagnosed with spondylosis via x-rays. His regular vet started him on Rimadyl and Robaxin. He also took Tramadol for about a week. Since then he has taken Vetprofen 100mg twice a day and Robaxin 500mg twice per day (he weighs about 105 lbs and is rather tall for a Lab). About three years ago he also started getting an Adequan shot once per month. He has done really well on this regimen and has been a normal, active Lab who is always happy. Occasionally, when it was really cold or when there was really bad weather, he would be more stiff than normal but never showed obvious pain. About one month ago I noticed sometimes when we were outside he would hold his right rear leg up and not put weight on it, but it would only be very short episodes. My vet gave me more Tramadol and I gave it a few times when I noticed him doing this. About a week ago when we got up one morning he started squealing and holding up his leg. Within minutes it seemed to go away and he was back to being his normal Apollo self. He did seem more stiff this week, so I gave him the Tramadol regularly. I also made an appointment to see his vet next Saturday. Well yesterday he woke up squealing again. He was also shaking all over. I gave him his meds but this time things didn't improve. I kept thinking he would start relaxing but when he didn't, I took him to the Emergency Clinic. They took x-rays of his back from the side and on his back. His spondylosis has not really changed much since the x-rays six years ago. He also has osteoarthritis in his hips, however the vet said it wasn't horrible. Everything else looked good. She told me to increase the Tramadol to 2 50mg tabs three times a day, increase the Robaxin to 2 500mg tabs twice per day, and keep Vetprofen the same. He also got a shot of buprenorphine prior to the x-ray. He actually seemed a little better while there and was not whining or shaking. He was holding his back in a somewhat hunched position. Well today, more of the same, horrible pain. I almost feel like its worse than yesterday. I will be taking him to his vet tomorrow. He has also stated trying to bite at his back/rear area. He is eating and drinking normally. He is pottying normally. I just don't know what to think and I am terrified for my baby boy. I just wondered if anyone has any thoughts or ideas? I know the x-ray didn't show his knees. I don't know if I'm overlooking something obvious because I am focused on the fact that he has had an ongoing back issue? I just don't know and I am scared. I know I have rambled and I am sorry, but if anyone has any advice, please let me know. Thanks so much.

[Annette47]

It sounds like he might be having back spasms - possibly the arthritis in his back and hips is affecting his posture/biomechanics and causing undue stress on his muscles, triggering the spasms. Poor guy, hopefully there’s something else they can do for him. I’m guessing the Robaxin is a muscle relaxant?

Have you considered adding in acupuncture? It can sometimes be helpful in addition to the medications.

[kimbersmom]

Oh, how awful for you and Apollo! I agree with Annette's suggestion of looking at holistic options. Kimber had a spinal injury 4.5 years ago and while Rimadyl keeps her mobile, a monthly visit with the vet who does acupuncture and chiropractic work keeps her active. (Such vets are becoming much more common. I'm in a very rural area but there are a couple near me!)

[Apollo]

Yes the Robaxin is a muscle relaxer. Thanks for your input! My vet did mention acupuncture when he was first diagnosed, so I will speak to her again about it. Thank you again

[SunDance]

Poor Apollo. I'm wondering if perhaps his pain...and probable muscle spasms...might be being exacerbated by tension associated with seizures. Nighttime is a prime time for dogs who are seizure-prone to have seizures...he could be having them, tensing up, and causing more pain at that particular time of day. The shaking/whining/etc. is appropriate for seizures. My yellow girl had petit mal seizures, hence my experience. She totally exacerbated her knee pain/prolotherapy healing when holistic vet-supplied meds (contraindicated in dogs with seizures) caused seizures...big set-back in her healing and one time 24 hours of refusing to move for any reason at all because of the pain.

Sending all good thoughts that you and your vet can get to the bottom of this and have Apollo feeling back to normal again soon.

[Berna]

Cookie also has spondylosis and when he injured his back two years ago, physical therapy helped and he hasn't shown any sign of back pain since. I use joint supplements but no medication yet, and he is doing great. I'd look into physical therapy if I were you.

[Apollo]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I have lots of things to discuss with my vet! It is just so hard to see my boy in pain and I just want to fix it. Even with the pain, he still has his happy Apollo smile. But I truly appreciate all the input and feel comfort from the support. Thank you so much.
Mary Louise