READ ABOUT HER INTERVERTEBRAL DISC BACK DISEASE & RECOVERY (RECOVERIES) WITHOUT SURGERY! QUICK LINK TO: Round ONE Round TWO Round THREE ALL NEW MESSAGE BOARD TO ASK QUESTIONS & SHARE INFO!

DAISY'S WEB PAGE
born December 1st 1995

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THIS IS DAISY OUR MINIATURE DACHSHUND. SHE LIKES CHASING BIRDS, SNUGGLING ON THE COUCH AND TERRORIZING HER CAT (SHE THINKS IT'S HER CAT). SHE'S AN AVID SUNBATHER AND RUG CHEWER.

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THESE PICTURES ARE FROM DAISY'S 1st BIRTHDAY PARTY ON DECEMBER 1st 1996.

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HERE IS DAISY, DOING WHAT DOGS DO BEST, CHEWING UP OUR CREDIT CARD!

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THIS IS ROSE. SHE IS DAISY'S LIVING BREATHING TOY. THE TWO OF THEM SPEND MOST OF THE TIME RUNNING ALL OVER THE HOUSE.

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DAISY'S FAVORITE PLACE TO SLEEP IS IN HER DADDYS SHIRT.

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HERE'S DAISY UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!

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DAISY'S CAMPING TRIP AT ELORA GORGE IN ONTARIO CANADA AUGUST 23th 1997 !

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DAISY PICS From 2003 ! ( right click and select "save as" for high resolution version )

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She was no better the next day and so we decided to take her to the closest vet in the
area. She was somewhat dragging her rear feet unable to use them properly. They took
an X-Ray, prescribed some Dex (Corticosteroids, anti-inflamitory) and referred us to a
surgeon for animals.

During this period Daisy was unable to control her urine, and also her appetite was
lost. The surgeon recommended surgery and although we were very skeptical we felt
as if there was no other choice but to go ahead with it. Time was running out.

From the X-Ray it was obvious that her discs in the T-12 area were herniated (ruptured)
which causes the fluid that leaks out of the disc to solidify and harden inbetween
the discs and around the spine. Eventually what happens is the hardened matter pushes
up into the spine which is what eventually causes paralysis - or having to put the dog
down from the pain.

We were willing to have the surgery performed, but in the end it did not go as planned.
The cost was $2000 CDN and she would be in surgery on Saturday and we would be anxiously
waiting for any news and the outcome of the operation.

When the surgeon finally called, he informed us that in preperation for the actual
surgery he could not go through with it because a 2nd X-Ray that was performed did
not show the type of problem in the dog typical of Daschunds. At this point we could
only keep her confined to a bed, on medication and hope that she only get better.

Daisy had a long recovery of 4-6 weeks and in addition to the Dex tablets (anti-inflamitory)
was given anti-biotics over that period. She was like a new dog, full of energy and
ready to entertain all over again. But this time, we would limit her activities just
incase...

By Monday she had been back to the stage before the needle. May 1st 2000 she was given
another shot of Dex and this time Dex tablets to take home which she would be on for
4 weeks.

- Friday May 5th 2000
Towards the end of the week she was in pain again and no longer walking around.
Concerned I called the Vet who advised giving her 250mg of Dex tablets every day
instead of every other day until Monday the 8th.

- Sunday May 7th 2000
By the end of the weekend once she was not really not much better so we continued
to give her Dex tabs daily.

- Saturday May 13th 2000
Mid week she seemed slightly better, although still confined to her bed. By the
end of yet another weekend she was the worst she's ever been. She would squeek
in pain just from getting up or moving around slightly in her bed. It was very
bad. Throughout the nights on the weekend she would yelp and whimper in her
sleep.

- Monday May 15th 2000
Last year Daisy was on an anti-biotic called enrofloxacin (Baytril) as well as
the Dex tabs so we decided that maybe she would need it again to fight of the
infection in her spine/back. We began giving her the anti-biotic today.

- Tuesday May 16th 2000
I learned a lot more about Daisy's back problem from visiting this web site:
www.PetEducation.com.
They have dozens of articles on drugs, diseases, pets, etc..

- Friday May 19th 2000 (May 24 weekend)
Daisy's condition has worsened considerably. During the week she was unable to
get up or even stand on her own. The slightest move would cause her pain and
she would just yelp & cry. We would carry her outside every morning and evening
to go to the bathroom and only this week was it hard for her to stand without
wobbling or falling over.

Earlier in the week our vet was keen on taking Daisy to a neurosurgeon if her
condition weakened. But having been through this situation last year already
we have decided that it is not really in Daisy's best interest to undergo the
surgery. The cost is approximately $2000 (CDN) and like anything there is no
guarantee. Daisy is 4.5 now and as hard of a decision as it could be we think
if she does not get better we will have no choice but to put her down.

- Tuesday May 23th 2000
Daisy was sitting up on Monday and today, and squeeking much less. However
she is still unable to walk well. We'll keep her on the double dosages and
she how she ends up.

- Friday June 2nd 2000
This was the last day we gave her dex tabs daily. She was seemingly more alert
and active so we decided dex every second day would be good enough. We've had
very little feedback from our vet which is extremely disappointing, but having
gone through this problem last year it was easier to be patient and wait it out.

- Monday June 12th 2000
Daisy has been great for the last week or two at holding her bladder and has
stopped just lying around in the corner of her cage. She began sitting up,
scratching at the cage, and crying to get out. To say the least, her personality
was definitely back. She was still skeptical about climbing stairs and would do
them one by one, but really its been 2 months since she has and most likely she
thinks its going to hurt even though she's better. Still we will keep her from
using stairs.

- Monday June 12th 2000
Daisy has finally recovered with her back troubles. We still keep her from
going up stairs, etc.. but she seems to be doing fine.

I found this LINK on the internet which is kind of interesting.
And I'll update this page soon!

Thank you to all of those who email and share their stories and express
their support!

- Tuesday April 17th
Daisy is still doing great and showing positive signs of recovery!
OH NO ! For Easter Daisy ate a chocolate bunny complete with foil wrapper
and all - she seems to be doing fine however.

- Tuesday April 23rd
Firstly, Daisy is doing very well for those we keep asking! Thank you.

I found a link on Glucosimine treatment HERE, but it's primarily to do
with arthritis in Dogs. It's still worth a read for those who are curious about Glucosimine.

On a NEW note: I've been getting tons of email from other dachshunds who have similar
symptons to Daisy but their vets give the dogs pain killers only.
I'm not a vet but since these dogs have herniated discs, pain killers will only MASK the
inflamation or infection if there is one present. With pain killers your dog will think
it's better and so will you, but worse there is the potential to make matters worse this
way. I've never but Daisy on pain killers, but so everyone knows a shot of DEX always
seemed to relieve some of the pain just as well and at the same time it acts as a anti
inflamitory. If you've read the posts above, you'll also see that Daisy was on a antibiotic
also.

- Thursday August 16th - 2001
Daisy is still doing great and enjoying the hot summer days. Thanks to all those who keep sharing their stories
with me.

- Monday February 4th - 2002
It's been a while since the last update, but Daisy continues to do well and is off the glucosimine/water treatment
for a little while. I think she needs a break from it before it becomes inaffective. I will probably put her back
on it in a few months.

- Monday February 3rd - 2004
I can't believe its been this long and I haven't had to add any new entries - this means good news for my beloved dog Daisy! She has been trouble free since the last bout and turned 8 back in December of 2003. The poor little thing has so many tiny grey hairs on top of her head! Daisy continues to run and walk fine. She no longer jumps around and it was mainly training/conditioning that got her this way.

I wanted to mention that last year in the summer months I gave Daisy Noni juice 5 days a week mixed in with her water for a period of 2 months. For those who don't know what it is, its basically a type of fruit drink extracted from a specific Tahitian fruit that is known to boost the immune system. I was taking it myself for an alopecia problem I was having and thought why not give it to Daisy as well?