Posted by Dennis on March 03, 2004 at 11:49:56:
In Reply to: Disk Disease posted by Kim Healy on March 01, 2004 at 13:06:57:
The best thing to do is confine him to an area immediately and see if he gets better or worsens over the next couple of weeks.
As hard as it is, you should leave him confined for as long as necessary.
The problem with pain killers I feel is that the animal thinks and acts like they are okay and only makes matters worse. Your dog needs to get plenty of rest right now until his pain changes. Daisy was in a cage and confined for 2 to 3 months - I know how hard this is to do. Even when you think they are better, it's worth waiting and easing into becoming active again.
The full name for the drug DEX is dexamethasone, a type of steroid that works as an anti-inflammatory. The first dose can be injected and the subsequent doses just tablets twice a day for a period of time. Eventually the dose can be gradually lowered and lowered until off of it.
He is walking backwards most likely because of the pain he is in. He might somehow of associated the pain with walking forwards. This should go away once he gets better.
Please remember to keep him confined and consider the different medication. Please write back with any updates or questions.