My dog had back surgery and now he has no feeling in his back end. ?

Question

Peanut had surgery on his back because he had a fragmented disc in his back, and was in a lot of pain last Thursday. After the surgery they did a pain test on his back foot and he couldn't feel it. Now he cannot walk and they have to go in and drain his bladder ever so often. He was supposed to come home today, but they don't want to let him come home til he can go to the bathroom on his own. My mom and dad went and got him a crate that the vet suggested to keep him in for a few weeks to recover, but now they are worried that he might not should come home. He had feeling before the surgery but now he doesn't. It just seems like there is something that can be done for him. We don't want to have to put him to sleep, but we don't want him to have a bad life either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer 1

Well your vet is going to know what is best for your dog.  When my dog would slip a disc in his back he would paralyze his hind legs.  I would pop his back back in.  We would take an old bath towel, put it under his belly, hold an end in each hand, and lift the dog that way, so he could walk and go potty.  I don't know if that would work with your dog or not.  I guess it is up to your vet to know if he will recover.  I will pray for you and your dog.

Answer 2

I am so sorry to hear about his having to have surgery.  It can be nerve damage which may or may not repair itself, depending on where the damage may have occurred.  Rehabilitation can be a long process if the vet feels he may get some sensations back.  Of course if he is unable to urinate by himself and this does not resolve soon it may be best for him.  Hope everything turns out alright...

Answer 3

Back surgery on a dog (or a human) can be very traumatic and there's always the possibility that it won't work.

I had a dog rupture a disc and he couldn't use his back half or control his bladder or bowels.  The vet told me there was a 10% chance with surgery that he would walk again and a 20% chance he'd regain bowel/bladder control.  I decided that for him it was better to put him down.

Have your dog checked out by a veterinary neurologist.  They can make predictions through a series of tests how likely it is that he'll regain use of his limbs and control of his bladder.  Make a decision from there.

Good luck!