She cries then suddenly has to poop! The vet says its a back strain...??

[PeaPeasMomy]

My mini dachsie has been acting weird on and off.  About a week ago, she was in the car and started to whine and then pooped in the back seat.  She had never done this before, but I figured she just had to go! Then she did it again the next day, as soon as I got her in the car, she was sitting in my lap and started to whine and moving around like she was unconfortable, I pulled over and let her out, and sure enough she had to go potty.  But then I went home made an appointment with the vet, got her back in the car and she still was whiney and kept moving around like she was unconfortable.  The vet examined her and says she has a back strain..The vet prescribed some doggy advil...but I wonder if it's not an intestinal problem?..She has off and on been whining, but most of the time is running around in the yard normally...So it's a mystery to me, but I hope that she feels better...Anyone had this problem??

[Jaybay]

I agree with ddeiman.  Dogs with long backs are notorious for back strain and spinal/ nerve issues.  Definitely keep her crated when she goes for rides in the car.  Staying balanced on your lap in a moving vehicle puts a lot of strain on those muscles.

If she doesn't improve in a couple of weeks with rest and meds, you'll need to have an x-ray and perhaps an MRI done.  The nerves that control bowels originate in the lower spine.  Even if it's only a muscle strain injury, swelling can put pressure on those nerves and cause incontinence.

My mother-in-law had to put down her 3 year old doxie.  The dog jumped out of her car just like she had after hundreds of outings, and just fell over and screamed.  She had broken her back when she jumped out.

Give the meds and rest some time to work.  I think your vet is on the right track.  :-)

[ddeiman]

Doxies are known for their neuro issues but make sure you make her rest and give the anti inflammatories a chance to work. It's hard they're like little kids who don't want to rest but as the mommy you have to make them even if they don't like it. Make sure you keep her weight in check too. Even a few pounds extra is enough to metaphorically break a doxie's back. My co-workers doxie has flare ups with back strain sometimes too and a short course of steroids can bring the inflammation down too but you have to make her stay quiet even if it means crating and leash walks for a week. Steroids in short doses aren't dangerous. Good luck!

[utahmomma]

Yeah - I know.  *Good luck* keeping a dachshund from running up and down stairs, jumping off stuff, etc.  I've got a grumpy old woman (11yrs old dachshund) and two new puppies.   It's become the "dachshund 500" around my house lately.

Keep an eye on her, I know I'll be taking my older one in to see the vet again soon so I don't envy you (sigh) - don't they just worry you to death!  Cute little monsters.  :-)


Hang in there PeaPeasMomy!!

[PeaPeasMomy]

..She was not dragging her butt, but she did have her tail between her legs and her back legs were shaky, and would move around like she was very uncomfortable..

..My vet didn't do any imaging tests, but I will ask about that if she doesn't get better..thanks!

..Her poops look normal, and I checked to make sure there wasn't anything weird in it..

..I've been trying to control her jumping off of things, but it's a little hard to control! We also have a dachsie puppy that is always in play mode..so Peanut stays very active but will scold the puppy when she has had enough..and lately they have been playing like normal..so maybe the doggy advil is helping..

Thanks for the input!!

[utahmomma]

Has she been dragging her butt?  If so she may need her anal glads expressed.

Did your vet do any kind of imaging tests to see if she has a slipped disc (which happens to dachshunds).

Is she constipated or have diarrhea?  If so she needs meds.

Try her on boiled chicken breasts and white rice for a while and see if it helps her stomach.

If she does have back strain she would probably be lying around or limping more but, just in case, *don't* let her jump off of anything high (even furniture) - just in case.

Utahmomma
mommy to three dachshunds