My dogs name is Seth. A black Spaniel.  Hes 4.

So why write a blog about my dog?    Well hes been in the hospital for 3 weeks after collapsing paralysed from the middle of his back, right down his back legs.   This is apparently a common problem with Spaniels (and Daschunds) where their spine or more specifically the cartiledge in between the vertibrae just crumbles.  This collapses/explodes/implodes or just plain moves, touches the spinal cord and Bingo! paralysed.  Last year same time, our other Spaniel was found paralysed, couldnt walk, back legs dragging..same thing as Seth.   She was operated on and has made a full recovery but unfortunately Seth is a different story.

The reason for this blog is to note any small improvements day by day in his movement.  Its going to be tough going for him, and the family.  The poor little guy has developed an ear infection and a UTI (caused by his cathater), added to that the lack of movement in his legs has meant his muscles have wasted away, so now its strict massage and physio 4 times a day with a pharmacy list of drugs to keep the infection down. 

As I mentioned we found him unable to walk and in quite a bit of pain, the surgeon (same one that operated on our other dog) was not sure exactly what was causing the problem as the symptoms were presenting differently on the MRI and the prognosis looked really bad.  However, with the help and care of the nurses hes made small improvements over the last 3 weeks, the first was watching his stub (tail) wag, not a frantic 100 mile hour wag as it used to be, but  a gentle tick...tock.  Then small movements in his left leg, and the ability to stand on his back legs for a few seconds.

With these tiny improvements and his whole demeanour on the up we were allowed to bring him home yesterday.   He was happy, wanted to go for a walk (or a drag!) and seemed great.  This morning it seems the infection has really taken hold and hes not looking great.  Wont eat, wont drink, wont walk.  So we just give him his therapy and he falls asleep.

Managed to get some antibiotics down his kneck but not sure they will do the trick.

Fingers crossed we see some improvement in his health tomorrow never mind his ability to walk 2 steps back 1 step forward....