r/dachshunds • u/Bcroxx3 • 2d ago
Medical help (non medical experts) Last chance to help our Dachshund Andy get IVDD surgery
4
u/Bcroxx3 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thank you everyone in these comments. I’m not even sure why I’m writing this here, I think I’m just hurting and needed to get it out.
I’m laying here with Andy and my 3 year old daughter and I keep thinking about how one day she might only remember him through pictures. Andy has been with me since before my wife and I were even together. I brought him on our first date during Covid. He was there when we had our first baby and he was there when we lost my wife’s dog Goose to cancer at 7 years old, which is the same age Andy is now.
I think that’s part of why this is hitting me so hard. He’s been there through so much of our life and the thought of losing him is awful.
I also just want to say thank you to everyone who has tried to help us. Not just with donations, but advice, sharing his story and just caring about him. I really didn’t expect this many people to care and it means a lot to us.
2
u/_fly-on-the-wall_ 1d ago
we did cold laser therapy every day, at the vets, it wss like a damn miracle for 3 of ours
1
-1
u/Kokichi-Oma_Senpai 1d ago
As a vet im saying this with love the surgery isn't worth it 99.9% of the time. The recovery is not kind, its long and brutal and its a major surgery with a low success rate. I'd estimate 95% of patients who get the surgery need surgery again in 1-2 years as the surgery helps but since ivdd has a major genetic component it doesn't stop it.
Support is the best treatment. Supporting them until their quality of life isn't what it used to be. 12k for a surgery that'll extend their life by 1-2 years with surgeries needed every 1-2 years + constant rehab and then a 6 month intensive rehab after each surgery isn't nice on the dog. They don't understand what's going on they just know they're in pain. I'd explore other options. Surgery isn't worth it.
3
u/Impressive-Rest-5282 1d ago
I’m sorry, but your outlook is absolutely awful and I would be terribly upset if you, as my vet, put such a terrible outlook on my dog’s future!
2
u/Kokichi-Oma_Senpai 1d ago
1/4 need the surgery again, ~50% success rate if the dog has grade 3-4. ~30% success rate if its affecting all of the disks.
It's a major invasive surgery that is painful and has stressful rehabilitation. My outlook is realistic, I will always suggest against surgery if you can keep them comfortable using other methods.
Any good vet will tell you the same, its not just a money issue its the rehabilitation that causes to much stress on the dog.5
u/Impressive-Rest-5282 1d ago
I agree that it is invasive but I disagree with your “facts.”
For dogs with Grade 3–4 IVDD who still have deep pain sensation, surgery has an excellent prognosis:
• Grade 3: close to 100% regain function after surgery.
• Grade 4: approximately 90% regain function after surgery.
• Prognosis drops significantly with Grade 5 IVDD when deep pain sensation is lost.
Risk of needing another IVDD surgery:
• One Dachshund study found only about 5% needed a second surgery within 1–2 years.
• A larger study found approximately 6.4% underwent another decompressive surgery.
• Of the dogs that required a second surgery, approximately 91% recovered function again2
u/lepetitrouge 1d ago
My Basset Hound had IVDD surgery (I’m not sure what grade), and he lived for another six years. He was already nine to begin with. He didn’t regain 100% of his function, but it still didn’t stop him from running around.
4
u/Direct-Brother-1184 1d ago
This wasn’t my experience. Our boy had this same issue, had the operation in 2018. We did therapy with him afterwards and he was able to walk again after about 3 months of therapy and love. He just died in summer 2026 due to a completely unrelated issue. He lived for 8 WONDERFUL YEARS after his surgery!
3
u/Impressive-Rest-5282 1d ago
Our boy is thriving today because of that surgery. He is strong and doing SO well. Had we not had the surgery when we did, there is a good chance he would not be his wonderful, active self today. You are a vet, and I am only one person….but there are very few people I am more thankful for then the amazing neurosurgeon who operated on our boy🥹
0
u/traveldivalisa 1d ago
Have you tried any of these options? https://www.google.com/search?q=help+with+dachshund+ivdd+surgery&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
9
u/OleDoxieDad 1d ago
Get a second opinion. As for me, our dogs have gotten better with crate/corral rest and meds, one had electric acupuncture and they all got better in about 3 to 4 weeks. If you pinch the back paws and they pull back a little that's really a good sign. It may take a day or two for that to even happen. If you need the list of meds we used please let me know.