A miniature dachshund named Cookie went viral on social media after her owner shared pictures of her recovery from a spinal disorder.
In a video that has been viewed more than 300,000 times on Tik Tokowner Leo Hoang, from London, explained how he spotted the early warning signs and what he did to address them.
“She is usually a very happy and affectionate dog, however when we noticed she didn’t want to get out of bed or join us in a hug, we knew something was wrong,” Hoang said. news week. “In November 2022, she began to show signs of lethargy and not wanting to move. We took her to the vet, who then prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication along with two weeks of cage rest.
“However, about a month later, she started showing the same symptoms. We took her for a short walk and noticed her right leg wasn’t quite right. This is the beginning where the IVDD diagnosis became more apparent.”
In images on Hoang’s TikTok page @sausagevlog, Cookie’s right leg can be seen dangling slightly from under her. However, when they went to the vet, the problem seemed to be gone.
The next day, Cookie was massively degraded overnight. “I was surprised to see him walk slowly the night before and not be able to stand up eight hours later,” Hoang said. “It’s crazy how fast that happens!”
Cookie went back to the vet and was referred for an MRI on January 19. The scan confirmed that Cookie suffered from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a degenerative disorder in which the gelatinous cushions between the vertebrae swell and rupture.
“It really broke our hearts,” Hoang said.
IVDD is caused by a variety of genetic, physical, and lifestyle-related risk factors. DachshundDogs are 10 to 12 times more likely to develop the condition compared to other dog breeds, with 19 to 24 percent showing clinical signs during their lifetime.
IVDD can be treated with surgery, although there is no guarantee that the pup will be able to walk again.
“We have been informed that he will need four weeks of cage rest and that he has a 75 percent chance of walking again,” Hoang said immediately after surgery. “Only time will tell how things will progress, but in short, you shouldn’t be in pain anymore.”
Twelve weeks later, Cookie is 90 percent back to normal, although her legs are still a little wobbly at times. “The advice our physical therapist has given us is that she can be anywhere from six to 18 months post-op to be where she was before the IVDD, so we’re taking it day by day with physical therapy and light exercise,” Hoang said. .
Fortunately, the surgery does not seem to have had an impact on his personality. “She’s just as cheeky and sweet as she was before,” Hoang said. “Her personality of hers is 100 percent fully recovered and she is testing so many limits! But this is due to her very cheeky nature of hers which is very hers!”
Hoang hopes the video of Cookie’s recovery will help spread awareness of the condition among pet owners. “I would encourage everyone to check their pet’s insurance to make sure everything is up to date and they have enough coverage for the surgery,” she said. “I also encourage you to learn as much as you can about IVDD if you have a dog that is predisposed to it.”
However, a predisposition to IVDD should not prevent your dog from living a fun and fulfilling life. “Even though IVDD is a problem, I would strongly advise any dachshund owner not to live with anxiety about his pup getting it,” Hoang said. “Enjoy today and know that if the day comes there is still a chance of a positive outcome and as long as your pup is pain free he can still live a happy life!”