[Dailydrool] IVDD and Differences

[Pamela McQuade via Dailydrool]

Our Abner had IVDD and had surgery by a surgeon who I only met after the 
surgery. I don't often call people jerks, but this guy fit that mold 
perfectly. If I'd met him beforehand and had time to play with, I would 
have gone elsewhere for the surgery. Years later I learned that if the 
work on the back is less than perfect, things do not line up ideally, 
and the bones of the vertebrae can rub, causing pain. The surgeon we 
went to when Abs had cancer suggested that we give him glucosamine and 
chondroitin for his back. Once we did that, his pain went away.


When we tried it and Abs's aggression left him, I could have kicked 
myself around the block. I had thought of using c&g, but my vet was not 
enthusiastic. It seems that it sometimes works, but other times it 
doesn't. You have to use it for six weeks or more before you know if it 
works. Also, since it is a nutraceutical and unfamiliar to them, many 
vets doubt it.


My advice--and I am not a vet--is that everyone who has an IVDD dog 
should try it. It probably will not hurt (though you might check with 
your vet on this) and it might be a huge help. Ignore the doubts and 
give it a try.


By the way, Abs evidently agreed with me about this vet, who was very 
cocky about not getting bitten. Later on they told me he had bitten a 
vet tech and a vet. I hope it was the cocky vet because when we went for 
a checkup, Abs ran away from him and the vet started chasing him down in 
a way that asked to be bitten. In the end, I could have bitten him 
myself. (I did feel sorry for the vet tech, though, since I think she 
was just trying to do her job.)


Before he went in for surgery, Abs was the sweetest boy with no 
aggression issue. I know it was the pain that made him bite. I wouldn't 
wish that on anyone with an IVDD dog--and I'm happy that most of them 
don't seem to be as emotionally delicate as Abs was and do not take it 
out on their humans.


Bev, I am most amused by your comments on the differences between boy 
and girl bassets. It is my theory that boy bassets learn early, from 
their mamas, that girls are to be obeyed. The basset world is 
undoubtedly a matriarchal society. We have had three females and four 
males. None of my males has ever thought to lead the pack. Our current 
two boys coexist pretty much on an even level. But those girls! Jane was 
our first hound and ruled the pack from the day we got boy Belvedere. 
Alexis, who came to us as a senior and had obviously never lived with 
another dog, did not try to take over the pack. She pretty much ignored 
the other dogs. But when Holly walked in the door, Jane was twelve. The 
younger Holly decided she would be in charge and pushed our bossy Jane 
off her throne. Holly ruled over Jane (who kept some special privileges 
for giving up the throne) and our boys until she died.


Basset girls always rule. They are tough cookies, even though they are 
sweet to the humans. I'm not surprised Doc figured out that it was 
better to let Merta Lou be in charge than fight. He certainly would have 
lost.
Pam, food slave to the Dashing Bassets