Three days ago, my otherwise playful 3.5 year old french bulldog was moving and walking normally, but had a hard time sitting, so I laid him down so he could sleep. When we woke up the next morning (two days ago), his hind legs were completely paralyzed. I was devastated as it appeared to have come from nowhere.I rushed him to the vet, who diagnosed him with IVDD and gave him a regimen of steroids/anti-inflammatories, Pepcid AC and strict cage rest. He received a shot of steroids during the first vet visit, and another one yesterday (the following day). I broke down at the vet at one point. The vet was concerned that if he doesn't poop or pee by himself within 72 hours (or even walk), the prognosis is dire.I took him home, and he's been in the cage ever since.Starting today, I am giving him prednisone pills as prescribed. He got his first pill this morning.He wouldn't poop or pee for the first 24 hours, but started peeing yesterday -- irregularly though -- either when I'd pick him up, or outside, or in his cage. He keeps sniffing his cage, most likely because he releases in it and tries to move away from it.This morning, he finally pooped. I started by massaging his butt, then he took a couple of steps with his front legs, with me holding up his rear legs and he pushed some poop out by himself. Not too much, but it was solid and looked normal.He has good appetite and drinks water normally.However, he still has no strength in his back legs. He just sits there and has to drag himself.Does anyone have any experience with this situation? I am worried about the lack of movement in his legs. Should I have seen improvement by now? I don't know how to interpret his irregular pee and poop - should he have better bladder control by now? Can a dog with a bad case of IVDD recover with conservative treatment?Any experience that anyone is able to share will be helpful and comforting. I am devastated, crying and just wanting him to get better.I have a follow-up appointment with the vet tomorrow. I absolutely cannot afford surgery.Thanks for reading this -- any insight welcome. via /r/dogs http://ift.tt/2qEOgsO
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