IVDD

[Maria Casanova-Richards]

My 3 year old Frenchie, Lexi, was just diagnosed on Wednesday after a couple of days of just not acting like herself. By that I mean she was not running around like a lunatic. She was spending a lot of time under my bed and wouldn't come out - even when I crawled under there with her! The vet gave her a cortisone shot and prescribed a muscle relaxant and pain med and told us to keep her crated for two weeks.

My question (I didn't ask the vet) is: if I confine her to a small laundry room with no place for her to jump to or from, is it ok to not also put her in crate?

I want to make this as easy for her as possible but want to make sure I'm doing the right thing?
Thanks for any advice.

[Trish]

If it were me, I would keep her in her crate for the next two weeks and not in the laundry room. Usually the reason that they are told to be given crate rest is so that they can be kept very quiet and lay down and rest. If she is in the laundry room, she can end up pacing around a lot, and jumping up and down to try and get out. When she is in her crate, she is more likely to lay down and get the rest that she really needs.

[Maria Casanova-Richards]

Thanks, that's what I decided to do. It's just sad to see her in there. The vet did say that I could take her on short walks and I've been doing that as often as possible. I can't wait until she's back to her crazy little self!

[fran and dari]

Crate rest means REST..and short walks means just to go out enough to do her business...not short walks often..It means a couple of walks and then the rest of the time in the crate..
I know it is hard to see your dog in the crate..but it is the best thing...

Remember: short walks means just enough to do what needs to be done.. then back into the crate..period..She needs to be as still as possible for the entire two weeks to allow the inflamation to recede..Walking only delays healing.