We have to carry him, carefully, in and out, so he can use the facilities and have some time outside. The rest of the time he sleeps and doesn't really want to move too much. Today he was able to get up on his back legs (wobbly) but still cannot straighten his left rear leg out completely (he is walking on the knuckles and dragging it). He gets his baby aspirin, warm water bath, and back medicine a couple times a day.

He has definitely gotten better, I can only hope his swelling goes down more and he recovers more of his movement again. He has in the past, its just a losing battle though.

At times like this I really feel bad for him. I feel responsible for him. Not that he has the disease, as its a genetic thing in some dachsunds... but more to the fact that I neglected to research the breed before I ever went to get him and didn't ask the right questions. I wouldn't trade him for the world, for he has been one of our better dogs... very smart, great personality, friendly, playful. It is just horribly painful to watch any living creature have medical conditions like this. Enticing him to keep eating. Make sure he uses the restroom. Manually exercise his limbs each day. Watch to see that he stays interested in his surroundings, and isnt being vacant.

The poor chap has gone through one back surgery (that was only when he was 3 years old), which nearly killed the poor little guy. Mother has vowed not to do it again, for it was too much for him. We have gotten him thru several flare ups since... he is now 10. I just hope he continues to get better. We have gotten so close to taking him in to the vet to have him put down several times and he has finally made a turn... I really don't want to lose him, but I don't want him to suffer either. Such connundrums are these.