Cocker problem that you might not have suspected

[susysnshn]

We have a three-year-old cocker spaniel that we got from a rescue. Every morning she would bound out of bed full of so much energy that it made us sluggards moan and laugh.

Not last Saturday. She went to bed fine and creeped out of bed the next morning. The doc said it was either a pulled muscle or a slipped disc.

It turns out that cockers are prone to slipped disc syndrome. We still aren't sure this is what she has. Her pain turns out to be centered in her neck (cervical pain).

The biggest help was when the doctor said take the collar off her and use a harness. It was like night-and-day. I won't say that cured her since she is still on five meds (was six) a day. The doctor said it would take six weeks to see if she was ok.

If you have a cocker (or dachsund or any long dog with short legs), consider using a harness instead of a collar. She looks silly because she is too round for a medium and too small really for a large (used for German shepherds). We are looking for a petite plus doggie store.

Also, have you tried Greenies pill pockets for giving multiple pills? We were having to pry her mouth open, which I couldn't do. She gobbles the chicken flavored ones.

[kval07]

I use harnesses for my dogs. Roscoe is an extreme puller who chokes himself, and Chester is a yorkie, who are prone to collapsed tracheas.

I also use Greenies pill pockets. They are expensive, but well worth fighting a dog to take a pill.

[susysnshn]

How long do the pill pockets stay good? Can you freeze them or put them in the fridge or something?

Right now we are giving 7 pills a day so using them up is no problem. But they sure would make giving the monthly heartworm pill easier. But they are too expensive to use once a month.

Any idea on how to keep them fresh or usable?

[kval07]

I have kept mine in the sealed back. Haven't had an issue. I use one a month, sometimes more if one of my dogs has short term meds to take.

[~~Who,Me?~~]

Yes, a cocker can be considered a chondrodystrophic breed (long and low, like a corgi, basset hound or Pekingnese) and a harness is a good idea. Harnesses are also good for brachycephalic dogs (flat skulls) due to breathing problems--bulldogs, pugs, Pekes, etc.

Pill pockets get to be expensive. Try cream cheese or peanut butter-something more difficult for the dog to get off the pill. Or if you want to make a pocket out of something, try squishing bread. Even ground beef is cheaper than pill pockets.

[kval07]

Originally Posted by ~~Who,Me?~~ Pill pockets get to be expensive. Try cream cheese or peanut butter-something more difficult for the dog to get off the pill. Or if you want to make a pocket out of something, try squishing bread. Even ground beef is cheaper than pill pockets.

I agree. I've been on the same bag for over a year. They were $7/bag I think. That was pre-couponing.

[CLN123]

Just slide the pill in a piece of hot dog. They eat it right up. Peanut butter is also good, slides right down.

[neelia]

I agree with the hot dog idea, those are cheap.

With our dog we literally just put it down her throat. She used to try and spit it out, but now she knows we'll just try it again so she just swallows it. We just stick it as far back as we can and hold her mouth shut and get all happy excited and praise her and she forgets it's there usually and gets all excited and swallows it in her excitement.

[cheapcheap]

Hey! We just adopted a 2-3 year old Cocker, too! Luckily, he came pre-trained so we haven't had issues with pulling during walks. Did the doctor say whether the slipped disk can happen during normal activity?

For pilling, I find sweet potatoes work great. Prick a medium sized sweet potato with a fork several times and microwave for about four minutes. I peel off skin from one side and squeeze like toothpaste as needed. I snack on it with them so they think it's a real treat! Maybe my doggies are strange, but I've heard dogs have a sweet tooth, so that may partially explain it?

[sdasilva27]

Does anyone else's dog hate their pills in things? We tried everything with my second chow, cream cheese, peanut butter, hot dog, stick cheese, sliced cheese, pill pockets, bread, putting it in his mouth and holding it shut, etc. One day I just threw it in the bottle of his bowl with his dinner and he ate it no problemo. Now I can put it on top and he'll still take it without even caring it's there. Heartgard and Comfortis were never an issue with either dogs.

I normally use their collars for walks but they do wear harnesses that belt into the car's seat belt whenever they go anywhere.

PS: My sister has a cocker so I'll let her know. Hers just has lots of ear infections and allergies.