Thanks for the question XXXXXXXX.

While I cannot diagnose this over the internet I can tell you the following :

1. I know you have come here for answers and have most likely come to this conclusion yourself but in your breed the symptoms you describe are most likely down to back pain.

2. This is a situation you should be aware of but it is difficult to treat except symptomatically and being sensible with stairs etc. and exercise.

3. At its lowest level this disease will be just occasional back or neck pain such as a human may experience but sometimes the diseases progresses and becomes a slipped disk type scenario, this can be very serious leading to paralysis. In the early stages x-ray will not reveal much ...

I am sorry I cannot suggest any home remedy here as there is such a range of diagnosis, accordingly my advice is that you should have your vet check your dog over again..

If I have not covered your question fully enough or you would like to ask more I will be online for the next hour or so and I will be at your disposal.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Hello again,

It could well be that prednisone would have the best effect as it is a steroid type drug as opposed to a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like rimadyl, they are as different as chalk and cheese.

A cat scan would be the way to go I know it is expensive though. At the end of the day your treatment options would be rest plus drugs such as you are using or surgery if things deteriorate, but of course first you need a diagnosis.

The bottom line here is that this type of problem can often become chronic in your breed and stay with the dog for long periods of time if not life, it is all down to the architecture of the elongated Dachshund back ...

Regards,

Scott

Glad to assist you,

Cat scan would be the way to go if at all possible then you can make the right informed decisions if things deteriorate in the future.

At the end of the day none of this is your fault, clearly you look after your dog well, the problem is down to breeders who continue to produce dogs with these long backs,

Good luck,

Scott

No problem, glad to talk things over with you ...

Regards,

Scott