Thanks Joe.

You will never hear one peep out of me, ever complaining about exercising a dog. This other option is just no fun at all, for everyone involved.

And it's three stairs off the porch that he uses. They're not super steep but often covered in snow this time of year.

It was funny, I had a run in with a stair (not these) last summer and earlier this winter, Bob said we better get some salt for those steps. Vince had a pretty bad cut on his front pad at that time and I said no way are we risking getting anything in there even though he was booted when he went out.

He's got this little snow shovel and keeps them pretty darn clean. They're not the widest stairs, not sure what an extra plank would add to that mix. It's a really good idea though.

I like the way you've laid it out there too, sounds fairly simple. I wonder if the snow would ice up on the turf stuff. I can just see that salt conversation coming back to haunt me.

Hopefully it won't be too much longer, the weather and Vince's restrictions.

We've got the weirdest weather right now. We get slushy rain, then it's nice for a day and this evening it's snowing again.

Just don't let him jump thru snow.

He loves jumping thru the snow.

But no, we have a shoveled path to where they relieve themselves and, believe it or not, as countrified as we are there is a school bus that goes thru our community.

We have a corner lot on two of the four biggest streets. There are six in total.

In any case, they maintain our roads. And Vince and I just walk up and down the road.

So we're on day 4 of every other day, starting the prednisone weaning process. This will go on for another 10 days, another 5 half pills. He still has a bit of weakness but you wouldn’t know it to see him move.

Standing up sheepishly and hanging head...My name is CJ and I am a failure at trying to keep a herniated disc dog down.

Last weekend I let him run and run and he just so enjoyed it. And we've taken him on a few flat trailed mountain walks, with no leash, free to explore the fresh smells as nature is springing up.

It was about a week ago that he seemed to plateau, at a really mobile level. There is the odd time when I'll catch one foot standing on the other, just briefly, but I know the neurological issues are still there. He doesn't quite have full control back there yet.

The vet hasn't called and we really haven't had anything new to report, so I haven't contacted her. I'm not quite ready to take my ear bashing yet.

But it's not like he gets to go comply wild, it's just a little off leash action on soft, flatter type surfaces. He seems so much better, physically and mentally, after he's had a chance to really stretch his legs and it's giving me a chance to better assess where things are at. How's that for rationalizing my bad behavior.

Yes, I know I have a problem but being exposed to the perfect opportunities and those few minutes of watching him in sheer ecstasy is just so powerful, it takes over any control I have over the leash clip.

The weather has been really nice the last couple of days and this usually starts to bring the ticks out. I'm going to call Vince's regular vet tomorrow and get some Advantix to have on hand should we see any.

Does anybody know anything about possible reactions with Advantix and Prednisone? (Diversion tactics , yes I need help)

I've never heard of any interactions. Good try!

You know...maybe at this point some running isn't bad for him. You would probably know if it was hurting him right? I really don't know much about disc issues but people with them must abstain from lifting, bad posture (anything that strains the back, putting pressure on the disc)etc....but walking is good for them as is water exercises (not sure about swimming). Just don't do agility. LOL

Maybe your vet should scold me too.

It's so hard, isn't it?

I'm not going to scold. Life is.

Nerve and back issues can be really tricky and weird. Who really knows whether exercise is bad for his situation? If he's not super worse after a run, then I don't imagine it's doing much harm. If he's more likely to have a crazy zooomy break if he's kept on strict rest- I'd imagine that would be worse than a less crazy hike. For my last dog with knee issues, the hikes and runs were fine. Zooming around and zig-zagging madly after a ball or playing with another dog was ten times worse than a 5 hour hike ever was.

I'm hoping Vincent will recover with time and less intense exercise. If you can, be careful to avoid any crazy squirrel-chasing dashes with sharp turns, or quick stops and turns associated with chasing a ball or tug.

I totally emphathize. If I were to scold you, I'd feel like a hypocrite.

I had a dog on Frontline take a course of prednisone. I don't remember any issues. Ask the vet or maybe do an on-line search for drug interactions if you want to make doubly sure. Ticks already, eh! We still have 3 feet of snow on the ground.

You said in the past, that my dog's recovery gave you confidence in the course of treatment you have chosen. However, you need to know that I followed the medical directions I was given from day one. There were no off leash walks (on leash for potty only) and certainly NO off leash runs or mountain walks. If you continue to stubbornly refuse to follow the professional medical advice you were given, I feel that you are playing "russian roulette" with your dog's spinal cord. You may get away with or not. But, if you are not lucky, it is your dog that will pay the price. I am going to stop now because I feel myself sliding into dialogue from LB forum era 2006.

Mary, yourself and many other members of this forum have provided me a wealth of information regarding this injury. Maintaining the integrity of that information as well providing the most accurate account of my experience will override any hesitation I may have in exposing my errors.

I was hesitant about posting this update, knowing full well what I had allowed was going against the Dr's very strong advice as well as the very knowledgeable information I have received here.

We have an acre of land at our home. Last weekend the snow/ice had just come off and we were out clearing up the lawn of all the hidden winter treasures. I had him tethered to me and the other dogs were out, frisky in the spring air, enjoying themselves.

I’m sure you and many folks here know the determination and energy of the dog I'm dealing with. The forlorn look on his face just broke my heart. I let him go. He ran and ran. Nothing purposeful, just circling the yard in happiest gait I've seen in a long time.

As well, with the snow off all the lower roads, and the evening staying lighter longer, taking him to the mountains and walking on a dirt road (well mud) as opposed to walking him up and down our streets, didn't seem like that big of a stretch. Letting him off the leash was.

I didn't let him wander more than about 15 feet in either direction and the walks weren't quite a half an hour (she said we could increase it a bit depending on how he was presenting) but, yes, there was some trotting around.

Mary, I don't think anyone can be any harder on me than I've been on myself, thinking I'm not capable of following simple directions and how devastating that impact can be.

I really do appreciate your direct approach. It has hit home and given me that "wake up" poke (well, I'm taking it more like a sledge hammer over the head), to knock me off that path of complacency that I was certainly headed. He doesn't look any worse for wear, at this point, but I can see where continuing on this path is far too premature.

I don't know what went on in 2006 but that was just the help I was looking for, Thank You!

And Ben, you are correct, on both counts. The diversion tactic failed and applying a dose of Advantix will have no adverse reaction while on prednisone - straight from a vet. I was going to book an appointment if Vince's vet was there, just for an interim, cursory check, but he's not back until April 1st.

And Kiersten, the snow is off the lower ground where we are. Traveling half a mile up will get us into a good foot and half still. And yeah, seems early but we've had ticks early as early as March 24th and the weather's been really nice the last few days, 15 C. on Friday. A bit unusual and plenty warm to bring them out.

And yeah, hard doesn't begin to describe it. Please folks, keep your dogs safe, these injuries are just no fun at all.

I take it a sudden direction change while running could put him out then? Isn't that the danger? I don't know much about it, but I remember clients had dogs with disc issues and they weren't allowed to run crazy or jump...and we had to be careful picking them up. I would never chance him making some sudden move or aggravating it by too much.

Is it safe for him to run next to you on leash? Sorry I dunno, I'm just hoping there's some safe amount for him. I don't know how you do it, if he's anything like Logan, I can only imagine trying to restrict him. I would be worried the other dogs would accidentally hurt him playing though.

Logan would hurt himself in a crate getting riled up from confinement. You should see him after being in his run all day, if I miss our morning walk. Yeah I make him sit for the leash and all, but he screams the whole time (who knows what the neighbor's think I'm doing to him)...he's just telling me he doesn't like missing his walk. He'd have to be sedated or allowed some exercise if injured, I dunno what I would do. I feel for you.