My dachshund has the back problems and we are doctoring it with the steroids,vitamin C and the cage. Why can't he hold his urine and bowels?

What do you mean 'the cage', and most importantly, how old is your daschund?

Tick

If your dog is being treated for a back problem, it could possibly be affecting his ability to hold his urine and bowels. Steroids can make him urinate more often than normal. While he needs his cage rest, he may also need to be taken out more often, but just long enough to relieve himself. He will also need more water since the steroids may make him thirstier. Did your Vet tell you that the place of his injury or problem would affect his ability to control his bowel and bladder? And as Tick asked, what is his age, if he is an older dog that also could come into play. Never a bad thing to touch base with his Vet about this and get his/her advice.

Cage rest is to lessen the chance of further hurting, or damaging, his back injury. Since the steroids help with both the swelling and pain, most dogs will feel like returning to normal activity too soon. Some type of which is what probably got him into this position to begin with. Hence, the cage when indoors, and the leash (yes?) when going out. Most sore backs tend to constipation since it hurts too much getting into 'position'. As the pain lessens, he may just be making up for lost opportunities, and will return to more normal habits in a short time?

Steroids also increase appetites... but not necessarily the need for more food, just the desire.

I don't like the sound of the caging really, especially if the OP doesn't realize what the meds will do to the dog's bladder. An older dog will be completely upset by this, especially if he/she were able to relieve themselves on a regular basis.

I have gone through this experience, but with a much larger elder dog. It was hell for her not to be able to get out fast enough to relieve herself.

Tick

I don't agree with kennel training, and have never used it.

Tick

Cage, Kennel, Crate... a kennel by any other name is still a cage...

Some dogs have a greater amount of mobility than others with a disk problem. For them, the pain goes away soon, and keeping them from thinking things were back to normal, and "isn't it wonderful to be able to run and JUMP again..." Restricted movement thus means kennel rest, at least for a while.

If you have ever seen an IV disk dog who was allowed too much exercise too soon, come back into the clinic paralyzed and needing major neurological surgery for any hope of walking again, (long sentence !). Well, it makes a couple weeks of 'bed rest' and restricted exercise a lot easier to prescribe.

The steroids don't usually stay with the treatment for too long... maybe a week? So the potty problems are not long standing.

I meant to say "For SOME, the pain goes away soon,.....
also : "isn't it wonderful to run and JUMP again... " is next to impossible without mounting a 24 hour watch.
Sorry about the confusion... it's all on this end now, I hope.

Our poodle had back issues. Our vet at that time recommended crating, and it worked. Actually, the crating itself didn't do well (our dog resisted it, ended up trying to get out of the crate and damaging his nose), but tying him to a table for a few weeks (limiting his mobility) strengthened his back, and because of that, the surgery that may have been needed, and the meds, weren't necessary.

Crating is necessary in many back injury cases.

The potty issues should go away once the steroids are no longer necessary. Until then, make sure to take the dog for more frequent potty breaks.

Dachshunds are sadly a breed that are infamous for back issues because of their build. Hopefully the meds and rest will help.

Good luck.

I read a blog, a while back, that stated some chiropractors treat dogs. They just don't advertise it.

This lead me to taking my 8 year old mini dachshund to the chiro and he realigned her back. Her injury was originally caused by a dog accidentally pouncing on her and since then, she sometimes has problems going up and down stairs, etc. When this occurs, I bring her in for an adjustment and she always responds well.

I also have a dorkie. (half doxie / half yorkie). She dislocated her shoulder 3x's in a matter of a year. So, I also brought her to the chiro who adjusted her shoulder. She hasn't had any problems in over a year.

This Dr. uses a tool that looks like a pen with a rubber black flat tip. Its kind of like when you click the top of the pen to allow the ink point to come out. He feels with his finger and used the black flat tip to adjust their areas "over" his finger. In other words, the tool really never touches the dog. He uses the force over his finger to push the vertebra or joint back into it's proper place. I believe just like humans, when your joints, vertebra, etc. are out of line, it can push on nerves and can cause pain or or cut off signals to particular areas in the body.

This chiro has helped me with this problem more than my vet ever has.

This is based on my opinion and own experience. I hope it helps.