Gertie is on crate rest for the second time in three weeks. She woke up screaming a couple of days before Christmas and was lame in her left front leg. The vet discovered that she has disc disease and showed me the problem area in her neck. She recovered after a week - about the time she finished her meds.

Friday, it started affecting her back legs. She woke up and couldn't control her back legs. She was walking as if she was drunk. She didn't seem to be in any pain and wasn't incontinent. Back to the vet. She is now on total crate rest for at least a week. Her meds were increased and are to be given for a longer period of time.

Gertie doesn't seem to mind being in the crate and is doing better so it seems to be helping.

I hope she improves enough to never go through this again, but it's doubtful. If she has the same problem in a week or so, I will have to make a tough decision.

She's the youngest of my three, and has always been the healthiest. I know the other two aren't going to be around much longer but I never thought I would lose Gertie so soon.