Leni is a sweet little dachshund who first came to see Dr. Sheikh after being diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). IVDD is especially common in dachshunds due to their long backs and short legs. The condition occurs when the discs between the vertebrae shift out of place and press against the spinal cord, causing significant pain and in Leni’s case, partial paralysis of her back legs.

Leni’s back pain initially began in September. With pain relief and restricted activity, she improved. Unfortunately, in December her symptoms returned more severely. Her family noticed that she could no longer walk on her own, and her back appeared hunched.

After receiving an official IVDD diagnosis at another veterinary facility, Leni visited our hospital the next day to continue her care under Dr. Sheikh. Following a thorough assessment, Dr. Sheikh customized a treatment plan that would be both effective for Leni and manageable for her family. Over the next several weeks, Leni received a combination of dry needling, electroacupuncture, traditional pain management, alternative supplements, and physical rehabilitation exercises. Much of her progress depended on consistent at home care.

At her first follow up appointment, Leni was already able to stand on all four legs, and she continued to improve at every visit. While Dr. Sheikh created the detailed roadmap for Leni’s recovery, none of it would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of her family. In addition to performing rehabilitation exercises, massages, and enforcing strict activity restrictions, they transformed their home into a safer space for her. Ramps, non slip surfaces, supportive harnesses, and vigilant monitoring for signs of discomfort have now become part of their everyday routine.

Leni’s recovery was truly a team effort, and we’re thrilled to share that she’s now back to playing with her sister and enjoying a pain free life.

Check out a video of Leni playing with her sister >

Leni’s mom shared the heartfelt message that she sent to Dr. Sheikh after her final visit-

“We can't thank you enough for the care, skill, and compassion you showed while treating Leni. What was such a scary and uncertain time for our family became manageable because of your calm guidance and expertise. You clearly have a gift and we feel so very grateful we found you. Your patience in answering our questions, your honesty, and your kindness made all the difference. Seeing our Leni girl slowly coming back to her old self means the world to us. Thank you for being such an incredible veterinarian and for giving our family hope during a very difficult time.”