Yes, I can understand why you would be sceptical - having seen a dacshund with a severe spinal problem who literally couldn't move for the pain, except to shake, Jem certainly isn't in this league of pain at the moment. The second vet said that on a scale of 1-10 (1 being the lowest, 10 being the most severe) she would be a 1 at the moment (the dacshund the vet told me would score a 9 or even a 10), but it was the 'at the moment' that we should be concerned about.
I'm not suggesting she is in
severe pain at all and I'm sorry if I have implied this was the case. But having seen her reaction to the examinations for myself twice, there is definitely
something wrong - I know my dog and she
was in pain!
Personally I want to know what it is that's causing it (and so am therefore glad of the scan the vet has recommended, even if it shows up something very minor) so I don't risk doing any further damage/make whatever the problem is worse, but also so I am prepared if it should turn out to be something long term which is a possibility. Also there is differing treatment depending on what the problem actually is. I also want to know whether she can carry on with agility or not, as I would much rather have a pain free dog, than carry on doing something which though she loves it, could cause her problems further down the road.
I am hesitant to go against both vets' advice which was, for the time being, strictly no exercise. Personally I don't feel qualified to make that call - I feel guilty enough at the prospect that I may have been causing her pain already, if I was to make the situation worse, even though I thought I was doing the best for her in the short term, I would never forgive myself.
I hope that makes sense. At the end of the day, she is my dog and I want to feel I have done my best for her which for me is to follow the advice of my vets.