yea i think it's just how doctors are wording it to "laymen".  I've done so much research on the subject that "shaving" the disc doesn't make sense now.  They pull the inner nucleus pulpus through the outer layer.  So basically force-herniate the disc and remove the NP.   I went today and he thinks my disc herniated causing me all the pain a few weeks ago.  I thinks that the herniated nucleus probably fell off and disolved in my body.  He said he's not gonna plan the surgery for me for a few weeks at least, he wants to see if it gets better again.  He also said no surgeon will even operate on me just now because of the problems I had a few weeks ago being so recent.   Got more pills to take also  :-S                                                                                                                                                                             

Have you considered seeing a VET? Just for a balanced view on the situation.                                                                                                                                                                             

Maybe we should have a whip round and buy him a mobility scooter and pimp it up lol