|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 2, 2015 9:26:04 GMT -7
I'm so glad I found this forum! I've felt quite alone throughout my dogs surgery feeling that there wasn't anyone out there that could understand the utter heart break that I was going through!
My murray is a jack Russell x dauschund and weighs 5kgs in the 23/11/14 at 5pm he lost the use of his back legs we quickly rushed him to our local out of hours bet and ended up at Potters Bar Royal Veterinary College. After a brief consult he was rushed to theatre. At 3am we received the phone call to tell us he had made it through the surgery. The relief I felt cannot be put in words. 2 and a half weeks later we brought him home just in time for Christmas and our daughters 9th birthday. I could never fathom how difficult this was going to be he didn't adapt well to crate rest at all and would howl all night! Being cheeky he needs 2 adults to do his psyio but he's started to walk again very much like bambi but he's walking. I've never been so proud! I think the biggest shock of all was reading his discharge papers and realising that he had in fact ruptured 5 discs in his spine which compressed the cord causing such paralysis. I would love to hear everyone's story
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,564
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 2, 2015 10:38:07 GMT -7
Rachel, welcome to Dodgerlist!! We are glad you found us...was it by search engine, FB, a friend or? At this point almost 6 weeks post-op from November 23, graduation date is this Sunday, Jan 1, 2015! And he is already starting to walk again even if a bit wobbly!! His legs will get stronger as he relearns the art of walking...something like a stroke victim has to learn how to control mind to the act of moving legs properly. There are lots of stories to read in our update Board on this Forum: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/8/updatesAnd on our main website many more surgical success to read about: www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory.htmWhat is the physio you do at home? Would you like to help a future member when trying to make decisions? Would love to have more UK data for our directory where you can share surgical costs: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting Country: Hospital: Address: Cost: Date of surgery: What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.) Comments: We hope Murray is one of the many who have only one disc episode his entire life. However we do know that some dogs can have multiple disc episode. So it is prudent to have a full understanding of the disease Murray was born with. Highly recommend you take our Disc Disease 101 offering to be an IVDD savvy pet parent for Murray: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm |
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 3, 2015 3:50:34 GMT -7
All in all murrays vet bill currently stands at £3932. The spinal surgery itself was £2220. His ct scan was £765 initial consult £350. The rest of the Bill was his medications which he now doesn't take and hospitalisation.
We do psyio 3 times a day which involves me moving his legs around I unfortunately don't know the correct names for the movements we do but it takes me roughly 20 mins as he's very cheeky and tends to walk off! We're back to the royal vet college on Wednesday to see the physiotherapist. Murray is currently aided with outdoor walking on a pair of mikki pants I'm not sure how much the vets charged me for these but I've purchased a spare pair on Amazon for roughly £25.
 ..  ..
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
|
Post by Marjorie on Jan 3, 2015 7:58:07 GMT -7
I'm not familiar with mikki pants, Rachel, but from what I can see on Amazon, they appear to be a diaper type of pants. I'm curious as to how these provide support for outdoor walking. I see that you recommended these to another member instead of a sling. Could you please share a link on Amazon with us to show us what you're referring to? Here's our page on exercises and PT if you'd like to take a look at it and run any of these by your therapist: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmPlease keep us updated on Murray's progress. You're doing a great job with him! |
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,564
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 3, 2015 10:03:43 GMT -7
Rachel, thanks for adding to our vet directory! The Mikki's do not seem to be available in the USA. So tell us more about yours, do they have a strap to hold on to or something that allows you like a long scarf, ace bandage would to keep the spine aligned and the the rear from falling over? What material is it made of? Do you think the Mikki would be an alternative for the BumPad to protect the butt when a dog scoots on the floor or carpet? Let us know what you think as we may be able to suggest the Mikki for our UK members. Here is info about the BumPad to compare with the Mikki. Description of materials and pattern: users.cyberport.net/%7Emilnerwm/bumpad1.html [for dogs who scoot like a frog] |
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 4, 2015 9:12:27 GMT -7
I was given the mikki helpin hands harness by our neuro surgeon. I wasn't keen on them at first but she explain they support him better then a fabric sling that just sits under the belly. The link for them is:Mikki Helping Hand Dog Lifting Harness www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0050CIDVG/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_rxwQub0AXJHGZThere is a long handle to support when walking and a shorter handle which I have yet to find the purpose of Can't quite seem to add a photo of his pants can't work out how to do it |
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,564
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 4, 2015 9:33:46 GMT -7
Rachel, thanks for the exact name of the product: Mikki Helping Hand Dog Support Harness. It is very similar to the Walkabout Back Harness available in the USA. Photos can only be linked to on this Forum. You can upload a photo to our photo gallery for instance and then use the photo's address in a post here. More on Dodgerslist photo gallery: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/put-dodgerslist-photo-gallery-calendar WE'd love to see a graduation photo of Murray, maybe using his Mikki rear harness?? |
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 17, 2015 2:23:35 GMT -7
Ladies I have a question murray is having weekly hydro treadmill sessions and my therapist wants murray to take some supplements especially omega 3 but didn't say what mg to give or a brand she recommends. Have you got any suggestions or experience with this? At the moment I haven't got any but have been cooking murray fish for dinner as a second option  ? |
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Jan 17, 2015 7:02:45 GMT -7
Feeding one sardine (packed in water with no salt added) is preferable to a processed fish-oil pill. A sardine comes with nature’s packaging in the right proportions of calcium via bones, protein from meat, and Omega 3 fatty acids (anti-inflammatory action) in the skin and body itself. The hope is for the dog’s body to use the supply of nutrients in the fish to keep the intervertebral discs hydrated. To date, there is no proof that any supplements on the market do that. Omega-3 derived from cold-water fish such as sardines and anchovies among others, is a wonderful source of two fatty acids crucial to health: DHA and EPA which are also anti-inflammatory. Using Flaxseeds/Flaxseed oil is not the best source of Omega 3 for dogs because the dog cannot directly use the ALA in flaxseed and must convert the ALA to DHA and EPA that the dog can use. Many dogs cannot make the conversion effectively. Supplementing with Salmon Oil can lead to too much Vitamin A and D which can cause liver and kidney problems. Instead of using fish oil supplements, simply feeding one water packed sardine a day will provide the dog not only with those beneficial anti-inflammatory Omega-3 oils, but will also provide good protein. If you decide to supplement with fish oil capsules rather than a sardine a day, If supplementing with Fish Oil Capsules, stop supplementing one week prior to surgery. Consuming high doses may lead to clotting problems and deficiencies of Vitamin E. More info on supplements and IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Supplements.htm |
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 18, 2015 1:24:32 GMT -7
Excellent thank you I was worried about giving him a supplement to be honest and it concerns me the effect it could have on his kidneys and liver.urray has been on a bit of a fish diet since weds but I'm again scared I'm going to over do it he's had cod salmon tuna and sardines not all together but once a day as well as biscuit. Have to say he actually wagged his tail when I cooked his salmon. It's all the little things that make me smile
|
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 18, 2015 1:34:32 GMT -7
 Finally can share photos!!! This is my beautiful murray at hydro on Wednesday |
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Jan 18, 2015 7:33:33 GMT -7
He sure is a handsome boy! Such bright eyes!  |
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 18, 2015 9:13:40 GMT -7
Love him to death!!! Hmm maybe the bright eyes are from all of mummy's home cooked dinners!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,564
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 18, 2015 17:03:29 GMT -7
Rachel, this photo would be a wonderful inspiration to others for our calendar next year. Would you consider uploading it to the Dodgers Gallery with a couple of sentences telling the benefit of hydro treadmill for Murray's progress? Here is how to upload: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/put-dodgerslist-photo-gallery-calendar Murray looks VERY spiffy in his red gear! |
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 19, 2015 0:14:52 GMT -7
I've uploaded a snap shot. Murray does look beautiful. Hydro is something he appears to enjoy much more then his physio!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 27, 2015 0:40:34 GMT -7
 I was advised to get this food with all the supplements murray needs. What do you think ladies? |
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Jan 27, 2015 8:49:05 GMT -7
When looking for a good dog food, you need to look at the first five ingredients. This dog food lists wheat and rice as the first ingredients. Meat would be a much preferable first ingredient. Also powdered cellulose is mainly just a filler. So while the food contains good supplements (like L-Carnitine), the basic food ingredients don't impress me. In my opinion, a good nutritional food is necessary to keep the dog healthy and his immune system strong. www.dogfoodadvisor.com is a good place to research ingredients in dog food and find a good nutritional one. Read up on supplements on our page at www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Supplements.htmAs you can see, Dodgerslist believes that giving one water packed sardine a day instead of a fish oil supplement (or a fish oil contained in a dog food) not only provides the beneficial Omega-3 oils but also provides needed protein. MSM (which this dog food does not have) is a very good supplement to include. Read up on our supplement page about glucosamine, chondroitin. Due to the protective barrier of the BBB and the unique construction of intervetebral discs including very poor blood supply, there is significant doubt and no scientific evidence that joint supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin can help heal or provide nutrition to the discs to help them maintain their moisture to prevent IVDD episodes. |
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,564
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 27, 2015 9:03:55 GMT -7
"THE" most important part of the bag is the list of ingredients which are not shown in your photo. Reading the list of ingredients really takes putting on your detective hat and being able to translate terms which seem like good ingredients to what they are actually. Find a dog food that has two animal proteins listed in the first 3 ingredients, preferably the first two, and that is preserved naturally with vitamin C or E (avoid chemicals BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin or propyl gallate). Look for specifically named meats such as chicken, chicken meal, turkey, turkey meal, lamb, lamb meal, eggs. You will want to read the rest of the article to help you in your detective work: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/nutritionhealing.htmIn general do not choose a food based on joint supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin and probiotics as generally they are not included in large enough doses to actually provide a therapeutic effect in kibble. You will want to learn the rest of the story about supplements and IVDD...here is the article: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Supplements.htm |
|
|
|
Post by John & Marley on Jan 27, 2015 14:48:09 GMT -7
To add to this comment about the food and rice being a filler, the higher quality the food the less filler. There for the poops will be slightly smaller and less times needing to go poopy or less time bent over especially during recovery. Like stated look at ingredients also protein levels and caloric content per serving- A low calorie per serving means you have to feed the dog more and then his poops are bigger or more frequent. One of my dogs ( 22 lbs ) was pooping two times or more a day and the size of a cigar each time, I changed his food and he went to one a day poops { he was not a dog with IVDD ) when I changed his food. Changing foods can cause diarrhea or a irritable bowel and having issues like that with IVDD is stressful for you and your dog.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Jan 28, 2015 0:28:42 GMT -7
The ingredients are in top 3 order cereals, fish and fish derivatives and oils and fats. My vet nurse recommended murray have 90grams a day but in true murray fashion he's refusing to eat it. Told the nurse and she said it's the Jack russel in Murray he's brig stubborn!!! So Murray is currently having a selection of fish during the week on a rotational basis sardines are included in this. Just want the best for him. The nurse said the food is a great way for him to absorb the nutrients rather then a supplement
|
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Feb 6, 2015 1:13:33 GMT -7
We had a check up yesterday with our neurosurgeon. She can't believe the progress murray has made!! Her comments were amazing "he's a million times better since leaving the hospital" the relief is beyond words. We haven't got to back to again but keep up with the hydro and the physiotherapist.
Only thing we have to do is keep an eye on his weight as he's put on 1kg but isn't fat. Very happy mummy today
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Feb 6, 2015 7:53:15 GMT -7
And we're very happy along with you, Rachel. Wonderful update. Thanks so much for letting us know. |
|
|
|
Post by Rachel & Murray on Feb 6, 2015 12:34:02 GMT -7
Thank you for all the advice and support means a lot that you have taken the time to respond |
|
?
