Roy's Abbie 1/14 & 2/7 Surgery — Toronto, Canada GRAD: 5/1

Thanks Pauliana, The VEC called this morning to say Abbie was doing well and that she was better (in terms of movement) than she was when she was admitted so that is good news. They want to keep her for at least another 24 hours to monitor her for any bleeding etc.

I already printed out the discharge questions and have prepared a med table from the example on this site which I will complete when I know what meds she is on and doses. I have her recovery suite well under way and will be purchasing memory foam later today. I have made wire clips to hold her food an water bowl to the side of the x-pen so can adjust height to suit.

There is just my wife and myself + 2 other mini's Oliver, a 4 year old SH cream and Josephine, almost 2 years old and SH white with grey specs with tan on muzzle and paws.

Thanks for your support and for the wealth of information on this site- I will update when I know more

Roy

What a happy day to have Abbie back home PLUS doing so well post-op!!! Are the pain meds sufficient that you see no signs of pain nearing next dose (shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy )? Thank you for the update.

Would you consider helping another trying to make decisions… We have a directory where you can share surgical costs: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting

State:
Hospital:
Address:
Cost:
Date of surgery:
What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.)
Comments:

It's always a challenge when the weather is cold to tell whether shivering is from the cold or from pain. Does she usually shiver when going out in the cold? She's on a low dose of Tramadol so if you see any sign of pain (more shivering or trembling than usual or when not cold or other signs as Paula detailed), contact the surgeon to let them know so the meds can adjusted, especially during the taper of the Tramadol. It can take 2-4 weeks for the swelling from the surgery to resolve.

Prayers for a complete recovery for Abbie.

Abbie had her stitches out on the 28th and neurologist said she was pleased with her progress. We were told to walk her a little more around the house to maintain the strength in her back end. Abbie is walking very well and would break into a run if not for the leash. She is completely off the meds now, eating and drinking normally.

On Wednesday one of my fellow Canadian Dachshund Rescue volunteers reached out for help as her dog (standard dachshund) was having problems, clearly in pain and had been to the local vet who was treating with meds. I advised her to take the dog (Dash) to the VEC in Toronto which she did that evening. Dash was examined by Dr. Kilburn (the surgeon who operated on Abbie) and from the symptoms Dash presented he was not entirely sure it was IVDD so recommended they do x-rays and an MRI. The MRI was positive in identifying IVDD and Dash had his surgery the following morning, I am pleased to say he came home today and is doing well.

Hi Paula, Neurologist recommended approx. 4 weeks then re assess. Abbie has had 2 weeks crate rest and walks for potty breaks. When she had her stitches out we were told to allow her to walk inside the house but out of the way from the other dogs. We were also encouraged to take her for short walks (5 minutes) if the weather was cooperating which it has not. We have her on her harness and walk her around the rooms on the main floor 3-4 times a day and then she is in the X-pen which is now opened to 4 feet by 4 feet.  The neurologist has asked us to call in 2 weeks and update on Abbie's progress and then in a further two weeks.

Re Dash I will contact his Mom and ask her to join the forum

Roy, I'm sorry to hear that Abby needed another surgery. But very good news that she has been already able to take some footsteps.

We will be waiting to hear more as you learn more. Let us know how long the surgeon would want crate rest for this 2nd surgery.

Hello Roy, how much does Abbie weigh? She is on a very light dose of pain medication, is it controlling her pain? I know 6 more weeks in the crate sounds like a long time to you right now but it will pass and soon this nightmare will be over. Good luck and we are glad you have her home.

Hi Debbie, Abbie is approx. 9lb and the meds seem to be controlling her pain (although I have read other posts and the dogs of similar weight seem to be on a higher dose?), we sit on the floor besides her recovery pen most of the time and do not see any shivering - the only time she shivers is when she has been outside for her bathroom breaks, we have tracks cut in the snow and it is around -12C, forecast down to -23 tonight so I am putting the shivering down to the cold as when she has been back in for a few minutes she no loner shivers.

We are patient and are both retired and will all this snow have no plans to go outside or anywhere other than the grocery store for food for the next few weeks.

We have no intention or desire to rush her recovery - our main focus is to do everything we can to ensure a full and complete recovery.

Hi Paula,

We don't know for sure what the med schedule was while she was in the hospital but if anything like last time it was 1 x 10mg tramadol and 1 x 50mg gabapentin every 8 hours for the first 5 days (she was in hospital 5 nights this time).

She is still on the same dose
9 lbs [10mg tramadol + 50mg gabapentin] but every 12 hours for 5 days then it reduces to the same dose every 24 hours for 5 days (tramadol AM & gabapentin PM).

On the previous surgery Abbie was in hospital 2 nights post op then came home, this time 5 nights post op before coming home. I have noticed that although the potty walks are short, seems to be walking better this time than the previous??

These are our instructions:

Monitor incision for any redness, swelling, discharge, pain or breakdown of the incision line. If you notice any of these clinical signs, contact the VEC.

For the next 4 to 6 weeks, restrict Abbie to a crate or small room when she is unsupervised.

Carry outside for short leash walks on a level surface for bathroom breaks only. Sling of hind end as discussed/required. To be reassessed at the time of suture removal.

For the next 4 to 6 weeks do not permit Abbie to have access to stairs or be allowed to run, play, or jump (including on and off furniture) and avoid slippery surfaces such as hardwood or ceramic floors. No playing with toys.

Do not allow Abbie on the bed to avoid her falling or jumping off the bed during the night.

If you have other animals in the house please prevent them from playing for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Physiotherapy as discussed.

No baths until suture removal to allow proper healing of surgery site, but you can use a wet towel to clean her feet and hind end.

Monitor Abbie for any discomfort, lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea or any abnormal behaviour. If you notice any of these clinical signs please call the VEC.

Recheck appointment 2 weeks from the surgery date, at this time the sutures will be removed (this will be Feb 21 approx.)

Hi Marjorie,

We have three furkids and they all shiver when coming in from the cold. It was -27 this morning (-37 with wind chill) and I was shivering

Our dogs are always carried up/down stairs, the only step that Abbie has previously jumped up is from the garden to the deck and deck to porch. I have built a ramp which the other two use but Abbie has always avoided the ramp so we will work on that once she becomes more mobile.

Abbie will be in the 2' x 2' pen for the duration of the crate rest, we have no intention of letting her roam even in a small room.

PT - there was not much discussion about this apart from letting her walk a few minutes 4 -5 times a day (harness and leash of course). I think she will have enough with the walking during bathroom breaks - Abbie is very fussy and always has been about finding right spot. as soon as she is done I pick her up and carry her back inside to her pen.

After reading you information on physical rehabilitation "The importance of passive exercise continues until voluntary movements begin to return, then passive exercise is no longer needed" I am not sure if you are recommending PT as Abbie can walk so has voluntary movement??

As always your support and advice is so much appreciated

Thanks Marjorie,

Abbie seems to be walking easier each day and is bright and alert which is a good sign, we only walk her during potty breaks. She is booked in next Wednesday to be reassessed and to have the sutures removed.

I now have the neurologist email and have been emailing updates every second day

Thank you for your support and for providing this fantastic website - the wealth of information is awesome

Happy crate rest graduation, Abbie.. don't do stairs little girl! All you have to do is look cute and your Dad, Roy would carry you up or down.. Nothing like service like that,right?  

I am so happy you are back to your fun life again.. Be safe and enjoy!