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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 12, 2015 6:59:55 GMT -7
Sandy is wagging her tail nonstop this morning when we talk to her!!!!!
I thought about getting her a small pool but haven't yet. I did order a life vest that should be here in a few days.
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Post by Ann Brittain on Jul 12, 2015 8:54:38 GMT -7
Great news for you and Sandy! Before beginning any therapy you should consult with your surgeon. Here is information you should read before starting swim therapy. Swim Therapy
The DL link on home water therapy: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm
Or if you have a rehab clinic nearby you could consider taking Sandy for treadmill therapy. This YouTube video explains how underwater treadmill therapy works and those concepts also can carry over to home water therapy:
It is more beneficial with neuro problems to use underwater treadmill where the dog can feel the floor. However, we have no rehab clinic in our area and Buster made great strides with in home bathtub sessions. You can do a lot of the same exercises the PT recommends in the tub. Keep us posted as Sandy continues to heal!
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 13, 2015 7:44:41 GMT -7
We have NO clinics or therapies that are offered her in southern Louisiana. I was really bummed to find none. I think that I am going to try to find her a kiddie pool today.
Her kennel was wet with urine this morning. Do you think that this means her bladder function could be returning? I only expressed a tiny bit of urine this morning.
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 13, 2015 8:01:47 GMT -7
Usually a dog will not wet in the space where they sleep. Finding wet bedding usually means that the bladder has overflowed. To help with that overnight, try not to give any water several hours before bedtime and be sure to express well before bed.
To test for return of bladder control, you need to do a sniff and pee test. Take Sandy to a spot where she's peed before, let her sniff and see if she can release urine on her own. If she can, then bladder control is returning. You may still need to express her after she goes on her own until you're sure that she's emptying her bladder completely on her own.
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 13, 2015 11:05:25 GMT -7
Marjorie we were told to leave water for her due to the excessive thirst from the steroid. She doesn't stand on her own so how can I do a sniff and pee test? Doxiemomomann the doc told us to do the PT and that we could do the small pool when she came home.
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 13, 2015 11:34:22 GMT -7
Yes, Sandy will have increased thirst while on the steroid. However, it's not healthy for the bladder to fill to the point of overflowing. It can stretch the bladder out of shape and the longer urine lies in the bladder, the more risk there is of a urinary tract infection developing. Be sure the bladder is completely flat (hands feel like they almost meet when expressing) so you know it's completely empty of urine when expressing.
Which steroid is being given and what dosage in mgs and frequency is it being given? When did the steroid start and what taper instructions have you been given?
Please include the all-important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC for as long as the steroid is being given, even during the taper. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not to take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive against not eating, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding ulcers by giving doxie weight dogs 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory.
When doing a sniff and pee test with a dog that can't stand up, just place the dog in an area where she's peed before, hold up her hips with your hands (don't place your hands underneath her belly so you're sure you're not expressing her and can tell if she's going on her own), let her sniff and see if she can release pee on her own.
Please let us know how the sniff and pee test goes and what the vet says about immediately starting Pepcid AC, as well as the name and dosage of the steroid.
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 14, 2015 11:58:21 GMT -7
I bought Sandy a pool where she can touch the bottom yesterday and set it up. She is doing MUCH better in it than she was in the bathtub. In the tub most of the time only three legs were touching but all four legs are moving in the pool now all of the time! She still isn't thrilled with the crate but now that she is in the larger one she is much better, even though she just still lays in the same spot by where we sit and talk to her a lot. She just hangs out observing.
Margorie, the med that she is taking is an anti-inflammatory. I thought that it was a steroid but that must have been the shot that he gave her that the vet said was long acting. Does that sound right? She is only taking vetprofen carprofen 75 mg once a day.
Her staples come out on Friday!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 14, 2015 12:30:15 GMT -7
Sylvia,I don't know how we missed getting this important information that Sandy WAS sent home on a med just not pain meds. FYI as future knowledge: The use of any anti-inflammatory is best served by stomach protection. The Vetprofen manufacturer pkg insert warns about gastrointestinal problems as the natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Red flag signs of GI upset of not eating, vomit, red or black bloody diarrhea can quickly lead to bleeding ulcers or life holes in the stomach or intestine. We follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving Pepcid AC (generic name is famotidine) 30 mins prior to NSAID. Give NSAID with a meal for extra protection. Knowledge about each med your dog takes is the added layer of protection. Good link to bookmark and read about Pepcid AC and Carprofen: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmlThere are two classes of anti-inflammatories--- steroids and NSAIDs. Carprofen is in the class of Non Steroid Anti Inflammatory Drugs. One of the things to monitor when take a NSAID is change in drinking. Just one adverse side effect is enough to stop the NSAID and get vet help. Read what the FDA warns about and contact your vet about stopping carprofen. Often in two weeks all the post op swelling is gone anyway. Now with this side effect you report, it just may be time to stop. www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htmSince Sylvia CAN move her legs, it is likely she has some degree of bladder control and should not be purposefully releasing urine where she sleeps. If she does not yet have full control over her sphincter muscle and the bladder fills to overstretch, reflex will kick in to release some urine. Have you done the sniff and pee test to verify bladder control? The only way for us humans to know if there is bladder control is with the sniff and pee test. Carry outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe. Was the antibiotic shot given Convenia (cefovecin sodium)? It is not recommended to give Convenia with NSAIDs because concurrent administration can result in higher than expected plasma concentrations of the NSAID due to a decrease in protein binding. This is more likely to be a clinically significant interaction in animals that have a low albumin concentration – where a further decline in protein binding of the NSAID might cause an adverse effect. www.thewebinarvet.com/2011/07/chronic-pain-in-the-geriatric-dog-decision-making-and-risk-management-questions-answers-2/
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 17, 2015 11:59:44 GMT -7
Sandy had her stitches removed today! The vet was THRILLED with her muscle tone and was shocked to see her so improved so rapidly! He said to keep her doing hydrotherapy as often as she will do it, keep doing the PT stretches because whatever we are doing is working. He expects that since she is trying to pull herself up on all four legs that she will be trying to take steps before long. He said when she does to encourage her to take wobbly steps as she can and then discontinue the hydrotherapy then and she is ready to swim in the big pool at that point. He will see her back in two weeks, and she can have Pepcid.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 17, 2015 13:44:48 GMT -7
Sylvia, most excellent news on those nerves regaining function. Are you using a sling when you do the suggested PT of encouraging wobbly steps?
How is bladder control doing. Now that she is trying to move her legs into standing position, she ought to also have some better bladder control. Has she passed the sniff and pee test for you to proove good bladder control?
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 19, 2015 17:35:36 GMT -7
She does have bladder control now! I am double checking to make sure that all is expressed. She is pulling herself up and taking steps while using the bathroom now, and she was trying to pull herself into a standing position a lot more this afternoon but we didn't let her. She is still walking in the pool a lot and loves it.
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 25, 2015 16:11:27 GMT -7
Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you guys know how Sandy is doing. I've been so busy with my two grad classes this semester that I haven't had time to spend online much lately. Sandy is walking very wobbly for probably about 4 feet or so now. She is extremely happy and has improvised with her bathroom issues because she can no longer squat due to flexibility issues because she still does not have complete use of her legs so she is going to the bathroom standing up. We go back to the vet next Friday and I will make sure to update you then.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 25, 2015 20:57:57 GMT -7
Hi Sylvia! Wonderful news to hear that Sandy can wobbly walk now! That is a huge improvement!
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Peyton
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Post by Peyton on Jul 26, 2015 10:51:05 GMT -7
Sylvia, I'm SO GLAD to read the good news about Sandy! Awesome progress!
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 27, 2015 21:19:35 GMT -7
Thanks ladies! She is improving more each day and we are so proud of her determination and progress.
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Post by Sylvia & Pio on Jul 30, 2015 20:16:04 GMT -7
Hi everyone. Sandy is walking more and more each day and even though her one leg doesn't move as much as the other rear one she is doing much better than anticipated at this stage. She has an appointment with the doctor tomorrow so I will update when I find out what he says then.
I do have one concern about her now but it isn't IVDD related. She has been shaking her head a lot since last night. She still can't scratch her ears so I checked her out tonight. Her ears feel thick and heavy, if that makes any sense. One ear seems a little swollen. I am praying that it isn't anything major.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 30, 2015 20:39:57 GMT -7
Hi Sylvia!
Wonderful to hear about Sandy's great progress with walking! It does sound like she has developed a possible ear infection. Do have the Vet take a look at her appointment tomorrow being careful of her back.
Thanks for keeping us updated and we will be awaiting news of her Vet appointment tomorrow!
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Roy & Abbie
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Post by Roy & Abbie on Jul 31, 2015 4:32:20 GMT -7
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