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Post by Halyna & Grishka on Jan 24, 2016 8:36:25 GMT -7
Hi , My name is Halyna ----daxie4mother, my mini long is on conservative treatment , we live in UK,-He has 3 calcified discs .Some improvements like tail wagging , able to stand on his feet now but only for seconds .He has had acupuncture and is now on laser treatment.
Vet said not to clip his nails at the start ,however I am worried that the nails may now be too long and maybe hurt him when standing !
Please could you advise me ? Many thanks in advance ,Halyna
PS all photos I tried to upload of Grishka were unacceptable on here ---too large
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 24, 2016 10:04:36 GMT -7
Halyna, welcome to Dodgerslist! We are glad you found us. During the 8 weeks it takes for the disc to heal, we want to do everything possible to avoid movement of the back. Grishka should not be walking around. Things like nail clipping can cause too much movement of the back....nails can wait til after crate rest is over. Protection of the spinal cord takes top priority... limited movement lets the disc heal and not permanently do damage to the nerves in the spinal cord. ☐ Let us know you are on the same page about the all important single most important part of conservative treatment: crate rest. With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. That 6 weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form. Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmSTRICT means: - no laps - no couches - no nail clipping - no baths - no sleeping with you - no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times. Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog's back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on! ![]() In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? ☐ Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc? Is the vet a general DVM or a specialist (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?
☐ What was the date you saw the vet and started the 100% strict rest?
☐ Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?
☐ How much does your dog weigh? Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg’s and times per day given? What was the start dose and date of the anti-inflammatory? Date of any taper or stop of anti-inflammatory drug?
Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive against not eating, vomit, diarrhea, bleeding ulcers by giving doxie weight dogs 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours.
☐ Currently can your dog move himself up into a standing postion? Is the wag specifically after you do some happy talk?
☐ Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
☐ Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark or bright red blood?
☐ Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs. Knowledge is the power with IVDD to care for an protect Grishka now and for the rest of his life. Won't you partake of the wealth of knowledge to become the IVDD savvy pet parent Grishka needs? Perfect page to start today with this quick summary and links to follow in the next days: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmUpload your photos first to our gallery. Then copy the photo's address into your post. LOGIN to the Dodgerslist photo gallery here: www.dodgerslist.com/gallery/ : username: Dachsie password: dodgerslist14 |
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Post by Halyna & Grishka on Jan 26, 2016 8:47:51 GMT -7
Thank you for confirming what Grishka's vet said -------you good people are such life savers . I have sent off for the Dodgerslist DVD which is available thankfully in the UK through the Dachshund Breed Council. May sound crazy but 2 more questions : I have tried uploading photos of Grishka here without success -------  Do you want me to answer the above questions here or is it for information please Grishka is currently getting acupuncture and laser treatment . Cannot thank you enough Paula Milner Best wishes , Halyna  Update from Halyna 2/16/2016: [12/11/15] legs had gone completely ----saw the look of horror on the lovely , experienced vet's face.He was prescribed Cimalgex tablets -anti-inflamatory each tablet 8mg ---has 1 1/2 per day still .Think meds here are viewed by vets in a different way to the States.Simply do not understand any of it but was told in UK vets try not to give too many drugs these days .He had a slight hump , now gone and never displayed any signs of being in pain like crying etc. Vet had consulted with the referral vet adjacent to the veterinary practice -----and was told now Grishka must be on conservative treatment. So crated really since December 8 2015.Wonderful little patient, his crate has been named "Craterest" his 5 * hotel with 24 hour room service ! As mentioned to Linda cannot thank Dodgerslist enough , God alone knows what would have happened without those wonderful exercises which we do 3 times a day except days he has acupuncture and laser therapy ----then down to once or twice. Had the best ever news yesterday , Vet has now consented to Grishka starting hydrotherapy , treadmill ,first session on Thursday !!!!Apologies for this long email Paula just wanted to give you all the details ----no longer incontinent, tail wags and occasionally lifts a back leg to scratch somewhere . |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 16, 2016 19:04:53 GMT -7
Halyna, thank your for the update. What wonderful news on graduation AND seeing the back legs are able to move/scratch.
I believe you will be amazed at how much the underwater treadmill will contribute to getting those back legs to walk.
Hope you will come back and give us an update, maybe a photo of Grishka on the treadmill???
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Post by Halyna & Grishka on Feb 17, 2016 2:14:47 GMT -7
Paula , thank you so much for everything ----even Apple could not upload a photo even the reduced ones !?!
I most certainly will update after the first treadmill session on Thursday ----am guessing that the first go on the treadmill might be a bit spooky for little Grishka but with his therapists help he will soon learn to love the treadmill
Bless you , for all your kindness and caring , Halyna
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Post by Halyna & Grishka on Feb 19, 2016 1:31:38 GMT -7
Hi everyone ,
Yesterday we had an incredible experience with Grishka's first hydrotherapy session on the treadmill.He immediately seemed to like it ,not nervous ,his therapist was in there with him .
The soothing warm water started filling up and suddenly my special little guy was WALKING !First time since December 2015.......
Emotional and so exciting -----first time his back feet were on the move .
I took a little video to upload and photos to show you .
DODGERSLIST I have said it many times ,will say it for the rest of my life ---A massive thank you for everything !
You have I believe been exceptionally instrumental in saving /helping Grishka ....and me of course .
Paula, now I feel so stupid because I do not know how to upload video and photos to appear on this thread .
If you see this Paula please could you help me ? I had problems posting to FB last night and especially to other Dachshund Groups .
Many thanks in advance , Halyna
Video clip posted to Youtube for Halyna
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 19, 2016 8:35:46 GMT -7
Halyna, wonderful to hear how well Grishka took to the water. She is doing really great work on the treadmill.
Underwater treadmill is a very amazing therapy, most often dogs who don't like water actually accept it in the treadmill. I've communicated with you to see what we can do so all of us can see Grishka with in your video.
It makes our day to know we have provided valuable support to you and for Grishka, thank you so much for the very kind comments.
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Post by Halyna & Grishka on Mar 12, 2016 10:23:13 GMT -7
Grishka is now also walking on land .............!
Helped by a mini Gingerlead sling at the rear and a harness specially made for him that goes over his breastbone .
So happpppppyyyyy----again the problem of uploading the little video!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 12, 2016 16:37:20 GMT -7
Halyna, sounds like you have a very good therapy aid of the Ginerlead and a front end harness as well. Sign up for a free YouTube account. You can upload videos to YouTube in a few easy steps. Use the instructions below upload your videos from a computer or from a mobile device. Last step is to then copy the video's address to a post here and we will be able to see your video. Here is Youtube's help page to show you how to upload: support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?hl=en |
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