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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Dec 26, 2016 18:58:52 GMT -7
Thanks so much for the insight.
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Post by Pauliana on Dec 27, 2016 22:27:44 GMT -7
I agree with Paula, Larry.. Sniddles is doing so well and he is already having great therapies that are helping.
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Dec 28, 2016 8:18:47 GMT -7
We have been off of all medication for two days now. Yesterday, Sniddles had a pretty soft poop (he has been getting pumpkin daily). This morning he wanted to eat grass when we went to potty (about 6am). I gave him a pepcid and then he had breakfast. I took him back out after (about 9am) and we are using a sling, but he was attempting to only walk backwards which I think is weird. He seems to be acting funny and I am watching to see if he is in pain and whether he just has an upset stomach or if there is a flare up.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 28, 2016 9:07:18 GMT -7
Larry til Sniddles has the ability to walk even if wobbly, then you could now start some light, least aggressive of range of motion (ROM) and massage for the back legs. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk . www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmIf he is off all meds, then you might give it a try to stop the pumpkin. Pumpkin and extra water will loosen stools...so that may be what is happening??
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Dec 28, 2016 9:28:18 GMT -7
He can stand perfectly, no wobbling or anything. His stance is really wide though. I have not taken the sling off of him to even see if he can walk on his own, I am afraid if he would fall so I have no idea how his walking really is or if it even exists. He is still knuckling and sometimes corrects it and other times he doesn't. I do massage him and we use an electric toothbrush for foot stimulation. I thought pumpkin would firm a loose poo or soften a hard one? I will try no pumpkin tomorrow and see how it goes.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 28, 2016 9:31:11 GMT -7
The full story on pumpkin
Plain pureed canned pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. NOTE: alternatives are really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potatoe. --To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal and soak overnight. At mealtime add one teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. -- To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day to kibble and no extra soaking water to the kibble.
If he can walk, then even in the sling, you would see some degree of legs attemping to move in a walking motion. You are right to always use the sling as along as needed to avoid his butt falling over and twisting the back.
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Dec 28, 2016 9:47:52 GMT -7
Ok. So my problem is that before all this started, Sniddles ate dry kibble only. I switched him to canned when this all started because he refused to drink water, so I added a little bit of water to the canned, which is already wet. Then the vet told me to add pumpkin at 1 tsp a day. Sniddles still refuses all water, but perhaps I should cut the water back in the wet food and start adding dry kibble back in? Sniddles does move his legs in the sling, so I guess he is somewhat walking then, but I am carrying most of the weight.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 28, 2016 19:57:22 GMT -7
Now that Sniddles is off all meds, if you want his food to be kibble, then you might want to do as I do. I feel my dog does not drink enough water either. So I soak each kibble meal over night in the frig in an equal amount of water as kibble. In other words I re-hydrate his kibble food.
Do make the transition slowly back to kibble over the course of several days so his digestive system won't be aggrevated with a quick change in food.
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Dec 31, 2016 17:32:57 GMT -7
Just a small update. When I took Sniddles out to use the bathroom, he sat down and scratched his ear with his left rear leg! First ear scratch in over a month! Yay!
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 1, 2017 6:16:28 GMT -7
What a wonderful sight that must have been, Larry! Very happy to hear of the nerve healing that you're seeing. Great way to start off the new year!
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Jan 10, 2017 7:48:52 GMT -7
Ok. We are coming up on 6 weeks and I am getting nervous about the coming transition. We go to the vet tomorrow, so hopefully we can get a good game plan. Sniddles is now walking! He is pretty steady, but he has a really wide stance and he hunches his back when he walks. I have been looking at ramps. We need one for the couch and one for the back deck. I am afraid that he isn't really steady enough to use ramps and the angles of the ramps, so I feel like I have some time on this. We have hardwood floors though, so I think I need some grippy socks. Is there a recommended brand? I have looked on Amazon and I can't figure what size and brand/type to get. I read over the "Crate rest is ending" page, so should I have ramps ready at 8 weeks or not?
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 10, 2017 11:04:44 GMT -7
Larry, stick with the good care you've been giving for all of the 8 weeks to give that disc a chance of forming some good secure scar tissue. Now that Sniddles can walk there will be no need of any PT from you until graduation. Being able to take some footsteps at potty time will keep the joints moving and flexing and keep up muscle circulation. On graduation day you will begin a slow incremental buidling of up stamina and muscles with your little couch potato. I would have ramps at the ready for graduation day. He may not do much with them at first as he rebuilds his muscles. but you will want to begin training how to use a ramp if only to walk on one when it is flat on the ground as an introduction. My dog is paralyzed and uses a ramp to scoot down it, so all dogs can with the aid of gravity go down them. Sniddles may take some time to gain leg strength to be able to go upwards. With doxies little paws it has always been a problem keeping socks et al. on. My own preference was inexpensive rug runners you can find at box stores. Use them on Sniddles usual flight pattern in the house....hallway, path to kitchen, etc. Here is the discussion on gripper products..the toes grips have had success so that might be something you want to investigate: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/1564/footwear-harnesses-scooting-garments
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Jan 11, 2017 11:38:25 GMT -7
Went to the vet today. The vet watched Sniddles walk. Since Sniddles is walking with a hunched back, the vet wants to make sure that it isn't painful. The vet said that the way the disc healed could also have just made him walk with a hunch back, but he wants to be sure. He started Sniddles on Rimadyl 25 mg 1/2 tablet 2 times a day for 4 weeks. He started Adequan injections .3cc under skin 2 times a week for 4 weeks. He started Famotidine 20mg 1/4 tablet 2 times a day for 4 weeks. The vet set up the underwater treadmill to start in 4 weeks if all goes well. So now he will be on crate rest for another 4 weeks, 10 weeks total.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jan 11, 2017 14:19:05 GMT -7
Is Sniddles showing any of the other signs of pain? I will list them here for easy reference.
- shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, can't get comfortable, tight tense tummy,ears pinned back,holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight, head held high or nose to the ground. Not their normal perky selves. If two are more signs are shown it is highly likely to be pain.
Does the vet think there is continued swelling in the spinal cord which might be causing pain.? That could be the reason for the Rimadyl.
I am sure you are disappointed to have another 4 weeks of crate rest instead of just two more ending on January 26. It looks like your vet wants to err on the side of caution so there will be less risk of a relapse.
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Jan 11, 2017 15:03:08 GMT -7
There are no other signs of pain. The vet wants to be cautious because Sniddles back is really hunched. He looks like he is pooping when he walks.
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Feb 8, 2017 7:14:47 GMT -7
I think Sniddles can now be moved to Graduates. He is off of crate rest and has started water therapy, as well as a 5 minute walk a day and range of motion exercises with massage therapy. He is walking and isn't very wobbly. He does have a very hunched back. He is on Rimadyl two times a day still. He is happy, pain free, and ready for running and jumping. Sigh, hard to keep a doxie down. I wanted to thank everyone on this board. You guys helped me (and Sniddles) through a dark time and I am forever grateful.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 8, 2017 8:55:32 GMT -7
Larry, when will the vet do a test-for-pain stop of Rimadyl? No one wants to use Rimadyl any bit longer than necessary as this one and all anti-inflammatory drugs carry with them serious side effects. Is he still on Pepcid AC? Still on Adequan? The FDA has very good information read so you are fully aware of what to monitor for with NSAIDs and what action to take: www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htmThe disc with 8 weeks of rest should have made good scar tissue. Dogs arch their back by bringing their front and rear legs closer together in an effort to decrease discomfort. This is like a person will do with a bad back - it hurts to stand up straight so hunching over helps to relieve the pain. What does your vet feel the cause of the arched back is-- arthritis or ?
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Feb 8, 2017 9:27:13 GMT -7
He had his last Adequan shot on Monday. He has his last Rimadyl and pepcid tonight and then the test starts. The vet thinks that the hunched back is from the way the scar tissue formed and healed. Sniddles shows no signs of pain and didn't before the Rimadyl. The vet just wanted to be sure because his back is so hunched. The vet suspects that the disk just healed crooked? and it could cause Arthritis in the future. Sniddles acts like he did before the IVDD episode, happy and spunky. Absolutely no pain at all. I will be watching him closely to make sure. He is walking great, even on tile and hardwood. He does scuff a bit because he has a little twist to his step.Oh, his back does not ever straighten out. Not when standing or laying. It is like it is just crooked now. The vet said not to mess with it if he is pain free.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 8, 2017 11:45:19 GMT -7
Thanks, Larry, let us know how the test for pain stop of Rimadyl goes tomorrow. It may be that Sniddles does have some arthritis. Adequan is supposed to be a good therapy for that in that is can reduce inflammation of arthritis. Hope to hear with stop of Rimadyl there will be no evidence of pain. Maybe then in time the arched back will go away eventually.
Would you be able to send a picture taken from the side so we can see his back.
Email photo to: : photogallery@dodgerslist.com
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Feb 21, 2017 11:05:11 GMT -7
Sniddles has no pain off Rimadyl. The vet did say that Sniddles is doing better than some surgery dogs and to not worry so much about his hunchback. Sniddles now has Rimadyl and Methocarbomol as needed (like if he has a sore day after therapy). So far, he has had 5 underwater treadmill sessions and does daily exercises. He walks pretty good on slick floors, he can run and jump (but we try to stop him). He is no longer allowed stairs, I don't think he physically could do them anyways. He hates the ramps and tries to avoid them and wants to jump instead. Ugh. He even tries to jump when I pick him up to carry him. He wants to jump on my legs, he wants to jump for treats, he will even stand in on spot and jump when he is excited (he looks like a little bucking donkey). I never realized how jumpy he was before his diagnosis. Overall, I am extremely happy with his outcome so far, I just hope I can teach him to stop jumping.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 21, 2017 14:25:57 GMT -7
Very good news that Sniddles is pain free without the Rimadyl. I am not sure if you have seen this video on ramp training. Many dogs don't like the ramps at first. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/ramptrain.htmThere are also some good info on teaching a dog not to jump up and keep all four feet on the floor:
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Apr 21, 2017 15:20:42 GMT -7
I just wanted to give an update. Sniddles has had 13 water therapy sessions and now is going to continue at home with a kiddie pool. He is walking and running and doing great! He still has a hunch back and will be on Methocarbomol as needed. He wags his tail constantly when walking now. I hold my breath when he runs. He is so happy to play and to be able to be a dog!
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Apr 21, 2017 16:00:48 GMT -7
So happy to hear such wonderful news about Sniddles. Love that wagging tail!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 22, 2017 9:37:33 GMT -7
Larry, thank you for the update. We LOVE them! Wonderful news that Sniddles is enjoying life...running and loving life with those happy tail wags!
Did you find the videos Romy shared helpful in getting Sniddles to retrain him for all 4 paws on the floor?
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Post by Larry & Sniddles on Apr 23, 2017 13:44:40 GMT -7
The videos are helpful, but it is still a work in progress. You know how stubborn dachshunds can be. Lol. Sniddles is only motivated by brand new never seen before squeaky toys(which gets expensive). When I try to use food he totally ignores it, like it's a trick.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Apr 23, 2017 18:39:32 GMT -7
Larry, I've found squeaky toys at thrift shops. Some are dog toys, others are baby toys. Maybe that would help. Or what about a toy exchange with friends/family with gently used toys. Also, most pet stores have clearance racks. I understand what you mean about stubborn. I had to bribe my Nala with peanut butter! Whatever works.
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