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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jul 20, 2017 5:38:12 GMT -7
Amber, my dog Mimi is on Gabapentin for chronic nerve pain. It really seems to help her. She too was chewing on her leg and now she only rarely will do it and not to excess. I hope this helps.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 20, 2017 7:08:10 GMT -7
Thanks Jean, I'm comtiplating putting him back on it. He kind of let's out a grunt when I pick him up to go potty. No other signs of pain however, and I am concerned about his foot. It's not constant interest, it's almost like it's boredom, but I have to remind him to "leave it" several times before he does. CELEBRATION: Hip poop routine is back. He ALWAYS went outside as soon as I was up, chased a cat, peed on the bush, the BBQ, and the hydrangea, and pooped at the back door. Now, we have meds, eat, and within 10 minutes of finishing, in the ex-pen. Some days it worked, others it did not. Today was like magic! He circled several times, sat down, circled again, started his poop panic (He was panic-y before his injury), and pooped. Another half loop and he squatted like he was going to sit and he PEED!! And pooped again! He was also doing WALKING motions with BOTH his back legs. At first he knuckles, then his kwgs are under him, the left gets going first, and today I observed the right too!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,568
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 20, 2017 9:01:00 GMT -7
Amber, what a nice report on neuro functions coming back! It may be a challenge now to make sure he is not doing any more movement that necessary, staying the course with limited movement of the back. An ex-pen or some of that poke in the ground garden edging wire fence might help to let him know there won't be excessive walking around at potty time.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 20, 2017 13:09:34 GMT -7
I have a pen about 4 feet square that we've been using for 4 days now. He seems to know that's his place now and just had another successful pee, this time, he sniffed, peed, and walked to the gate and whined to go back inside. It was awesome! No feet movement on this visit though. Maybe it's a reflex kicked in when he needs to poop? However, he IS moving both with purpose in the crate. Left more than the right, but the right didn't have movement noticed before. Leaps and bounds. He wants to move more and more, but his improvements are incentive enough to stay the course!
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jul 20, 2017 13:18:26 GMT -7
Sniff and pee is just great, a definite sign of neuro functions returning.
Sometimes body parts do move by reflex but if he is moving with purpose in the crate it is a step forward.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 21, 2017 7:01:23 GMT -7
I believe we are established in our morning potty routine! Now to just have his other times set, We are working on timing. I have a good idea of time, but for some reason he won't go in the pen, but immediately after in the crate. He likes to mark my vintage dining table leg 😖 and I've noticed when he's in the kitchen with me, near the leg, he is inspired...working on it. Both legs moving up and down to position last night. Balanced standing in crate for at least a minute. Attempted ear scratching with left leg this morning! On day 19.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,568
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 21, 2017 8:15:36 GMT -7
Amber, nice to hear he is making attempt to scratch an ear.... nice neuro movement!
In the kitchen with you, he is still inside of a recovery suite... just checking.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jul 21, 2017 8:28:32 GMT -7
Amber, that is exactly how I saw my dog start to recover Neuro function - moving legs with purpose in the crate (ensuring it was tucked under her not just out like a useless turkey leg). Congrats!!!
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 21, 2017 8:37:06 GMT -7
Yes Paula. Winston spends 23 hours a day in the crate. The only time out is potty time and if we have an accident and need a bed change. I roll him from room to room with me in his crate. If he doesn't see Me, he panics and makes some erratic movements.
Winston likes to roll into his back. Is that ok?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,568
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 21, 2017 9:35:43 GMT -7
If he can roll on his back, shows he is not in any pain. It would be difficult to prevent him and as long as he is not being rambunctious, it is OK.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 22, 2017 18:07:45 GMT -7
No wet beds at all today!! Seems like we are back on track with bladder and bowel control. Walking motions with BOTH legs observed without a doubt this evening. Still knucking, but rights his left foot on his own, but it take a a bit. So many wonderful milestones. Devotion to your baby, and a willingness to see them through, is worth it!
Oh my gosh! Our after dinner bathroom break was awesome! Using those back legs more and more, and then he actually kicked backward after he pooped in an attempt to cover it! At first I though it was some random move, but then I realized what he was doing!! He's still using the sling for support, but VERY LITTLE, he sits and stands on his own and I'm just there to keep him aligned and balanced if he needs!!! 3 weeks tomorrow.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 22, 2017 21:23:32 GMT -7
Amber, fabulous updates on Winston! I am so happy he is feeling better and his nerves are well on the way to healing!
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 23, 2017 19:25:03 GMT -7
When I pick Winston up, fully supported, to go potty, he makes a low groan. No other signs of pain. Would it be right to assume it's painful and he should return to meds?
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 23, 2017 20:47:57 GMT -7
Hi Amber!
When trying to determine pain we look for other pain signals to go with the groan when picked up....such as shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move, tight tense tummy, restless, can't find a comfortable position. Ears pinned back, arched 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 you see another sign or two it would be time to call the Vet and ask about Winston going back on the medications again..
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 24, 2017 3:58:42 GMT -7
Amber, you know your dog best. Some dogs can be very stoic about pain and try to hide it. If the groaning is not something he was doing while on the meds, it would be enough for me to call the vet about. I believe Meloxicam can take a few days to get out of the system. To be safe, I would alert the vet.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 24, 2017 7:03:41 GMT -7
Thank you Marjorie, I'll give them a call today.
Walking more and more each day! His movements are becoming more precise and its very exciting to watch!
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Post by Amber & Winston on Aug 5, 2017 8:25:15 GMT -7
I continue to use the figure 8 sling for potty breaks. I don't provide much support, usually just when he turns. Should I keep with the sling for the remaining 3 weeks he's in the crate? Once the disk is healed at 8 weeks can he try without it?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,568
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 5, 2017 9:10:09 GMT -7
Amber as long as you feel he may be wobbly, may fall and twist his back, then do use the sling during conservative treatment. After crate rest is over at the end of 8 weeks, then you will best see if he needs the sling any more when you are doing slow, controlled PT walks with harness and leash as you slowly rehab him into normal family life. Good report that you basically only need the sling incase..his legs are strong and steady enough that not much support is needed.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Aug 6, 2017 21:55:39 GMT -7
Celebrating a leg lift on a favorite Jasmine planter rather than a squat! His right leg at that, which was the most severely affected from the onset and about 1.5 weeks behind his left in recovery!! Yay! 5 weeks in recovery!Can't wait to see where he is at 8!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 7, 2017 5:11:13 GMT -7
What a wonderful sign of nerve healing, Amber! Great news indeed. Keep up the good work with the strict crate rest.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Aug 26, 2017 17:27:12 GMT -7
Today is 8 weeks...Winston has been biting at the bit to get out of the crate. Today he had a potty break without his sling, still in the small area of the yard. He was so very happy and walked around it several times. He was successful.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,568
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 26, 2017 20:07:45 GMT -7
Amber, congratulations to you for finishing out all 8 weeks of Winston's rest! I bet Winston was very, very happy. He's walking quite stable now? Determining how you are going to ease back into more normal activity at graduation. The idea is to gradually give more freedom under controlled conditions. Not free reign of the house and yard immediately! LOL Take a look at our information and then come up with a plan to gradually increase activity over about a month's time following the end of crate rest. Also check out how to teach four paws on the floor! www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmNow is the perfect time if you haven't already to make those home modifications so that you can reduce the stress on the spine in the future. No more stairs, ramps up to furniture, or blocking furniture all together. All those ideas and more are in this link: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 9, 2019 11:35:45 GMT -7
Winston 2 Years Later On July 3, 2017, Winston, my adorable wheat colored wire haired love bug ruptured a disk. My world STOPPED. We opted for 8 weeks strict crate rest, and meds. Luckily I was home that summer (I'm a teacher) and I provided 24/7 nursing and rehab care. It was agonizing, but slowly he began to recover. He regained his legs, his potty functions, and his joy! For 2 years now, he has been his happy, cat chasing, pipe exploring farm baby. When we were at our worst, and I was so desperate, I reached out to Dodger's List. I remain grateful for the advice, tips, and support from everyone. If you are in that beginning stage, that terrifying time when you can think of nothing else but your broken baby. Have faith! Love, Amber and Winston
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,568
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 9, 2019 12:24:04 GMT -7
Amber, what an absolutely wonderful report on Wintston. We really do LOVE updates to know how each of our Dodgerlist family is doing. So this 2 year out update is very much appreciated! Thank you for the kind words to know that we here at Dodgerlist were of good help to you in those dark days two years ago. Thanks! We look foward to your next update....maybe a sooner one? LOL!
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