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Post by Sam & PeanutB on Aug 27, 2019 5:36:37 GMT -7
Hi Julie thanks for the encouragement. I've been really getting down recently. Anyways, I have to say peanut is doing well and seems himself. I don't like him dragging himself all over so I still keep him somewhat contained. When I'm out he sleeps with the other 2 dogs in the kitchen I think I need to let him sniff and pee he's got used to me expressing him and I think it made him lazy. He definitely resists when I go to express him. He has somewhat control because he's never peed in the bed (after 8 weeks crate rest) he whines when he needs to go potty. I express poop first thing in the morning and last thing at night and we've had no accidents so we let him sleep in bed with us.
Every now and then he tail wags not much but it's there. I think therapy is helping him but he cannot walk by himself. The treadmill he 'walks' (spinal walk) when his tail is stimulated.
I'll know more tomorrow about deep pain but I feel like I need a break it's just all consuming. My husband helps a little he trys to express him but I go out 10 mins after and there's still lots of pee in there lol. I guess I have the touch 😉 I am getting tired and need to read more success stories. I just need some positive encouragement right now and I read your story with Nala and it gives me hope. I really appreciate everyone on this site and all the work that goes into it. 💕
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Post by Sam & PeanutB on Oct 2, 2019 4:52:24 GMT -7
So here's an update: peanut actually did a wobbly walk for the first time yesterday! Admittedly it was only 4 steps but he lifted his butt up by himself and walked front and back legs moving 4 steps. I have been getting so down not seeing any progress for weeks and now he really seems to be spinal walking.
We have been keeping up the PT and the therapists noticed his improvement. I'm going to ask the therapist if we can get a cart that allows peanuts back legs to move in sync with his front legs. I'm sure that will help him. I've been using the sling all this time and my back is so bad I get stuck at a 45° angle lol.
Peanut has also been having cold laser therapy and Accupuncture. The last 4 weeks he's show little tiny movements in his legs but yesterday was big there was a chipmunk and he wanted to get it. He got himself up and walked 4 steps from and back!!
So I'm happy really happy to see that.
When the Accupuncturist put needles in his back paws he squeaked and turned around she said he really didn't like that. I'm pinching his feet and he doesn't like it at all and tries biting at my fingers now. He gets reassement every 10 sessions o f PT so next week will be his second reassement where he will tested to see if deep pain is coming back or not and whether or not a cart should be used along with his therapy.
I can't give up on this little guy I so want to see him just run around and see that happy tail wag again ...although he does look quite happy with his life and he really surpises me. I love my little Peanut no matter what. We've been through some very dark days but there is a glimmer of a light and hope.
I'm thankful for this forum and have been telling everyone that I see at the animal hospital about Dogderslist and IVDD. I did subscribe too. I feel so indebted to Dogerslist.
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Post by Ann Brittain on Oct 2, 2019 7:09:59 GMT -7
So glad to hear Peanut is beginning to walk.
I agree with your thoughts about a cart for Peanut. After Buster's surgery, we waited until he'd had the proper crate rest, but we could tell not being able to walk was causing him to become depressed.
We were a little reluctant to get a cart because we felt it'd be like giving up on Buster ever learning to walk on his own, but we couldn't stand to see our lively dog unhappy. We were able to take Buster for a fitting at K-9 Carts. The owner warned us that not all dogs take to carts, but that was not the case with our boy. The minute he was strapped in he started running around the facility and seemed to understand exactly how to maneuver the cart around corners and back up when necessary.
It didn't take long before we noticed his hind legs moving in a walking motion and soon he started to walk on his own. Although he never got back to 100 percent normal walking, he got around quite well.
Once Buster got his wheels, his depression disappeared and we had our happy boy back.
I hope Peanut adapts to a cart like Buster did. It takes some of the stress off when they can get around on their own.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 2, 2019 7:33:37 GMT -7
Sam, what wonderful news taking wobbly footsteps for the first time!!! All along you HAVE been reporting neuro functions that indicate Peanut would have to have deep pain sensation to do! So Peanut is following the classic textbook order of nerve healing. As you are witness to nerve healibng is one of the body's slowest departments in healing. It can take quite some time for nerves to self repair. If the rate of nerve growth would be a constant 1mm per day, it could take close to a year to regenerate a 12 inch span of nerve damage before seeing functional nerve recovery. Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord: 1. YES! Deep Pain Sensation, the first neuro function to return, a critical indicator for more nerve healing to take place after a surgery or with conservative treatment. (Take only the word of your ACVIM or ACVS specialist surgeon for this very tricky to identify function.) 2. YES ! Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal. 3. YES initiates pee 6/14! Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test. 4. YES 7/22 dreaming! Leg Movement, and then YES 7/22 ability to move up into a standing position, and then YES 10/1! wobbly walking. 5. Being able to ? walk with more steadiness and _?_ properly place the feet. 6. ? Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even ? run. More info: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htmSo by definition, Peanut is not spinal walking but doing brain directed walking motions with his legs. Some dogs who have no deep pain sensation are able to figure out how to use reflexes to help them spinal walk. If a cart fits in the family budget, it could be used as a PT aid. Personally, with your reporting now able to walk, I think money is better spent on underwater treadmill PT to strenthen his muscles, encourage coordination learning between brain and leg muscles. Looks like Peanut will be walking better and better and may not need a cart at all! Yout guys are doing a wonderful job in devotion and care for Peanut. It is paying off in a happy Peanut. Thank you for helping us with your subscription to the Dodger's Digest !! There are only less than a handful of us who regularly volunteer every day helping dogs and their owners. We could really use a helping hand from other Forum members in educating. -- Hand carry our literature and introduce us to your vet. When in conversation at the grocery store line or wherever you meet breeds most prone to IVDD (Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas) to give out our little cards. Ask Linda to send you our free packet: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm
-- Consider helping another trying to make decisions… We have a directory where you can share surgical info. Here is where you can share your dog's info: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-postingState: Hospital: Address: Cost: Date of surgery: What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.) Comments: Please keep us posted on how Peanut is doing and what the next vet visit reveals.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Oct 2, 2019 8:17:16 GMT -7
Woohoo!!! Go Peanut Butter, that's terrific! I'm doing my Snoopy happy dance for you both. Your hard work is paying off.
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Post by Sam & PeanutB on Oct 18, 2019 22:51:02 GMT -7
Thanks everyone so much!! So this week at Accupuncture I talked to the specialist and she said he's definitely got deep pain returning. She pinched the back of his toes and he turned around to bite her and whined. I was so happy to see and hear that. It's going to be a long road before he is walking but we can finally see light at the end of a very long tunnel.
Oh I'm pretty sure I purchased the IVDD package for leaflets and info but haven't received anything yet.
Thanks for all the continuous support. I'm so touched by you all and especially that Paula you took time to log and record the dates of peanuts stages of recovery 💕🤗
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Post by Sam & PeanutB on Jul 16, 2020 5:16:35 GMT -7
Hello everyone!
I just wanted to update you on Peanut Butters journey. So, last week his wheels came from Eddie's I let him sniff it and put him in it and then went to the fridge and got some chicken. He couldn't move fast enough! We had to make a little adjustment on the cart and then realised we had the chest strap on too tight but he was zooming all over the place and then he suddenly stopped and lay down with his cart. We took it off him as he needs to build up muscle. He was tired out and sore.
When I took peanut to get measured for his cart (obviously following all social distancing protocols) his Physical Therapist said she didn't notice any difference in peanut since the last time she saw him. That made me feel sad because we see him pull himself up to a full standing position and then he tried so hard to walk. She said he doesn't have deep pain but it's likely his motor is very strong so he will be able to do some kind of motor walking. The thing is, when he is in a deep sleep and I tickle his feet he yanks them away or wakes up and noses my hand away. We see him kicking hi s legs at times when he sleeps and in his sleep he stretches front and back legs stretch. Now, I'm not an expert, but those are good signs?
Since we have been in lockdown I have been doing physical therapy at home with him. I got an inflatable 'peanut'and roll him on top of it where his feet from and back can touch the ground this makes it easier for me to exercise his back legs.
The Eddie's Wheels cart is great exercise for him. I put his feet on the stirrups and he did not like that and wiggled his feet off the stirrups so we let him walk and run around the inside of the house and on the grass with his feet dragging. Every time I put his feet back he moves them. After I take the cart off him I notice him standing up and trying to walk. I think over time the cart may just help him do motor walk.
I don't know what happened but he stoped peeing by himself. This keeps happening where he pees a little on his own and then I finish him off. I think when he has accupuncture it helps but he hasn't had that since march. So I am still expressing pee and poop. I tell him okay pee pee time!!! He knows...sometimes he stoops as if he's going to pee but nothing comes out until I gently press his sides. I definitely feel him taking control especially when he wants to stop. Am I doing something wrong has he just got used to me helping him pee or is it just he can't start but once going he looks at me annoyed and I feel his bladder retracting very strongly meaning he wants to stop peeing now. I hope that made sense.
It's very strange the neurologist doesn't want to see us and I tried making appointment to see a different one but during these weeks has been impossible to get. I just don't understand the difference in opinion between the PT and accupunturist, one says peanut doesn't have deep pain, the other says he does.
Perhaps peanut is just one of those dogs that will just get up and walk one day who knows. We love him and yes I get fed up at times of having to pee him but it's part of life now and our routine. My husband tries to help me with him especially when I'm sick.
So just wanted to update you all and get your thoughts 🙏 Hoping everyone is staying well and healthy. We actually got covid and have long term effects from it but we have an amazing Primary Doctor who had covid and he's so compassionate and treats us so throughly. Sadly my uncle died from covid and many friends. So I'm hoping everyone here at Dodgerslist is doing okay too.
💞🤗💞🤗💞🤗💞
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 16, 2020 8:48:25 GMT -7
Sam, so sorry to hear about your Uncle and your friends. Hope those long term Covid effects will subside at some point for you. WHO CAN YOU TRUST ABOUT DPS? 1. Deep Pain Sensation: the first neuro function to return. DPS is the critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about this very tricky to correctly idenfiy neuro function. 2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal. 3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test. 4. Leg Movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking. 5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet. 6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run. More info: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htmBring us up to date on the neuro functions you observe today, a year out from surgery: -- Can he still move his legs during a dream without your doing any touching of his legs? Your touch, tickling of paws, etc could cause reflex leg movement. -- Can he still sniff an old pee spot in the grass and then you see urine come out? The wheelchair, sling, your hands must be removed from any pressure to the bladder. Instead support his thighs with your hands if need be. Any pressure to the bladder from other things can be just like you expressing his bladder. -- Do you see him move his butt up in to a stand position all by himself? True success with IVDD is measured by the most important goal of your Peanut having a pain free, happy and full-of-love quality of life. I LOVE hearing how well Peanut took to the cart, giving him freedom to get to the fridge FAST!! What a wonderful feeling for a dog to again be able to move with quickness and speed. So in fact at this point in time about a year out from surgery, it really matters not what anyone says. Peanut's body will self repair nerves to the extent possible on Peanut's time schedule — maybe he there and maybe he's not. In the meantime he thinks of himself as handicapable. Clearly Peanut just as other dogs do, he adjusts to what is and then gets on with the business of fully enjoying all that life has to offer whether there is to be more nerve repair to happen or not. What this means for you: -- Continue with those therapies (acupuncture, water therapy at home or clinic, range of motion (ROM) and massage) as your pocket book can afford or change over to some at home water therapy this summer. All those things either give him needed health exercise to keep his muscles and joints in good condition for the day should more nerve repair take place. -- Have some fun with Peanut! dodgerslist.com/2020/06/16/have-fun-nose-work/-- Treasure all moments for its good things. There are lots of them and dog's know how to enjoy them. We can learn a lot from dogs. LEARN from yesterday LIVE for today HOPE for Tomorrow ~Albert Einstein
Appreciate your stopping by to give us an update on Peanut! We really to LOVE knowing how things are going with you guys.
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Post by Sam & PeanutB on Jul 18, 2020 5:42:16 GMT -7
Thank you so sooo much for replying so quickly Paula. I really appreciated reading your positive post. I'm so happy Peanut is happy this little guy is amazing.
He does move his legs when he sleeps when he stretches and we see his back legs kind of wobbling. He has squatted by himself to pee but sometimes a dribble or nothing comes out. No happy wagging of tail I think we didn't realise at the time but the wagging we thought was happy wagging was him possibly being constipated 😂 but anyway I'm so happy my boy is alive and snuggling next to me. We have the routine down.
There are times he looks sore so i crate him for a few days and when he gets out immediately stands up all four paws flat on the floor I put a rug in the kitchen and he stands up to eat and drink and sort of wobbles / slithers.
I'll post a video if I can of him in his wheels!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 18, 2020 6:07:43 GMT -7
Sam, look at Peanut joining with his buds with normal daily routines. Getting snacks is a big dieal with dogs and he could be right there happy with anticipation along with your other two. Clearly Peanut has a mom and dad who cherish him and give him very excellent care. When and if more nerve repair takes place it will be icing on an already wonderful cake!
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