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Post by Nicole Gunther on Apr 24, 2023 13:31:50 GMT -7
Hello,
My dog Zelda suffered from an IVDD2 episode in January of 2022. She had the emergency hemilamenectomy the same day and has been going through PT and acupuncture ever since. It’s been a long road but she’s a happy and independent girl now, although she still can’t walk unassisted. One of the biggest lifestyle improvements we’ve made for her is finally learning how to express her bladder properly. When she gets expressed twice a day, she has zero accidents with urine.
And then she’s able to scoot away from her #2s in her bassinet, so she keeps very clean. My husband and I really want to get away for a trip and I’ve been calling around to different facilities to get boarding quotes for Zelda and her sister Ellie (fully mobile). I’m not really finding anything yet and wanted to ask if anyone can suggest a place/sitter near Denver, CO or even near my parents in Jupiter, FL or my in-laws in Boone, NC?
Thank you!!
Nicole
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 24, 2023 16:17:28 GMT -7
You might contact a vet clinic in those cities. One of the vet techs, may be interested in sitting for Zelda. You will need a sitter who can express the bladder and also for poop. I was fortunate to find out my neighbor was interested in sitting for my paralyzed dog. I gave her a lessons in expressing the bladder and for poop. I introduced her to my vet. He said for her to come by if she needed any extra tips in expressing. That put her in a good comfort zone and all went well. BTW she never needed to stop by the vet for an extra expressing lesson. Sounds like you have a very good handle on expressing the bladder if she is staying dry! You can also express for poop. It is not the health concern that the bladder is. It is more to prevent Zelda being anxious in finding/smelling poop where she sleeps! Have you tried it? Expressing for poop is so that before mother nature would just let it plop out anywhere, you get there first to encourage poop to clear from the digestive tube to plop out where you desire. Most of us express on the toilet: upon awaking in the morning, maybe at 1-2 pm during the day and again before bedtime. You really do not need anyone to demonstrate how to express for poop. This video shows how easy it is:
EASY PEASY to remember. Back horizontal to the groundLIFT and CARRY (support both ends, keep back horizontal to the ground) Learn more about car carriers and lifting an IVDD dog ==> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/20/back-support/What is your basinette? Is it stable, not tip-able? Does it have a top? More on strollers with an IVDD dog ==> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/23/carriers-and-strollers-post-crate-rest/Lots more ideas and tips in living with an IVDD dog such as dentals, nail trims, safe ways to have fun together, and more: ==> dodgerslist.com/living-with-ivdd-tips-2 Hope these ideas will help you out. And that you can take that trip! |
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Post by Nicole Gunther on Apr 28, 2023 8:29:42 GMT -7
Thank you Paula!
I got extremely lucky I saw an ad on a bulletin board at UPS a couple days ago for a college student with vet tech experience advertising pet sitting. I had a great chat with her and we meet with her next week, I’m so excited/relieved!
The bassinet does not have a top but it’s very sturdy and Zelda has made it her home. We always use a small crate when we leave the house/when we can’t watch her.
I will look into the bowel expressions, thanks!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 28, 2023 17:15:19 GMT -7
Nicole, hope the meet with the college students works out for you.
We'd love to keep up with Gunther should you have other questions.
The guest board is for temporary connection. Registering would provide Gunther with a permanent location for whenever you return.
See 👀below ▼ if you need extra information about registering.
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