Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19 
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 12, 2013 7:47:01 GMT -7
by any chance, is it still possible to put my dog's image up for the 2014 calendar......i do see that we're past the deadline but it never hurts to ask, sez theo (miniature wire-haired doxie) speaking of which, he just had surgery on a disc in his neck yesterday and i'm waiting to hear from our doctor.......thank god for this website.......it has been SO informative in so many ways.........
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 12, 2013 12:16:59 GMT -7
My name is Paula, what is yours? Go ahead and put it up, I can't guarantee where the layout process is at this point. Please tell us more about Theo on the "Surgery" board : dodgerslist.boards.net/board/7/surgery He's a looker!!! Hope to hear good news with the surgeon's update. |
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 13, 2013 6:19:04 GMT -7
Hi Paula
Thank you so much for your reply, Paula..........I am Nina ......... I couldn't figure out how to post his photo for the calendar.... But will go ahead and post something on the surgery board..... As everyone else seems to say, thank god for this website!!!
I'm not even sure how to post this on the "surgery board"? but to continue, Theo is an 8 yr. old wire haired doxie (he is a large mini ...19 lbs) Theo had surgery on Friday for a ruptured disc in his neck.......the surgeon has been wonderful, calling me twice a day with updates.......and he even took Theo home over the weekend to his home recovery center........he plans to take Theo off of the pain drip today slowly.......he sent a pic of Theo out in the grass after a potty stop looking very spaced out....... hopefully, i will be able to fetch him tomorrow or Tuesday........
And here it is , a beautiful Sunday morning in Michigan and i can't concentrate......I am so worried about the next couple of weeks with Theo having to be in a crate all that time....and I haven't even yet talked to the Doc. about his post op care..............he has never been in a crate so long ...........i followed a lot of the very helpful suggestions that i read on this website and bought a memory foam mattress, little bowls that clip onto the side of the crate, and plan to go find some casters to put on it so that i can wheel it around to other locations for him......but i didn't see any discussions about how a creature can live in a crate for so long without going stir crazy.......I know, I am imagining myself in the same situation and that is ridiculous but that's what I'm doing......certifiable, right? I am also freaked out by the amount of pain he was in and worried already that I will pick him up in the wrong way or do something that will hurt him.........
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Oct 13, 2013 10:04:26 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Maureen. Welcome to Dodgers List. Theo will do fine on his 6 weeks of post op crate rest, even dogs that have never been crated do learn to accept that they are stuck there for the duration. He just had major surgery too, so he will be more inclined to rest. I am going to give you some links to check out to help you prepare for Theo's homecoming Lift and carry Crate rest www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm After Surgery Jot down questions for discharge day. This list will get yours started: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htmGeneral info surgery www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmI know that this can all seem so everwhelming. Hang in there -we are all here to help. Please keep us posted on Theo's progress and when his discharge day is!!  |
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 13, 2013 11:06:35 GMT -7
thank you for your kind note, maureen.......i have been even more upset and worried since my first post because my doc called around mid-day to say that Theo isn't doing as well as he had hoped after being taken off the pain drip.....he continues to have severe pain and if it isn't better by tomorrow, they will do another MRI to see if they missed something that is still causing it........so, i'm making myself feel better by making sure he has a totally comfortable crate and did buy a dolly so i could move the crate around to Theo's favorite spots once he gets home..... what would i do without having this wonderful resource and people like you? thank you.....
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 13, 2013 11:14:51 GMT -7
Sorry to hear the pain is not subsiding as fast as the surgeon expects to come off the drip. Let us know when you know more.
About the photo you can email it to me and I'll put it up. Look to the left to find my name in red letters to take you to my email address.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Oct 13, 2013 22:12:38 GMT -7
Prayers that they get his pain under control tonight - hoping he feels better fast.
Keep us posted (((hugs)))
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 14, 2013 9:16:30 GMT -7
Nina, can you update us all on Theo this am.
If he is to be sent home, make sure you know his meds. Good to know all the options in range in mg dose, the range in frequency you could give them.
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 14, 2013 13:50:17 GMT -7
Just got home with Theo........and he's now in his crate and NOT happy about this new turn events.........usually, he runs in the house and does all his favorite activities ( checking his food bowl to see if anyone left anything while he was gone, checking out his toys, sniffing around, squeaking something, etc.) ......this is new, being in a crate.........i just gave him some dinner, water and two pain pills........and am hoping he'll settle down and rest........ the doctors are great........he had a better day today and they are hoping that they got all of the disc crap off of his spine.......but they showed me the MRI and there could be one more area that is questionable........but their attitude is to go day by day.......i do have all his meds along with dosages, range of frequency, etc. so that is good.......and i discovered that i can put him in the carrying crate to take upstairs to bed at night......and put on the bed next to me...........so hopefully, that will work .........i am so grateful for the good treatment he received and the knowledge that i can call them any time day or night if i need help..............so, on the healing time........ .both my doctors are consultants on this website!
he seems to have conked out........with a little wimper now and then.........i think/pray/hope we are on the mend.......... Picture of Theo first day home from surgery: dodgergallery.ourdogs.net/recovery/Nina_s_Theo_1stday_homeORIG?full=1 |
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Post by Pauliana on Oct 14, 2013 22:21:18 GMT -7
Hi Nina,
What meds did they send home with him, as well as the dosages and frequencies given?
So glad he is home to recover in comfort.. I hope he adjusts to his crate time. Good idea to put his travel crate near you at night time.. That should give him lots of comfort. Another idea for stability is to have the crate on the bedside table if it will fit..
So he had his surgery at Dogwood? They are wonderful!!!
Feel better Theo..prayers for you, buddy!
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 15, 2013 10:41:33 GMT -7
hi pauliana!
am i answering too quickly? i just returned home after a doctor appointment (for me) , leaving him in his crate with the radio playing classical music and he seems to have done fine while i was gone........(how do i know?? i don't.......just assuming the best) yes......he had the surgery at dogwood....my main contact there was dr. matt holahan and he was both compassionate and confidence inspiring......i felt i could trust his judgement and so far, that was correct......he even took theo to his home for the weekend!....i was impressed with all of the staff and am grateful to my excellent vet at easthaven, dr. barbara butman , who called me first thing this morning to check on us….and dr. holahan, called as well.
his meds are:
[19 lbs]
1. prednisone 5mg: give 1 tab once daily for 7 days, then i tab every other day for 14 days
2. tramadol 50 mg: give 1/2 tab orally every 8 hours for 14 days
3. gabapentin 100 mg. cap #45- give 1 capsule orally every 8 hours for 14 days
4. famotidine (pepcid ac): give 5 mg. orally twice daily while on prednisone
dr. galle at dogwood saw the travel crate and said it was just fine for theo.......and that"s the one i used on my bed but it seemed to short inside for him to stretch out comfortably .......neither of us slept very well........he only seemed to have bad pain once and the rest were sort of little whimpers.........i kept worrying that he needed to go potty but he didn't want to move.......so, we made it through the night but it was fitful.........today is much better re pain.........NO bad shrieks like in past days...... thank goodness.........now he's even happy with a chewie in his crate for the first time in a week! i'll keep trying to figure out how to upload a photo from flicker but somehow, this part is eluding me (and i'm an artist who works with photoshop all the time!)
thanx for your prayers! they must be working:-)
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 15, 2013 12:42:02 GMT -7
Glad to hear Theo is doing much better with pain.
Just post the Flicker URL, and we'll be able to see your photo.
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 18, 2013 8:00:48 GMT -7
Just a quick update to say that one week post surgery, theo is doing really, really well..........he hasn't cried out in pain at all for two days now (and it was only once or twice before that) and is being a great little champ about being in his crate all the time.......i put it on a dolly that is the same size and wheel it around to different views so he doesn't have to look at the same room forever....NPR is on the radio so he is up on current events.............. his bodily functions are just fine .......i've been feeding him his usual kibble with green beans (but smaller portions) along with an occasional treat including watermelon, carrots and even a little piece of apple now and then........it seems to help with the thirst from the prednisone and seems to help keeping his poops solid........
we go next week to get the staples out of his neck and decide next steps.....i pray it all continues so well......and i read everything i can on this website and thank you all again for all the good information.........
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Angela
New Member
First Surgery Sept 9, 2012 c3-c4; Second Surgery Oct 10, 2013 c4-c5.
Posts: 32
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Post by Angela on Oct 18, 2013 15:03:30 GMT -7
So glad to read your Theo is doing so well, my Harper is recovering for the same neck surgery (c4-c5, last year he had surgery for c3-c4) We are still trying to figure out pain management, hopefully we have his meds correct now. They are so amazing, resilient little loves. Sending continued good, healthy vibes to Theo, and looking forward to reading about his continued successful recovery!
PS the dolly for the crate is a fantastic idea!
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 19, 2013 15:25:03 GMT -7
thanx for your kind words, angela! your "harper" is so cute.........such a soulful gaze.......when i was growing up, we had a reddish/brown doxie who had that same sweet gaze..........who lived until she was 18 with never a spine problem! best wishes to you and finding the right mix for pain management..........so far, theo seems to be doing fine on the tramadol and gabapentin.........(see amounts above) fingers crossed!
ps....... yes.......the dolly works wonderfully!
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Post by Pauliana on Oct 19, 2013 20:33:21 GMT -7
Hi Nina, I am so happy to hear Theo is doing so well! What a cutie he is! Thank you for the update!!  |
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 24, 2013 6:58:01 GMT -7
i seem to be still confused about where to post what........but after doing so well since his first surgery on 11th oct., theo had serious pain two days ago.....just lying in his crate , all of a sudden he was seized with this horrible pain that caused him to contract and scream a prolonged scream that just tore at my heart..........i called dogwood right away and they said to bring him in for another MRI........and as the first surgery on a ruptured disc at c2-3 did its job, the area that they seemed on the fence about at c4-5 was inflamed so he is having a second , more extensive surgery today..........and i am trying to focus on being grateful that i have a doctor who knows what he is doing instead of focusing on everything else that gives me heartache.........
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 24, 2013 7:52:40 GMT -7
I'm so very sorry to hear this, Nina. My prayers are with Theo, you and the surgeons today. Please let us know how he does.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 24, 2013 8:40:53 GMT -7
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Oct 24, 2013 10:26:52 GMT -7
I am so sorry to hear that Theo has to have more surgery, and so thankful that you were right on top of it and he is getting the help he needs. Keeping you both in thought and prayer (((hugs)))
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Angela
New Member
First Surgery Sept 9, 2012 c3-c4; Second Surgery Oct 10, 2013 c4-c5.
Posts: 32
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Post by Angela on Oct 24, 2013 13:06:33 GMT -7
I am so sorry your sweet Theo had such a set back. If I have learned nothing else from Harper I have learned that these amazing babies of ours are big fighter and so resilient. Please keep us posted on how things go, it sounds like you have a fantastic team at Dogwood to help Theo back on the road to recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Theo, sending you good, healthy vibes.{{{BIG HUGS}}}
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 24, 2013 17:07:17 GMT -7
thank you all for all your good wishes, prayers and vibes.........theo is out of surgery and according to dr. galle at dogwood, all went very well....all things considered.......and once he recovers from the surgery itself, he should be pain free.......oh gosh....... i am so relieved ......the doc will call me in the morning with an update.......i'm off for a hot bath and some ice cream..
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Post by Pauliana on Oct 24, 2013 21:09:26 GMT -7
What a relief for you and Theo.. Your positive outlook will help him through this and yes indeed he is in great hands at Dogwood!
A hot bath and ice cream! Now there's a good idea!!
Sending comforting thoughts and prayers your way!
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Angela
New Member
First Surgery Sept 9, 2012 c3-c4; Second Surgery Oct 10, 2013 c4-c5.
Posts: 32
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Post by Angela on Oct 25, 2013 12:41:05 GMT -7
Such good news!!! I am so happy to hear all went well with the surgery, Theo is lucky to have such a fantastic team of doctors and an amazing mom. COntinued good healthy vibes being sent your way!
PS I ate lots of ice cream while Harper was at ASC, it is my go to comfort food. :-)
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 26, 2013 10:42:13 GMT -7
theo, 2nd day post surgery........call from dr. galle this morning........theo had a good night and is resting comfortably........all i'v."s were removed and he is eating and be taken out for potty sessions........and he said he was taking theo to his house for the weekend (where he takes his in- patients!) he will be on oral pain meds from now on and we will go day by day as to when i can bring him home........hopefully tuesday as i leave for a long planned three week trip to vietnam and nepal to do my photography........theo will stay with my amazingly capable and loving friend and dog sitter, jessica, who will tend to whatever his needs are......
.i would like to find a discussion about nutrition and the best dry dog foods.........my vet called as well and told me that she would like to see theo at least 3-4 pounds lighter and i totally agree, especially now that he will be crated for a long while during his recovery.....and eating is the high point of his day............and i don't want him to get fat with all this inactivity.......any conversations about this?? and how do i find theM?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 26, 2013 11:50:38 GMT -7
Wow, Theo goes home with Dr. Galle for the weekend, very nice supervision! You can learn more about finding a good quality food for Theo and how to read the list of ingredients in the link below. Also there are two links there where food brands have already been rated. opphs forgot to give the link: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/nutritionhealing.htm |
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 26, 2013 12:34:03 GMT -7
I trust Dog Food Advisor. They give ratings and discuss each ingredient in the dog food. You should be able to find a good quality food there. www.dogfoodadvisor.com/I'm very glad to hear that Theo is doing well. |
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Nina & Theo
New Member
one year later, all is well…….
Posts: 19
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Post by Nina & Theo on Oct 28, 2013 11:39:08 GMT -7
thank you for the links re dog foods! i found them very helpful......after theo is all healed and back to normal, i think i will slowly change his food to canadiae platinum (for senior and overweight dogs) (although he thinks he's no where near being senior (aged 8) and only 4 lbs overweight and doing better than his mom)
he was discharged today and is now home, happily chewing on a raw hide in his crate......which dr. holahan said is fine .........he is walking well and seems much more comfortable, thank goodness.........he has about a four inch row of staples going down from the lower back of his head.......and seems to look and feel much better after this second surgery on the c4-5 where he had a left dorsolateral laminectomy.........he did develop a mild corneal abrasion to his right eye ( somehow connected with the anesthetic) and has an antibiotic ointment for that.
his meds are:
1) prednisone 5mg: 1 tab orally once daily for 5 days, then i tab every other day o 10 days
2) tramadol 50 mg: 1/2 tab orally every 8 hours for 10 days
3) gabapentin: 100 mg cap #45- give 1 capsule orally every 8 hours until gone.
4)famotidine (pepcid AC) : 5 mg. orally with the prednisone
he is to be crated for two weeks to allow the surgery site to heal.......with trips out to the yard for potty needs........and he needs to go back in two weeks to have the staples removed........ i am SO relieved.........as i have mentioned before, i will be leaving on friday for three weeks photographing in vietnam and nepal and i know he will be well looked after by my friend and dog sitter, jessica!
all in all, i am very very pleased with the care we both received at dogwood....... i was kept in the loop always and could call any time day or night.......and theo says in spite of everything, he likes all his caretakers.....and "i didn't care about those pills being hidden in peanut butter" says he........
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 28, 2013 11:49:40 GMT -7
I'm so glad to hear that Theo is home and doing well! You're very fortunate to have someone you trust to look after Theo while you're away. Please give us updates when you can. We all want to know how your sweet little boy is doing.
Continued prayers for a speedy and complete recovery for Theor.
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Angela
New Member
First Surgery Sept 9, 2012 c3-c4; Second Surgery Oct 10, 2013 c4-c5.
Posts: 32
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Post by Angela on Oct 29, 2013 15:58:43 GMT -7
Harper and I are so happy to hear Theo is doing better, finally home and back on the road to recovery! Please keep us posted on how he is doing when you can. Keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers, sending good healthy vibes for a pain free, speedy recovery.
{{{Hugs}}}
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