|
|
Post by tjhs10 on Oct 13, 2013 16:40:19 GMT -7
We have a four year male Doxie he's around 16lb .we came home late Monday afternoon and he could hardly walk ,so I loaded him up and took him to the emergency vet .
10/7 07:30pm I took blue to the emergency vet .they took x-rays and said he probably had a bulging disc and gave us pain pills and steroids and told us keep him in a crate for 6 weeks
10/8 1:30 pm I came home to check on him and he could still stand
10/8 6:30pm blue could no longer stand
10/9 7:30pm I took blue to his regular vet and he had no deep pain .the vet recommended he stay there and increase his steroids or surgery BUT HE DIDN'T TELL ME time was of the essence if that's what I wanted to do ... I wish I had known then what I know now
10/10 4:00pm I went by the vet to check on him and still no change .but after doing some research on dead pain on this site . i told the vet i wanted to do surgery .He called Mississippi State University . They said come as fast as I could .Its a 2.5 hour drive I got there around 7:30pm .The neurologist looked at him and told me we had a 20percent chance the surgery would work . Because it had been so long since he lost deep pain . So I told them to go for it .They finished surgery around 2:00am . And all went well they told me he will need to stay there for 8 to 10 days
He has been there since surgery each dog is assigned a student who calls me every morning and every night to give me an update .They staff and the students could not be any nicer .this morning the neurologist called and told me the paralysis had moved 1inch towards his head and that it could keep moving .The neurologist told me this was possible before the surgery but it was rare . Is anyone one familiar with any of this? One lesson learned no deep pain go immediately to the neurologist .Does anyone think he has a chance ? What can I do to help him?
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
|
Post by PaulaM on Oct 13, 2013 17:03:48 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula, what is yours? I'm so sorry to hear Blue has been diagnosed with disc disease. There is always the potential whether with conservative treatment, surgery or a car accident…that when the spinal cord has been injured another disease can follow on the heels. This disease is called myelomalacia. My surgeon also warned me of the same. So that you are not in the dark, you may wish to read up on it more be able ask the surgeon specific questions about Myelomalacia. The cause of M or how it progresses is still unknown and that is why research is going on at Purdue Univ. Myelomalacia will be easily confirmed by your DVM with the following: * about 3-4 days into recovery, they become painful. Within the first week, they are in a LOT of pain. * development of excruciating pain (more than just pain from the original disc herniation) • even the strongest pain meds do not help * acute disc extrusion with no deep pain sensation * loss of anal tone, the anus hangs open, (anal flaccidity) and areflexia (below normal or no reflexes) * loss of cutaneous trunci reflex at a level more cranial to a previous evaluation over a period of hours to days with or w/o surgery * development of fever (normal rectal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit) * sudden twitching or jerking of the neck and/or head * loss of voice, hoarse bark * can't hold body up, can't hold head up * increased respiration/ labored breathing • hyper-esthesia (over-reaction to any touch sensation on body) www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Myelomalacia.pdfwww.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/myelomalacia.htmM is not that common, so we hope to hear he is pulling through post op surgical swelling and doing well being transitioned to oral pain pills in order to come home. Until bladder control returns you will get a lesson on how to express the bladder. You may wish to check out these links to get prepared for home coming day: Discharge Day clinic/hospital questions www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm Expressing Bladder and Bowel www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmSetting up the recovery suite- the pink box on the right www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmPlease update us as you get them. |
|
|
|
Post by tjhs10 on Oct 13, 2013 19:10:41 GMT -7
Just got update from neurologist . it's not good it keeps moving up and he's getting very weak they want to look at him again in the morning. But they wanted to know tonight if I wanted to be there if they have to put him down.. He is in ICU and will be monitored through the night every hour.. They said they would call me tonight if it gets worse...
|
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Oct 13, 2013 20:37:48 GMT -7
Prayers for Blue and for you.. I am so sorry it doesn't sound good.
Sending Hugs your way!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335 
|
Post by StevieLuv on Oct 13, 2013 22:07:21 GMT -7
Keeping Blue in thought and prayer (((hugs)))
|
|
|
|
Post by tjhs10 on Oct 14, 2013 8:24:56 GMT -7
I had to put Blue down this morning it kept going up his spine. Thanks for answering some questions for me. I wish I had found this site sooner. I'm going to spread the word about this great website ... Thanks
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Oct 14, 2013 9:14:06 GMT -7
I am so very, very sorry for your loss. There was absolutely nothing that you could do. You and Blue fought a brave battle, and now it is time to rest. Blue is running fast and pain free now, and will meet you again at the Bridge. My deepest sympathies (((hug)))
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
|
Post by PaulaM on Oct 14, 2013 10:32:31 GMT -7
I'm so saddened to read this news about Blue. Blue did not leave you, just his body did, he just changed worlds and now he forever remains in a safe and warm place... your loving heart and your memory... he is now watching over you. May he soon begin to help you laugh again as you are reminded of his antics and unique quirkiness! There is a lovely website called the Dachshund Memorial Garden where you can pay tribute and even place a photo. Many touching poems to help in this time of grief: www.dachshundmemorialgarden.comThere is a new Facebook page for those who have lost dogs to myelomalacia www.facebook.com/groups/381150025318109/ if you feel like checking it out. You did the right thing by letting him go. I know, too, from personal experience with Myelomalacia and it is not easy to say goodbye it's heartbreaking and painful. Celebrate his life not these last days. Thank you for helping to educate others about IVDD. This will be a wonderful legacy for Blue. When you are up to it ask Linda to send you some of our free literature to pass out wherever you see breeds prone to this disease. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas are most often affected. Warmest of ((hugs)) to you at this difficult time. |
|
|
|
Post by tjhs10 on Oct 14, 2013 12:46:41 GMT -7
 Thank Yall and I would love to get some handouts to pass out to some people so I will be in touch.. I sure wish I had known more about what to do.. Maybe Blue would still be here..... |
|
Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Oct 14, 2013 13:08:06 GMT -7
There was absolutely nothing you could have done to prevent this. Myelomalacia can happen whenever a dog's spine is severely injured. Even if Blue had immediate surgery after the first sign of his disc episode, it would not have prevented this.
My sincerest condolences on your loss. My heart breaks for you and for Blue. My prayers are with you.
|
|
Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
|
Post by Deborah & Angel on Oct 14, 2013 14:58:39 GMT -7
So, so sorry...my thoughts and prayers are with you...it hurts to lose a pet..  |
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Oct 14, 2013 19:49:55 GMT -7
Sending comforting HUGS to you in this time of great sorrow. You gave dear Blue the best of gifts, the release from pain of Myelomalacia and as Marjorie said, there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.
They don't know as yet why it happens to some spinal injury cases and not to others.. but the research continues at Purdue Univerisity Teaching Hospital where my Tyler goes.. Purdue is on it and I know they will come up with the answer some day..
Blue will always love you and watch over you and is safe and sound in your heart..
|
|
