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Post by shelbydog on Oct 21, 2013 8:22:25 GMT -7
Hello friends. Shelby is a 5 year old standard dachshund. She suddenly lost control of her back legs Saturday morning, 10/12. She has had some back issues before which had been monitored with Rimadyl (don't worry -- we haven't been giving this to her post-surgery!) and crate rest. The week prior to her incident she was definitely slow and we had been resting her, carrying her around, but suddenly that morning her legs wouldn't work. We rushed her to our vet who rushed us to the emergency surgeon. She had only slight deep pain sensation (if at all -- they're not sure) when she went into surgery. She came home three days later feeling more DPS than when she went in. A week after her surgery she started to wag her tail a bit -- exciting! -- but she still has no bladder control. We are expressing her. It does seem that she's able to poop on her own sometimes, but occasionally some will be in her bed. We're keeping her clean and dry and resting in her crate at all times. Hopefully you all can share some positive news about your doxies!
-- What is your dog's name? Shelby
-- How much does your dog weigh? 18lbs
--Is there still currently pain - She shivers and moans occassionally -- significantly decreasing every day we get away from surgery. She's always sort of done that -- she shakes when she's nervous or anxious. The vet is telling us it might be a reaction to the pain meds (tramadol) which we have weaned her off of. Tummy is soft.
-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? tramadol (I'm probably misspelling this), 1/2 tablet every 8-12 hours. We've since stopped this on vet's order. Also half a 10mg Pepcid AC every 12 hours.
-- No mobility in the legs at all. She just started to wag her tail a few days ago, exactly a week after surgery (yay!). She does have DPS confirmed by the vet.
--Yes. We are expressing her several times a day. We're using pee pads to line her bed so we don't have to keep washing all her bedding multiple times a day.
-- Eating and drinking OK? -- Yes! Great appetite.
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? -- Pooping just fine (normal color and consistency). Sometimes it seems like she's trying to poop when we take her outside.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 21, 2013 11:35:45 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? Great news on a happy tail wag…. the next neuro function to return will likely be bladder/bowel control. In the meantime expressing needs to keep her dry from session to session. Are you expressing every 3-4 hours? Are you able to feel the bladder at the last stage where it goes so flat you can almost feel the finger of the other hand? Great video and tips to help you keep away UTI's and loss of bladder tone with good expressing techniques. You can also express for poop… it's not the health concern that the bladder is, but more to avoid abhorrent poop where Shelby sleeps: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmThe only way for us humans to know when bladder control is starting to return is with the sniff and pee test. Periodically carry outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe in the next days/weeks. More information on the order in which neuro functions come back: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htmWould you consider helping another trying to make decisions… We have a directory where you can share surgical costs: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting State: Hospital: Address: Cost: Date of surgery: What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.) Comments: |
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Post by shelbydog on Oct 21, 2013 12:05:10 GMT -7
My name is Alison. Thanks for the links! Hopefully nerve regeneration will continue and we'll keep progressing (albeit slowly). What would you recommend we do when we take her out? Just hold her up and hope she sniffs around? She cannot support her weight on her legs at all. We've been carrying her to her "bathroom" spot, holding her up and seeing if she'll do anything, but end up expressing her.
Is there any kind of PT we can do with her? I'm afraid to do anything that might negate her strict crate rest, but I've seen other people posting about bicycling the legs or massaging. I'm meeting with the vet this afternoon so will ask him, but just wondering what others have tried.
Does anyone else have a timeline they can share about tail wagging to bladder control? I know every dog is different and that no dog's recovery will be the same, just wondering what kind of range there is.
Thanks!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 21, 2013 12:28:07 GMT -7
Alison, there is no timeline for nerve healing, each dog is different…we just have to wait and see what happens. Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here: ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.htmlwww.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is never recommended for IVDD dogs. At potty time use a sling to save your own back and help to keep her back aligned and from tipping over. A harness and leash is to control speed and from darting off.  IF you believe she is still showing some signs of pain, do let the vet or surgeon know so pain meds can be adjusted, maybe bring back Tramadol. What did your surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest? You can ask him about these type of exercises: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm |
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Post by shelbydog on Nov 12, 2013 7:30:34 GMT -7
Hi! Just an update:
We're now a little over 4 weeks post-surgery and Shelby is walking! We're so thrilled. Two weeks post-surgery she still wasn't moving her hind legs at all, but slowly she's started to bear weight, stand, and even take some steps unassisted in the past two weeks. We're still keeping her in the crate for the most part, but the vet directed us to let her walk on her own when we take her out to go to the bathroom. She's doing great!
We began physical therapy yesterday and are doing some leg-strengthening exercises at home. Friday we're trying out the underwater treadmill with the therapy team, and we're very excited about it.
Overall we're keeping her quiet at home, except for some PT. Shelby is happy, doing well, and we're excited about her progress so far!
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Nov 12, 2013 17:28:34 GMT -7
That is absolutely wonderful, Alison! Great news. I can hear your smiles all over your posting! We're very happy for you and Shelby.  |
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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 Nov 12, 2013 18:43:39 GMT -7
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful update! |
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