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Post by redsonjasmom on Oct 24, 2013 15:02:10 GMT -7
I originally posted this on the Dodger's List's Facebook page but was asked to come here to post. So if you have read this before on FB I apologize.
I adopted my Sonja a little over a year ago at the humane society I worked at as a vet tech. She came to us as a approximately 7-year old stray dragging herself around a neighborhood. She was thin, her coat was dull and she bore old scars and new open sores from dragging. Radiographs did not reveal any traumatic injury to her spine so the doctors tentatively diagnosed IVDD. But there was no stopping the light in her eyes. I fell in love with her. So when her stray time was up we spayed her and I made join our pack of dachsies at home.
initially she had no superficial or deep pain perception below her rib cage. She began moving her legs slightly when she felt better and had filled out a bit more. So I initiated some home hydrotherapy in the bathtub with the help of a flotation vest. Her progress was very slow but occasionally she surprised us with another milestone like occasionally placing her feet correctly when in the cart. Now she is to the point where her hind legs often make walking movements but of course they can't keep up with her front end. I have sofar resisted putting her in a drag bag because even when she is not in the cart she sometimes pulls herself up onto all fours and walks up to four steps, albeit not in a steady fashion....more like spinal walking. She has some bladder and bowel control but we still help her empty her bladder and bowels several times a day, both by expression and by wiping over her back end....kind of like a mom dog stimulating her puppy to potty. Wiping that area also causes her to move her hind legs in walking fashion. The last couple of months she has developed a high sensitivity to pressure applied between her toes and pad of both hind feet. This pressure causes her to jerk and kick her hind legs strongly. I do some physical therapy with her trying to strenghten those muscles.
So my question is what does all that mean and where do we go from here? (Sorry this is so long) Thank you all!
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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 18:36:27 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Maureen. Welcome to Dodgers List. Sonja is a little darling with a very sweet face! Don't be surprised by her continued improvement  - we have members whose dogs started walking months to years after their IVDD episode. One whose cart came loose and the dog walked right out of it, surprising everyone (dog too!) Continued physiotherapy, water therapy and accupuncture help with neural healing. Nerves do heal, albeit very slowly. Consider accupuncture if it is accessible and affordable - it really has helped many dogs with their recovery. I was a Vet Tech too, retired a couple of years ago Check out all of the info on this site - there is so much here that is helpful, both for Sonja and any others you may come across |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,603
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 25, 2013 13:34:16 GMT -7
Corinne, welcome to Dodgerslist. What a wonderful home Sonja has found at your house!!! I believe continued water therapy at home or with an underwater treadmill clinic will be very beneficial. The toe tickling are really great reflexes to incorporate into the daily PT. Check out these articles for additional help www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm [at home PT] www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm [at home water therapy] www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingacupuncture.htm [acupuncture and laser light therapy] Can you clarify if she does have bladder control returning. When you take her outdoors to sniff an old pee spot does she then release urine? That would be bladder control. When they first start they can initiate a stream but maybe not finish…so that would be good for you to continue with a quick express check unti you are certain she fully voids by herself. let us know wht you observe. Do you see any happy tail wags? If she can do that, then she is not spinal walking. Spinal walking is done by dogs who have no deep pain sensation present. |
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Post by redsonjasmom on Oct 26, 2013 12:10:07 GMT -7
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I will look into acupuncture and continue to work with my sweet Sonja. She is such an amazing little dog. |
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Post by redsonjasmom on Oct 27, 2013 9:54:01 GMT -7
As far as her bladder control....sniffing the pee spot outside doesn't seem to work (but how much of that may be just typical stubborn dachsie, lol?) She releases urine when her bladder gets over full. So it's just overflow. But yes, occasionally she manages to wag her tail which actually was her first sign after I brought her home. Also, when she pulls herself into her bed her hind legs seem to help by pushing her hind end around into a better position.
What melts my heart every time is when she expresses her love and after I help her empty her bladder. She will lay her head on my shoulder and give gentle kisses. Initially after I brought her home she would cringe every time she had accident.....almost like she expected to be punished or yelled at....so sad. But no more. Thank you all for your input. I highly appreciate it!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,603
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 27, 2013 10:06:19 GMT -7
Look for a tail wag, that is specifically associated with seeing you, hearing your happy talk or getting a treat…that is the true neuro function. Other tail movements during potty time or pressing on the tail are due to reflex.
Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord:
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
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.
Being able to walk would be icing on a cake that is already quite wonderful. Sophie is happy and she has a wonderful loving friend in you…. life is good.
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- we have members whose dogs started walking months to years after their IVDD episode. One whose cart came loose and the dog walked right out of it, surprising everyone (dog too!)
