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Post by frankenstein on Oct 25, 2013 8:58:21 GMT -7
Hi Everyone --
I'm not quite sure where to start on this, but I just thought i'd post about my pup's surgery as this site has been very helpful to me and it would be nice to have some more feedback.
While visiting my mom in upstate NY last weekend (6 hours from Boston where we live), I left Frankie home for 2 hours while I helped my mom with something. When I came home I noticed he did not follow up the stairs as per usual. At first, not realizing what was the issue, I just carried him upstairs, but as the day progressed, he got worse. His back was arched like a cat and he would not let me hold him without yelping. Eventually he took to hiding under the bed. By that time, it was already night, so I figured i'd get a vet appointment in the morning -- which I did. Just to note -- Frankie has had a disc inflamation issue in the past (July) so I thought we could address with pain meds and anti-inflammatories.
The next day (Saturday 10/19) we took him on the walk in the morning and he seemed slow but was eager to walk. We took him to the vet and they gave us pain meds. I feel they went off of our diagnosis and did not thouroughly check him although I was starting to see signs that he was walking strange. I thought he was just weak so we babied him all day and carried him around, but by night we put him down to go to the bathroom and he couldn't use his legs...... It is something I feel guilty about constantly.
We immediately took him to emergency in Rochester, where we were given the option of having them monitor him or to do surgery. We chose surgery, but since we did not live in Rochester - we wanted to make sure he would be near us so we drove 6 hours from 11PM to 5am to the MSPCA where they have neuro staff on hand.
That Sunday - 10/20 - he went into surgery at around 2PM and came out at 5PM. Prior to going in they saw he still had deep pain sensation and very miniscule motor movement in his left hind leg. I was concerned we jeopardized him by choosing to come home for his surgery.... That is still my concern today.
Day 1 out of surgery he was scooting around on his butt and somewhat hind legs, but by Day 2 he showed remarkable improvement (says the surgeon) and was discharged. He is still very unsteady on his hind legs and is walking around like a drunken sailor (day 5 post op), but otherwise seems to be doing ok.
Here is a link to the MSPCA's website about Frankie: www.facebook.com/AngellAnimalMedical?ref=stream&viewer_id=0#!/photo.php?fbid=749703885043268&set=a.733850453295278.1073741825.156015677745428&type=1
I just wish I could have brought him in sooner, like I should have known better when I saw he was walking strange earlier in the day on Saturday at the 1st Vet.... my concern is that by not giving him surgery right away, did I jeapordize his long term improvement or his chances at walking perfectly normal again?
His doctors say he will most likely fall in the 90% range for recovery, but what does that mean? Will he be perfectly normal again, like before his surgery? Will he run? I recognize we will have to take alot of precautions going forward, but I like to mentally prepare myself for what is to come. I just want to see him happy again.
Sorry for the length of this entry -- the following are his stats:
What is your dog's name? Frankenstein ("Frankie")
-- How much does your dog weigh? (19.2 lbs)
--What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD? Lhasa Apso and yes.
-- What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? Sunday, 10/20
--Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? yelping when we pick him up.
Tramadol 50mg/half tablet up to every 8 hours and
Rimadyl 20 mg/ml -- .8ml by mouth up to every 12 to 24 hours.
wobbly walk
he holds until we are outside.
-- Eating and drinking OK? yes. He is actually drinking alot more than he is letting out outside.
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? normal
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Oct 25, 2013 11:41:01 GMT -7
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that your story sounds quite a bit like ours. I also didn't take my dog, Cleo into the vet until she lost the ability to walk, even though she had been whining when we touched her for about 24 hours before. I know how you feel, I was also guilty and kept beating myself up about WHY I didn't take her sooner. I just thought she had an upset tummy, and I wanted to wait until Monday to take her to her regular vet. Don't feel bad, you just didn't know, and when you did understand that Frankenstein's condition was serious, you got him the best help he could get.
A 90% chance of recovery is great! The surgeon gave my dog the same chance, and now, almost 6 months later she is walking, running and back to being her old self. A full recovery does mean that Frankenstein will be happy and healthy, but there will have to be a "new normal" since he should not be allowed to do things he once did like jump on furniture or use the stairs.
It sounds like things are going very well for Frankenstein already, wobbly walking is great this soon after surgery! Just be sure to continue strict crate rest and limit his walking. Your surgeon can give you suggestions for a walking routine that will slowly build up his strength. For us, Cleo was allowed no walking for 2 weeks following surgery, and then she started with 5 minute walks using a sling and we increased the walking routine by adding an additional 5 minutes each week until we got to 30 minutes a day. Right now though, it has only been 5 days since his surgery, so I don't think he should be walking at all except at potty times. I know it is hard to keep them quiet, but what he really needs right now is time to rest and recover.
The only thing that concerns me about your post is that you said Frankenstein is still yelping when you pick him up. Frankenstein should not have any pain, so it sounds like his meds may need to be adjusted. My Cleo had periods where she improved a lot, then she had some bad days where she was sore from overdoing it. Definitely call the surgeon's office to ask about better ways to control his pain. Frankenstein needs to be totally pain-free so that he can concentrate on healing!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,548
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 25, 2013 12:34:27 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? I agree wholeheartedly with Cleo's mom, pain needs to be reported to the vet to get the meds adjusted just right for Frankie. Tramadol unless given at minimum 8 hours may not be controlling pain fully…if you are giving it promptly every 8 hours, there are other meds your vet can add to the Tramadol to help with pain. Anytime an anti-inflamamtory is in use (such as Rimadyl) it is important to protect the stomach. The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason my dog may not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving approx 20lbs doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID. What directives did your vet give for at home PT and for crate rest? You can best get a handle on nerve healing by reading this page: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htmIf Frankie is still wobbly, do try a sling, harness and leash at potty times to control his speed and to keep his rear end from tipping over.  |
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Post by frankenstein on Oct 25, 2013 15:26:22 GMT -7
Hi Cleosmom/Paula!
Thank you both so much for your words of reassurance. My name is Jacquie.
Some more information on his care includes the following PT -- Range of motion movements in his leg for 10 to 15 minutes 3 to 4x per day and massaging his hind legs (same intervals). I noticed that when I do this for him he seems to be uncomfortable and tries to move away from me. This again, possibly is attirbuted to his pain management (?)
Other than that he is on strict rest for 6 weeks. We are also currently limiting him to walking only when we get outside for his bathroom breaks. Unfortunately we live in a 2 story condo so we had to create a sled system to take him to the elevator and out the front door for him to walk from that point to go to the bathroom.
Right after reading your responses to my post, I called our surgeon and left a message with the hospital to discuss increasing any pain medications we can and the possiblity of using pepcid. Thank you for pointing that out for me. As obvious as it seems, I didnt really think of that. Also, thank you for the towel suggestion, Paula, we've been taking one with us on walks but so far he has been ok on his own.
I just want to thank you both again as this has been a pretty difficult time on me (and my boyfriend) and more importantly, Frankie. I'm trying my best not to beat myself up, but it just came as such a shock -- one minute he was ok, the next he wasnt walking. It'll be an adjustment, but its good to hear personal experiences from everyone else as well.  Thanks again for taking the time to talk to me!!! |
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Post by RustysMom on Oct 26, 2013 8:53:35 GMT -7
Hi Jacquie...My name is Pam. I wanted to let you know that your story also sounds very much like mine....and since we are now 6 weeks post surgery today, I wanted to share the good news too.
I also was beating myself up for not taking Rusty in sooner. But at the time, I thought I was doing right by him. He injured his back late afternoon on a Friday, but the symptoms didn't start showing up until later that night. He was walking strangely at first, so I thought when he fell he had just pulled a muscle or something. He didn't show any other signs of pain. But an hour or so later, he was dragging a bit, and knuckling his feet under some. I had some tramadol, so I gave him a dose and he went into his bed and rested well. I slept next to him on the living room floor, in case he tried to get up during the night. But since he slept well the entire night, I though the rest would help.
Come 7AM the next morning, I got up and went to the bathroom and noticed he did not follow me. When I came back, he was still just sitting in his bed. I went to the door to let my other dog out and ask if he wanted out, and he came towards me, completely dragging his back half. I was terrified, and headed to the emergency vet. After several hours there, and then a trip to another city to see a neurologist and several more hours there, he finally went to surgery at 6PM Saturday night. I then felt horrible for not taking him in the night before. He also had deep pain sensation before surgery, but no movement. The surgery went well, and they also said he was in the 90% chance of recovery group.
Anyway, skip ahead 6 weeks....after all of the bits and pieces others describe of small accomplishments by the day.....first tail wag, then some ability to shift his weight, then the return of feeling in his toes...and so on-- Rusty is now walking on his own, and even really WANTS to run everywhere, which has always been his norm. In fact, my biggest problem now is keeping him from doing too much! He is half Jack Russell terrier, so he just wants to get back to squirrel and rodent chasing. I took him for laser treatments soon after surgery, and then started swim therapy twice a week when the surgeon ok'd it. Both seem to really help. His walking is pretty near normal now, he just has a bit of side to side alignment issues if he tries to go too fast or is getting tired.
SO, I hope that helps give you more encouragement in regards to Frankie. It sound like he is making progress, I look forward to hearing how he does!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,548
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 26, 2013 10:04:07 GMT -7
A dog who can walk may not like you doing the leg PT with them. If you are sure he has no other signs of pain (shivering, yelping, tight tummy) then you know he simply does not like you messing with his legs/feet.
You might check with your surgeon…. Many surgeons will say the PT for a wobbly dog IS walking. So that might be more than a few footsteps at potty time, it might be where feasible the dog walks to and from the potty the potty place as the PT. The sling during PT is to keep the spine aligned and the butt from tipping over…all to protect the healing post op healing tissues.
Let us know what your surgeon says about pain meds and the challenges you are having with leg PT.
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Post by frankenstein on Oct 30, 2013 8:01:51 GMT -7
Hi Pam/Paula/Everyone! Frank is now 1 week and 3 days post op! Hooray. It has been a trying time I'll say -- especially keeping him quiet. 3 days post surgery and he was up n' at em, walking on his potty breaks as if nothing happened (granted wobbly like a drunken sailor). All he wants to do is play! I don't know how we are going to keep this up for another 4 weeks! I recognize i've been really blessed though and am thankful for that. He is doing much better with his pain now. The doctor was hesitent to give him any more medication than necessary. He has even taken him off Rimadyl this past Monday. Paula, much like you said, the doctor said his walking is his PT so were happy for that as he was not having it. Now he has taken to try to bite his scar, but thankfully he cannot reach it. We are going in on Saturday to have his sutures removed. Should be very exciting for Frank to be in a car again. One thing to note -- my doctor has said we can put him up in a spare room without anything to jump on and that should be ok. My concern is, is allowing him that room to walk about -- is that too much? Granted he sleeps most of the day, I just dont know how strict that is for "crate rest". I just want to do what is right for him. The room is not large at all. Thanks again for everyone's support It has been so helpful to me and thank you Pam for sharing your story with me -- glad to know i'm not alone. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,548
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 30, 2013 9:19:42 GMT -7
Jacquie, the scar might be a bit itchy. You can break open a vitamin E capsule and lightly smear the oil on the scar tissue. Crate rest is to allow all the surgical procedure cutting (muscles, bone and the disc) to heal. We all kow that broken arms are kept in a cast for 6 weeks so the bone knits back together properly. Because Frankie had surgery and the disc pieces pressing on his spinal cord were removed, he can benefit by early PT. PT is way different than just letting a dog be in a room without anything to jump on. Dogs will always to do the unexpected in a blink of an eye, run/dart to the other side of the room hearing a TV doorbell or seeing something float past the window. PT is done under your complete eyeball to eyeball control and supervision. It is slow and deliberate movements to practice the correct form of walking. And you do it for short periods of time so that Frankie does not overdo things. So it is best he stay inside his recovery suite and you take him out for potty, for vet visits and to do the PT your surgeon directs. Something to discuss with your vet…with dogs who can wobbly walk, often a surgeon will direct walking to and from the potty place. Of course with full control via sling, harness and leash. |
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Thanks again for taking the time to talk to me!!!
