Laurie's Bode - 10/15 surgery

Hi Laurie, my name is Maureen. Welcome to Dodgers List. Never give up hope - it takes 2-3 weeks for post op swelling to go down. We have a member currently on the list whose dog Roxi is starting to regain her DPS after having surgery on Oct 11 No one can predict how much function will return, not even a surgeon, and each dog is unique, but there is a general order to how nerves heal. Does Bode wag his tail at all? If you take him to an old pee spot will he sniff about and release urine (sniff and pee test)? Is his pain well controlled? What medications - if any- is he on, both name of med and dosage?

Here is how nerves typically heal... 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

We all are here to help, we have all been through this either with surgery, or with conservative treatment, or both. Keep us posted on Bode's progress.

Hi Laurie! Thinking of you as you care for Bode! I am Roxi's owner that Maureen was speaking of and she had surgery on 10/11/13. Her DPS just started to come back...she was similar in that she had it when going into surgery. She did not have it 2 weeks post op, but this week, she does! She is doing acupuncture, water therapy and laser light and I am starting to see improvements!

This takes a lot of time and patience..I am learning... and it is small steps but we will take them! Best of luck to you and your baby!

Hi Laurie,

I remember when my Tyler did his first tail wag after surgery and it was cause for celebration. I learned to appreciate every little sign of improvement.  From wobbly walking to tail wagging to trying to scratch with one of his back feet. Things we took for granted before became cause for tears of joy. It's still early yet in Bode's  post op recovery even though it doesn't seem like it. Swelling is still going down from the surgery so there is every hope for improvement to come.. Keep the faith! 

Wow, he has been a busy boy! The next time he stays at the Vet insist on a floor level cage - it he can escape, or they can't insure that it is properly latched then he needs to be kept at ground level. Even though he seems to be okay, it sure doesn't help to drop 3 feet to the ground! He is one lucky little dude!!!
He can be helping to empty his own bladder a bit, and that is a good sign that he has some nerve function returning! Stay hopeful, nerves heal at their own slow pace.
Let us know how he makes out with the playpen
Keep the faith - he's doing great

Hi Laurie,

Since Bode is licking his pack paws, he must be feeling some sensations back there.. Do keep an eye on that because if he starts biting his back paws it can be as a result of nerve pain.. It starts as numbness and escalates to burning pain and this is so painful dogs have been known to do serious damage to themself to the point of biting off the offending body part. Gabapentin, is excellent for nerve pain and would be the drug of choice if he has nerve pain. Please speak with your vet if you notice his licking turning to biting his paws..  


REGAINING NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION has no time limit for nerves to heal. Nerve repair is individual as each injury is different and each dog’s ability to heal is different. If deep pain perception (DPP) is present, even in paralyzed legs, there is a chance your dog may be able to walk again. For those dogs who have lost DPP, do know nerve regeneration can take place and that function may return. Once deep pain perception is regained, your dog has a chance at a walking recovery. Thousands of dogs on Dodgerslist have regained functions in as little as 2 weeks, others 11 months, and still others 3 years later. IVDD is a disease of patience to allow the body to heal on its own terms. Acupuncture and Laser Therapy stimulate the cell’s metabolism that leads to the body’s natural repair abilities and can be started at any time.


Once nerves have repaired then muscles will also have to be retrained to relearn proper placement of the paws. Some muscles will need to regain strength for walking. Consider learning to walk again as it would be for a stroke victim or a baby learning to walk. At first, the steps will be weak and a bit unstable. Relearning to walk takes coordination, building up strength, and lots of patience.

There is no timetable anyone can give you when to expect nerve repair to happen. In fact, there is no time limit for nerves to heal...it can take weeks to more like a year or even longer. However, it is known that neurological function usually returns in the reverse order of the damage. The first big sign you want to look for is that wonderful tail wag!
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you, getting a treat or due to your happy talk.
3. Bladder and bowel control proved by passing the "sniff and pee" test.
Take your dog out to an old pee spot in the grass. Let him sniff and then observe for release of urine.
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 placed paws.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.

That's absolutely wonderful news, Laurie! Very glad to hear it. Please keep us updated when he gets home and also let us know what the surgeon prescribes for crate rest and PT.

All the best to you and Bode.