Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 11, 2013 6:36:00 GMT -7
OMGosh Linda, it's all so confusing. We live in Pennsylvania. The more I read, the more confused I get. I just don't know what to do.
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Post by Pauliana on May 11, 2013 19:28:48 GMT -7
Debbie,
How about asking your vet that is treating Angel for his recommendations about vaccinations/ flea and heartworm now that she has IVDD. How soon is she due for Vaccines?
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 12, 2013 6:09:06 GMT -7
I'll need to check on that, Pauliana, I'm just afraid they will be more concerned about making the bucks than the health of my pet.. :/ You know how they can be.
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 12, 2013 8:03:11 GMT -7
Debbie, do you live near a woods or are you in a city? Do you board your dogs? Are they near other dogs such as in a dog park? Have you had a flea problem. Does your neighbors have dogs with fleas. I think these are some of the things you need to consider when thinking about vaccines and meds. Also what are the current laws for your state, city and county with rabies.
In IL we lived in a city and no wildlife around. Not much heartworm there as it was cold in the winter so mosquitoes were killed. Here in TX there is a lot of wildlife nearby and it even wonders near our home. Hot so mosquitoes do not die during the winter. Lots of heartworm. I gave my dogs shots and meds I never would have given them in IL.
Do talk with your vet and if there are reputable breeders in your area, rescues, or even some dog clubs, contact them and see what they are doing.
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 12, 2013 10:58:16 GMT -7
Thank you Linda.. :/ You are really unable to see, but I wish you could...My profile pic is Me...in the Pen with Angel, and her Half-Sister sitting on top of me...We are all snuggling on Mother's Day...Enjoyed by all. Two days to go for Angel and she is CAGE FREE...WHOOHOO!!! Happy Mother's Day Everyone!!!
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 14, 2013 9:41:44 GMT -7
Today is the DAY...WHOOHOO!!! I'm letting Angel out of the crate in spurts...ramp training isn't going well, she's just too excited to be out of the crate.*sigh*. Working our way up as to not over do it, but those 5 minutes out of the crate I'm a nervous wreck. I need a short leash, attached to my ankle...and then...I haven't anticipated Bedtime...OMGosh, what to do?? They sleep with us..Please advise, anyone???
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Ticker Marie & Daphne
New Member
New problem - uncontrollable kicking of back legs when walking
Posts: 104
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Post by Ticker Marie & Daphne on May 14, 2013 10:30:12 GMT -7
Congratulations Angel (and Debbie) you made it to graduation. Daphne still has 13 more days til 6 weeks post op. Hopefully her surgeon will let her be off crate rest, didn't last surgery! I am so happy for you. All my best always and many hugs and kisses for Angel. Take care, one day at a time:)
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 14, 2013 10:38:24 GMT -7
Thank you Marie...I won't be going anywhere...This is our Family and I'm sure I'll still have questions and information to share. I'll pop in to encourage the Newbies, and hopefully keep them from going "over the edge" the way everyone here kept me from losing it. I'll keep in touch with you too, Daphne will do well, she has YOU taking care of her...WE are a STRONG breed of PEOPLE, our Doxies make us that way...Much love and many (((hugs))) to you and Daphne..
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 14, 2013 10:51:56 GMT -7
Oh wait, I have a question for the Moderators...Since we have been doing short walks since the 1st of May, how strict do we need to be with Angel's activity?
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Post by Pauliana on May 14, 2013 13:38:16 GMT -7
Happy Crate rest graduation day!! Take one day at a time and keep working with the ramp training. It will take some time as it is a whole new thing with Angel. Right now she is oh so excited and I don't blame her. Wait until she relaxes a bit and then try ramp training again.
I would still crate her at bedtime just to be on the safe side. Unless there is no way at all of her falling off the bed while every one is sleeping.
Gradually increase the walk every few days. You can gage by her reactions, when to stop or slow down. She still has to build up her stamina, so just take it easy at first. You are so watchful, I have every confidence you can read her like a book.
So excited for you and Angel..and I am glad you are going to stick around with us!
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 15, 2013 8:10:19 GMT -7
Thank you Pauliana, It breaks my heart to watch her...She tried to jump onto the couch (before I could get to her)(boy, they are quick) and her back legs aren't strong enough. Thank goodness, but I do need to build those muscles back up, how do I do that? Both girls are doing a little better with the ramp today, I'm sure we CAN do this. It will just take some time and patience. We open our Camp Memorial Day weekend (late for us), but due to circumstances, we are ready to make it "Back Friendly" for our Furkids. I've ordered ramps for inside the camper, and the Hubster has his list of what he needs to torn the Back steps into a ramp for the girls to go on & off the deck, I just need to go get the carpet. A relaxing weekend is MUCH needed.. I did decide to continue to crate at bedtime, not sure what else I can do...she won't fall off the bed, but I'm afraid since she's feeling better, she'll JUMP off. My bed is 2 foot off the floor...ugh Another issue: What do I do about her wanting to jump onto the back of the couch to look out the window? There is no way I can move the couch. Is it ok to bath her and have your visits to the groomer changed? What had you told your groomer? Ours usually has us drop them off and we pick up when they are done...good or bad, should I wait with her? Am i being over-protective?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on May 15, 2013 14:28:57 GMT -7
Personally, I would want to stay with the grooomer, unless you are very confident they know about IVDD and handling the back carefully. Have you looked at furniture blockers or large decorator pillow to keep the dogs off the couch unless you are present to supervise and retrain not to jump on back of couch? All of this information and more is waiting for you in our "Recovery period is over, then what?" section on the far right column: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectbackblocker.htm [furniture blockers]
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Post by Pauliana on May 15, 2013 14:53:24 GMT -7
Hi Debbie! No you are not being over protective. There are precautions to take to insure she doesn't have a relapse and I went through all the same emotions when Tyler graduated on March 11th..He isn't allowed to jump on furniture so we put sofa pillows on the furniture and move them aside when we went to sit down.. It's a back friendly decorating scheme. Our inside stairs are a major no no.. He doesn't attempt to go up but I have caught him in an attempt to go down when he heard a knock at the door..After that we got baby gates for the stairs upstairs and down.. So the only way up or down is by one of us carrying him.. We had more trouble with the excited jump up to greet family members and have taught him the command "No jump!" He finally learned that! It takes time and patience and retraining away from activities that used to be the norm.. Angel's muscles will build up as you continue her walks and build up her endurance gradually. Jumping should be discouraged and hopefully she will get the idea of the ramp..Same with her sibling, discourage her from jumping as well because prevention is worth a pound of cure.. So many Doxies and other short legged breeds like my Shih Tzu have their first IVDD episodes from jumping off furniture or by running and slipping on bare floors. Stairs are another culprit. Tyler just went to the groomer today for the second time since he graduated crate rest.. I taught our groomer how to pick him up and told her all about IVDD and Dodgerslist and took in the leaflets and pamphlets for her to read. She is continuing to pass more of them out to her clients with Doxies. She says she grooms a lot of them..She asked me for more today! She is oh so careful with him..I am very pleased about how receptive she was to learning about IVDD. If you are at all unsure about your groomer taking IVDD seriously, I would stay with Angel during grooming.
We bathed Tyler the first time, a day or two after he graduated crate rest. We held on to him to prevent the wet dog shake. Took him to the groomer a couple of weeks later. Yes, I was worried. Waited until I found the groomer I was sure would be careful with him.. Just instruct her groomer on how to lift and carry and tell her about IVDD..Here is a link to order the literature from Dodgerlist to give to her.. It's a great opportunity to educate another groomer that most likely grooms many Doxies and other breeds that are IVDD prone. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 16, 2013 7:17:25 GMT -7
Thank you Paula and Pauliana, The Girls are doing VERY well with ramp training...not so well with jumping from the couch onto the back of the couch, need to figure something out. And how do you stop them from doing the "wet dog" shake? Angel seems to do this A LOT. In the process now of making the furniture blockers using PVC pipe. If we weren't up in years, I would remove ALL the furniture from the living room...lol
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Post by Pauliana on May 16, 2013 8:27:58 GMT -7
About the wet dog shake: When we take Tyler out of the sink we put a towel around him and Neil holds and dries him while I hand him the next towel and he continues to dry him.. Tyler is a master at the wet dog shake. I think every dog does it but getting him dried with the towels before he has the chance to shake gets his mind off doing it.. Before the bath I set up his ex pen with a towel or two on top of his bedding and after he gets a good towel dry we put him in there to relax. If we don't do that he would do his turbo dog thing and run around the house in turbo speed mode.. I let him out after he dries a bit more and has had a few minutes of relax time to calm down. The key is distracting Angel by using whatever method works for you.. Our way may work for you or you may find another way to accomplish the same thing..
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 16, 2013 11:39:32 GMT -7
So I'm assuming the "shaking" is no good either, now that I think about it, I guess it would impact the spine a lot. Geez...so much to think about...o.O
Is there an end...the ramps we built outside we now have to put sideboards on, they are jumping on and off the sides...Good Grief!!!
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Ticker Marie & Daphne
New Member
New problem - uncontrollable kicking of back legs when walking
Posts: 104
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Post by Ticker Marie & Daphne on May 19, 2013 14:28:04 GMT -7
I thought about sideboards too or a chicken wire tunnel over the top to keep Daphne from jumping off the side. My other dachshund who is 10 years old is using it with no problems, but he is pretty docile and laid back, not the rambunctious one like Daphne. Not trying to train her on the ramp again yet. Was doing pretty good before her second surgery. She did have trouble going up, especially near the top and it isn't all that steep?! Looks like Angel is laying on her back in the photo you are using. Daphne likes her belly rubbed and does that quite a bit when we tell her to come here. Are they allowed to do that??
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on May 20, 2013 9:42:22 GMT -7
Tummy rubs are a good thing, if your dog rolls on their back that is ok, too.
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 20, 2013 10:36:58 GMT -7
Today is Angel's 5th Birthday.. Her Dr's appt went well Dr. MacKillop, is VERY pleased with her progress. No return visit scheduled, increase activity as I see fit, whatever I am doing, keep it up, I am doing a GREAT job!!! What he doesn't know is, I will forever be on edge, and constantly on guard. We did put side rails on the outside ramps, I went out and got VERY large pillows to block the furniture in the living room, The Ex-Pen remains in the Living room, if we leave them alone, Angel goes in it. She still sleeps in the crate in the middle of our king sized bed. We bought ramps for the camper for this coming weekend, and the hubby has his list of materials for the outside ramps at camp, we are falling into our "New Normal". We CAN do this..
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Ticker Marie & Daphne
New Member
New problem - uncontrollable kicking of back legs when walking
Posts: 104
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Post by Ticker Marie & Daphne on May 20, 2013 17:48:24 GMT -7
Happy Birthday Angel! You are a very lucky girl to have such a good mom, and dad. Best wishes with your continued success and recovery. Glad your vet visit went well and you didn't need to make another appointment. We, too, are going camping this weekend and Daphne's pack n' play is going along. She still loves to sleep in her carrier so that comes with too. Happy Tails to you!!
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Post by Pauliana on May 20, 2013 19:48:56 GMT -7
Happy Birthday Angel!! Wishing you a fun year to come, all the toys you want and a good time camping! Be good for your Mom and Dad now, ya hear? You are such a cutie!! Auntie Pauliana
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 21, 2013 7:02:27 GMT -7
Thank you Marie and Pauliana..
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 22, 2013 7:25:33 GMT -7
Is there anything that can be printed out so we can give to Vet, Groomers and such, to remind them of our FurBabies IVDD??? I'm looking but not finding anything.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on May 22, 2013 9:01:42 GMT -7
Do ask Linda to send you our glossy n/c brochures…. perfect for the vet's office. Your groomer can also hand them out to owners of IVDD prone breeds.http://www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm
The 2x3 cards are great to keep on you when you are waiting in lines, etc and may strike up a conversation with an IVDD prone breed owner.
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 23, 2013 6:51:05 GMT -7
I have ordered those Paula, I mean something more personal, more direct, something like diabetic wear bracelets, only a piece of paper reminding them of our FurBabies IVDD. Are you talking about the information packets?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on May 23, 2013 10:12:48 GMT -7
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 23, 2013 11:54:35 GMT -7
That will work, Thank you Paula.. I've ordered 2, one to attach to her, the other to attach to her crate..
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 29, 2013 14:00:20 GMT -7
Ok Ladies...I need to make a Flea and Tick prevention decision REAL soon. If I don't do a GOOD reliable protection, I take the chance of them getting infested, therefore becoming anemic...NOT GOOD..Our house sits right on the edge of the woods, there are always deer in our yard. We own a campsite in the Mountains of WVA. There are Deer and Black Bears there, (I've yet to see a bear, THANK GOD), I don't know what to do, other than to get them protected with K-9 Advantage II, until I can research more.
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Ticker Marie & Daphne
New Member
New problem - uncontrollable kicking of back legs when walking
Posts: 104
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Post by Ticker Marie & Daphne on May 29, 2013 16:09:52 GMT -7
I just posted on Daphne's post op surgery thread what I got for my dogs, don't know if that will work for you or not. I got it from Amazon, just the same as Dr. Becker sells at Mercola.com. If you are interested please check out my post. Good luck We live in rural Oregon and have deer, skunks, racoons, fox, mountain lions and bear here too!! I have not seen a bear or mountain lion, but I have seen their scat. That is probably why my dogs bark when they go outside at night before they pee - to make sure they scare anything away that might be out there!!!
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Post by Pauliana on May 29, 2013 20:04:33 GMT -7
Hi Debbie! I just started using the Flea and Tick Defense on Tyler and Rosie the other day after it's arrival from Dr Becker/Mercola. It helps repel other bugs too.. They don't like it sprayed on them so I spray it on my hands and give them a rub down and I spray Tyler's harness with it also.. It is helping repel the fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes. So far so good! shop.mercola.com/catalog/fleas-and-ticks,99,0.htm
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