magic
New Member
Posts: 2 
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Post by magic on Dec 5, 2013 7:28:58 GMT -7
Magic, 6 kg, [13 lbs] Mini dachshund, yes
We saw vet 11/02 but weren't told for crate rest
--Is there still currently pain - No
No meds, only vitamin B (Neurobion)
Unfortunately, he can't walk, but he can move his legs. Sometimes, when we stand him (he can stand for a while - half a minute) he tries to walk by moving his leg forward but is too weak. He tried to wag his tail first when we expressed his bladder, and now when we stand him.
He was first cathetherized by vet 2-3 times a day, and after 10 days we started to express his bladder. For a few days he was occasionaly peeing in his crate (on a mat which would he then move), but now he waits until we express him.
-- Eating and drinking OK? Ok (especially eating part)
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? Ok
Hello everyone!
My name is Martina. My 7-year old mini wirehaired dachshund Magic had disc surgery on Nov 04.
On Nov 02 evening when we were walking him he made sudden movement (cat scared him) followed with loud cry after which we saw that he walks strange with his back legs. So we took him to the vet following morning where he was given some pain meds, but unfortunately no advice for strict rest.
He was much better the same day, walking perfectly same as always, with no sign of any discomfort. Next morning we went to the vet for another round of meds and then he was left alone at home for few hours.
When we got home at 2 p.m., he couldn't move his back legs.
We called the vet immediatelly who said we can come at evening (it was Sunday so nobody was in vet office until then). When the vet checked him that evening, his DPS was gone.
There was nothing we could do, but wait for next morning to go veterinary clinic. We were told that because of DPS lost, there is 15% chance of recovery even after surgery which is due to the fact that we came in 24 hours timeframe. They did myelography followed by 4-hours long surgery. The surgeon told us there was many disc material - 2 discs were herniated.
He was at the clinic for 4 days post-op when we took him home.
He started PT - had 5 electro-acupunctures and magnet treatments.
Now is 1 month after the surgery. He doesn't try to lift on his rear legs, but we see great improvement regarding leg movements - at the begininng we had to pinch him between toes in order to move his back legs, now only tickle is enough. He started to wag his tail, although only when in standing position. When I do passive motions, I feel much greater resistance/response in his back legs.
He is feeling ok, in my opinion, I think he misses the most scratching with his back legs (which now we do for him). So, we hope we are going in right direction, slowly, but steady. We have appointement with his neurosurgeon Monday, I hope he will confirm it too.
Dodgerslist.com has been really invaluable in information, we don't have that kind of info here (Croatia).
My question is, what after crate rest? We plan to continue with PT but how much and how long should he move during the day? Now he is just dragging his behind when he wants to move, which doesn't seem like something he should be doing at all, or?
How long can he be out with a sling? For a few occasions he has passed pee and sniff test, however I am not sure whether it was coincidence. Since it is very cold here, he rarely goes out but will start more frequently from Monday (now we express him on the diaper mat 3-4 times daily).
I am sorry for long post, hopefully only good news will follow 
Thank you and good luck to everyone!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,590
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 5, 2013 8:45:32 GMT -7
Martina, welcome to Dodgerslist. Thank you for mentioning the information you found at Dodgerslist has been helpful. Reading and learning all about the disease Magic was born with will certainly make caring for him now and living with this disease in the future the safest for Magic. Not all vets can know every disease indepth for all the species they treat possible..but you can certainly know just one disease quite well. The Dodgerslist DVD plays in all countries and will be good for family, friends and your local vet who would understand English..see my signature line for the link. Nerve healing will take place well past the 6 weeks of post op crate rest normally prescribed..in fact dogs have self healed nerves even one year out. What did your surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest..any of these in the video? When staples/sutures are out water therapy can be started at a PT clinic or at home: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htmAfter Magic graduates from crate rest, you would want to slowly introduce him back to physical activities. This article has such a plan plus lots more including garments to protect when scooting around the house. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmGlad to hear your expressing session IS keeping him from overflowing his bladder between session. That is how to keep bladder infections away… expressing often enough and fully at each session….good job! This article will help you to identify and monitor neuro function return: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htm |
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magic
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by magic on Dec 6, 2013 3:51:17 GMT -7
Dear Paula, thank you for your response.
Yes, Magic's physiotherapist has recommended massage and passive exercises as shown in the video, we do them 2-3 times a day (usually morning and evening, since during the day he is now with the vet so he wouldn't be home alone). Beside that, he goes to PT 2 times a week.
There are so many inspiring stories here on Dodgerslist, it really saved me after such a bad prognosis for Magic's recovery at first.
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