Cindy's Otis 12/6 Surgery

Welcome to Dodgerslist, Cindy. I'm so sorry to hear of Otis' disc problem.

With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

Here are some tips that will be helpful to review along with your lesson on expressing:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

Here's Dodgerslist page about what to expect discharge day. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm#discharge

Here is a list of questions to ask on discharge day, too. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm

Also these two pages would be helpful for you to read:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm

Be sure to get his recovery suite ready for the homecoming. Here are some links to show you how: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm

Acupuncture and laser light therapy are helpful treatments that can be very beneficial to assist with re-establishment of nerve connections in the body and usually can be started right away.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingacupuncture.htm

Also water therapy can be performed after the stitches/sutures are removed. Some of these exercises can be done right in the bathtub.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm

Please let us know what directions the surgeon gives about PT and crate rest after Otis' discharge and any questions you may have, both now and when he comes home. We're here to help you and Otis through his recovery and life with IVDD.

Blessings to you both.

Glad to hear Otis is now at home. How often are you expressing him….other than excited leaks does his bed stay dry until the next session?

What meds if any was he sent home on… exact names, the dose in mg's and how often given.

What was the surgeon's directives on PT and crate rest?

It could be that while you are learning to be proficient in expressing, that you are not getting all the urine out at each session, thus his bladder reaches overflowing in less than 4 hours. So you might want to try expressing every 3 hours. The goal is to be able to feel the bladder in the last stage of emptying where your fingers of one hand can almost feel the fingers of the other hand.

Also Prazosin decreases the sphincter tone making it easier to express, easier for urine to escape when the bladder is on the full side.

Changing sides is very good and relaxed enough (not painful) to lie on his side. Not wanting to move or change positions would be a sign of pain as is shivering, yelping. Observation of discomfort or pain is something to update the vet about to get the pain meds tweaked to give full comfort post op. Do keep us posted on all of his neuro functions:
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.

Tonight we noticed that Otis wagged his tail when my husband came in!

It was a false alarm about the tail wagging, he has been wagging his tail just prior to and after he has a BM. At the Drs appointment Otis did not have deep pain sensation. He also has had some rectal bleeding caused from the medication he was on. He also is getting tired of being in the crate. We move him room to room with us but he wants out. I have bought some rescue remedy but I am not sure how much to give him. The box says 4 drops but that seems like a lot for a 10 pound dog. Any suggestions?

Also, how do I post a picture oh Otis on here?

All previous meds have been stopped. Otis was started on Metronidazole for the diarrhea, Tramadol as needed for pain and Fortiflora probiotics. The rescue remedy seens to work. I will check out the info on the links above. Thanks

I think we are rounding the bend Otis is able to stand, wobbly, but stand. He can push himself up to almost standing if we set him in the proper position. He has tried to take steps but ends up dragging is legs so we stop him.
We start PT on Saturday and hopefully this will help him improve.
Otis is not neutered. This poses a problem because he gets excited when our cat or neutered Shepard gets near him. We will get him neutered when he seens stable.

Otis update:
It has been just over 6 months since Otis went down. During this time we have done water therapy, then physical therapy with laser, bought wheels and are now considering acupuncture. Otis has reflexes back but not deep pain sensation. He is able to stand, wag his tail and can hold his bladder longer. Our problem is with his bowels. After surgery in December, Otis developed colitis. The stress of the surgery and his separation from us at the time of the surgery caused it. He had frequent stools and a lot of blood. At that time we changed his diet and he was on medications. The colitis came back in June when I gave him a bone that contained to much fat followed by us going away for a long weekend. We did bring Otis with us.
The difference this time is that Otis appeared to know when he was going to have a bowel movement. He will now turn to look at his rear when he needs to poop. I am wondering if this is part of the healing process or if he just feels it in his bowels. Also, have some dogs regained walking after six months. Cindy