PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 31, 2013 22:04:18 GMT -7
Redirected to the Forum on behalf of Mary's Diego dodgerslist.boards.net/user/1547My granddog Chiweenie, Diego, had emergency surgery yesterday at UGA. He had 2 herniated discs. He was only given a 50/50 chance of regaining sensation in his back legs and tail. So far, he is still paralyzed. We are guessing he fell but did not see anything happen. He is 3 years old. At any point, we can't stop crying long enough to really comprehend the future. I have a contacted a local dog trainer who I've used in the past. He's agreed to work with us. I have a 16 year old pomeranian/spitz and a 5 year old corgi/beagle. I'm a little concerned about the 16 year old and Diego because in the past during visits, the older dog feels very threatened and does a lot of growling. They have never fought. Diego will most likely come to live with me because I have a one story house. His parents have stairs to go up to the bedrooms and off the deck to the yard. We just need some hope. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 31, 2013 22:20:45 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for Diego to get back to enjoying life after his post op recovery period. Reading others posts on the forum can be of great comfort. But the meat of what you need to know about disc disease is on our main web page. A very quick way to get up to speed on meds, how healing happens and when for each of the phases is the "Overview: the essentials" yellow button. Then work your way through the rest of the orange and blue buttons to complete your education. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm This Disc Disease DVD is a wonderful way to help other family members understand and even others who might be around or taking care of Diego: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htmIt is still very early post op. There will be temporary neuro setback due to the swelling from the procedure itself. So after two weeks you will have more of an idea about the direction of healing. Notable is that dogs don't get copies of those 50/50 chances..they just get on with the business of healing and often do much better! Nerves can be the slowest part of the body to heal so we think in terms of months even for some dogs they started walking a year out. So never give up hope but in the mean time while waiting for more nerves healing a wheelchair is very handy. After all 6 weeks of post op crate rest have been completed then you assess and decide if month is best spent on underwater treadmill, more laser therapy/accupuntures or getting a wheelchair. My Clark was one who was not able to sufficiently heal his nerves..but that doesn't stop him… he loves life, he makes me laugh…he's the same fella as before the spinal cord injury. It is humans who have the hangups about walking…while dogs do not care how they get from point A to point B. So wipe the tears away and use all of your energies in positive ways to make a good future for Diego. You'll have lots of questions on discharge day, so start a list so everything gets an answer. Here's a starter list: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htmDr. Isaacs ACVIM (Neurology) has given us answers to the most asked questions…I think you will find this helpful www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmNow, you will need to prepare a recovery suite for Diego. Many things you have right in your home and just need to gather them up. These are tried and true tips and ideas to make crate rest go smoother: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmJust as you will need to educate yourself about the disease Diego was born with and how to live with this disease, you will want others who will be around him, family and friends to understand too. I also highly recommend adding this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmLet us know when Diego is scheduled to come home, what the surgeon directs for PT and for crate rest. And of course if you have any other questions in the meantime, we are here to discuss those too! Set up email alerts when anyone posts to Diego's thread:  |
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 1, 2014 7:03:23 GMT -7
Please don't lose hope! My Jeremy was paralyzed with no deep pain sensation, had surgery and was also given a 50/50 chance of walking again. It took months before he had any movement at all in his hind legs. Within 6 months after surgery, he was walking again. And his walking continued to improve for over a year following surgery. I found acupuncture to be helpful to regenerate the nerves. It also calmed Jeremy following his surgery. Acupuncture and laser light treatment can usually be started right away. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingacupuncture.htmAlso water therapy can be performed after the stitches/sutures are removed. Some of these exercises can be done right in the bathtub. But only when the stitches/sutures have been removed and with the direction of the surgeon. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htmJeremy used a cart for months, though I felt that sling walking was more beneficial in teaching those legs to move again. So as Paula said, you might want to hold off on getting that cart just yet. Diego might surprise you and recover his nerve function quickly. If not, a cart will give him freedom to run again. Jeremy even went into the ocean in his! So please don't despair. Just take it one day at a time and try not to look into the future too much, as none of us know what the future holds anyway. Just give him lots of love and enjoy every minute with him. Prayers for a speedy and complete recovery for Diego. |
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Post by kalatoo on Jan 1, 2014 7:29:12 GMT -7
So sorry to hear... My Bitsy just went through four discs being cleaned out. She was given 30% chance after the operation. It's been six weeks now and she now feels, walks and runs on her own.. She got the clear to do anything she wants except stairs and jumping up and down. We did a couple of the lazer treatments.. It's like this treatment kicked her nerves in to feel.. Then she went in the water treadmill about five times. Next I walked her OS with a waist harness about 5 minutes a day. Then one day it all came together for her and she started walking on her own with a leash.. It's a lot of hard work but worth it..Just wanted to let you know there is hope.. She still has problems with the left leg but she can walk on her own that was the goal.
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Mary
New Member
Would appreciate some advice about managing pottying.
Posts: 4
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Post by Mary on Jan 1, 2014 20:00:52 GMT -7
I feel so much better after reading everyone's replies. The plan right now is to let him stay at UGA for their full 2 week recovery period. Then he'll come to stay with me. I'm going to print out the questions list, etc. and am sharing all of the information with his mommy. We decided that between the stairs and his brother (who will want to play 24/7) it is better for him to recover with me. UGA is going to call the vet here, who we love, to keep him up to date. The dog trainer also works really well with this particular vet. He worked with all our dogs previously. I'm gathering supplies now for Diego's crate time here. BTW, he is a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix who is also a rescue baby.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 2, 2014 8:32:09 GMT -7
I'm glad you're feeling better about everything, Mary. Things will get easier. Please let us know what meds, PT and crate rest instructions are given when he's discharged. Adorable photo of Diego.  |
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Mary
New Member
Would appreciate some advice about managing pottying.
Posts: 4
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Post by Mary on Jan 5, 2014 8:51:12 GMT -7
Diego is moving his legs!!!!!!!!! He wants to walk!!! He still needs to potty on his own. He will come to me late next week so I'll let you know the prognosis then. I'm working with the wonderful vet and the wonderful trainer here to get ready.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 5, 2014 8:53:51 GMT -7
I'm so very happy for Diego and for your family, Mary! Thanks so much for sharing this exciting news! |
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Mary
New Member
Would appreciate some advice about managing pottying.
Posts: 4
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Post by Mary on Jan 8, 2014 10:13:03 GMT -7
Diego is coming home either Thursday or Friday. He can wiggle his legs but not walk or potty. I understand he'll have 2 more weeks of crate rest. I have an orthopedic ped for him in his crate and his bowls. He is not taking any medicenes. Ideas? Advice? Suggestions?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 8, 2014 10:40:02 GMT -7
Mary, good news!!!! Feb 10th would be his graduation day. 6 weeks of crate rest PLUS doing the controlled supervised, eye ball to eye ball type of PT your vet directs and then right back in his recovery suite. TAMU vet hospital explains why: Vertebral column injury and surgery can disrupt the normal stabilizing structures of the spine such as muscles, bone, joint capsules, and the intervertebral disk. Excessive, unrestricted activity after surgery or certain injuries can lead to vertebral column destabilization and prolonged healing of the injury site. The intervetebral disk, in particular, is very slow to heal and healing may be incomplete; excessive vertebral column motion after disk surgery may therefore lead to recurrence of disk herniation. Additionally, animals that are weak or incoordinated may accidentally traumatize themselves, leading to orthopedic and soft tissue injuries. Do review the expressing video ahead of time AND call about an hour before you arrive to make sure Diego has had a drink of water so you have something to practice on during the lesson. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmLet us know the surgeons exact directives for crate rest and for home PT and any meds he might be sent home on. |
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Mary
New Member
Would appreciate some advice about managing pottying.
Posts: 4
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Post by Mary on Jan 8, 2014 11:52:16 GMT -7
Do you recommend keeping his suite in the den with me during the evenings or in a separate room, even if I am home?
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 8, 2014 13:15:33 GMT -7
Most dogs like to be in the center of activity and many members move the recovery suite from one room to the other. If you're using a wire crate, you can purchase caster wheels which make it very easy to wheel the crate around. I put my Jeremy's crate on a sheet and pulled it from room to room. Some dogs do better alone where it's quiet. But most dogs want to be where their owners are.
So glad to hear he's coming home!
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