Lis' Mikey 12/25 & 12/29 Surgeries

Welcome to the Dodgerslist forum. My name's Marjorie- what's yours? Your poor boy has been through a great deal but please know that he can recover from this.

Yes, it takes 2-4 weeks for the swelling to resolve after surgery. Improvements often happen after that time frame. Don't be discouraged, it's still very, very early in Mikey's recovery. Answers about IVDD Surgery: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm Dr Isaacs' says: "I also advise that at 2-4 weeks we are not seeing the end result of the healing process - this typically does not occur for 6-12 months and in some cases even longer."

Is Mikey still in the hospital? If he has lost bladder control, you'll need a hands on your hands demonstration of expressing before his discharge. The demonstration will go easier if you review this information beforehand:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.html

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

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.

If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html

Also water therapy can be performed after the stitches/sutures are removed. Some of these exercises can be done right in the bathtub. These should be approved by the surgeon prior to starting.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm

We have a very helpful DVD that will educate you, your family members and friends, pet sitters, etc. about caring for an IVDD dog. Please see the link in my signature line.

Please don't despair. IVDD is not a death sentence. Many dogs regain use of their legs and even if they don't, their lives can be happy ones.
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm

Please let us know when Mikey is discharged from the hospital and what medications, PT and crate rest instructions are given. We're here for you and will help you and Mikey through his recovery.

Prayers for a speedy and complete recovery for Mikey.

Yay!!! That's great news about the tail wag. Most likely if he has that ability he will have bladder control. I'll be crossing my fingers for you.

Remember that the surgery itself causes some swelling and there was some injury to the nerves prior to the surgery so there is healing that needs to take place. Healing occurs over time so don't be discouraged if you don't get any more exciting signs right away.

Keep us posted, and again I'm so glad to hear the good news!

Hi Lis!

So glad to hear Mikey is home and he has bladder control! Wonderful news that he can wag his tail and has some movement in his back legs.. Very positive signs for his recovery.  Keep in mind there is still surgical swelling that takes from 2-4 weeks to resolve and by then you should see even more improvement.  

 In order to help you more, what medications did they send home with him and what are the dosages and frequencies given?  

Healing thoughts and prayers for Mikey and his family..

I would call the vet's office and ask for a different pain reliever than Paracetamol if it were my dog. There are safer meds that we see typically used with metacam/diazepam combo for post op pain….such as tramadol, gabapentin. 


references:

Plumb's 7th ed: Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Dogs are more susceptible to red blood cell toxicity than are humans, so dose carefully. Because acetaminophen is not routinely used in veterinary medicine, experience on its adverse effect profile is limited. At suggested dosages in dogs, there is some potential for renal, hepatic, GI, and hematologic effects occurring. Plumb, Donald. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook (Kindle Locations 1180-1181). PharmaVet inc. Kindle Edition.
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol tm): cats can not process acetaminophen at all and it is unsafe in cats at any dose. Dogs tolerate acetaminophen without problems at dosages up to about 25mg/lb every 8 hours but there is a lot of controversy over how well this medication works in dogs. Most veterinary pharmacologists seem to suspect that it doesn't work at all. It is often given in combination with hydrocodone as the combination medication is less expensive than hydrocodone alone.  The VetInfo Digest . Michael Richards, DVM.

Lis, we LOVE delicate subjects…poop and pee are very important health issues…how often, what the color, firmness, etc.

Has there been a change in food, change of less water consumed (combo of food and lapping it up)? Are you soaking each of his kibble meals in equal parts of water as kibble. You can offer him a frozen lo salt/lo fat broth ice cube to lick on for some extra hydration.

Was the last poop firmer than normal…constipated? If yes, try adding extra fiber. Pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with a teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon pumpkin to kibble and no extra water 1x a day. Note alternatives: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potoato.

While bladder control AND bowel control usually come back at the same time, in some cases there is a bit of lag for one. You could try expressing for poop if Mikey would allow it. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poop

The longer poop takes to travel through the digestive tube, it can loose water and become firmer….

Keep us posted and if you are concerned do phone your vet.

Well mikey has been home for two weeks tomorrow and we have a huge improvent! He can walk albeit very wobbly at the back end, and of course we have been keeping him in his crate for most of the time. I feel hopeful that he should at least get to the stage where he can potter around, so much better than I has feared.

He generally looks pretty happy although sometimes I think he is still somewhat stiff and sore. It's hard to tell really and very easy to overanalyse every move at this stage. I'm hoping that we might be able to take him fir some hydrotherspy soon but not sure at what point this might be appropriate?

His meds have reduced down to metacam and gabapentin now.