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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 22, 2013 8:20:35 GMT -7
Hi there, I'm not new to DL; my 5 year old HEARTBEAT on 4 legs, Franklin, had spinal surgery 18 months ago, and now again on Wednesday night. He had been in hospital having acupuncture and treatment because of pain since Monday. He lost the use of his back legs, and had no deep pain sensation for about 14 hours prior to surgery, and the vet didn't give a very good prognosis. Last night when I visited him, a day after his surgery it literally broke my heart. He was so out of it. Today he seems very agitated and there is fear in his eyes, but the vet said he may have a small tiny chance of some feeling today, so I'm happier. I'm so keen to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience, or has any advice. His pet insurance cancelled spine cover last year, so I have no idea how I'm going to come up with the funds, but that is not important. Franklin is!!!! xx
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Post by clewis on Mar 22, 2013 9:12:40 GMT -7
I am so sorry Franklin is going through another episode. Staying strong and positive for Frnklin will help him!
There is going to be swelling by the spinal cord for about 7-10 days after surgery. Once that resolves, things tend to get better.
Did the surgeon say Franklin had deep pain? What meds are they giving him? I assume someone is expressing his bladder or does he have a catheter?
Smile at Franklin and assure him he is going to be OK. We are thinking of you both. Please keep us posted.
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 22, 2013 11:47:35 GMT -7
Thank you so much for the reply. It has been awful and my heart is breaking to see Franklin like this. He still has no deep pain, and they are expressing his bladder at the vet. He did look slightly better this morning, so I'm hoping tomorrow is going to be the breakthrough day where he starts feeling his back toes!!!!!!!  He was on morphine, but last night they switched him on to codeine. I keep telling him he is my hero and such a superstar. He's enjoying the chicken and rice I take him in hospital. Thanks again for being there. |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 22, 2013 18:54:17 GMT -7
My name is Paula, what is yours? It IS stressful waiting and watching. Here are some thing you can do before his discharge day. Dr. Isaacs can fill you in on many things that may not yet have come to mind about surgery: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmBone up again on IVDD. This is a great page to start on. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm Think about friends, family--- add this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Those who will be around Franklin or caring for your dog should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm It will be exciting on discharge day, so you definately don't want to miss getting each of your questions answered. This link will get your own list started: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htmLet us know how Franklin's doing and when they will discharge him. |
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 3:31:30 GMT -7
Hi Paula, I'm Dominique, Franklin's mom. I have read through all the above information and it has been incredibly informative.
I am in South Africa, so unfortunately can't order any literature through your website.
They called this morning to say that Frank had wet his bed overnight, which is great news according to vet. Still no sign of pain perception though. Excuse my stupidity, but what does it mean that he wet the bed? Is it a sign he may walk again?
xx
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 24, 2013 10:11:24 GMT -7
Dominque, ah hah, now I put it together and I remember you and Franklin from the old Yahoo List! Glad you have joined us here.
Not a stupid question at all, but a very good question. We are a group who want and LOVE the detail about our dogs. I would have wanted a precise answer from the hospital myself! Wetting his bed is due to one of two things.
1. He has bladder control but was not taken outside to potty and he had no choice but to choose to pee in his bed.
2. He does not have bladder control, and his bladder filled to the overstretch point where reflexes kicked in to cause urine to overflow. Overflowing is a bad thing for two reasons. Reflexes can't release all the urine and what's left becomes a breeding ground for bacteria (UTIs) which can happen very quickly in a matter of days. The other is overstretching will cause the bladder muscles to loose tone. Then when the nerves can again connect with the bladder it won't function properly.
The only way we humans have to know if it is overflowing by reflexes or actual peeing by choice is the sniff and pee test. Carry outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what the hospital means by the rather vague term "wet his bed."
Have patience with nerve healing, think in terms of weeks/months rather than days. After the approx 2 week post op swelling goes down then you will better see the direction of nerve healing as Linda related to you. 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.
Let us know when you find out about the web bed thing. Hang in there and present a happy face and positive emotions around Franklin. Give him kisses and tell him everything is going to be alright because it will be!
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 10:52:28 GMT -7
When I thought about it properly after I spoke to the vet, I was a bit skeptical, but I guess I also wanted to believe he was healing, so I believed her. Want to move Franklin to another 24 hr clinic tomorrow pm if possible, because his regular vet is there, and he is does acupuncture and laser light therapy etc. He did give me a million kisses last night when I visited, and I know if he could have, he would have wagged his little tail. The other annoying factor is that I had serious hip surgery a couple of weeks ago, and will only be back to normal at around the 3 month mark, so its going to be incredibly difficult bending down and lifting him carefully etc when he is home. I'll make a plan, I know I will, but right now I feel so overwhelmed because I miss him so much and now, with his bladder overfilling, I am not sure they are looking after him properly at that clinic.  |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 24, 2013 11:04:25 GMT -7
Oh, my dear, hip surgery is going to make things a bit of a challenge, then.
Time at his regular vet, made be the thing he needs to kick start nerves with acupuncture and laser light therapies.
If he still needs to be expressed when he comes home, then perhaps you can set his crate on a large table where he can be helped to walk out/scoot a few inches out on to a pee pad where you can express him without the need for you to bend down or pick him up.
When he becomes mobile, many vets are calling for walking to and from the potty place as part of the PT. In that case having ramps where there are steps can make that safe for Franklin.
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 11:15:06 GMT -7
Yeah, we are a right old pair, him and I. I'm only 32 and he's only 5!!!! I guess we are SO synced. I think that is a great idea about having his crate up high. I'd be able to easily move him out onto the grass that way. I will probably have him at his usual vet for a couple of days still before I bring him home, so he can have as much treatment as he requires, and 24 hr care. My baby I am watching for that wagging tail. Waiting, hoping and praying... |
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 14:08:59 GMT -7
When I called tonight to see how Franklin was doing they said he'd been SO depressed and not interested in anything at all. So we rushed through there (its an hour away), and I was shocked by how depressed and in pain he was. They said they'd dropped his pain meds, and that may be why, so they gave him 2 shots. He was all hunched up, and was shaking, whining, crying and wouldn't make eye contact, or even pay attention to the fact we were there. Is this normal if he was in pain? He was so bright yesterday,happy,licking our faces, and today its as bad as the day after his op?  ? |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 24, 2013 16:04:28 GMT -7
It can take about 2 weeks for all the swelling/pain from the surgery itself to subside. Duh, they dropped his pain meds and were not observing for pain??? Sorry but this is very upsetting. What if you had not come by to observe his pain?
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 24, 2013 16:08:36 GMT -7
Did you see how he was after they gave him the shots? Was he better then?
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 19:20:23 GMT -7
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 24, 2013 19:58:11 GMT -7
Is there anyway you can just go there now since you probably can't sleep anyway. I would be there to make sure they are taking proper care of him or is there any reason you couldn't bring him home right away?
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 20:06:17 GMT -7
Things are so annoying, because I had major hip surgery a few weeks ago and cannot drive, am relying on others to drive me back and forth. The practice he's at is an hour away.
Been on hold for 10 minutes waiting to talk to someone about how he is. I keep thinking of myelomalacia. Its my hugest fear for him.
I am going to take him to his usual vet today (Monday) afternoon. Hopefully he'll receive better care there. Sick to my stomach with worry about my boy...
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 24, 2013 20:12:03 GMT -7
Oh I feel so bad for you. Waiting with you.
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 20:30:26 GMT -7
There are apparently 2 emergencies at the clinic, hence the wait. No word yet. LONGEST night ever. I need to get my boy into better care, and FAST. Thank you for waiting with me. It means more than you will ever know!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 24, 2013 20:39:41 GMT -7
I'm still here.
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 20:51:29 GMT -7
xxx
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 24, 2013 20:56:03 GMT -7
Have they forgot you are waiting?
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 21:14:20 GMT -7
Its so bad of them. I understand if they have emergencies, but they are a 24 hour clinic and are supposed to have enough staff to look after all their patients. Just thinking of my boy sitting alone in the cold metal cage in pain is awful. I am going to call them in another half hour.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 24, 2013 21:18:52 GMT -7
Dominique, maybe its not as bad as you're imagining. Hang in there. Its after 11 here and everyone has gone to bed, so I'm going to call it a night too. You try to get some sleep. Franklin is going to need you tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you and saying a prayer for both of you.
Check in with you first thing in the morning here.
Hugs
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 21:28:15 GMT -7
FINALLY!!!!!!!! Vet called back. She said in the night he was still quite depressed and sore, but when she went in earlier he wagged his TAIL and gave her a greeting. She also said when she expressed his bladder, he seemed to push out a little squirt, which she thought was encouraging. She is a young, overnight vet, so I'm now waiting for the specialist, who will be in in an hour and a half to assess him, and let me know how my boy is. THANK YOU PAULA for waiting with me!!!! IF he did indeed wag his tail, then this is a great sign isn't it? |
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 21:28:44 GMT -7
SORRY, I mean LINDA...xxx
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Mar 24, 2013 22:41:37 GMT -7
I suspect Linda has gone to bed. I'm on the west coast in Seattle, and it's bed time here now, too. I just wanted to post some support for you. Reading your posts made me feel so angry and frustrated for you and your sweet boy. I know how scary this is. The fear that he isn't being cared for adequately must make it so much worse for you. It's got to be morning where you are. I hope you're able to get in there and either move him home, or advocate for better care. Good luck! Stay strong!
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 24, 2013 23:19:56 GMT -7
Thank you SO much for the kind words Polly's mom. Its now 8.20am and I tried to call the surgeon to see how my fatty is doing, they said he's doing rounds and will call back.
Keeping the faith for my boy and just hoping and praying for good news this morning. He means everything to me.
Thanks again, hopefully there'll be good news when you wake up!!! xx
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 25, 2013 3:54:10 GMT -7
They want to send my boy home, and as happy as that makes my heart, he still isn't urinating on his own, that they have seen, so I'd rather he be there tonight, until his acupuncture vet gets back to the clinic tomorrow. He can then assess him, see how he is, give him treatment, and show us how to express if necessary.
I am going to see fatty later today, praying that he is in a better way than yesterday. They seem to think he has some SLIGHT pain perception. Clinging to this. He is a little tough fighter. xxxxx
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 25, 2013 7:35:36 GMT -7
Checking in this morning. Let us know when you see him and get him to his acupuncture vet. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you. Hopefully, they still have him on pain meds.
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Post by franklinsmom on Mar 25, 2013 9:48:49 GMT -7
OK, just got back from seeing my little fatty fats. He was in good spirits today, seemed happier, we had him out in the garden, and although he didn't wee, he was interested in what smells were out there.
They have him on shots of something. Asked the name and promptly forgot. Something like Cortogesic?? Anyway, its a pain killer, and not cortisone based, despite the name.
I'm waiting for Barry, his usual vet, to call. He gets back from holiday tomorrow, and is going to go in especially to give Franklin some acupuncture and laser light therapy. As soon as I know what time he'll be there, I'll go fetch Franklin and move him there <3 CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!
Apparently the vet nurse said he had some pain sensation when they were squeezing his toes. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again for everything. I could honestly not have done this without you guys. xxxx
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 25, 2013 11:05:54 GMT -7
Dominique, this is good news that Franklin is in good spirits, that means he is out of pain. Thanks for the update. We are please we could lend you our support.
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