Nathalie's Buddy 12/3 surgery

Natalie, I've moved your post to my private message box onto the Forum so that everyone can know the history of Buddy, follow his journey and give their comments and support.

It is not unusual at all for nerves to take time to heal. The important thing is that Buddy is feeling like his old self, interested in life. Nerves are the slowest part of the body to heal..some heal in months while others can take more like a years.

Fill us in a bit more on Buddy:
-- Off all meds at this point?
-- Can he wag his tail if you do some happy talk or he sees a treat coming?
-- Is he staying drying inbetween times you express? Rare poop accidents because you are also expressing for poop? Good videos on both types of expressing: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

Have you embarked on your Disc Disease 101 degree? LOL really it is pretty easy to know about your dog's disease, how to care for him during the 6 weeks of crate rest, make your home back friendly and how to ease him back into physical activity after graduation day. Start on our main website with "Overview: the essentials" yellow button it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all the orange buttons and the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" to complete your education. Here is the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm The blue button "Core Readings" will explain features to look for in a wheelchair, a sample program of a gradual introduction to activity after crate rest.

I also highly recommend adding this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm

What kind of hydrotherapy is being done?

We look forward to hearing more about Buddy.

We have known of many dogs that took months to recover, many are still showing improvement a year after surgery or the conservative crate rest period. So do not despair and do not presume that what you see at 6 weeks is what you get. It takes the first couple of weeks just for the swelling from surgery to subside. At that point the nerves can begin the work of healing.

Even if Buddy never walks on his own again he will be perfectly happy in a wheelchair. Remember, dogs do not have to go to work, drive a car, mow the lawn or do chores that require the use of their legs. As long as they have a "pack" to be a member of, a place to sleep at night and food they are quite content.

But for now don't assume he'll be a wheel chair dog, he's still healing. His lack of interest in walking right now could be from several things. He may still be tired from the trauma of the event and surgery and now all his energy is going to healing. Or he may just not have the hang of the moving around without his back legs yet. He WILL get it and then you will wish for these days of calm!

Sounds like you are doing a great job with expressing his bladder and bowels!

As you do your educational reading be sure to ask any questions you may have, that's what we're here for.

We are going to see the neurologist this afternoon and maybe schedule an MRI to see why Buddy is healing so slowly and not getting better...keep our fingers and toes crossed for some good tangible hope!