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Post by natepalm15 on Jan 11, 2014 9:56:10 GMT -7
Hello,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post or not, but my dog is having a second disc episode and I'm having a lot of trouble locating my dachshunds bladder to manually express for the first time. I've watched your video and read your article as well as many other Youtube videos and how to instructionals on websites, but when I palpate I don't feel anything balloon like? I recieved a demonstration but didnt actially get to express her bladder while there because it was empty.
Last night was the first night she had been home. She was at the vet overnight for two nights to observe w/ steroids + other meds. It is now Saturday and there is no vet to visit or Dr. to call. She somehow managed to get out of her crate overnight and pee on the floor without any help. Now that we have fixed the crate issue, I'm worried her bladder will get too full and will rupture or she will lose the ability to pee on her own when she recovers. Because she managed to pee on her own somehow, how concernced should I be that I can't locate her bladder to help her pee manually? Is this an emergency? What can I do?
Thanks so much,
Nathan
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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 11, 2014 10:27:06 GMT -7
Nathan, welcome to Dodgerlist. Expressing is a skill that can take a bit of practice to reach the proficiency level desired...that is to prevent the bladder from overflow due to reflexes. We know when a dog has bladder control with the sniff and pee test. Take them to a spot in the grass to sniff an old pee spot. If they then choose to release urine, that is bladder control. Note, when there is a degree of bladder control returning they may not cooperate, may tighten their tummy. I find it best to express indoors, as activity, neighborhood smells makes them tighten tummy muscles where you can not feel the bladder. Indoors the stomach muscles should be relaxed making it easier to feel. So assuming your dog (what is her name?) does not have bladder control, try a warm towel from the dryer on her tummy to relaxer. When the bladder is full, you will not feel any shape as the entire tummy area is filled with a full bladder. Almost any pressure to the tummy area will kick in reflexes to release urine...even the act of lifting her up for potty time can cause urine leaks on you. As the bladder begins to empty, then your fingers can learn to feel the shape of the bladder. Being on steroids you likely will need to start out expressing every 2-3 hours. The goal is to express often enough and with practice fully empty the bladder at each expressing session. Give yourself more chances to practice on expressing. If necessary the ER can can you a lesson. Make sure she has had a drink of water 1/8-1/4 cup water an hour before the lesson so you have something to practice on. The lesson should be a hands on top of your hands so you know the pressure to apply. When you are settled with the expressing situation, let us know if you still do not get any urine just by firm pressure when the bladder is very full where you would not discern any bladder shape. Also fill us in a bit more: --What is your dog's name ? -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies? Is 5mg pepcid AC 30 mins before the steroid and thereafter every 30 mins on you list, if not it needs to be as this med reduces production of stomach acids. -- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? -- Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? These would be signs of stomach damage to the GI tract that steroids do and the reason for having Pepcid AC on board. -- 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 www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs. |
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