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Post by Tamara&Ollie on Jan 29, 2014 6:06:15 GMT -7
Hi Everyone
My name is Tamara and I live in Townsville (QLD, Australia). I have 2 dachshunds - Ollie 5 and and Daisy 4. Ollie has just come home from an 8 night stay at the vets after having to have a double hemilaminectomy. He was operated on on Wednesday 22nd Jan. He is in strict crate rest for up to 12 weeks and the vet has given us a physio / exercise program to follow. He can wee on his own but still can't walk. He can also feel deep pain and superficial pain and can also wag his tail (vigorously!). Before his surgery he was deep pain negative so we are pleased with his progress but want to do everything we can to get him on his feet again. If anybody has any tips or advice for us I would really appreciate it. Thanks!!
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 29, 2014 9:54:09 GMT -7
That's wonderful news that Ollie has made so much progress since his surgery! It can take 2-4 weeks for the swelling to resolve and that can interfere with nerve function. So he truly is coming along very well! 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.htmCan you give us some detail about your dog? 1. Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? 2. What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? It's important that you be knowledgeable about each medication being given and all cautions concerning them. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#intestinaldrugsmarvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html3. Eating and drinking OK? 4. Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? Dogs with IVDD must be carried with their spines horizontal, carrying both ends. There's a video on this webpage showing how to properly lift and carry: If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can 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. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htmHere are our recommended exercises following surgery if you'd like to run them past the surgeon: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmPrayers for a speedy and complete recovery for Ollie. |
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Post by Tamara&Ollie on Jan 30, 2014 3:34:22 GMT -7
Thanks for your detailed & quick response  I’m really glad I found the website – it’s a great resource considering we really had no prior knowledge of the disease, but we absolutely love our little man and are going to do everything possible to get him better. In response to your questions.
1. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain, I heard him yelp once this morning when we were getting him out of the cage, but I think it was because he was in a bit of an awkward position – we’re going to try to alter the cage a little so it’s easier to get him in & out i.e from the top, rather than through the side.
2. He is on the following meds –
Tramadol 25 mg (3 x a day),
Prazosin 1 mg – twice daily,
Diazepam – 2 mg 3 times a day &
Amoxycillin – 250 mg half a tablet twice daily (he had a bladder infection from the urinary catheter.
3. He’s eating & drinking really well – has a good appetite and is drinking often.
4. His poo’s seem okay – they are a bit dark in colour but there is no blood or red in them at all.
This morning I also saw him scratching his ears with his back legs – not for long, but he could do it on both sides, and this afternoon when he was out doing a wee, he seemed to have normal motion in his left leg, but was still dragging the right one.
I was also really pleased because he was calm in his cage all day. I’m worried because he’s very much a dog that is used to running & barking and doing whatever he likes really, and has never taken to being confined or separated, but when I went out for a few hours this afternoon (unavoidable unfortunately) he seemed to be calm the whole time (I had a webcam set up to check in on him). I’m worried about when I go back to work on Monday though – I really don’t want to leave him for 8 – 9 hours a day. How do other people get around this, or do the dogs seem to cope?
Our vet told us about a lady who does hydrotherapy and has an underwater treadmill, so I rang her today and she’s contacting the vet to see when he can start and is going to do up a program from him. The great thing is she’s only 5 minutes down the road from us.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 30, 2014 8:27:25 GMT -7
Keep a close eye on him for any signs of pain. The vet has room to increase the Tramadol if he has pain. Yelping when picked up is a sign of pain, though it could have been the way he was picked up. You can convert his crate to open from the top or you can put a sheet under him and slowly pull him out on the sheet. Here's how to convert the crate to open from the top: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/cratetopconvert.pdfHere's our video on how to properly lift and carry a dog with IVDD (from now on) if you haven't seen it yet: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/cratetopconvert.pdfHe's on two medications that relax muscles, the Prazosin and Diazepam, so most likely he will sleep most of the time while you're at work. Great that you have a webcam to keep an eye on him! The hydrotherapy usually can be started once the stitches/staples are removed and can be a wonderful way of getting those legs moving again. Please keep us updated on little Ollie's progress. |
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Post by Tamara&Ollie on Feb 2, 2014 4:04:52 GMT -7
We've had a really good weekend with Ollie and definitely seen progress. When he gets really excited he actually stands up - only for a few seconds but it gives us hope to see him doing it. He's also doing well at hydrotherapy and they said they can feel him trying to use his legs which is a good sign. He's also scratching his ears with his back legs for longer but seems stronger on his left side. I'm back at work tomorrow so he's going to my Mums place for the day because he has a vet appointment at 12.30 and it's easier for me to pick him up from there as it's only a few minutes from the vet clinic as opposed to my house which is about 25 minutes away. He's getting his staples removed so hopefully the vet is happy with his progress. I'm very worried about his separation anxiety though because last night I had to go out for a while and my partner went to our neighbours house for dinner and when he came home Ollie had completely destroyed his bed and he started whining and howling as soon as we left the house. I don't want him to get frantic and hurt himself - has anyone else had this problem? Am I just worrying too much? Maybe I need to borrow some of his diazepam...(just kidding),
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Lola & Hurley
Helpful Member 
2 paralyses, 3 surgeries, 2 conservative treatments. Now walking :)
Posts: 135
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Post by Lola & Hurley on Feb 2, 2014 6:39:39 GMT -7
Hi Tamara, so pleased to hear that Ollie is doing so well with his recovery! The separation anxiety - is that something normal for him, or has he now developed it? Does he normally destroy things when you leave him alone? What exactly does he normally do when you leave him alone? You said that he is not used to being confined - have you tried placing the crate in the exact same spot where he would normally sleep at during the day, to make it seem as if things were "normal"? And what about your other dog, Daisy? Where is she when Ollie is in the crate? Could Ollie be anxious because of that? They are pack animals, so it is obvious that not being able to be where the others are can be stressful. Have you tried leaving the radio or TV on, very low volume, for him to have something to do / to listen to? I have found that the golf channel or classical music works best |
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 2, 2014 7:20:16 GMT -7
Is he still on the Diazepam? I would let his vet know about this incident and see what he can recommend. To calm Ollie in the crate, it would be a good idea to cover the top with a towel. That creates a den like feeling that dogs love. Check with your vet before using any of these. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. Lola's suggestion of leaving the TV on or playing classical music is a very good one. |
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Post by Tamara&Ollie on Feb 3, 2014 1:43:23 GMT -7
He's always had a bit of separation anxiety - but has only ever destroyed anything when he was a puppy, and once when we accidentally left him locked in our bedroom for a few hours - he scratched the paint of the door, and ripped up the carpet & underlay at the entrance. Our neighbours have also told us that he whines a bit just after we leave the house. I have noticed a few scratches on our bedroom door & garage door which he has done when we've been out. Also, if we ever try to put him outside while we are inside, or if we have guests over he will knock on the doors & scratch until we gave in & let him in (I have been made aware that we're not pack leaders in our house which I know is a big problem). So I guess the separation anxiety has always been an issue...but I've never been so worried that he would hurt himself when doing it. I spoke to the vet about it today, and he said that he all he could really do is give him a tranquilizer. They gave me 5 acerpromazine (promex) (25 mg) and I said I would probably just try him on a quarter to start and see how he goes and then adjust the dose from there. I'm not going to start this unless he has a really bad day tomorrow because I would rather not give him more drugs.
Miss Daisy has kind of rejected Ollie a bit since he's been home, she doesn't really want to have anything to do with him when before they were total besties... I figured it was some sort of instinctive dog thing. We have left the TV on for him each time we have gone out so far (which has only been twice). I think I will continue to do that. Hopefully he enjoys the day time TV.
In other news - the vet is happy with his progress, and his staples have been removed. The only thing the vet would like to see him doing is correcting his feet when his toes are curled under, so we're going to start working on that when we do some assisted standing exercises. We have another appointment next Monday, so hopefully he will have lots of progress by then. He probably says it to all his patients, but the vet says that he really likes Ollie and he's got a great personality & he can't wait to see him walk again.
I'll let you all know how Ollie's first day alone goes tommorrrow :-)
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Post by Tamara&Ollie on Feb 8, 2014 3:13:14 GMT -7
Hi Everyone - just thought I'd give an update on Ollie's first week staying at home. Tuesday was horrible - I was so worried all day and as soon as I left the house he started crying and I'm pretty sure he did that until my Mum visited him at lunch time. On the web cam I saw him standing up on his hind legs with his front paws on the bars of the cage. He was able to stay at my mums place on Wednesday & I also took him there on Thursday because she was only going to be working a few hours. Thursday was the first day I gave him a tranquilizer - we only gave him half, and I really don't think it worked. He still seemed to bark & howl the whole time we were away. I tried 3/4 of a tablet on Friday & also today, and my neighbours said he howled & cried the whole time I was gone (they have been very understanding thankfully) I didn't see him doing anything too crazy on the web cam, but when I got home he'd completely destroyed his bed. I don't know how I'm going to get through 12 weeks of this...it's really starting to get me down and I spend all day worrying about him while I'm away. I would hate for him to do something to hurt himself and set back his progress. He's perfectly calm in the cage when we are here but the minute we leave, panic sets in (I think for both him and I).
We had another hydrotherapy session yesterday which was good and they could feel him using his back legs, but we went again today and he was completely distracted and he barely spent any time in the water because he just wouldn't co operate. We thought maybe it was too soon after his session yesterday. I'm also worried now because he did a wee in his cage for the first time today. I think it was because I took him outside as soon as I got home at about 1.30/2pm and he did a wee, but then he had a huge drink of water because he'd spent the morning working himself up and he tipped his water bowl over, and then I didn't take him out again and I guess he had to go - this would've been about 6.30pm. He seemed to clear an area in the cage to go as much as he could. I'm hoping this was just a once off accident and doesn't become a regular thing or that he's lost control of his bladder.
He's getting more confident with standing up, but will only do it when he gets really excited or has to move himself about in the cage. He can take a few wobbly steps but doesn't stay upright for long.
I'm wondering if anyone else has been really mentally exhausted by this experience?
I hope I don't sound neurotic or boring to anyone who happens to be reading this... It makes me feel better to be able to vent to others who have been through this.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 8, 2014 7:29:27 GMT -7
Anytime you need to vent, Tamara, this is certainly the place to do it. We do understand the stress and the exhaustion that goes along with this disease. It will get better. Try to take it one day at a time.
Have you tried draping a towel or blanket over his crate? He shouldn't be allowed to jump up on his hind legs with his paws on the crate. If you lower a blanket to his standing height, that should discourage him from jumping up since he wouldn't be able to see out when he jumped. Or you can take a piece of cardboard, punch some holes in the corners and tie the cardboard inside the top of the crate to lower the height of the crate.
You might want to try to put an unwashed item of clothing in his crate with him when you're out of the house. He might find that comforting.
Speak to the vet again about the separation anxiety and see what they suggest.
Hopefully that was a one-time accident in the crate. Keep an eye on that, which I'm sure you will be doing.
Hang in there. Prayers that Ollie will calm down soon and adjust to his time in the crate.
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Post by Tamara&Ollie on Feb 21, 2014 18:49:11 GMT -7
Hi Everyone, I thought I would give a quick Ollie update. I felt like I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown last time I posted, but I'm doing much better now. We decided to stay at my mums place while he is on cage rest, so there's almost always someone with him and he's not alone for more than 4 hours or so at a time. Giving him 1 full tranquilizer at least an hour or more before we leave him alone also seems to lessen the extent of the separation anxiety. The vet said he doesn't usually allow owners to give them to the animals, but Ollie's case was pretty extreme and he knew that we had tried every other possible option to calm him down, so that's made things a bit easier as well... Onto some good news... I'm very pleased to say that he is able to walk again!!! Yay!!! It's still quite wobbly, and he doesn't have total control over his back legs because they do sway a bit and it's no where near 100% yet, but at least he can get up and get around. We only let him walk around a little bit when he is out doing his business. He can support his own weight when he does a wee & a poo which is good. The vet said he is doing remarkably well considering how bad he was, and that he's ready to start doing some training with cavelleti rails. Daisy seems to have accepted him back into the pack as well. There is a video of him on the facebook page of the people that are doing his hydrotherapy if anyone would like to watch it - www.facebook.com/MuzzleToMuscle . It's not really noticeable in the video, but sometimes when he is walking his back is arched quite a bit. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this in the early stages of their dog walking again? He's not exhibiting any other signs of pain or anything. I thought maybe it's because his back legs are very tense and it's kind of like he's walking on his tippy toes, and his front legs are still the same length... is it something I should be worrying about? |
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 21, 2014 21:42:07 GMT -7
Hi Tamara, So glad to hear Ollie can walk once again, wobbly or not!! Wonderful news and I am so glad you have the support of your parents as all of you care for Ollie. Separation Anxiety is hard to deal with at the best of times but so much harder with IVDD and I am glad you are finding ways to deal with it as best you can. Here is an article from Dr. Andrew Isaacs, DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center. His primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors. In this article he discusses the arched back or hump. www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/hump.htm |
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I’m really glad I found the website – it’s a great resource considering we really had no prior knowledge of the disease, but we absolutely love our little man and are going to do everything possible to get him better. In response to your questions. 
