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Post by Cynthia&Huxley on Mar 7, 2014 11:52:16 GMT -7
Update on Huxley-
Tomorrow will mark 5 weeks of strict crate rest!
Huxley hasn't had Rimadyl for 3 days and I've lowered the tramadol to 1x a day. He is acting "normal" and showing no signs of pain.
He is nesting around in ex pen and sleeping on his back with belly side up! I am guessing this is a sign that he is feeling better.
He is quite unhappy about being in the ex pen and we move him about from upstairs to downstairs between ex pens...we even have a small ex pen set up outside on our patio for him to enjoy the outdoors while care for the garden.
Considering we live in a planned community, I did take him for a stroll in his stroller. There are very few bumps-it's a smooth surface so I felt confident he would be fine. He really enjoys being given the royal treatment and I feel good about getting him out of the house and in fresh air for 15 minutes!
So while we monitor for pain and feel anxious about his activity post crate treatment, we feel truly blessed that he has made such progress.
All the best,
Cynthia
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 7, 2014 17:00:20 GMT -7
The safer idea is to just sit on your deck with Huxley in the stroller. There are too many unexpected things that can happen on a stroll in your neighborhood besides a bump in the sidewalk. Huxely is doing so well, would be awful to have an unexpected setback.
Why is he still on tramadol at all if he is not longer on the ant-inflammatory, Rimadyl? You mentioned on 2/24 tramadol was stopped.
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Post by Cynthia&Huxley on Mar 10, 2014 9:45:54 GMT -7
Hi Paula,
The neuro asked to stop the rimadyl and I asked to keep him on an additional week for safe measure. I believe keeping him on the tramadol was more for my peace of mind vs a real need. In the evenings, he appears to be a little restless and pants a bit more than normal-thus, I thought perhaps that was a sign of being uncomfortable/little bit of pain and continued with the tramadol. He is no longer on any meds.
His attitude is great-except that he wants OUT of the crate and makes that known. He is sleeping on his sides and back with belly up- I'm assuming this is a good thing. He used to roll over onto his back when I would snuggle my head against his-he is no longer doing this and it could be that he just can't do it now.
We've been preparing our home for the day he is no longer on crate rest. My downstairs is hardwood and tile; we've since bought several non slip rugs to cover most of the flooring.
One area of concern for me is grooming his back paws. He has loads of fur that grow between his toes and cover his feet-making him slip and slide. I don't know of a safe way to trim the area and also a way to keep him calm even if I attempted to trim the furry paws. So... any suggestions?
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 10, 2014 10:52:55 GMT -7
Glad to hear Huxley is off all medications. Is he showing any signs of pain? He may not be able to do what he used to do for now. Mimi was not able to do the "downward dog" stretch until about a month or so after crate rest. Now I swear she does it more than ever just because she likes to  Regarding the trimming, hubs and I have to trim Mimi's nails together now. So, I hold her on my lap, ensuring she is support and not freaking out. I bury a bit of peanut butter into the bottom of a Kong and freeze it. I then hold the Kong while he trims her nails. It keeps her focused on something else and she has to work to get the peanut butter. I know pb is fattening but we don't use a lot and only do it every 3 weeks or so. Maybe you could do something like that to trim his paw fur? Or maybe try something else that he loves? Just an idea. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 10, 2014 11:38:37 GMT -7
Of course at the end of March when crate rest is over, you can then groom his paws. I do the same trimming of fur between the pads with small scissors so that Clark with have better traction. Dr. Yin has a good video on getting your dog used to nail trims that would carry over to scissors and trimming pad fur. |
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Post by Cynthia&Huxley on Mar 29, 2014 7:00:51 GMT -7
Today is Huxley's BIG DAY! The neurologist said that he has made a full recovery and today, he will be released from crate rest. Considering I have wood and tile floors, over the past 2 months we have purchased several rugs with gripping to keep him from slipping and sliding. We still need to build a ramp for the backdoor to yard (3 inch step), and we'll get that done today. I am so excited for him and he is excited, too! I will post a photo to the FB site. Thank you all for the loving support over the past 2 months. You have been a blessing. Hugs, Cynthia and Huxley |
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335 
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Post by StevieLuv on Mar 29, 2014 8:53:07 GMT -7
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 29, 2014 12:29:47 GMT -7
Congratuations, Cynthia for being committed to all 8 weeks of STRICT rest -- you were instrumental in allowing Hux' disc to fully heal. Won't you make sure Huxely has a place in the 2015 Calendar? Both you of you are an inspiration to others! How to upload photo to the 2015 calendar that comes out this Fall. dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/260/upload-photo-dog |
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 29, 2014 13:51:36 GMT -7
Congratulations Cynthia and Huxley!!! I am so happy for you Enjoy your new normal and tons of snuggles. |
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on Mar 30, 2014 11:40:49 GMT -7
Hi Cynthia, my name is Debbie and I've been where you are, so Congratulations Cynthia and Huxley! Hugs and Prayers to you and Huxley..  |
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 31, 2014 6:23:22 GMT -7
Congratulations!! Be sure to take it nice and slow and gradually ease him back into movement. The link that Maureen gave you was very helpful to me after my Jeremy graduated crate rest -very helpful schedule to be followed. May Huxley have many happy years ahead with no more disc problems. I'm so happy that he's made such a great recovery. |
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Vita & Emmie
Helpful Member
Currently graduated for the 3rd time; walking and running!
Posts: 189
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Post by Vita & Emmie on Apr 3, 2014 10:18:21 GMT -7
Hi Cynthia, I just go back from vacation to this great news! Huxley looks wonderful in his freedom. Best wishes from Emmie and me. We hope to follow in your paw prints soon!
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