Suzanne's Lana 2/6 Surgery

Yes, IVDD dog owners do tend to "catastrophize" things, don't we?! Sounds like she was just tired out from her PT. I would let the rehab people know how she acted afterwards so they don't overdo things with her. Nice and easy PT is better than pushing too much and over taxing those weak muscles.

Continued healing prayers for Lana.

When a dog can move their legs, they often do not like you to do PT with them. If you are saying the legs lock straight out, then you can try to release that lock by pushing gently in back of the knee area to get the knee to bend. So if Lana can walk, bend her knees in walking (doing her own ROM) then maybe you do not have to do the home PT range of motion. I bet she doesn't mind though the massage to help her tired muscles feel good.

I talked to the PT vet about Lana's reluctance to work at her home therapy.  It felt it was behavioral and suggested that I try food or a toy placed in front of her at a level so her head could be in a normal position.  I put a little peanut butter and some yogurt in a Kong and froze it.  When it was time for her PT at home, I put the Kong in position in front of her and she had absolutely no trouble standing.  No more backing up into a sitting position and I was able to work through her range of motion exercises!  She actually stood for far longer than I've seen to date.  She is also able to be in a normal crouched position with back legs supporting when defecating as of a few days ago.  However, except for her walking in hydro therapy, she is not yet taking actual steps on her own.  

Today was her one-month recheck.  Just before that appointment Lana had her rehab session - laser, followed by 14 minutes on the hydro treadmill, then acupuncture and core strengthening.  I thought she might be wiped out after all of this but she stood up and walked a few steps to her carrier.  It's a wide, out-of-control gait but she's up and trying.  I was so encouraged.  Her neurologist checked her out right after and said she was so pleased with the progress.  Now, I just have to figure out more ways to motivate her to work at home.  I have placed two yoga mats end to end and dinner this evening is going to be served in a long line on those mats.  That should create some motivation!  It's just amazing to see what a month can do.

The question that stays in the back of my head:  how likely is it that this might happen to her again?  Is it pretty certain given she was only 5 at the time of the first occurrence or is it anyone's guess?

Just a quick update. Lana continues to progress. She's still on strict crate rest except for our PT appointments and at-home therapy but she's standing well and walking with less knuckling under. She begins her second phase of PT late next week which will concentrate on her gait. In the meantime, I have a curving track (think meandering garden path with lots of S-curves) set up on two end-to-end yoga mats. The track is bordered on the sides with rolled-up blankets. As she goes down the path, she is required to shift her weight to accommodate the curves. I've found it to be a really good at-home exercise. And at the end of the path (at both ends) I have a folded towel so she has to step up a little and also adjust for a difference surface. She's not terribly motivated but if I randomly drop a few treats along the path, she is good to go!

It's a really big day for us. Lana's PT vet said it's time for her to start transitioning out of the crate. It's a bit of a problem because we live with no rugs (3 Dachshunds…get it??) and we also live on the 43rd floor. However, there is carpeting in our outside hallway so I'm thinking that we'll walk out there - up and down - a few times each day. I have a bed for her set up next to me in my office and since she's not a terribly active dog, I think we'll do just fine. I've also ordered socks for her from Woodrow Wear. They are great people and I use the socks for my other two Dachshunds for other reasons, mainly floor protection. Her PT vet said she would be a little spooky wearing them at first but I've been through that phase with the other two. They have nice sticky paw prints on the feet and she will be able to get good traction on our floors. All in, we're in such a better place than six weeks ago! And thank all of you for the advice and encouragement - you're saints!

Happy Crate rest graduation to Lana!  I am sure you are very excited and also anxious about the transition from crate to your brand new normal.  The carpeted hallway sounds like a great place to slowly rebuild her strength and stamina.     Here is info on how to ease back into life after crate rest.  Lots of great tips and even a sample program  to ease her back into walking:  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm

Suzanne, thank much for the review on these socks.  Have moved your post to our review section here: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/8/updates

This is an update after 4 months away from the list...I don't know where the time went.  Well, I sort of do know - rehab is really time consuming.  I'm happy to report that Lana has pretty much resumed life as she knew it.  Rehab continues both at the center and at home but it is far less demanding.  She's still working in the hydro-treadmill once a week and swimming in the pool at rehab.  Swimming seems to have helped her turn the corner.  One back leg still does not have quite the range of motion as the other so she sometimes adds a hop to keep up. The C-curve in her back has reduced.  All in, she's a happy pup and so am I!  Going through this without Dodgerslist would have been a far bleaker experience and I am so grateful for the knowledge and encouragement of both the moderators and others on the list going through the same thing.