Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Mar 25, 2014 16:32:36 GMT -7
Well, it is confirmed. We had two successful potty trips today!! According to my hubby, each time has been better than the last, like he's starting to remember how this whole thing works! As far as I know, he hasn't pooped outside yet, but he only used to do that about 2 times a day so maybe this evening... I can't believe this turn of events! So excited for Riley!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 25, 2014 16:50:30 GMT -7
Awww, such great news about Riley! We love to hear pee success You may want to continue to try and express him for a bit after he pees just until you are sure he is eliminating completely.
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StevieLuv
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Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Mar 26, 2014 10:06:45 GMT -7
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Mar 27, 2014 16:34:04 GMT -7
Riley has been consistently going potty when we take him outside. He doesn't get everything out, but can usually express the rest as soon as we go back inside. Pooping does still seem to be a reflex at this point, but I'm thinking that if we get back into a regular potty routine, that might make some improvements too. I've been looking at carts from "dogs to go" and am thinking of getting one to help with his rehab. He LOVES his daily walks and I think getting back into that routine could help with his overall state of mind. How long should a dog be off meds before you allow him time in a cart? He is still on a very low dose of pred, hoping to be off soon, so crate rest continues for now! Now that he is starting to potty on his own, I find I'm much more excited about the future and trying to think of how we can get to our new normal! I truly didn't believe we would make it even this far... I should have known better. Riley is a survivor!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 27, 2014 17:59:08 GMT -7
Katie, seems like Riley is making nice progress...always great to see the return of function Kudos to you for continuing to express. This will help Riley not to have any issues with UTI's. Riley should be off all pain medications and steroids for one week before crate rest is over. This way you can be sure there is no further swelling or pain. At that point, you can help him start to build up his muscles which have weakened during crate rest. Take a look at this link...it can give you some great ideas as to how to start letting him out once crate rest is over. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmI don't have much experience with carts but some of our other moderators do. So happy to hear about more successful peeing
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 2, 2014 9:44:59 GMT -7
Hi there. This week has been a bit frustrating. I think after Riley went potty outside the first time, we figured it would be like that from then on. But it has really been more of a hit or miss situation. I take him out first thing in the AM, and he sniffs but doesn't go and I have to express him. Then throughout the day he might go one time but not the next. We are expressing him in between, so I know he's not just overflowing when he has success. He is also remaining dry in between going out. It is common for bladder control to return in fits and starts? I have seen him try to push himself up on one of his legs in the last couple of days, so it seems like he is progressing... but he is still basically pooping as a reflex and doesn't seem to have 100% control of either bladder or bowels. I guess I was looking at regaining function as checking things off the list in order, but Riley seems to be regaining in his own order and own time. Just looking for a little reassurance, I guess! Thanks!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 2, 2014 12:05:32 GMT -7
It is true that not all dogs follow the textbook order of nerve healing. When they are first getting bladder control back, you are doing the right thing by expressing when you have given him a chance to pee when he ought to have something to void but does not.
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 4, 2014 11:39:27 GMT -7
Hmmmm... well, no peeing outside in the last two days. He continues to make progress... trying to push up on one of his legs now. We will just keep giving him the opportunity to go outside and hope for the best. He has another acupuncture session next week and that always seems to help so maybe he'll rally after that.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Apr 4, 2014 11:51:48 GMT -7
Every dog heals at their own pace. Riley has shown some really good progress. Fingers crossed for more peeing
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 8, 2014 11:04:47 GMT -7
We continue to have sporadic success with the sniff test. Riley still just seems to poop as a reflex. I'm curious if anyone found that their dog was just confused on what was expected after crate rest. I am wondering if he doesn't realize that we want him to poop outside and he is now just holding it until he can't hold it anymore? Does that even make sense? He knows when he is going and starts to scramble around his crate, but we haven't had ANY success with pooping outside yet. Advice appreciated...
Riley is also starting to move his left leg in a walking motion while we have him in his sling outside! He has another appointment tomorrow with the acupunturist and we are hoping to have him completely med free at that time too! Will keep you posted.
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 8, 2014 20:03:30 GMT -7
Hi Katie,
Just continue taking him out for potty breaks and he should get the hang of it. As bladder control comes back, pooping should too. Every dog heals differently and since he has been making progress, it may just take some time for bladder and bowel control to return to normal.
Hang in there Riley will come through!!
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 9, 2014 16:53:07 GMT -7
Thanks Pauliana, We are making progress every day. Yesterday while my husband was taking him to the potty spot in his sling, his hind legs were moving in a walking motion along with his front legs! We were pretty excited by that!! And I just got the word that after today's appointment he is now off his meds completely! Yay! One more week and we can start building up his strength again. All told, we will have done 11 weeks of crate rest and we are all ready to be finished with that! We are grateful for all the support we have gotten here on Dodger's list. I'll continue updating as he improves!
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 9, 2014 21:05:47 GMT -7
Hi Katie! Fabulous news that Riley's back legs were moving in a walking motion while on a walk using the sling! Wonderful sign, indeed! So happy to hear that!!! Thanks for the update!!!
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 14, 2014 11:12:40 GMT -7
On Sunday morning I was sleeping in while my hubby was up and about. I heard Riley nosing at his crate and leaned over the side of the bed to see if he needed anything... and he was STANDING! I couldn't believe it! He has been trying to walk a little bit too... pushing up on his feet and getting one or two steps in before he loses it and falls over. We are having off and on again success with peeing and still no success with poop... but this seems so exciting! How can I tell the difference between a drunk walk/wobbly walk and a spinal walk? I'm assuming this is the real deal, since he has deep pain sensation and small tail wags, but is there anyway to be sure?
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Apr 14, 2014 14:35:09 GMT -7
This is truly such a wonderful sign of nerve healing, Katie! I'm very happy to hear this. Sometimes they can stand for a second or two when positioned in a standing position due to muscle tone but it sounds as though Riley stood up on his own, correct? Yes, sometimes a dog can learn to spinal walk when they have no deep pain sensation but that's not the case with Riley. He's been moving his legs when sling walking, too. So it's all a good indication that Riley's brain is making connection with the nerves to his hind legs once again. Here's some more info on spinal walking: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/spinal_walking.html
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 14, 2014 14:51:37 GMT -7
Marjorie, you just made my day! Yes, he stood on his own! We continue to take it one day at a time and our Riley might just walk again!
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 14, 2014 22:06:36 GMT -7
Hi Katie, So happy to hear about Riley's standing and walking a bit. Music to my ears!
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 16, 2014 9:46:33 GMT -7
Every day seems to bring us more progress. Yesterday, Riley chose to stand while eating his breakfast and his dinner!!! Then this morning we had the most tail wagging that we have seen since his injury! We are excited to start working with him and getting his muscle strength back! Today is one week off all meds, so I'm pretty sure we're graduated from crate rest! Time to get some carpet runners for our hallway... we are also looking at a Dogs to Go cart for rehab and to help him start getting some exercise again. I'm pretty sure he will be able to walk again unassisted at some point, but we'd like to start taking him for walks sooner than that. The price point of the Dogs to Go cart is great and we feel like for the price if we use it for 6 months to a year and then don't need it anymore, its still a good investment. Exciting times!!!!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 16, 2014 12:56:56 GMT -7
Good Job Katie in being so diligent in Riley's care. If he is able now to move himself up into a standing position, Riley is on a ROLL! I bet you'll see in the not too distant future even more nerve healing. Snaps some pictures we want to see: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/260/upload-photo-dog
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Apr 17, 2014 5:35:36 GMT -7
Congratulations Katie and Riley!!! So happy for both of you Riley is definitely getting stronger and those nerves are reconnecting. I wouldn't be surprised if he learns to walk all on his own again Enjoy the snuggles with your sweet boy
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Katie & Riley
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Watching that tail like a hawk...
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Post by Katie & Riley on Apr 22, 2014 10:23:15 GMT -7
UPDATE! Over the weekend, we invested in a couple of rugs to cover our hardwood floors. We have a long hallway that is all hardwood and Riley likes to follow us up and down the hall, but was having trouble. After getting the rug, he spent most of the day following us around, WALKING! He was able to get some purchase on the rug and push himself up and take steps all the way down... probably about 15 feet!!! We are having better success with potty time. He has a new little whine that he does when he is about to poop, and if we are paying attention, we can get him outside before he has an accident. I figure him knowing it is going to happen is progress, even if he can't control it much more than that. Baby steps! We are thrilled with his progress this week!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Apr 22, 2014 13:29:50 GMT -7
Wonderful news! Make sure he takes it easy and doesn't overdo it, but he is making tremendous progress. So happy for you
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