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Post by Cassie & Willow on Mar 16, 2014 18:32:36 GMT -7
Willow woke up partially paralyzed 3/16/14. She's a sweet, but energetic 4 year old rescue from Midwest dachshund Rescue. I will not lose this little pressure bundle of joy!!
After an emergency trip to the vet this morning she received a shot of steroids and back home for crate rest. Tomorrow we will return to the local vet to see if she has made any improvement and to get a referral to a specialist. I am torn whether surgery is the best option for her. Everything is so scary right now.
Willow's mom, Cassie
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 16, 2014 19:37:34 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Cassie. First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for Willow to get back to enjoying life after recovering. It is scary, I have been there, done that with my Tyler and I am here to tell you there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. 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. Are you ready? Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmTo find a specialist read this article that explains what to look for and the right questions to ask of the Neuro Vet you are interviewing.. It also has a search engine to find a specialist in your area: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/VetchkList.htm Add this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? ==► Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc? ==► So glad you started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for this current disc episode! …. STRICT means No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). ==► Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? ==► How much does your dog weigh? List the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and times per day given? What was the start dose if a steroid, date of taper? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory. ==► Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? ==► Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? ==► Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark or bright red blood? ==► 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. We are here to help you and Willow get through this.. Sending comforting thoughts your way. |
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Post by Cassie & Willow on Mar 17, 2014 15:03:43 GMT -7
The choice of crate rest or surgery was quickly removed from our hands this morning with Willow's screams of pain. We packed her up and drove as quickly as possible to Iowa State University Veterinary Hospital. She has no deep pain response and has been diagnosed with a lesion at T3-L1. She went into surgery at 4:00 and it is expected to take 1 1/2 hours. Prognosis is not totally known, but not very good. With no surgery, there would have been no improvement and no pain relief.
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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 17, 2014 17:03:57 GMT -7
Our thoughts are with you and Willow. When you get news, please do let us all know how the surgery went.
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Post by Cassie & Willow on Mar 18, 2014 7:36:17 GMT -7
Willow's surgery was much more complicated than at first it seemed. They attempted to correct the disc issue but discovered her spinal cord was extremely bruised. They also discovered myelomalacia, a condition that causes the tissue of the cord to die. It is irreversible, rare, but very painful as it progresses so quickly, and it's terminal. The only choice we had was to humanely euthanize her while under anesthesia. Now I pick up the pieces without my beautiful baby girl. I'm devastated.
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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 18, 2014 7:58:27 GMT -7
Hi Cassie, My name is Debbie, I'm so very for your loss...My thoughts and prayers are with you and please know you did the best you could do, she knew you loved her...R.I.P. Willow.. <3
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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 18, 2014 8:20:24 GMT -7
Cassie, my heart aches for you. I am so sorry you lost your dear Willow. Find comfort that you did everything you could to care for HER. SHE knew that and could feel the how much you loved HER. IVDD is not a life threatening disease. However, sometimes another disease called Myelomalacia takes hold of a damaged spinal cord. There is no cure and it is very painful. You gave the hardest but kindest parting gift of all, the release from pain that would not end well. You can read more about it: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Myelomalacia.pdfThere is a new Facebook page for those who have lost dogs to myelomalacia www.facebook.com/groups/381150025318109/ if you feel like checking it out. "Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a path you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go..“Godspeed, good friend,” we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again." Crystal Kent www.journeyforanimals.com/html/read-the-journey.htmlCassie, there is no way to know the full measure of your personal grief and overwhelming sense of loss. There are no words to comfort... just know we are here. ((Warmest hugs)) with my sincere condolences and godspeed Willow. |
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 18, 2014 10:43:18 GMT -7
Cassie, I am so so sorry for your loss. Willow knew you did everything you could for her and that you loved her. Someday she will greet you again, ears flapping and running to her hearts content. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Melissa & Deucy
New Member
Our sweet, precious girl…fight on, Deucy!
Posts: 51
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Post by Melissa & Deucy on Mar 18, 2014 18:12:50 GMT -7
We are so very sorry for your loss…So sorry…thoughts to you are your family during this very difficult time…love, and prayers to you
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 18, 2014 19:37:05 GMT -7
So sad for you, Cassie..
We share in your grief and surround you with comforting thoughts..
Hugs,
Pauliana
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 19, 2014 7:04:15 GMT -7
My sincerest condolences on your loss, Cassie. My heart goes out to you and my prayers are with you.
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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 9:12:18 GMT -7
I am so very sorry for your loss. May the memories of the love and joy that you shared help you through this sad time.
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Deb & Oscar
New Member
I am looking for advice about my injured mini
Posts: 5
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Post by Deb & Oscar on Mar 29, 2014 13:33:24 GMT -7
I am so sorry for the loss of your baby. Prayers for you.
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Post by Cassie & Willow on Mar 30, 2014 17:13:53 GMT -7
Thank you for your kind words everyone. I have to say I'm one of the strongest women I've ever known. I've been through a lot, but losing Willow has literally leveled me. I didn't see this coming. I don't know what went so wrong. When I took Willow to the vet hospital i never expected to leave without her. I thought she would probably need to have surgery and have a long, restricted recovery that I would help her through. I thought at worst, she might stay paralyzed and I would buy her a cart and she'd have extra medical needs. I would have done either of these things. Happily.
I never expected her to have this horrible, incurable disease that makes me want to throw up every time I see, hear or read its name because I know that it caused my little sweetheart to die. I'm angry because I don't know how she got the "traumatic injury" that it stems from. I just know I will never play with my sweet little Willow, walk with her, watch her run care free, watch her bounce around and bark and just love life because she was such a free beautiful spirit.
Today, I walked into the same hospital we walked into less than two weeks ago when we were so cautiously hopeful, just to walk out a few short hours later hopelessly crushed. I drove 3 hours each way to bring home the only part of Willow that will ever come home with me again--her cremains, her paw print and her collar. My heart is broken forever.
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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 30, 2014 18:35:40 GMT -7
Cassie, "M" can happen with any injury to the spinal cord, whether from a car accident or from a disc. My dog had it during conservative treatment. Your Cassie had it happen during surgery. The disc pushing on the spinal cord was the impetus for "M" No one ever sees "M" coming.
You will never get used to Willow not being with you, over time you just learn to cope.
Willow left lots of LOVE behind for you. Now you'll find her forever in a safe and warm place... your loving heart and your memory... She now watches over you. I hope with time you, too, will begin to laugh again as you are reminded of Willow's special personality, her antics and unique quirkiness!
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Post by Maggie & Seersha on Apr 2, 2014 9:54:01 GMT -7
I am so sorry for your loss, Cassie. Godspeed, Willow.
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