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Post by Ashley & Eddie on Apr 5, 2014 21:39:37 GMT -7
Hello everyone, I'm so happy to have found this forum... I'm looking forward to having a group to lean for the forseeable future. Two weeks ago, my 5.5 year old Eddie was his active usual self! Then on March 23rd he got quiet and slow, and on March 24th he was a trembling non-stop, refused to walk/move, and woudn't eat. (I should note - he was still able to walk - he just didn't want to) We made an emergency trip to the hospital, and were sent home with Tramadol and Metacam and instructions for 2 weeks of rest. About a week into his rest, we saw knuckling one morning when he went out to pee, and the next day, March 30th he was unable to stand or walk. Another emergency trip to the hospital and Eddie stayed the night with an MRI scheduled for the following morning. The MRI confirmed what all were thinking... IVDD. Eddie had ruptured a disc. His surgery was March 31st. Eddie has been recovering in hospital since - and is coming home on Monday.So far: Deep Pain sensation and tail wagging. No standing or walking, but there is some voluntary movement in his back legs.He hasn't regained bladder control yet - so it looks like expressing is going to be something we are going to have to learn - but I'm still hopeful that this is something that will come back with time. I have been crying on and off for two weeks. I'm worried and exhausted, and I just want him home. I'm also terrified about what this new life is going to be like. We're used to going for walks, and going to the dog park, and playing... I feel like so many things have changed, and like the things we enjoyed doing most with Eddie are gone. Eddie had such an active life, it's difficult to think about him confined to a crate - but I know this is what will be best for him in the long run. I know I will have a million questions once I get him home on Monday... I look forward to all information I can glean from this group  Thanks, Ashley |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 6, 2014 11:02:30 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Ashley! We are a good place to lean on in the early days. The end goal you want to have in mind is to become an IVDD savvy dog owner as quickly as possible. You will want to bookmark and return to our main website as you continue with your readings. Crying is one emotion that drains a person makes you a victim. Education on the other hand takes away the fear and puts you in a powerful position to know what to expect with nerve regeneration, how to have meaningful discussions with a vet and how to protect Eddie now and in the future. Are you ready for that task? Here is our treasure trove of "All Things IVDD" www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmSo that we can get you on your way to being positive that Eddie will get back to enjoying a quality life, here are my comments. -- review now incase on discharge day you need to get a hands on top of your hands type of expressing lesson www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm-- Wonderful tips on putting together Eddie's recovery suite and making the next 6 weeks go smoother: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm-- Start getting those millions of questions down on paper as they come to mind. On discharge day you won't want anything to go unanswered in the excitement of bringing Eddie home. Here's a starter list: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm-- When Eddie is home, do let us know any meds he is on, what the surgeon directs for crate rest and for PT. |
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Post by Jill & Cooper on Apr 7, 2014 15:21:40 GMT -7
Hi Ashley,
I'm a new member on this forum (my Cooper had disc surgery on 3/19) but I wanted to address "the things we enjoyed doing most with Eddie are gone" feeling.
Last fall Cooper suddenly (in one week) went blind due to a condition called SARDS. I had the same feeling you describe...what happened to my life-loving boy? I cried for two weeks...I felt like I lost my best friend. How would we ever take walks again? But then I stopped...because I noticed one day when I had something else to think about that he was fine. My sadness was affecting him. So I just started to pull myself together for his sake. And by the end of November we were taking 30 minute walks again. He can't fetch his ball like he used to but we've made up some new games.
Unfortunately because of this disc issue we're adjusting again...might not be able to do the ball very much...will have to wait awhile for longer walks...but I know he will still have a good life. He will walk again and we are very lucky to still have him with us.
I'm not a doctor but I know tail wagging's a good sign...hang in there and see if he doesn't start to respond a little better if you can pull yourself together. Best of luck to you both!
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