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Post by Julie & Toto on May 8, 2014 5:25:27 GMT -7
Im Julie, my dog Toto is 5, male, weighs 22 pounds and is a mix of who knows what, but short legged with long back
I think toto's symptoms started end of march , but the diagnosis was a huge mess and there were so many conflicting opinions that a straight diagnosis didnt come until he received an mri on April 3rd. An x ray showed spondylosis and two calcified disks. Blood work showed pancreatitis. Now he's on special low fat food. Before he was on a raw diet. His weight before was good as well. A day after the mri, toto had back leg paralysis but deep pain (stage 4), and went into emergency surgery. Not all disk material was removed, and this was realized when almost a week later, toto developed stage 5 paralysis with no deep pain. He then had emergency surgery again on april 10th and has since been recovering fairly well. He regained tail movement a few days after and has slowly begun trying to walk again.
My vet advised me to keep his movement limited, but to build up muscle slowly. It's been a month and toto can walk around the block now. I am not sure if that is good, but last week he would only walk up and down the street, and before that I would only set him down to pee and poop. When he's done walking, he'll give me a look and I pick him up.
Toto seems to be free from pain. He's a wimp and when he's in pain, he will let me know. Leading up to the diagnosis he was shivering, yelping, stiff, tight belly, etc. Now he is happy and back to his old self. He has very limited feeling in his back legs and tail though.
Toto isnt on any meds. He recieved antibiotics after the surgery for a week, thats it. This is probably because of the pancreatitis.
Toto can wobbly walk and wag his tail. He can do a few steps and then falls over. He can stand on his own. He can express his bowels and bladder on his own and hasnt pood in the house for over a week now. He is eating and drinking well and his poop is normal.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on May 8, 2014 7:09:52 GMT -7
Julie, wow, what a medical journey Toto has been on. So good to hear he now is on the mend and able to walk again. When he is not doing the surgeon directed PT, is he back in his recovery suite until graduation day. Usually a post op dog does 6 weeks of crate rest.... Seeing there were back to back surgeries, did the surgeon call for a different length of time for post op crate rest? Are you using a sling with the harness and leash so that his vertebrae stay aligned and his rear does not tip over causing pressure on the healing surgery site and his spondylosis condition? web-dvm.net/spondylosis.html A belt, ace bandage, long winter scarf or a homemade figure 8 sling can help protect. |
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Post by Julie & Toto on May 8, 2014 8:05:52 GMT -7
Hi Paula. Thanks for replying. To be honest, I dont think the vet said too much about crate rest, just that I had to take things slowly and not overdo it for the first 4 weeks. I havent seen him in maybe 2 weeks, since toto got his stitches pulled. He said to come by in 2 weeks for another check up and just keep doing the pt.
I take toto out about 5 times a day (less control, more frequent need to expell). When he's not out or doing pt, he's resting in his bed.
What I have for toto now is a handmade figure 8 sling. I'm not sure what you mean though about him tipping? Do you mean tipping forwards or backwards?
So 4 weeks post op his spine is still very sensitive? Anything to watch out for?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on May 8, 2014 8:21:51 GMT -7
Julie the crate, ex-pen are types of recovery suites. When Toto is not doing the PT where he is under your eyeball supervision, controlled and doing it slowly then the recovery suite protects him from doing the unexpected all dogs will do. They might dart at the sound of the TV doorbell, something passing by the window. Texas A&M explains the need for crate rest the best I've seen in the brochure they give to post op clients:
You mentioned that Toto could walk a few steps but then falls over. The sling is as back up so that Toto would not fall over. It is important during his post op healing time that the back stays aligned and that his rear end does not tip over. Since I read that spondylosis is a degenerative disease that may cause loss of the spine's boney structure there is concern to there to also protect.
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Post by Julie & Toto on May 8, 2014 8:55:00 GMT -7
Ah ok, thanks Paula. I think we may have edited my first post at the same time, because I posted some videos of toto and some questions, and they are not there now.
This is what I use for toto now:
I was wondering, since recovery seems to be a long and slow process, if at some point I should get him a wheelchair if say he cant run in the next month or so? He was so active before and playful, I dont want him to get depressed or discouraged if he cant be more independent and mobile. But also I suppose more movement will cause more damage? still it doesnt seem to be fair to restrict him permanently, despite the chance of another disk episode or spondylosis.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on May 8, 2014 20:43:05 GMT -7
No way does he need a wheelchair, he is really doing well!! I would recommend you add a harness and leash to better control speed. Also at PT time there should be no other dogs with you...just working with Toto.  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/slingwalk.jpg |
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Post by Julie & Toto on May 9, 2014 0:28:12 GMT -7
Thanks Paula! That is a relief to hear. Thanks for all of your great advice.
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