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Post by lauriemay1 on Jun 11, 2014 16:33:58 GMT -7
My 10 yo dachshund Angel has had this disease for two years now. I am at my wits end. She can't walk but has had her feeling in her lower extremities back after her surgery two years ago. I have to carry her everywhere. I don't have money for a wheelchair so I'm kind of stuck with this situation. It's very frustrating. What do I need to do to get her stronger to walk again. Like I said its been two years. I don't have a lot of time to concentrate on physical therapy so it's hard. I do love her to death. Surgery cost us 7000 dollars and we are struggling financially because of this. Any support or guidance would be so helpful. Thank you...
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 11, 2014 18:19:39 GMT -7
Laurie, welcome to Dodgerslist. Sometimes the nerves are so damaged that they just do not have the potential to regenerate enough to bring back walking. My Clark is like that. There are wheelchairs that cost under $100 is that something possible to save up for over a period of time? Dogs To Go: www.dogstogo.net The cart would give Angel a chance at aerobic exercise and to join better in family activity. The type of physical therapy that you should do is range of motion and some massage. It keeps her joints from freezing up and helps to keep circulation going. Are you doing that at least 1x a day and preferable 3x a day? You can check out the links on our page to see if you might qualify for assistance in getting a chair for Angel. www.dodgerslist.com/links.htmDo you see her legs move at all outside of anything that happens at potty time? Can she wag her tail if specifically if you do some happy talk to her or she sees a treat coming? Does she have bladder control...that means no leaking on you when lifted and no urine leaks in her bedding? If you are expressing, does she stay drying in between sessions? Have you seen this list of garments to protect the skin as she scoots about the house? See #6 on www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm#garments |
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Post by lauriemay1 on Jun 12, 2014 17:00:26 GMT -7
Hi Paula. Thank you for this message. I so want to get her a wheelchair but financially have been getting hit with one expense after another. To answer some of your questions.
She can getup on her back legs a bit. She doesn't scoot but to rather hops but not very long. A few steps here and there. She can go to the bathroom on her own. Usually goes and then collapses and lays down right after she scoots away from whatever she just did. She does not have bladder accidents. But she does have poopiing accidents especially right after she eats dinner. She does not scoot around the house. She basically lays on couch and lays in bed. Very little activity and is carried everywhere. I do have a pool and was hoping to do some water early with her as soon as the water gets warm enough. Massage. I try to when she sits with me. But not very often I need to get better and concentrate more time on her. Thank you for the website for wheelchairs because I never heard of getting one under 100. I've only sen like 300 or more... I'm going to check it out and all the website info you gave me. Thanks so much..
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 13, 2014 11:11:57 GMT -7
Laurie, sounds like she may not yet have 100% bowel control. It is a reflex that kicks in right after eating that causes those accidents. When there is control, the dog can hold poop until in a place of their choosing. You can help her avoid poop accidents maybe by expressing right before eating or right after. How to video: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poop |
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