Karen's Cooper 6/2 Surgery

Welcome to Dodgerslist! We are a friendly group and go by first names, what is yours? We are really glad you have joined us. I can tell you one of the most important things you can do for your dog is self education about the disease your dog was born with. Knowledge is to make sure the right things are being done for best recovery. And for yourself, knowledge lets you step out of a very scary place…"the unknown" and the toll it can take on emotions.

Get ready to fight this disease with this current episode and in the future by knowing how you can help now and after crate rest is over. There is no better place to start than on our main web page covering "All Things IVDD" at this link.   www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm

You will likely begin to see improvements in Cooper's functions 2 to 4 weeks after surgery when the swelling goes down from the surgery itself. At 10 days it's a bit early to expect dramatic improvement but it can happen..  I started seeing improvement with my Tyler right around the 2 week mark. He was paralyzed in his hind legs also and he recovered walking so don't give up!  It's different with every dog, it depends on a lot of factors such as the severity of the surgery, how quickly they got into surgery after they became paralyzed,  how many discs were involved and so forth.

I can understand how frustrating it us and time consuming having gone through the post op recovery process with Tyler.  Life really changed during his recovery and it was time consuming and overwhelming
at first,  but I don't regret a single second of being his nurse.  He's paid me back with his devotion.  Is there anyone who can help you to give you some relief at times?

In order get a better idea where your dog is post-op, could you please answer these questions?

▷ Was the date of Cooper's surgery June 2nd? Are you now doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty and for surgeon directed PT? …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No chiro (aka VOM)? What did your surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest?

▷ Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? He may be moving away from you because he may be in pain.  He is on  a Prednisone taper and sometimes pain returns on a taper because the swelling isn't completely gone. Has he shown any of the above symptoms of pain? If he has consult with your vet about going back on another course of Prednisone to tackle the swelling and also pain medication.  If he isn't showing any other signs of pain, it may be he is picking up on your frustration levels.  Dogs are very sensitive to our emotions, they pick up on everything. Try to calm your thoughts before expressing and PT exercises and see if that helps calm him too.

REGAINING NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION has no time limit for nerves to heal. Nerve repair is individual as each injury is different and each dog’s ability to heal is different. If deep pain perception (DPP) is present, even in paralyzed legs, there is a chance your dog may be able to walk again. For those dogs who have lost DPP, do know nerve regeneration can take place and that function may return. Once deep pain perception is regained, your dog has a chance at a walking recovery. Thousands of dogs on Dodgerslist have regained functions in as little as 2 weeks, others 11 months, and still others 3 years later. IVDD is a disease of patience to allow the body to heal on its own terms. Acupuncture and Laser Therapy stimulate the cell’s metabolism that leads to the body’s natural repair abilities and can be started at any time.

There is no timetable anyone can give you when to expect nerve repair to happen. In fact, there is no time limit for nerves to heal...it can take weeks to more like a year or even longer. However, it is known that neurological function usually returns in the reverse order of the damage. The first big sign you want to look for is that wonderful tail wag!
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you, getting a treat or due to your happy talk.
3. Bladder and bowel control proved by passing the "sniff and pee" test.
Take your dog out to an old pee spot in the grass. Let him sniff and then observe for release of urine.
4. Leg movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly placed paws.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.


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.

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
www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm Tape this flyer to your fridge so the whole family knows what things are emergencies: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdf
vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.

We are here to help.. Sending comforting thoughts and healing prayers..

We usually see 4-6 weeks of crate rest prescribed following surgery, only out for potty and to do controlled, supervised physical therapy. It can be very difficult to detect deep pain sensation, even for a surgeon. You might want to take a look at our page of exercises and run them by the surgeon to see if and when they could be started. You'll see the passive exercises at the top with additional exercises below. Follow the surgeon's instructions on PT as he would be the one who knows best what exercises should be done and when they should start: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

Also you should read our page on surgery: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm

Please keep us updated on Cooper's progress. Prayers for a full and speedy recovery for Cooper.

Karen it is way to early to have any negative thoughts. Well actually to have any negative thoughts ever! No matter how long it takes for nerves to heal or not heal, do know that you and Cooper will be back to enjoying a good life together.

You know dogs just do not get those depressing 10% memos thank goodness! Fact is dogs and mother nature work together to regenerate nerves on their own time table. No one can tell you when functions will return, but it is pretty predictable about the order they come back in. So you will want to know what to monitor for by looking again at that list Pauliana gave you on June 12. Do tell... have you seen the tail wag specifically when you do some happy talk or he sees a treat?

Often when bladder control is starting the dog will be resistant to you trying to express. The only way for us humans to know if there is bladder control starting to come back is with the sniff and pee test. Carry outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe.

I would avoid having Cooper out of the crate except when you are doing surgeon directed PT. He still has lots of tissue healing to complete and that should be done in the safety of his recovery suite. Every 4-6 hours when you get him out to potty or for PT, besure to give him lots of kisses, hugs and happy talk. At TV time, put his suite up on the coffee table and pull it right up to the couch where you can pet him through the wires.

Wait on all 6 weeks of crate rest to be completed.  AT that time you'll better be able to assess whether money is better spent on maybe underwater treadmill or to invest in a wheelchair.  

With the range of motion and massage therapy you are doing either have a partner distract him with some small lo cal treats such as apple or carrot while you do the exercises.  If you are alone, then do the exercises while he eats his two meals, you can do squats, range of motion and massage then and he'll be more accepting as he is distracted  with eating.