Merry ( is that correct?) welcome to Dodgerslist. We are glad you are here! Each disc episode is different so comparing the last or comparing with another dog's is not valuable. Barney will self heal his nerves on his and mother nature's timetable. What we can predict is the order they often return in. Many times we need to think in terms of months rather than days/weeks for nerves to regenerate enough to bring back function.
Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord:
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
<-- Barney?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 place the feet.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.
Does Barney sniff an old pee spot and then choose to release urine? No leaks found in bedding?
Have you seen any movement of the legs exclusive of at potty times?
What was the surgeon's directive for crate rest? Has your surgeon given you PT to do at home such as:
Dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout and then go on to regenerate. 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.
The nerve system recovers when surviving neurons take over functions of the ones who have died. Exercise can stimulates those nerve pathways that need to be reestablished/regenerated. Check out your local rehab clinic about underwater treadmill. The moving floor plus water buoyancy is very effective in helping a dog learn to walk again. You can also do some water therapy at home:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htmDo know is that it IS in the cards for Barney to get back to enjoying life after recovering. What can make a great deal of difference is your own self education. Knowledge is the best defense in fighting and winning with this disease. Reading others posts on the forum can be of comfort. But the meat of what you need to know is on our main web page.
So you can become a savvy IVDD dog owner this page is a wonderful place to get a good overview of each of the phases of healing after a disc episode:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm Hope to hear you will be able to follow each of the informative FULL ARTICLE links and complete your readings in the next couple of days. ttp://www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm
This "Disc Disease" DVD is a wonderful way to help other family members understand and even others who might be around or taking care of Barney:
www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htmLook forward to your answers so we'll have a better picture of Barney's situation.
?
