rosie
New Member
Posts: 3 
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Post by rosie on Apr 4, 2013 18:52:30 GMT -7
I rescued Leonard from a kill shelter, so he came to me already paralyzed with no history of of his injury or Ge if the injury. He is About 4 or 5 years old and had deep pain sensation in his back legs. He can also stand for a bit as well as has a little control over his one back leg. He still has deep pain sensation as well as pretty good muscle tone. Vet did an X-ray and in his mid back there are two vertebra with very little space between. They don't believe he will walk again but if he does probably will be wobbly. Bit they have also seen worse backs where the dog did walk again. They recommend I get him a cart to help take pressure off his back instead of him dragging himself. His back is painful where the damage is. And is on
robaxin-v he gets 1/4 tab every 8 hrs. I usually do with breakfast and dinner which is more like 11 hr cuz I am not home
Tramadol 50mg 1/2 tab every 8 to 12 hrs but again breakfast and dinner which is like 11 hrs
Traumeel which is homeopathic and he gets 1 twice a day crushed in water given with a syringer
I've so had him get acupuncture and reiki. He is getting acupuncture again on Monday. I want to do some swimming with him too at some point. I want to get a sling to help him with pottying because he gets it all over himself while he drags. He does have full control of that too. But in the mean time if someone has pics of home made slings that would be great. As far as crate rest I do not have him on 24/7 crate rest as of now because he was scared and confused and had a lot of changes in one week. So I want to bond with him. But he is in a crate while we are at work. Other than that he's on my lap. I do know the importance if. Rate rear however he doesn't move at all on our laps. And I think it is very important to bond with him. But once he settles in he will be on crate rest. Thanks for any help
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Post by Brandy & Bruiser on Apr 4, 2013 19:11:55 GMT -7
Hello Rosie, You found a wonderful group of people who can help you educate yourself on how to care for your Leonard. Until an admin responds please start with reading on the link above dodgerslist.com drop down & education. I wouldn't go buy a wheel chair just yet but a sling is a must which can be an old towel or scarf. and crate rest 24/7 with only breaks to go potty. Kudo's to you for taking a special needs rescue!Hang in & be patient...
Brandy
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 4, 2013 19:13:48 GMT -7
Rose, welcome to Dodgerslist Forum. We are glad you are here. The key with this disease is reading. Without knowledge about the disease tragic mistakes can be made, prolonging Leonard's pain and perhaps making it so he'll never walk again. This is a wonderful overview to get you quickly oriented www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmI know you will get up to speed as quickly as possible, until then we want to address some things that need your attention right away. #1 He must be in his recovery suite 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm #2 Do not have patience with any pain. Communication with the vet to work as a team it what it takes to get the meds exactly right for Leonard's needs. Leonard does not have any anti-inflammatory on board to help get the swelling down...why? Robaxin and Tramadol do nothing to reduce swelling in the spinal cord. This needs to be addressed right away with the vet in the morning. This is a good over view of anti-inflammatories that are used with a disc episode... remember knowledge is power to discuss things with a vet and advocate on behalf of Leonard. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htmTramadol is not like to control pain unless given every 8 hours as it has a short half life of 1.7 hours. Thank you for rescuing him... give him a big kiss and tell him he'll be enjoying life with your family, but first things first...gotta give him every possible chance at a good recovery with 100% STRICT crate rest. |
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rosie
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by rosie on Apr 4, 2013 19:29:57 GMT -7
The problem I have with a towel is he's a boy so the towel goes right where his man parts are  . Lol. I will call the vet in the morning About the anti inflammatory. Also I will see how the crate rest will go. I do want to do what's best for hi but I don't want to continue to stress him anymore than he already has. I will also see about an xpen and hopefully he will accept the crate and xpen and not Howl. His temp foster mom said he really wasn't likening being in the crate when she was sitting right there. And I don't want to sound stupid like I'm not doing what's best for him because I do know it is best and I've done it before with mother wiener I have and she hated it but she also knew we were her family and she did ok with it. Leonard still doesn't have a clue that he's home or I'm mommy yet. Ok. Going to bed ill update in the morning after I call the vet. Thanks again |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 4, 2013 19:41:52 GMT -7
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rosie
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by rosie on Apr 5, 2013 18:19:19 GMT -7
Ok talked to the vet today. The traumeen is the anti inflammatory. I know it's not what you recommend but I do trust my vet has Leonard's best health in mind. It is homeopathic however Ohio heart hospital and Ohio state university vet hospital is using it as such instead of the NSAIDs. Leonard's seems stronger on his back legs since having the reiki on Wednesday. He can get up on his back legs by himself and stand for a little bit but his toes are bent the wrong way  . And he does try to walk but doesn't quite make it and this is only during potty time btw. The vet is also talking about a brace may instead of a cart or in addition to. We will talk more about it on Monday. I am also in the market for a stroller and hope to make a sling for him this weekend thanks for the link to those pics btw Ill update more on Monday. Thanks again for all your advise. |
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. Lol. I will call the vet in the morning About the anti inflammatory. Also I will see how the crate rest will go. I do want to do what's best for hi but I don't want to continue to stress him anymore than he already has. I will also see about an xpen and hopefully he will accept the crate and xpen and not Howl. His temp foster mom said he really wasn't likening being in the crate when she was sitting right there. And I don't want to sound stupid like I'm not doing what's best for him because I do know it is best and I've done it before with mother wiener I have and she hated it but she also knew we were her family and she did ok with it. Leonard still doesn't have a clue that he's home or I'm mommy yet. Ok. Going to bed ill update in the morning after I call the vet. Thanks again
. And he does try to walk but doesn't quite make it and this is only during potty time btw. The vet is also talking about a brace may instead of a cart or in addition to. We will talk more about it on Monday. I am also in the market for a stroller and hope to make a sling for him this weekend thanks for the link to those pics btw Ill update more on Monday. Thanks again for all your advise. 