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Post by Tricia & Darla on Apr 6, 2013 16:54:23 GMT -7
Hi there -
I recently adopted a 6 year old dachshund diagnosed with IVDD in 2010.
Her previous owners did have surgery for her and she has regained some functioning. She is still weak in her hind end, tends to drag her back end most often , she is incontinent and has some bowel control.
I have been reading a few threads and I am wondering if there are options that we should pursue for her now , 3 years post op. ( She is our 2nd IVDD Doxie and we had great success with immediate vet intervention , meds and crate rest.)
Darla also uses a wheelchair now and she is so fast and efficient. We are having trouble with Darla dragging her feet in her chair. Booties haven't worked because she is so fast , they just slow her down and get caught in her wheels. Does anyone have any suggestions for foot protection?
Thanks for reading my post.
Tricia
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Post by natureluva on Apr 6, 2013 17:08:57 GMT -7
Hi Tricia, welcome to Dodger's List! Can you give us more information about Darla? Are you expressing her bladder for her since she does not have bladder control? Did you know you can express poop to avoid accidents? It's quick, easy, clean, and convenient. Watch this video here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm Can Darla wag her tail when she's excited? Like when you give her a treat or when there is a knock on the door? Can she walk on her own at all? How is her muscle tone in the rear legs? Sounds like she is a very happy pup in her wheelchair! To stop her from running so fast, you could put her in a harness and leash, then put her in her cart and walk her. Here is a great product to heal her paws/pads: emtgel.com/whatitis/index.php If Darla were my dog, I would take her for acupuncture. It stimulates the nerves to heal, reduces pain and inflammation, and induces a state of well-being. Several sessions may help improve her bladder control and strengthen her movements. It's worth a try. You can ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary acupuncturist, or you can search for one here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ Also, have you done any physical therapy with her? Swim therapy or water treadmill could be very beneficial for her. Here are some garments to protect her while she scoots: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/incontinentdown/olliecape.pdf www.dodgerslist.com/literature/incontinentdown/Olliecape.pdfwww.k9-carts.com/K9-Carts-Products/protect-a-pet.php And here are some links for foot protection/traction products: www.petego.com/products.aspx?catId=15 pawzdogboots.com/ www.tammyandteddys.com/ www.therapaw.com/thera-pawboots.aspx We look forward to hearing more about Darla! Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by Tricia & Darla on Apr 8, 2013 3:35:46 GMT -7
Hi Lisa -
Thank you for your suggestions. I will look at the resources that you recommended.
Darla does have a fair amount of movement in her hind end. She can occasionally stand and walk ( although she is wobbly) on her hind legs. She does have movement in her tail, she wags it a fair bit.
We are currently expressing her bladder and bowel movements.
In her wheelchair she does wear a harness and she is on leash as well. She is just so excited and energetic, she just wants to go ! We really do have to hold her back.
We only adopted her last weekend so we have not tried any PT or acupuncture. I believe that her former family did try some PT, but I unfortunately do not have any records of this. We have our first appointment with our vet today so I plan to discuss these things with the vet. I appreciate your help!
Tricia
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 8, 2013 12:18:40 GMT -7
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Post by Tricia & Darla on Apr 9, 2013 13:34:04 GMT -7
Thanks Paula !
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Post by Maylin & Molly on Apr 9, 2013 17:26:49 GMT -7
I use the PAWZ booties on my doxies for walking in the snow and ice. I have now started using them on my IVDD boy to protect his pads since he does drag his feet a little. These are the best booties I have found.
I would suggest the acupuncture also, if available to you.
Sounds like she is in good hands. Good luck!
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Post by Tricia & Darla on Jul 26, 2013 12:17:47 GMT -7
Has anyone had any success with foot protection in a wheelchair? Durable booties or alternatives?
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Post by Tricia & Darla on Jul 26, 2013 12:21:21 GMT -7
I appreciate the suggestion. Our girl is so fast in her chair that the PAWZ don't stand a chance. We have tried several alternatives but nothing that doesn't create some other issue for her.
We are so disappointed with the options so far.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 26, 2013 14:16:07 GMT -7
I had a great deal of trouble finding something to protect Jeremy's feet, too. Unfortunately, when they severely drag their feet, there's not much out there that can hold up. He was tearing through even the expensive shoes. I finally started reinforcing the PAWZ booties with duct tape. I pretty much had to cover the entire bottom part of the PAWZ with duct tape. And it has to be re-applied often, sometimes just after one walk. The PAWZ fit the best and the duct tape helped them to last.
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Post by Tricia & Darla on Jul 27, 2013 16:38:13 GMT -7
Thank you, that sounds like what we are doing now. I just can't believe there isn't a better option by now.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jul 27, 2013 20:30:59 GMT -7
Our friend Barbara Techel and Joie show how to make homemade booties. See if these would work for you.
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Post by Tricia & Darla on May 24, 2014 13:57:19 GMT -7
Hi there,
My dachshund Darla just had her second surgery. Before surgery, she was on bed rest for 6 weeks ( trying to prevent surgery) and then another 4 weeks after. Once she was released from bed rest we started with short walks outside. After her second walk, she had sores on both of her front paws. I assume that her paws lost their callouses after being out of use for 10 weeks.
Does anyone have advice for building up the callouses again so we can get her back in action?
She is an energetic girl that loves to walk and run !
Things you you should know,
We started with short walks, she isn't going far yet.
She hates the pawz ( balloon type) booties on her front paws and is very resistant to having them or anything on her front paws. ( I thought that would be the answer)
She was already paralyzed in her back legs and uses a wheelchair, the issue is with her front paws.
This is occurring on the sidewalk, we have been trying to build her strength on grass but it's still an issue.
Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on May 26, 2014 6:52:54 GMT -7
Darla, what was the date of the 2nd surgery? Do her front paws not lift fully up with each footstep. Do the nails kinda graze the ground? Both grass and of course sidewalks are abrasive. Have you tried water therapy in a child's $10 wading pool to help her strengthen her muscles and coordination in properly lifting her paws. The water level can be adjusted up or down to give greater muscle work out. The lower the water level the less buoyancy the more legs have to work. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm Are you doing PT slow enough gradually enough so that she can build up her strength incrementally? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm Normally there is 6 weeks of post of crate rest. During that time the dog can do the surgeon directed PT and then when through back in the recovery suite to finish healing all the surgical sites. TAMU gives a good explanation of why:
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Post by Tricia & Darla on May 31, 2014 13:35:57 GMT -7
Thanks Paula,
Surgery was 4/18
Her front paws do fully lift , I think the issue is more like a blister than abrasion from dragging or grazing.
We haven't tried water therapy, but I don't think it is an issue of muscle coordination, she walks just as well as before surgery ( She never lost functioning when this disc ruptured, she was just in pain).
Her movement was added back slowly after she was released for crate rest. Even slower than we anticipated due to the sores on her paws.
I can talk to her doctor and neurologist about water therapy for this issue .
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