John
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Post by John on Apr 9, 2013 14:26:01 GMT -7
I am a French Bulldog owner, so I may be a little out of place here, but I know this is one of the best sites for information on IVDD. I am fighting my second battle with this horrible condition. My older Frenchie Basil ruptured a cervical disk three days before thanksgiving in 2009. He was paralyzed in all four legs, but had surgery and made a remarkable recovery. He was standing in his crate a week after surgery and walking normally two weeks after surgery. He lived a full and healthy life before passing away with an aggressive cancer last March.
That unfortunately is only the preface to my story. Last Monday April 1st I noticed my three year old Frenchie Tucker was not bending as much during his bowel movement. He had just been diagnosed with epilepsy two weeks before so I thought maybe his medicine was making him a little off balance, although I should have known better because the lack of stoop during bowel movements was one of Basil's first symptoms. The next day he was no better so we took him to the vet first thing in the morning and to our relief we were told it looked like a pulled muscle and he would be fine with rest. By that night it was clear something was really wrong so we took him to the surgical center where Basil had his surgery. There we were given the diagnosis of IVDD, however unlike Basil, Tucker could move all four legs and was only wobbling in the back. We were told with surgery he would have a very good chance of regaining full function in his back legs and e surgery could be done the next day.
In the middle of the night we got a call with the bad news that Tucker could no longer walk or feel deep pain and the surgeon had been called in early to perform the surgery. Tucker did great in the surgery and recovery period after the surgery, however the vet said the rupture was small Knut powerful and did damage to the spinal cord. Tucker was able to come home Saturday, but has been unable to walk or feel much with his back legs in the week that has followed. He has been without obvious pain and his phentnol patch came off last night. He has no control over his bladder or bowels, which Basil had from the day he came home. Tucker is only taking tramadol, and metro for his upset stomach along with the phenobarbital for his epilepsy.
We are happy to have Tucker home and will not mind if he cannot walk or express his bladder so long as we have him to love. We are a little discouraged that he is not progressing as quickly as Basil did even though he started in much better condition. In fact it seems like everyone in the house other than me has given up hope that he will walk again even though we are only 6 days post surgery. Part of this is because the vet talked about the spinal damage and part is because Basil recovered so quickly. I am having trouble enforcing the strict crate rest as everyone is assuming he no longer has a chance at walking and want to hold him like a baby and let him crawl the floor in his diaper and new clothes. Last night when I was putting cream on his back paws he seemed to be ticklish in one foot. (He was licking his back paws and caused an irritation). We are planning to enroll him in formal PT as soon as his incision heals.
Because Basil had the "miracle" recovery I have a few questions for people who have had dogs on the slower road to recovery. First is it possible that Tucker will recover the ability to walk even with no movement or feeling 6 days past surgery? Also how much harm is letting him crawl the floor for a few minutes at a time doing him. I am trying to enforce the crate rest and keep him in his pack and play but my wife really wants him out with her. Also how soon do we need to start PT to give him his best chance at full recovery? Has anyone had a dog start walking after an initial period of paralysis of legs and bladder?
I appreciate any advice or insight you can give me on this recovery process. I really want to do what is best for my "Tuck Man".
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 9, 2013 18:03:32 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, John! Sorry to hear that Tucker didn't have as quick a recovery to surgery as Basil did. Please keep in mind that there is surgical swelling that needs to resolve and that can take 2-4 weeks. After that point you can tell more about Tucker's possibilities to walk. My Tyler had that quick recovery like your Basil did but I have read many stories of recoveries that happened weeks or months later. Keep in mind in order for his discs and spine to heal, crate rest is important. While surgery dogs can have therapy, they still need rest and time for healing.. 6 weeks is the time frame to work with. Here is a link to Dr Andrew Isaacs, DVM, ACVIM Neurology answers about IVDD Surgery. Lots of great info here, scroll down to find the after surgery information. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmThinking of you and your family and here's to Tucker and his recovery!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Apr 9, 2013 18:18:18 GMT -7
Please stand firm on the crate rest. It's not fun for anybody, but it's SO important. 6 weeks won't seem like long at all once you're through it, and you'll know you did the very best thing you could to help your dog heal. You just can't know at this stage how much progress he might make. Give him the chance he deserves.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 9, 2013 18:41:01 GMT -7
Sorry to hear about Tucker. Crate rest is so important during the first six weeks of surgery. Texas A&M neurology tells us: "Vertebral column injury and surgery can disrupt the normal stabilizing structures of the spine such as muscles, bone, joint capsules, and the intervertebral disk. Excessive, unrestricted activity after surgery or certain injuries can lead to vertebral column destabilization and prolonged healing of the injury site. The intervetebral disk, in particular, is very slow to heal and healing may be incomplete; excessive vertebral column motion after disk surgery may therefore lead to recurrence of disk herniation. Additionally, animals that are weak or incoordinated may accidentally traumatize themselves, leading to orthopedic and soft tissue injuries. Animals are typically kept in the cage at all times, except when they are under the immediate supervision of owners or need to eliminate. Running, jumping, and rough play are prohibited during cage rest. In addition, walking around the home for excessive periods of time – even under supervision – is discouraged. While these recommendations seem strict, they are made to facilitate proper healing following injury. Why is cage rest important? During certain spinal cord injuries and following spinal surgery, the structures that support vertebrae can be injured. The disk, a structure that acts as a cushion between vertebrae, is particularly slow to heal. Excessive activity can damage supporting structures and lead to spinal pain, weakness, and spinal instability. Rest, however, needs to be combined with a physical rehabilitation plan." from TAMU brochure on Cage Rest for Spinal Cord Injury, Oct 2010 rev. ed. vetmed.tamu.edu/common/docs/public/services/CRSCI%20Levine%20Brochure.pdf [last accessed 1/2011] What did your surgeon recommend for crate rest after surgery? At this point, no one knows how much healing will take place. We have seen many dogs with no deep pain walk again. We have a good article on exercises that are recommended by a licensed physical therapist. You will need to check with your surgeon to make sure these are appropriate for Tucker. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmThinking of you and Tucker and keep us updated on his progress as the swelling from surgery goes down. |
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John
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Post by John on Apr 10, 2013 16:25:34 GMT -7
Thanks for the support. I was able to use some of this information to help enforce the crate rest and I have almost everyone on board. One family member still wants to hold him in her lap, but I am working to get that stopped too.
This morning when I was expressing Tucker's bladder he was able to resist by stopping the flow of urine. He would turn and look at me and immediately stop the flow. I am hoping he will be able to start it when I take him out for one of his next couple potty breaks. I have made note of where the other dogs are going and can take him there in his sling to see if he will mark.
John
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Post by natureluva on Apr 10, 2013 19:28:35 GMT -7
John, we follow what the most knowledgeable IVDD surgeons recommend for post-op care, and that is 6 weeks of crate rest. Please note though, the dog is allowed out for potty breaks and whatever physical therapy was prescribed by the surgeon. What did your surgeon prescribe for PT? For example, mine prescribed three, five-minute sling walks per day in addition to potty breaks, plus gentle massage and leg bicycle exercises. Also keep in mind that it takes about two weeks for post-op swelling to go down and then many owners see some improvement. My dog is one of those who had a longggg recovery after his surgery. It took him 11 months after his surgery to walk again. To get an idea of the milestones in his recovery, read his Success Story here: www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory/goosieSullivan.htm Some dogs stand up a couple weeks after surgery and others, like my dog, take a much longer time. If it is within your budget, we highly recommend acupuncture and laser light therapy for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of relaxing the dog. I firmly believe acupuncture helped my Goosie regain his bladder control more quickly, and his movements were stronger after his treatments. Ask for electro-acupuncture if it is available, as that is stronger than regular needles. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ By the way, Tucker is absolutely gorgeous. Glad he is home safe and recovering. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 10, 2013 19:30:22 GMT -7
Keep working on the family member. If he is resisting, he may be regaining control. Good idea to take him where the others have gone and see if he will sniff and pee. Be sure to express to make sure you've got it all if he does pee. Good luck.
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John
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Post by John on Apr 16, 2013 9:46:18 GMT -7
Finally got some good news on Tucker at his 2 week post op checkup. He got his staples removed and when they tested for feeling he had it in both of his back paws and tail. It is a small step but any progress is good news at this point. He begins PT with the vet on Thursday and Friday.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 16, 2013 10:12:58 GMT -7
It is good news John and having feeling back is not a small step. Its a big step on his road to recovery. With the PT you should start to see more progress.
Let us know how the PT goes and what was recommended.
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John
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Post by John on Apr 21, 2013 17:37:50 GMT -7
Tucker has been through his first two sessions of therapy mostly doing assisted pattern walking as he can't walk on his own yet. The vet is doing the therapy for the most part. We have been given minor non moving activities to do at home. We are supposed to continue to bicycle his back legs to help with muscle tone. We also have to gently squeeze his back paws and brush his hair against the grain to stimulate nerve activity. We are also supposed to put him in correct sitting and standing postures when expressing his bladder and changing his diaper. He seems to almost be able to balance himself when put in standing position so hopefully the progress continues.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 21, 2013 18:04:06 GMT -7
John, is there a reason you are still doing diapers... does he not stay dry between expressing sessions. How often do you express? Do you express for poop too? Is acupuncture/ laser light therapy in the budget... this would really help to stimulate more nerve regeneration. Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.htmlwww.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is never recommended for IVDD dogs. |
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John
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Post by John on Apr 22, 2013 18:28:47 GMT -7
He still gets wet between expressing his bladder so we keep him diapered. He seems to dribble urine throughout the day and never has much left to express even when the vt does it. I will talk to the physical therapist to see if anyone nearby offers the laser light stimulation and acupuncture, and if she recommends it in his case.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 22, 2013 19:54:02 GMT -7
John, how often do you express.... every 4-6 hours or  ? The dribbling could be a sign of a UTI. Can you bring in a urine sample to see if there is evidence of bacteria with the screening test.... a urinalysis? Once a UTI has been ruled out, then if the dribbling persists, there are meds to help tighten the sphincter muscle. |
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