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Post by lisa363 on Apr 29, 2013 10:07:08 GMT -7
Stoney has his first accupuncture tomorrow and I feel anxious..Is this ok and safe for him? I hope it helps, he is so playful and wants out badly but he knows he is in the best place for him while his boo boo gets better( this is what I tell him!)...He is on his last prednisone for the every day today and now goes to every other day for he next two weeks...
is there a list to see if this vet is qualified? I did not ask her and now I feel uncomfortable, she works at my vets so I didn't want to ask...
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Apr 29, 2013 18:02:12 GMT -7
Stevie loved her accupuncture treatments, I could see her visibly relax. they sure did help her to feel better Try not to be nervous, this is a great therapy for IVDD a
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Post by lisa363 on Apr 29, 2013 18:18:33 GMT -7
Thank you, Stoney is a good dog but he gets excitable so I worry...I hope it helps in some way...
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Post by natureluva on Apr 29, 2013 18:26:37 GMT -7
Lisa - remember - if YOU are anxious, Stoney will be anxious. So take a deep breath, talk to him calmly, and go in with a hopeful heart. Acupuncture can do wonderful things. My dog who hates going to the vet actually lies down and rests once those needles go in - so cool! Then on the evenings after his sessions, my dog is playfully serene, his movements are stronger, and he sleeps soundly. It may take a few sessions for Stoney to get used to things. Again, try to be a calm mommy. Sometimes the vet will let you hold your dog in your lap while they put the needles in. I prefer having my dog lie on a towel on the table, rather than the cold steel, so consider bringing his favorite towel or blanket for him to lie on. Please let us know how things go! Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Post by lisa363 on Apr 29, 2013 19:08:08 GMT -7
Thank you, she is actually coming to my home to do it...How nice is that!
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Post by lisa363 on Apr 30, 2013 18:30:17 GMT -7
Tonight I am feeling sad this was the first day of every other day of prednisone for Stoney, he seemed to pant a bit today, but it was warmer out today..he is on his third week of crate rest but he has been walking funny since march 1st...I feel so down not knowing if it will ever be ok....he is happy hungry and otherwise fine...never did have any pain meds prescribed to him as neither vet nor neurologist thought he was in pain...when Stoney stands his back paw knuckles, I do not let him attempt to walk at all..I just had to talk sometimes I get so down, thanks for listening...
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Post by Sherry Layman on Apr 30, 2013 18:53:50 GMT -7
It will absolutely be ok. Dogs are not humans and we must be very careful not to assign human attributes to them...it only upsets us and as a result upsets them.
Dogs do not have to drive cars, work jobs, go to the grocery store or run errands and they do not have the physical identity issues humans do. Paralyzed dogs live absolutely happy lives as long as their humans are willing to let go of the stigma and human notions about the condition and love the dog and treat it just as they did prior to the event.
Indeed we love our dogs and want the best for them. But dogs are not capable of human thought, emotion or understanding. We as humans are capable of understanding a dogs point of view of the world. We have an obligation to remember this and understand what a dogs abilities and needs are...from their perspective not our own.
Give this some thought and I think you'll feel better.
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Post by lisa363 on Apr 30, 2013 19:21:33 GMT -7
Thanks Sherry...I just get some days when I feel so down...I just want stoney to be able to enjoy his life and not just have to lay down all day ...seems like he is in jail...last night when his vet called to check on him she once again said not to keep him on his crate , I just ignored her as I am determined to do this...only out for bathroom...
I did not see the accunpuncture dr today we had to reschedule...hopefully soon..
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on May 1, 2013 8:25:17 GMT -7
Hang in there Lisa! I remember how long and alone the 3rd and 4th week felt, and now we're having to do it again because Stevie has reinjured herself. We're all here together! Healing takes along time and it sounds like Stoney is doing well, and he is healing. The knuckling under is normal, getting their little feet right side up is one of the steps that can take longer. You are doing a good job keeing him on strict cage rest. Stand firm on that point, it's important, and not all Vets know that
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Post by lisa363 on May 7, 2013 16:20:30 GMT -7
I have noticed that Stoneys urine stinks! He is still on prednisone every other day for three more days and he is squatting and peeing outside but also he is still wetting his crate at times...he eats and drinks fine..I never noticed this smell before and now I am worried..he does not seem ill at all..Is there anything I should do? The accupucnture dr is coming on thursday..
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 7, 2013 16:53:00 GMT -7
Hi Lisa, it sounds like Stoney has a UTI. I would get a urine sample in to the vet. If he does, they will put him on an antibiotic. You should do this as quickly as possible. Is he still on any meds?
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Post by lisa363 on May 7, 2013 17:53:23 GMT -7
Hi Linda
He is still on prednisone....Can that cause that?
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StevieLuv
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Post by StevieLuv on May 7, 2013 18:19:11 GMT -7
Hi Lisa, Prednisone can make them more suseptible to infections like a bladder infection, it happened to Stevie too the first time around. The benefits of the prednisone outweigh the chance of bladder infection for sure, so get a urine sample into the Vet so that they can check it for infection. Ideally you would try and collect as "clean" a sample as possible, using a sterile container if possible. (I used a small flat dessert bowl that I had rinsed with boiling water and then let dry). When he pees, let hem pass a bit of urine to flush out his urethra and then catch the rest, you don't need alot, even a tablespoon or so will do. Keep it in the fridge, covered in saran wrap until you can get it to the Vet (some Vets wil only collect their own sample, and most want to see the dog too, but it does help if you have collected a sample already because they can check it faster) I hope that Stoney feels better soon. This is a common occurance, but does need to be dealt with ASAP.Try not to worry too much - you are doeing a great job! Keeping you in thought and prayer
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Post by lisa363 on May 7, 2013 19:05:55 GMT -7
He does seem to feel alright eating and drinking normal...I will call the vet in the morning and see what they say...This is the first day I noticed the smell...Thank you~
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Post by lisa363 on May 9, 2013 7:59:41 GMT -7
Stoney had his first acupuncture treatment this morning...He did fine ..The dr said he definetly has feeling in his hind legs..She gave him current along with the needles..She also gave him a sot of B12 so that it energizes the area where she put the needles..so now I wait and see...
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on May 9, 2013 9:04:24 GMT -7
Great news! Accupuncture sure does help
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Post by lisa363 on May 9, 2013 14:34:22 GMT -7
Thank you ..so far Stoney has been sleeping then getting up and panting, it is warm today...hasn't had any accidents in crate , been squatting outside..keep your fingers crossed
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Post by lisa363 on May 14, 2013 8:23:45 GMT -7
Stoneys vet called last night to see how he was doing without the prednsione...I told her that he is squatting and peeing outside all by himself and that he was in his 5th week of crate rest..I also told her that at times when he is outside that he wags his tail when he sees the dogs next door and if that was some sort of neurological thing or just coincidence?
I asked her if she received he xrays form the neurologist and what she thought of them, she stated the same thing that the specialist did that there was nothing that stood out just some narrwoing of the disc space and that may be dus to age? She said they are treating him as if he had IVDD...
By the end of the ocnveesation she said that it sounded like SToney had good quality of life and then we hung up..
For some reason i always feel sad when I talk to her, I forgot to mention stoney while in his crate played with his furry toy for awhile last night..( he did not move put kept it in his mouth and played..)
She also stated that even the neurolgist said with surgery they would be no guarantee that stoneny would be 100%.
I was wondering after the 8 weeks what do you start to do to reintroduce Stoney to the outside if he cant walk?
He has another accupuncture in 2 weeks havent seen any results with just one but Dr did say he has feeling in both back legs one more than another..
I am sorry for rambling just sometimes I feel down and blue and I just need to talk...Thanks for listening...
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Post by ronita on May 14, 2013 8:45:19 GMT -7
Hi. This is the first time I have written. I have been following Dodgerslist for the last ten weeks. I have a 6 year old mini dachsund named Oscar. He became paralyzed ten weeks ago with a ten percent chance of recovery according to the vet specialist. At five weeks into conservative treatment, he wagged his tail, then not much of anything for three more weeks, except he could always pee and poop after the first week,but I had to hold his back legs up. But now he is completely recovered--he is walking, even running a bit. Just wanted to give you hope, because, just like you, sometimes I just lost hope. I am truly amazed by his recovery!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on May 14, 2013 10:00:59 GMT -7
Lisa, feeling blue can be due to not having in your mind the way the body heals. Nerves can take a longer time to heal than the 8 weeks is takes the disc to heal. Nerve healing takes patience on our part. I think you will be quite happy to learn the order in which nerves heal and see that it IS possible for Stoney to again walk. Check it out here and firmly plant the knowledge in your mind. Stoney is going to be relying on you as the pack leader to let him know every thing is going to be fine because you know in your heart it will be! .... here's the link: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htmWon't be a problem after 8 weeks of crate rest is up if Stoney still needs more time for nerve healing. With pain out of the way and off of pred, Stoney can get back to enjoying all family activities. Of course going from couch potatoe to back to family activities has to be done incrementally so Stoney doesn't get sore. We have all things IVDD ready and waiting for you to read up on. Check out the last column on the right for easing him back in to activity, getting your home back friendly as possible, getting the right harness for him, and what therapies you can do at home or at a PT clinic. Last column on the right: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm#aftercrate Is he also off all meds, pain meds, too? Do keep us updated on Stoney.... he is going in a good direction of healing!!!!
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Post by lisa363 on May 15, 2013 5:28:41 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for the kind words, it really helps when you feel down...
Paula, he is as of monday done with his prednisone , that besides for the pepcid is all he was taking...We will see how he does..
I have another question when I am carrying Stoney out to the potty I hear his stomach make noises almost like it is growling, did anyone ever hear of that ?
Thanks again to all, less than 3 weeks of crate rest to go !
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on May 15, 2013 9:03:14 GMT -7
Stevie's stomach actually did that this morning You are really doing an incredible job of helping Stoney through his IVDD journey. There are days when we all feel so down and blue, because the healing seems so slow, because our little friends have been injured, or because we feel like we are dealing witht his all alone. That is why we are all here, to help each other along, with advice, tips and comfort. I wish I could figure out the messaging system here to send you a message, but I can't make it work so this will have to do Keep the faith! You are doing a wonderful job! Keeping you in thought and prayer.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on May 15, 2013 10:43:21 GMT -7
Clark's tummy also growls/gurgles at times too. That is usually when he wants to go outside to eat grass.
I agree with Stevie's mom... you are doing a very good job of caring for Stoney. Hang in there with less than three weeks to go you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel!!! Pretty soon it will be you, who cheers on a new member just starting the IVDD journey. I look forward to the day you help another who may be needlessly down in the dumps just like Ronita did yesterday. Time and patience will be the best ever gift for Stoney... maybe not easy...but the best gift for his recovery!
Please continue to give up updates
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Post by lisa363 on May 16, 2013 5:26:27 GMT -7
Hi
I have one quiok question , Stoney pants alot in his cage but when I walk near him or he thinks I have food in my hand he quits immediately..It has been warmer outside lately and I have ceiling fan in room on but i am not sure he is doing this for attention or what..He took his last prednisone on sunday, May 12th..He is a pug and they tend ot pant alot but I just worry while he is laid up, I get scared at everything he does..Myabe I am just to much a worry wart!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on May 16, 2013 9:20:09 GMT -7
How about offering a frozen broth cube in his bowl to lick on in case Stoney is feeling warm.
Our expertise is with the Dachshund breed, so we know panting can go with tramadol or prednisone. Since Stoney is off pred and by now it is all out of his system, if you feel the panting is not normal I would bounce your observation off your vet.
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Post by lisa363 on May 16, 2013 11:07:20 GMT -7
Vet said it takes a week to fully get out of his system...He is a panter by nature with the short nose. Just because he is down I worry 10 times more....
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Post by lisa363 on May 19, 2013 14:02:47 GMT -7
Today is a worrysome day for me ....Stoney is eating and drinking but seems he is extra thristy today and last night....It was over 80 here both days and i have air conditioner and fan on...This morning he peeed about 5 times in an hour...He peed outside then came in and peeed on his pad and he hasnt been doing that...I may call the vet tomorrow but I know they think I am a worry wart (which i am) but...
Yesterday I clipped stoneys back nails with hardly any problem with im now the front he fussed like noones business so I stopped so I wouldnt upset him (trying to do it while in crate was hard.Stoney graduates crate rest in 2 weeks cannot wait but the funny thing is when I take him out he looks like he wants to go right back in I guess he is just use to it ...
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on May 20, 2013 8:22:11 GMT -7
Can you clarify "peed" is Stoney still sniffing and peeing when outdoors? Peeing on his pee pad in his crate is to us a sign that bladder control is not there. Please tell us what you determine…if he has bladder control by still passing the "sniff and pee" test or not.
We highly recommend to NOT do any nail clipping during the 8 weeks of crate rest…. best not to jeopardize his healing disc… nails can be clipped anytime after rest, where as if the spinal cord gets further damaged by too much movement that would be a serious set back.
I think you know Stoney best, and if you have a feeling something is not right, you should not hesitate to communicate with the vet. Hope things are more back to normal with Stoney's drinking water today and whether he has bladder control or not.
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Post by lisa363 on May 20, 2013 12:18:07 GMT -7
Hi Paula
He clearly pees outside he goes out and I set him down and he smells then squats and pees..yesterday he did pee outside and he did once in his crate but for some reason he drank tons of water ...we took him out every 2 hours to be safe...today he seems fine..every day is a new adventure, 2 weeks and counting...thanks again...
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StevieLuv
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Post by StevieLuv on May 21, 2013 12:40:25 GMT -7
My brachycephalic dogs behave much the same when it is hot out - lots of panting and lots of water drinking, so I have to get them out more often Gotta love those pushed in little faces
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