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Post by Regina & Sally on Apr 11, 2013 15:17:42 GMT -7
My sally is 8 weeks post op. She has been having acupuncture since day 4 after surgery. Still no deep pain. She has started wagging her tail a little bit when happy so we are hopeful some movement may return. Acupuncturist recommended we start water therapy with her in the bathtub and after it warms up... in the pool. My question is where and what type of life jacket should I purchase? Are their specific life jackets for doxies since their backs are so long? |
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Apr 11, 2013 18:29:21 GMT -7
I haven't found any made specifically for dachshunds, but there are several advertised online that look as though they'd work. Walmart shows one for about $25, and it's being modeled by a corgi - also a long and low breed.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 11, 2013 19:27:20 GMT -7
Hello Regina (?) Welcome to Dodgerslist.
I've never seen any specifically made for Dachshunds. Someone on Facebook posted a picture of one they had gotten at Petsmart. You might call there if you have one near or Petco and ask. If not, go online and see what you can find. Maybe someone here will see your post and answer if they have used one.
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Ticker Marie & Daphne
New Member
New problem - uncontrollable kicking of back legs when walking
Posts: 104 
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Post by Ticker Marie & Daphne on Apr 11, 2013 20:07:40 GMT -7
Hello Regina (?) I just started taking my Daphne to water therapy and I got her life vest at Petsmart last Friday and they were on sale for less than $10.00. They also have them online, but beware, I ordered one and it was too small, and then actually bought the same brand and size at Petsmart and it fit her perfectly!! And you can try them on in the store before you buy. Wishing you and Sally the best of luck, hang in there. You will be in my prayers.
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Post by natureluva on Apr 12, 2013 7:03:05 GMT -7
Hi! I took my dachshund to the pet store (PetCo I think) and tried the life vests on him so that I was sure to get a good fit. Since doxies have deep chests, they often don't fit in a small. You're looking for a snug fit, but not so snug as to impede movement of all four limbs. Be sure to always supervise him in the pool.
By the way, if Sally has some tail movement, she must have DPS. DPS is the FIRST neurological function to return after a disc injury. At this point, the DPS is probably so minimal that she doesn't respond to pain tests. However, if she can wag her tail to exciting things, then that is proof that nerve messages are starting to be able to travel through the spinal cord again. Keep up your great work with the acupuncture. I credit that and swim therapy as most important in my dog's recovery, along with his cart. You can read my dog's Success Story at the link below my signature. It took 11 months after his surgery before he walked on his own. Never give up hope! ~Lisa
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Post by Regina & Sally on Apr 12, 2013 20:58:20 GMT -7
Thanks for all the responses. We will go to Petsmart this weekend and try on life vests.
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Post by Regina & Sally on Apr 14, 2013 15:15:22 GMT -7
I got Sally a life vest from Petsmart. I put her in the tub when the tub was about half full so she could "stand". Once the water got to where she couldn't touch bottom she started dog paddling but only with her front feet. I took her hind legs and dog paddled them for her. We did this for about 5 mins.
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Post by Regina & Sally on Apr 20, 2013 6:33:04 GMT -7
I've noticed that Sally's skin seems to be flaky. I've heard to add a teaspoon of olive oil to her food. We feed her IAMS dog food with warm water added. Has anyone tried olive oil or is there something else I should use?
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 20, 2013 7:18:49 GMT -7
Hi Regina, I always gave my dogs fish oil to help with the coat. Also, I would suggest you change the food. You can learn more about foods here www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ A better quality food should improve her coat as well as be beneficial to her health. |
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Post by Regina & Sally on May 20, 2013 15:54:12 GMT -7
We now have all 3 of our doxies on Natures Variety Instinct (chicken meal). We also put sardines in their food which they gobble up first and some salmon fish oil which I purchased from chewy.com. Sally's coat is much better. Sally still continues to wag her tail when happy...not as hard or as often as I'd like but at least it's something. Sally still appears to have no deep pain sensation. When I take her outside and put a sling on her she drags her legs behind her but I've never noticed her trying to pee. Am I expecting too much too soon? My understanding is that if she can wag her tail (not reflex wagging) then that is her brain telling her tail to wag so something seems to be getting through. Any thoughts? Unfortunately, due to costs she is now seeing the acupuncturist every 3 to 4 weeks.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 21, 2013 9:27:18 GMT -7
We know the usual order of nerve function repair, what no one can tell you is how long it will take. Some dogs can repair nerves in a matter of weeks while others months to a year or more. So have patience, now that she can wag her tail due to being happy the next nerve repair will be bladder control. So periodically take her outdoors for the sniff and pee test.
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