PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on May 9, 2015 14:30:27 GMT -7
Susi are you seeing any more signs that he just can't find a comfortable position. Is the weather hot and that is the reason? Do you see any other signs of pain now that he is completely off of all medications? shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move, tight tense tummy, can't find a comfortable position. Arched back. Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight, head held high or nose to the ground. Not their normal perky selves. If you can get the door off of the crate, you can always restore the hinges by using zip tie wraps in a similar manner as this member explains how to convert to a top opening crate. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/cratetopconvert.pdf |
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 14, 2015 7:21:51 GMT -7
Hi all, I thought I'd give you a quick update on Hans, so you know how he's doing since he graduated from crate to expen. He's as happy as a little doxie can be, and of course wants to be able to do everything that he could do before, but I don't let him, nor would he be able to anyway, lol! He's not not happy that he can't roam around the house at will, but the expen gives him enough space that he feels much freer and less confined. I have extended to 6 panels, which gives him room for a folded blanket bed (which he usually doesn't sleep on), a water bowl, a few toys and room enough to take a few steps. At night he sleeps in his crate that I've put in the bedroom on the dresser so he can see us. He doesn't seem to mind this at all. He has become very needy with me, something that is new for him, since before he was kind of a loner. I can't be in the kitchen or bathroom very long before he starts crying. I am still giving him trazadone occasionally to keep him calm, both because of this neediness for me, and also to keep him from getting too energetic and possibly re injuring himself. I had thought that he was going to need a walking cart, but I sent videos of him walking to Laurie from DogstoGo, and she says that he does need one, he just needs exercise and home PT . She suggested water therapy as well, but I haven't been able to do yet. I want to try some things in the tub, but once we move and have a bigger patio, I got him a baby pool that we can work in. I got a life vest for him, but I need to exchange it because it's much too big and looks really complicated to put on him. I'm concerned about the way he walks, he has a lot of Nero deficit in his right leg still, I've seen him knuckling the foot a couple of times, and it tends to drag a bit. I talked to my vet about it and she said it might correct itself as he gets stronger or it may stay like that. Only time will tell. I'll keep in touch as he continues to progress, and one of these days I'll send up some pictures! Hugs to everyone, Susi and Hansie |
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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, 2015 8:25:44 GMT -7
Susi, what a journey to graduation day. You and Hans made it! Congratulations! Are you now doing some PT sling walking so that Hans can practice walking. The sling would be if he is wobbly and his butt mught fall over. If he is pretty stable then use a harness and leash to so some slow and deliberate PT walking up an down your hallway for instance. Getting water therapy for him in your tub or that child's pool would be wonderful. Can you share the video link of Hans walking? Would love to see how he is doing. Susi, is just is hard to have patience with nerve growing isn't it. I do think that over time, maybe months, Hans can heal his nerves even more. When outdoors to prevent abrasion on his right hind paw, you may need to have some protection for the skin. The discussion on this page can help you with ideas. Look for the red tacked folder: "Footwear, harnesses, etc" dodgerslist.boards.net/board/8/graduatesWe are counting on those photos, would be wonderful to see him in his life jacket in your patio pool. A portion of each day Hans should be allowed out of his expen area to follow you around the house. You know, gradually work up to more and more time out. When you leave the house and can't supervise, then he needs to be returned to his expen place. Do you have furniture blockers, gates across stairs so Hans can get himself into trouble when you are at home? |
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 14, 2015 8:49:29 GMT -7
Paula, I'm not doing any sling walking because he will not move with a sling on. He's not liked using any type of sling since day one. He doesn't fall over at all though which is good, and what interesting is that when he gets tired, just sits down.
Most of out practice walking is done out side on the grass, which Laurie from DogstoGo said is really good for him since it's very sensory.. If there was a way to send a short video, you would be able to see how he's doing. I could try to send one to the address you gave me and if you can't put it in the gallery, maybe you can at least see it.
As for the harness, I have to admit I haven't been able to find a good one like is pictured in an article you sent me. I have a puppia brand harness, but where the loop is just slides around on the strap that goes around his back, it's also a bit big for him. The other one I have is a bit better, but it just had mesh for his chest area, and fake fur around the straps that go over his shoulders. What I don't like about it is that to make it fit it has one of those squeeze button things that goes down to his back so it doesn't slide; but it leaves a kind of "tail" that hangs loose with the ring on it, I'm afraid it might catch on something. So I am still just just using his collar and a leash right now until I can find an appropriate harness. Luckily he does not pull at all so there is a lot of slack on the leash when he's walking,
I need to read the water therapy article again to do some of the thing that are possible in the tub. Since he is a kind of big guy, I'm not sure if he'll be able to turn around at the end of the tub though. I will be able to use the hose shower head to just run the water up and down his legs and hind end. I got a great tub mat too so he won't slip! It's good for me too, since I myself fall easily. The biggest fear I have if getting him up out of the tub when he is wet. Since he is a wiggle r and now has certain way that he wants to be picked and held ( it is the proper way), it may prove to be a bit of a challenge. I'll have to see how it goes.
Wish us luck in the water therapy endeavor!
Lol, of course I didn't read the whole post, so some of my concerns are probably answered there!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on May 14, 2015 9:04:49 GMT -7
Yes, walking outdoors on the grass is very good. As long as his paw is not suffering any abrasions...grass is rougher than one would think. Otherwise til you would get protection for his paw, walking in the hallway would be easier on a dragging back paw. The puppia would be a better choice than a collar until you can find the perfect fit harness. Unless that is he can back out of the puppia?? If you do not feel the tub is a safe idea, then avoid it til you get the patio pool set up. If you have a shower stall, then that would be a good place to run warm water over his back legs and hind end. OK do send the video to: photogallery@dodgerslist.com |
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 14, 2015 9:16:39 GMT -7
One of the videos shows you the one harness I told you about , not the puppia one. I'll try the puppia one again and see if he can back out, on thing that did happen was that it got kind of twisted around once, but that was when he was still in his crate. I'm sending two vids, one before freedom day with that harness, the other I took a couple of days ago. You'll see that he's not dragging that foot a lot so then you can tell me if he needs protection or not on it.
How do I find the photo gallery? Here are the directions to the photogallery: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/put-dodgerslist-photo-gallery-calendar
I guess I have more to tell! I don't have stairs inside my apartment, so that is not a worry. I bring him up first and shut the door so he can't get out while I get the other dogs up.
He is put in the pen when I am not at home, and when he's getting too playful he goes in as well. I do allow him out to follow me around when I am here, and he's learned to sit on the carpet in front of the kitchen area since it's slick out there. Again, I'm not sure what kind of flooring I will have in the new apartment, so I may need to get an area rug and runners, which is going to be a bit difficult due to finances. I'll see if I can find one on freecycle, maybe I'll get lucky!
Okay, tell me how I can send you link of the video of Hans walking? It's on my phone, but I can easily mail it to myself and get it on my computer. From there, should I upload videos to YouTube, or doesn't Google have somewhere I can upload videos to as well? I know how to send the link, but to what email, the same one that I send photos to? Let me know and I'll get it done!
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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 15, 2015 6:40:31 GMT -7
Wow, Susi, the video reveals Hans IS walking and quite well. I see the same as Laurie Dogs to Go sees.... sure he should be practicing his walking in the grass! As far as paw protection....just monitor if there might be any paw abrasions.
The harness with the "tail" looks to be a nice fit. If you intend to leave the harness on him while you are at home, then I would just tie the tail to one side of one of those straps that go around the ribs. Or maybe you'd be able to just tuck the tail under a strap?
Best idea is if you can upload videos to Youtube, then all you do is paste the video's address in a post.
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 15, 2015 7:26:33 GMT -7
Hi Paula,
Boy am I glad that I sent you those videos! Hans has been walking like that a long time, at least a month if not a bit longer. That's why I've been so anxious for him to come out of the crate. I may not have communicated that very well to you. The way he walks is still what I'm calling "wobbly" or likit to you.
Anyway, I must say that he's improving daily, sometimes to a detriment because he's being pretty naughty lately lol; but in a way I'm even glad to see that, because it means my baby is coming back to me! He's not having a hard time getting comfortable anymore, he seems to prefer sleeping on the floor rather than on his dog bed..
So you think the black harness is ok to use for now until I'm able to get a better one? I'll take your advice and just tuck the tail under a strap when he's not on the leash.
Well, I guess that you could call this a success story! He certainly has been through a lot, and he's been a little trooper through it all.
I'm so glad to have my boy back!
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 16, 2015 19:12:36 GMT -7
Uh-oh, I don't know what just happened, but I carried Hans upstairs like always, but I put him down, instead of just walking away he yelped. He isn't reluctant to walk, he followed me into the living room. It looked like he was walking slower and stiffer and he is panting a lot all off a sudden, but it's nice and cool in the house right now.
I just gave him the pain med cocktail (1/2 tramadol, 1 gabapentin and 1/4 methocarbomal). I didn't remember all of the signs of pain that you listed for me, so it was the only thing I could think of doing. It's gonna knock him out, so he won't be doing much walking for a while.
How do I know if he hurt himself again or not? He's been doing so well lately, so I'm kinda freaked out.
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Post by Pauliana on May 16, 2015 20:14:03 GMT -7
Hi Susi,
So sorry to hear Hans seems to be in pain. Perhaps he over did it and has sore muscles? The signs of pain are shivering, yelping when picked up or moved, tight tense tummy,reluctance to move, slow to move, arched back, not their perky self. Panting can be a sign of pain. Was it hot outside before you carried him in?
Keep an eye on him, hopefully he will feel better after some rest.. I have given pain meds to Tyler before in a similar situation and then the next morning he seemed to be good as new. I hope the same for Hans. Please keep us posted.
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 16, 2015 21:53:11 GMT -7
I think was just over worrying myself, or the pain meds completely took away any pain he might have had and erased it. It also did not knock him out like it normally does. Anyway, right now he's fine, very much himself, playful and being naughty. If I see anything different tomorrow, you know I'll be posting it!
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 17, 2015 9:47:23 GMT -7
Hans seems to be okay today, I think he is a bit ouchy, but not in serious pain. He is moving a little slower than had been, and when I pick him up he groans a bit; he's also still panting but since he's always been a panter, it's hard to say if it's pain or just him. He yelped this morning once, but it was because he was right at my feet and I bumped into him. That's happened a couple of times now, and those are the worse scares for me because that's what happened when went down.
I'll keep you posted on how he's doing the next couple of days.
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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 17, 2015 14:01:32 GMT -7
I know you will be watchful continuing signs of pain. Is he on the three pain meds or off today?
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 17, 2015 14:50:54 GMT -7
I am watching for anymore signs of pain, he's still walking slower and stiffer. I just had him outside, and I'm watching how he's walking, and I'm not sure if he's walking the same as he has (other than the stiffness) or if he's gotten worse. What I did see is that he either drags his right leg, or makes an exaggerated high and wide step with it. He's also crossing his legs a bit too.
I think I'm going to have to start a little journal, so I can keep track of what I'm seeing; otherwise I'm not going to remember, and I miss something.It's either that, or keep a little video log.
I just gave him half of a trazadone to see if that will help calm him down a bit. (I only had the half left, I have to get his new script today.) He laid down and fell asleep and seems comfortable (he's snoring pretty good, lol!), so I hope he will be all right for a couple of hours, because my kids are taking me out for the afternoon.
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Post by Debbie Blackwelder on May 18, 2015 6:06:10 GMT -7
Hello Susi, I hope today finds you and Hans doing well. Keeping a written journal and a video journal is a great idea. I keep a book on my babies and write down all the dates of any recurrences of IVDD and the med's I give and so forth. If I did not do that I would never remember anything. It also helps when you have to leave Hans with anyone else. Take care of that baby, you guys have come a long way!
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 24, 2015 23:28:59 GMT -7
Just a quick update on Hansie. For a while I was worried that he had re-injured himself; but a couple of days ago, he made a big jump of progress. You'd be proud of him, he's doing so well!
I have a great video I took of him walking the other day, I'm going to upload it to you tube so I can post it here. At least I'll do my best!
We couldn't have done this without all of you!
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on May 25, 2015 3:41:23 GMT -7
Wonderful, Susi! Looking forward to seeing the video.  |
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Post by Debbie Blackwelder on May 25, 2015 7:20:42 GMT -7
Susi, we are so proud of you and Hans, you both have come such a long way. Looking forward to watching the video and many more good updates from you in the future about Hans. Deb  |
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 25, 2015 11:16:26 GMT -7
Ok the video is on you tube, what I do next? Copy and paste the link, and send to the gallery ?
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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 25, 2015 12:13:43 GMT -7
When you uploaded the video to YouTube, they sent you the address, a link. Just paste that link in a post here on the Forum!
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Susi & Hans
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Mom of three grown human kids and three senior doxie furbabies that are the light of my life
Posts: 105
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Post by Susi & Hans on May 25, 2015 12:18:23 GMT -7
Ok, I'll give it a try!
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