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Post by stefanie539 on May 1, 2013 11:19:27 GMT -7
Hello my name is Stefanie. My 4 1/2 year old doxie just had back surgery about 2 weeks ago. He had a slipped disc in his back, he had to have a back surgery immediately. He had a 50/50 shot of getting function back. When we picked him up from the surgeons you would not have thought he had just had surgery a week ago! He was so active! We bought him a wheelchair because he just wants to move so bad and him dragging himself is hurting his backend. And that is my concern.. as of right now he is on crate rest except for when he is sitting with us or in his wheelchair. But he has a raw spot that developed right before his started using his chair from dragging hisself. I know its not good to have an open area. I have read that desitin and sheepskin is good. He is having a hard time holding bladder and leaks urine. I have tried diapers but he will not leave it on! He keeps scooting it off! So my question is what is the best way to keep him dry. I keep his crate clean, it is cleaned everyday when I get home. I just dont know what else I can do to treat the sore area and keep him dry! We are doing water therapy and ROM several times a week to help strengthen him! He has made progress and has actually wagged his tail twice this week and is starting to poop on his own... I just want all the info I can get to help him hopefully regain function!
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Post by Pauliana on May 1, 2013 12:17:43 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist Stefanie! Please let your Cooper know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmCheck the belly and back legs daily for abrasions. Treat with EMT Gel or Neosporin and a self-adherent wrap such as Coban or VetWrap. Keep skin clean of urine and feces. Baby wipes or baby body wash is easy on the skin. If the condition does not improve within 3 days, seems worse or oozes pus, go to your vet as oral antibiotics and perhaps a skin culture might be needed. It's best not to allow him to scoot at all for 6 weeks. He needs to be in complete crate rest. In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions?
I see the date of his surgery was April 17th. It doesn't sound like you are using 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 6 weeks. Please don't allow him to use the wheelchair until the completion of his crate rest. That can undo the damage to his discs and spine that was corrected by the surgery. It is vital that Cooper has complete rest so he can heal from surgery. This means no laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No chiro (aka VOM)? What did your surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest?-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. -- Can your dog move the legs at all? I see he has his tail wag back. That's a great sign! -- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? Helpful videos with tips on expressing both urine and poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm I see you mentioned he was leaking and not able to hold his bladder. Sounds like he needs to be expressed. Please have your vet show you with a hands on lesson and ask him for an ointment for his sore area from scooting. Here is a link on how to care for an incontinent dog. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IncontinentDown.htmDiapers are NOT recommended. Dogs abhor being near/in their waste, diapers cause problems with skin. Proper expressing is what keeps a dog dry and the bladder healthy. -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood? 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. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here: ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs. Again welcome and I hope soon Cooper will be feeling better. The more you know about IVDD, the less confusing this becomes. Cooper needs you to advocate for him and knowing the right things to do for him will help put him on the road to recovery. |
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Post by stefanie539 on May 1, 2013 12:39:53 GMT -7
Yes he is pooping fine! He is actually starting to push it out himself. The only medications he is on is his steriods. not sure of dosage.. i am at work and do not the script in front of me. and we are on the tapering down right now! I am still adjusting to expressing his bladder so I hope I am emptying it completely! He seems to be tense when I do it so i have to try and get him to relax... but its like he just leaks constantly no matter how much we go potty!! I will not use the wheelchair anymore! I just wanted him to be able to get around! This is all so new to me! Thank you for that info! It makes me feel bad leaving him the crate all the time but I will do whatever is best for him!!! As of right now he is not moving his legs. They did not give super strict instructions... My cousin it a PTA and a certified pet therapist so she rcommended and the vet did too the warm water therapy which after one session he wagged his tail! I will go today and get the things he needs! as far as the wraps go (COBAN AND VETWRAP) where can i get those?? He is in no pain. HIs appetite is great! Has been since he got out of surgery!! and he drinks great too! I will watch the videos on expressing... I ususally get a lot out of him but i feel like he leaks so much too!
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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 1, 2013 14:13:41 GMT -7
Stefanie, usually the surgeon wants to wait on water therapy until the staples/sutures are out. What did the surgeon say? Are they out? You may be having problems with expressing because bladder control may be returning. That usually happens after tail wagging with joy comes back. The only way for us humans to know if there is bladder control is with the sniff and pee test. Carry outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. While on steroids IF he does have bladder control you will need to potty him every 3-4 hours. If he does not yet have bladder control you'll need to express every 2-3 hours to keep him dry. Let us know what you observe and how often you express. Has he had a recent urinalysis to rule out a UTI...you can bring in a urine sample to your local vet. Leaking could be associated with a bladder infection. What did your surgeon direct for post operation PT and crate rest? It would be important to do some range of motion and massage of the back legs until Cooper can do that for himself...did your surgeon prescribe any of these? All PT is deliberate, supervised and slow and fully under your control to relearn how to walk. There will be time for the wheelchair after all 6 weeks of crate rest have been completed....and just maybe Cooper will have a surprise for you. This is why we say wait on a wheelchair until crate rest has been completed.
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