Katie's Randy 5/3 surgery Australia

Hi Katie, my name is Lisa. Welcome to Dodger's List! We're glad you found us. My dog is PROOF that a dog may not regain DPS right away, and if it does, it may be so slight as to be undetectable. In fact, it took my dog (Goosie) 11 months after his surgery to walk again. Do yourself a favor - read through some of our Success Stories to get an idea of the different recoveries our IVDD pups have had: www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory.htm You will see that some dogs stand up a week after surgery, and others, like my Goosie, require a much longer recovery period.

It is common for dogs to regress neurologically after surgery. It takes about two weeks for post-op swelling to go down, and then some owners see signs of improvement. Expressing the bladder is easy, but takes practice. Please watch our video here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm Dogs can be expressed for a lifetime with no dangerous effects. Our moderator, Paula, has been expressing her dog, Clark, for many years. Clark uses a cart and is a HAPPY boy! Please read Clark's story here and watch his awesome video at the end: www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory/Oct07.htm You will see that although many IVDD dogs do walk again, those that don't have a great quality of life and simply use a cart to get around. They could care less whether their legs "work" or not!

Can you please tell us what meds Randy is on, including the dosage amounts and frequency of dosing? Does he seem to be in any pain? How is his appetite? Poops normal color?

If you are not already getting it, 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. 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/

The best way for you to help Randy is by learning about his disease. Here is a brief tutorial on IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/index.html . If a dvd is more your style, we have an excellent one available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm

Please remain hopeful and know that it can take many months - up to a year or more - for nerves to heal. My dog is proof of that. We look forward to hearing more about Randy! Best wishes, ~Lisa

He is in no pain and taking carprofen 20mg in the evening

Hi Katie, I am not familiar with Bowen therapists, but I believe it involves some type of body work. Please know that chiropractic manipulations or VOM are not recommended for dogs with IVDD, especially one currently going through a disc episode. This is from Vet Specialists of Rochester: "Another alternative some might be inclined towards is chiropractic treatment. This also has shortcomings when applied to dogs with IVD disease. Although there are similarities between IVD disease in people and dogs, the two are not exactly analogous. Because thespinal cord is longer in dogs than humans, displaced disc material in dogs almost always involves some degree of spinal cord compression
and injury. In people with lower back pain only nerve roots are affected. Chiropractic manipulation in dogs may be dangerous since it may promote further spinal cord injury."
Although I do not *think* Bowen therapy involves chiropractic manipulation, I just want you to be aware of this. Glad you will be pursuing acupuncture!! I've seen amazing results with it on my dog.

Also just want to be sure you are giving 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before each dose of Carpofen to protect Randy's tummy from internal bleeding due to the excess acid Carpofen produces? If not, please ask your vet for permission to give it asap.

Please let us know how things go! Best wishes, ~Lisa

Hi, glad to hear that Randy has some deep pain sensation returning! Keep up the acupuncture and hopefully this healing trend will continue! Perhaps ask your vet for electro-acupuncture if your dog is healthy enough for it (should not be done on dogs with cancer or epilepsy). As discussed previously, it can take many months for neurological functions to return, so hang in there! It took my dog 11 months to walk again after his IVDD surgery.

Regarding his raw bum, is he sitting in wet areas due to accidents? Has he ever licked his bum before? Does he have allergies? Be aware - this also could be a sign of neuropathic pain due to his nerves misfiring. It affects the rear legs/genital area and often manifests itself in excessive licking and/or gnawing/biting. There is a specific medication for this type of electric shock-like pain called Neurontin (generic name is gabapentin). It is very effective. Often, as the nerves heals, neuropathic pain goes away. In the meantime, ask your vet for an Elizabethan collar or an inflatable one shown here so that he cannot lick or bite himself: www.petedge.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=56823&cm_mmc=Google-_-Pet%20Supplies%20PLA_Pet%20Supplies%20Health%20Nutrition-_-{creative}-_-Pet%20Supplies%20Health%20Nutrition_Exact&gclid=CI39zPDZpLcCFUee4AodhTcAbA

Also ask for your vet's permission to gently swab his bum with hemorrhoid pads. Keep the area clean and dry.

We look forward to your next update. Best wishes, ~Lisa

I am so sad to hear this this morning. Please let us know what the vet says about his penis. Poor pup. I'm sending prayers and good vibes his way. ~Lisa

Hi Katie, I'm glad to hear that the urethra wasn't severed. My goodness, what a scare. I do hope he'll be able to pee on his own. Might take a little bit for the swelling to go down from the injury and then hopefully he'll be able to pee.

Please make SURE the vets give you medication for the neuropathic pain - Neurontin (generic is gabapentin) is what we normally see prescribed. When Randy is discharged, please update us on exactly what meds he is on. Also, be sure the vet okays a stomach protectant such as Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine). The normal dosage is 5 mg of Pepcid given 30 minutes before each dose of carprofen (an NSAID). The last thing Randy needs right now is internal bleeding from the excess acid produced by the carprofen, so by proactive and get tummy protection for him.

Best wishes, ~Lisa