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Post by natureluva on Jun 19, 2013 12:18:25 GMT -7
My goodness -- when it rains, it pours! I am sooo glad Auggie is OK! How scary. Here is a link to help you slowly reintroduce Cleo to activities after crate rest is done: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm Please keep in touch and let us know how she is! Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Jun 25, 2013 16:53:30 GMT -7
Hi all, just a quick update on Cleo. She officially graduated yesterday and she is doing beautifully! Our house looks completely different, with all furniture moved away from the windows, a ramp to one couch and rugs strewn across the hard wood floors. I can tell that her walking is different, but if you didn't know Cleo before surgery, I don't know if you would notice anything. That is, until she gets exited and runs, then she uses her back legs to bunny-hop. I still put her in the crate at night, or if both my husband and I are gone from the house.
I am back to walking Cleo and Auggie together again. Auggie is also recovering nicely from his near death experience. I just wanted to thank everyone who contributes to this website and this forum. The last 7 weeks of our lives would have been much more difficult if it were not for all of you and the wealth of information and support you provided.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 25, 2013 21:24:59 GMT -7
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Aug 9, 2013 0:21:00 GMT -7
Hi all! Just wanted to say that Cleopatra had her 90-day checkup with the surgeon today and she got a clean bill of health! She is doing just great, and we are all getting more exercise than we ever have before. The surgeon told me to work up to 30 minutes a day of walking, so now we do 10 minute walks 3 times a day. I live downtown in a small city and do not have a fenced yard, so I am also on a new walking regimen. I just discovered the other day that I have lost 10 pounds. Thank you Cleo!
We have adapted well to our "new normal" with ramps, couch blockers and baby gates. The only problem now is that I am still sleeping on the couch with the dogs while my husband has the bed to himself. I started sleeping in the living room to be near Cleo's crate, but Auggie (her big brother) has gotten used to the situation and goes ballistic if I try to sneak off to the bedroom without him. Auggie is all healed from his "altercation" too. I asked my husband the other day if he missed me, but he said, "I'm a big guy, it's kind of nice to stretch out." So for now it is me, Auggie and Cleo on the couch.
Cleopatra is so happy and playful, she really gets the most out of every day. Everyone at the vet's office remembered her because she is so sweet and has such a good attitude. I have to give Cleo so much credit for always being positive and never letting life get her down. If I put myself in her place and think about what she went through after surgery, I know that I would not have been so positive and determined. She really is inspiring.
I keep coming back to this forum on a regular basis to read the stories about other inspiring dogs (and owners). Thank you to everyone who shares their stories here.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 9, 2013 19:56:49 GMT -7
Great report, good exercise for everyone and you loosing 10 pounds…how wonderful! Please continue to keep us updated. Also since you've been there, done that, don't hesistate to help a new member.
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Aug 24, 2013 12:10:05 GMT -7
I have a question, Cleo is still doing really well, but since her surgery I have been scared to cut her nails. She always squiggled a lot when I cut them before, and I don't want to do anything bad to her back. Today she screamed when she was on the couch, and I panicked (of course) but it looked like her back nail was caught in the blanket, and that is why she yelped. I immediately enlisted the help of my mom, and we trimmed her back nails no problem. When we tried to do her front ones, she freaked out and would not let us do it. I do not want to take her to a groomer because I am afraid they would not be gentle enough with her, but I don't want her to hurt herself while I do it. Any suggestions? Her back nails are now fine but her front ones are too long.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 24, 2013 12:25:35 GMT -7
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Aug 24, 2013 22:31:29 GMT -7
Thank you Paula, that video is very helpful!
I am writing this in the middle of the night, when I have to be up in 5 hours because we are having a terrible thunderstorm here at my house. Auggie has always been terrified of thunder, so I usually just sit and hold his trembling body while Cleo is oblivious to the weather. However, something odd has happened just since her surgery, she is now terrified of lightning too! She shakes, pants and hides under things, something she never did before. So now I have 2 frightened Dachshunds who will not let me sleep!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 25, 2013 9:53:20 GMT -7
If you have a weather report ahead of time you might start giving a calmer that morning or earlier if possible. Some members have found a Thundershirt with the comforting gentle pressure it applies is also a calming thing. FYI, a Thundershirt would not be something to use during a disc episode www.thundershirt.com
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Post by Michelle on Sept 2, 2013 7:26:47 GMT -7
Thanks for checking in on Lucy. She is doing great!! How is Cleo doing?? Is she back to normal? Lucy is still a little off. She will sometimes stumble on grass or if she turns sharply- but I'll take that any day over the alternative. She is happy and pain free!!
read about Cleo's problem with storms. It's funny because We had a particularly loud storm one night. Lucy would run from room to room barking (that was fun!!) and was very agitated. Normally she has no problem. Looking at the date of your post it might have been the same night. Maybe they felt the electricity or something else unseen. We have since had some quick storms with no problem. Hope Cleo is better too!!
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Sept 16, 2013 23:43:43 GMT -7
Cleo is also doing great Michelle, thank you for asking. I think her new fear of thunderstorms started when lightning struck an old tree about 20 feet from our house. My husband and I were also freaked out!
She is happy and healthy and enjoys long walks everyday. Before her surgery Cleo used to tear through the house, running as fast as possible. Now, when she is feeling energetic I grab the leash and we go exploring together so that I can slow her down a little bit. I still have moments where I realize I am holding my breath hoping she does not hurt herself, but she seems stronger all the time. She and her brother have finally decided they are OK sleeping by themselves in the living room, so I am back in my own bed! Unless there is a thunderstorm that is, then they let me know that I need to be with them and my husband sleeps alone.
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Sabrina
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My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
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Post by Sabrina on Sept 17, 2013 12:02:03 GMT -7
Hi Stevie, I'm Sabrina. Wonderful news about Cleo's recovery! You are so smart to redirect Cleo's exuberance - she's a lucky girl to have you looking out for her! I hear you on the "holding-your-breath" stuff! My Charley just graduated and I've been doing a lot of breath-holding myself! For the thunderstorms - have you heard of the music from "Through A Dog's Ear"? (their site is linked from this page: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm#Emergencyconfinement ) I have their series "Music to Calm your Canine Companion" for my Charley-dog, and I'm amazed at how it's helped him survive his crate rest. Now Charley doesn't have a thunderstorm phobia, but I when I was ordering the cds I saw that that company also has a "Noise Phobia" series for working on desensitizing dogs who are afraid of different noises (there's a program for thunderstorms) - that might be something to look into if you're needing more help with thunderstorm management! ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina
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