Jill & Reese
New Member
m- Dachshund Quadraparesis
Posts: 27
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Post by Jill & Reese on Jan 27, 2017 12:05:20 GMT -7
Hi. Just wanted to update on Reese's progress. We are just over 6 weeks postop. We continue to do our PT exercises at home as well as a weekly session. We still have about 10 days to go until his next recheck at 8 weeks post.
Here is a little snippet of Reese walking yesterday. His endurance and stability has been getting better w each day. His rear lags a bit but we'll continue to work on it. He sure is a happy dog!
We've been continuing the laser and hydro as well. He walked on the treadmill today.
Our ramp from RuffRamps arrives on Monday! I am excited to get him training on it. We did some ramp training and stability board training in PT. I found some furniture blockers on Amazon as well.
Any suggestions for a site for an outdoor ramp for over a few stairs off the deck?
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jan 27, 2017 14:23:28 GMT -7
Reese is walking wonderfully well. His tail is wagging like crazy also. I think the hydo therapy is very, very helpful for our dogs.
I am not sure if you have seen this. It has lots of info on ramps: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/867/ramps
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 27, 2017 18:49:32 GMT -7
Jill, it was marvelous to watch your videos. Look at Reese go from being down on all four legs to now walking!!! What an impressive nerve recovery he is making. If you like the furniture blockers from Amazon, do give the source on the "Furniture blocker" discussion on this page as it may help another member. Here is the link: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/8/graduates
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Jill & Reese
New Member
m- Dachshund Quadraparesis
Posts: 27
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Post by Jill & Reese on Jan 31, 2017 15:08:01 GMT -7
Paula, I will most certainly review the blockers when we use them. He is still on modified crate rest, so he hasn't been unsupervised yet.
I cannot thank everyone on this board enough for their help, guidance and stories. Early on I was so nervous, scared, overwhelmed and sad. I was discouraged when it seemed like he wasn't making progress, and like everyone said, all dogs heal differently and in their own time.
I just look at Reese in amazement. He is so strong, and he is just so stinking happy. He's come such a long way in these last few weeks. He makes me so proud.
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Jill & Reese
New Member
m- Dachshund Quadraparesis
Posts: 27
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Post by Jill & Reese on Feb 7, 2017 16:16:01 GMT -7
We are back from Reese's 2 month post op appointment and he is officially off of crate rest! He can start to be re acclimated to normal life. We have been working hard on our ramp training (Ruff Ramps - totally amazing) and have our furniture blockers ready to go. They are so pleased w his progress! It brought tears to my eyes to see him walk to the surgeon today. He still seems so fragile to me and I am worried about him hurting himself. He is so over being in his xpen at night. He is up barking and barking at 2:30am each morning. I am unsure about what to do with him.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 7, 2017 16:49:27 GMT -7
Is he used to sleeping in bed with you? If crate rest is officially over a soft sided pet carrier may work for him while on the bed. Place it in a secure place such as up against the headboard. He will probably be much quieter like this.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 8, 2017 10:48:49 GMT -7
Jill, congratulations on the finish of crate rest. LOVE that graduate shirt! Thank you for supporting us at the Dodgerslist Store! It may be that now if you leave the recovery suite door open during the day, you might find that Reese may go of his own accord to rest, play with a toy. Many do. Then eventually at night, if you prefer he sleeps in his own bed he might be ok with that even if you want the the bed to be inside of his recovery suite. Where did he sleep before the disc episode happened?
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Jill & Reese
New Member
m- Dachshund Quadraparesis
Posts: 27
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Post by Jill & Reese on Feb 8, 2017 10:56:17 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies!
Both Reese and Bailey typically would sleep on the couch at night. Bailey sometimes will sleep in his bed, but more often than not, they are both snuggled together under the blanket on the couch. I think that is why I am struggling so much with it. I was thinking about gating them both in the office at night with their beds, but we did that before and ultimately Reese started the same barking performance, so we had let them out on the couch and of course he quieted right up.
He has taken very well to the ramp. but it still makes me nervous. I just ordered the sides for the ramp (I should've done it initially, but didn't think) and they should be arriving in the next few days. I probably can put up with the barking for a bit longer at this point.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 8, 2017 11:14:11 GMT -7
Right sleeping on the couch is definately not a good idea any longer.
Is it possible to block off access to the couch at night and all other furniture in that room. Put both their beds in front of the couch where they can sleep in the same room as was usual for them. Maybe try Melatonin for Reese to help him have a restful night and eventually may no longer need it as a new routine is established? Talk with your vet about the dose.
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Jill & Reese
New Member
m- Dachshund Quadraparesis
Posts: 27
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Post by Jill & Reese on Feb 8, 2017 11:22:44 GMT -7
We do have the furniture blockers for the sofa and chair. So maybe we will try that tonight and see how it goes. Thanks!
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Post by Julie & Perry on Feb 8, 2017 13:10:32 GMT -7
I give my Nala a 3mg tablet of melatonin each night as she started having trouble sleeping. She's 13 lbs. Works like a charm. Just check with your vet.
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Jill & Reese
New Member
m- Dachshund Quadraparesis
Posts: 27
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Post by Jill & Reese on Apr 20, 2017 12:40:36 GMT -7
Hi everyone! It's been a while since I have posted. Reese is about 4 months post op now and he is doing GREAT!! We are so pleased with his progress and he continues to make improvements. It's been so amazing to watch. We continue weekly with laser/massage/hydrotherapy. I took these videos today of him.
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 20, 2017 13:02:37 GMT -7
Hi Jill! Look at Reese go!! He has made a wonderful recovery! Happy belated post op crate rest graduation! Loved the videos and thanks for the update! Nothing is holding this guy back!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 21, 2017 11:52:04 GMT -7
Jill, what an inspiration Reese is...Quadraparesis to now running down the hallway!! OMG....how wonderful. Would you help another member who get got a diagnosis of IVDD for their dog that there is always hope, to never give up!! We'd love a photo and a caption for our Dodgerslist photo gallery: LOGIN here: www.dodgerslist.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4 : username: Dachsie password: dodgerslist14 Or you can email (owner's name, email addy, dog's name + photo caption) to : photogallery@dodgerslist.com
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Jill & Reese
New Member
m- Dachshund Quadraparesis
Posts: 27
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Post by Jill & Reese on Sept 14, 2019 16:21:23 GMT -7
I wanted to post an update on Reese. It’s been a while since I’ve posted on how he is doing.
Reese (age 14) went down w IVDD with no prior warning signs on 12/12/16. He had herniation at C 2/3 and 3/4. He was paralyzed from the neck down. He underwent emergency surgery and spent a week in the ICU at Tufts here in Massachusetts. His prognosis was good for recovery. Upon release, I immediately started him off with laser therapy and then once his incision healed, we started water therapy.
It would be 5 weeks before Reese would make any sort of inkling of movement. Within 2 days, he went from an “army crawl” to standing and taking his first wobbly steps.
Almost 3 years later, we continue our Physical Therapy every 2-3 weeks. We have had one incident of crate rest/meds.
Reese is about to turn 17 in the next few weeks and this dog runs around like the goofy, little man that he is.
To everyone battling IVDD right now, I know how it tears at your heart strings, and patience. I know the struggle. Never lose hope!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 14, 2019 17:30:28 GMT -7
Jill, thank you for stopping in. Reese is such good inspiration to those just starting the journey of self healing nerves. It is really amazing how Reese lost use of all four legs in Dec 2016 and in 5 weeks there were signs of wobbly walking. Happy to hear Reese is running and enjoying life in 2019. Happy birthday Reese!
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