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Post by jochs311 on Jul 15, 2013 19:56:46 GMT -7
Lol. Stacy. He is always finding ways to cover himself. He really is back to himself but still working on the walking part. He is too funny!
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Post by kathynpooh on Jul 16, 2013 4:01:50 GMT -7
My Pooh does the same rhing. I showed my husband the pic and he said it must be a doxie thing. Lol
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 17, 2013 20:37:02 GMT -7
I just received Barbra Techels book through Frankie's Eyes today and I have to say is a great book! I'm almost half way through it. It's a book I can relate to. I'm sure others would too. Highly recommended read [editor's note: when ordered through this page, Dodgerslist will get 20%….offer good til end of July]
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 18, 2013 10:29:21 GMT -7
Hi Jen!
Yes indeed Though Frankie's Eyes by Barbara Techel is a wonderful book. Like you, I identified with it and very sure most IVDD families would too..I'll add my recommendation to yours!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jul 18, 2013 11:10:52 GMT -7
Dodgerslist is also mentioned in the book and I was asked by Barbara to do a review of it before it was published. I was honored to do so.
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 18, 2013 19:06:28 GMT -7
I saw your review Linda. It was beautiful! She had also signed the copy she sent me with a little note to send Tucker her best.
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 21, 2013 20:01:33 GMT -7
Tucker is starting to wobbly walk! His right side seems to be stronger than the left but those little weenie legs are going. He still knuckles over a little but has been correcting it most of the time. We are so proud of our little boy. Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring!
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 21, 2013 20:08:11 GMT -7
Tucker, you are such a good boy!! So excited to hear he is walking, Jen! That's the best news I have heard since I heard you were now a care advocate! Congrats on both counts!
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 21, 2013 20:31:00 GMT -7
Thanks so much Pauliana! I'm very happy for both and Honored to be a part of Dodgerslist. Tucker's progress has been amazing. With every little accomplishment he makes I get teary eyed with joy. You all have been wonderful and supportive. I love to share what I know now and my experince with others in the same spot I was in the beginning. It's because of all the support I've gotten that Tucker has made so much progress in a short time.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 22, 2013 10:16:27 GMT -7
Jen, we think it is the best thing since sliced bread when members take what they have learned and pay it forward to help another!!!
Tucker's progress is terrific. No matter how many times we hear of nerve functions returning we are just as excited as the first time we witnessed with our own dogs. The body is truly amazing in its abilities to self heal…all that is required is to give the dog the right environment to heal in (recovery suite) and having patience to let mother nature work on her time schedule. Thank you for sharing this inspiration!!! Go Tucker!!!
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 22, 2013 17:19:43 GMT -7
Not sure if you can see very well but here he is standing in his crate on his own!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jul 22, 2013 18:43:39 GMT -7
So glad he's making progress!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Jul 22, 2013 18:51:40 GMT -7
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 24, 2013 18:09:11 GMT -7
Had a tiny set back today. When I took Tucker out to potty after work he was not as happy to be out he peed but that was about it and when I picked him up he was shivering a little. I gave him his 2 pills of Body Sore and 50mg of Tramadol. We were on 1/2 Tramadol with the 2 Body Sore for about a week now. Back to full force a couple days. He is now back to normal. He eats, pees, poops, and whines constantly in his crate. My son told me one of the cats had walked on his crate and he was baking at the cat. My other dog actually came in and chased the cat out of the room ( Good Boy Brodie!). At this point I'm so cautious. We have come so far and I just don't want set backs! He seems good now though Since he has gained a lot of mobility back he has been nothing but whining in his crate. Especially when my husband is home. He just won't stop wiggling and whining. They are buddies. I hope this will the only small set back we have. Accupuncture tomorrow. He does seem to walking a little stronger too.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 24, 2013 19:28:15 GMT -7
Hi Jen, Sorry to hear of Tucker's set back today and glad you medicated him and he feels better now. They get to be a real handful when they feel better and they don't mind sounding the alarm about it either.. I feel for you! Have you tried Rescue Remedy or Composure Soft Chews? Hopefully his acupuncture appointment tomorrow will help calm him down some.. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. Sending calming thoughts to Tucker
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 24, 2013 20:18:08 GMT -7
Thanks Pauliana. I have herbal treats that I gave him called Happy Traveler. They have Valerian root, German Chamomile, L- Tryptophan, and St. Johns Wart in them. It seemed to work a bit with my husband laying next to his crate. I know about Rescue Remedy I've used it with my Aussie mix for storms. He has awful anxiety with storms. It didn't work too well with Brodie. I will have to see if I can get some from Tuckers Dr tomorrow if she has it. Since he has become more mobile he just wants out. He stands up in his crate like " see I can do it I can come out now" He still has 3 weeks. He does great as soon as he "goes to bed" with Jerry. He takes his crate from the living room to the bedroom. As soon as he is in there. Lights out. he has been doing so well it upset me that he had the shivers. He seems great and back to his recovery now. Not sure what happened. I'm glad Brodie was there to get the cats out. He always stands up for Tucker
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 24, 2013 22:11:51 GMT -7
Hi Jen,
Great that Brodie stands up for Tucker.. How sweet that is! Setbacks are very upsetting but it's good that it was under control quickly due to your excellent care.. All we can do is act when we see any sign of a setback and get them back on the road to recovery. Tucker wants those 3 weeks to go by fast, the rascal!
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 27, 2013 21:33:56 GMT -7
All of a sudden I'm sitting here thinking what if Tucker can't use his legs properly after crate rest? He has been doing great. I wonder though. As soon as we open his crate to take him out he has been trying to make a run for it. He half wobbly walks and half scoots across the floor until I put a hand on him to keep him still. We still have 2 weeks left. He has been really wanting out. I think these last couple weeks are going to be as stressful as the first. I guess my question is... When do you think about getting a cart? I want to be optimistic that he will walk normal again. What do we do after crate rest if he isn't walking more strong. I want so bad to start water therapy. I guess I'm just getting anxious even though I know the possibility of this happening again is high. I think I'm thinking too ahead maybe.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 28, 2013 9:39:15 GMT -7
Jen, we say to wait until all 8 weeks of crate rest have been completed. Only at that time will you see where he is neurologically to best assess where money is better spent…pt or a wheelchair. Being as Tucker IS wobbly walking, then once out of crate rest you can start water therapy either at your home in a child's $10 wading pool or from a PT clinic. It don't think Tucker is going to need a wheelchair. Tucker is going to have to learn the art of walking just like a baby does or a stroke victim relearns…having muscles coordinate with nerve directives, strengthening his muscles and stamina. All that can begin after crate rest.
My Tasha had surgery at age one..she lived til 17 and never had another disc problem. That is the thing with this disease we just can't predict.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jul 28, 2013 10:35:05 GMT -7
Jen is Tucker still on the Tramadol?
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 28, 2013 17:01:44 GMT -7
Thanks Paula. I guess I was just having a little breakdown moment last night. It seems like it has been so long. Linda. Yes he is. We were starting to give him lower [tramadol] doses 25mg 2xs a day but we had a small mishap with him barking at one of our cats and when I went to take him out he was shivering again and didn't want to move outside too much so we went back to 50mg for a little bit he has 1 more day of that and we are going back down to 25mg.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jul 28, 2013 20:48:46 GMT -7
Hi Jen just stopping by to see how you and Tucker are doing. Sorry to read about your little set back. It sure can be really scary and frustrating. You 2 hang in there and keeping you both in my prayers. Cute pic btw..he looks like he is saying " not another pic of me in my crate mom!" Lol.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 29, 2013 6:18:28 GMT -7
Setbacks can be very frightening but usually they can be corrected and the little guy can be brought right back on track. You're doing a great job with Tucker, Jen. Try not to look too far ahead. I was convinced, since Jeremy's recovery was so very, very slow, that he would always have to use a sling. Then I was sure he would always be in a cart. Then I was convinced that he would always need shoes on his hind feet because of dragging his feet. He recovered from all of that. Yes, he's down again but not half as bad this time. It's hard not to look ahead and wonder how it's all going to turn out. But we just don't know and can only take one day at a time. Just remember to enjoy every minute you have with him, whether he's in a crate, walking or not walking. The time with our loved ones is so precious.
All the best to you both.
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 29, 2013 17:55:36 GMT -7
Tucker has been going nuts in his crate trying to scratch himself. Rolling all over. I hope this is okay? He has allergies and I usually bathe him every couple weeks with a special shampoo for allergies. Since I can't do that its awful to see him like that. I help scratch him good but it doesn't seen to help. His rear legs really go when I scratch too. I really don't want him to hurt himself.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jul 29, 2013 19:01:43 GMT -7
Perhaps some Benadryl is in order? It might calm him a bit, as well as ease the itching from allergies. Poor guy!
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 29, 2013 19:05:18 GMT -7
I've tried Benadryl for his allergies before with no effect I have him on a calming treat called Composure. It's very pricey from my accupuncture Dr. Some days it works some days it doesn't.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jul 29, 2013 19:14:45 GMT -7
You might give Benadryl a try just for the calming. The generic is very inexpensive.
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 31, 2013 17:18:51 GMT -7
I'm bad I broke down and gave Tucker a gentle bath with his medicated shampoo. He is always great for his baths. His scratching just was so bad he was non stop and crying while scratching because he would get frustrated he cant get to some spots. He went right from the bath to being dried and back in his crate. He is finally resting after days of non stop itching. He was using his back legs to scratch too. He couldn't get his ears quite but he was scratching his sides really bad. I tried Benadryl but it never did work for him. I had to do something before he scratched himself bloody and raw. He has in the past we had finally found good food and a shampoo that helps 100%. Before his episode we'd have to bathe him every couple weeks to keep him comfy.
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 31, 2013 19:26:47 GMT -7
I wish I thought if this weeks ago we are using old clothes but this is a great idea. Bumpers for crates. I thought if it as I'm watching Tucker sleep with his head on the side of the crate. www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/den.html
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 31, 2013 19:52:15 GMT -7
Jen, I love the bumper pads and crate covers.. Thanks for the link, I think that is right up Tyler's alley as well as mine.. Hope Tucker is feeling better now that he is not itching anymore..
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