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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 22, 2013 5:40:25 GMT -7
Sadly, I'm back. I've been on DL the past 9 weeks following my Wiener's surgery. He has done remarkably well. But on Wednesday 6/19 my Bella was stumbling. Bella was our foster that arrived (through our rescue)from Alabama 4 1/2 years ago. She was pregnant and delivered 4 healthy puppies. One of the puppies had some disabilities (but still, was healthy) so we decided to adopt Bell and her pup, Paddy. The other 3 were adopted by 2 other families. We don't know Bella's age, but she has been a wonderful family member with one IVDD episode that responded to crate rest & meds nearly 2 years ago. Now this. The neurosurgeon who did Wienie's surgery 9 weeks ago moved to New York, so we scrambled to find a new one. The University of Wisconsin in Madison seemed to be the best choice. It's 2 1/2 hrs away but we took her up Wednesday and she had surgery Thursday. It went well. It was one of her cervical discs. We will pick her up tomorrow. She's bigger than Wienie, so I will get a bigger crate today and start the process all over. I'll keep you posted. Pat
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 22, 2013 9:57:56 GMT -7
Hi Pat I'm so sorry to hear about your Bella. Glad to hear she did so well with her surgery. Let us know how shes doing when you get her home and the surgeon's instructions.
Wienie still doing well?
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 22, 2013 10:55:20 GMT -7
I'm so sorry that Bella and you have to go through this. Sometimes life seems to be unfair, doesn't it? Here's to a quick recovery!
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 22, 2013 15:51:16 GMT -7
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am so grateful for this format to turn to! I wonder what people with IVDD pups do if they don't know about Dodger's?? Because of DL, I know what to do and I know what to expect AND....know where to turn when I need help. I'll keep you UTD...Hugs, Pat
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 22, 2013 18:19:41 GMT -7
Hi Pat, Bella is so lucky that she has an IVDD experienced Mom! Let us know how she is doing when you get her home and also let us know what medications, the dosages and frequencies they send home with her.. I know you have been through this before but here is a link to the discharge questions just in case. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm |
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 22, 2013 19:11:08 GMT -7
Pauliana..I will certainly post Bella's meds/activity. As mentioned before - she's a rescue that didn't have a great life before she came into rescue...I'm just so sad she can't catch a break.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 22, 2013 20:15:17 GMT -7
Doesn't seem fair, does it, Pat? However she has had one break, you are in her life now!  |
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 23, 2013 12:22:26 GMT -7
Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes and kind words. This is such a great and compassionate group of people. Just what we all need to get through tough times with our babies. Bella is home! We got up at 5am and out the door by 6. 2 1/2 hours later we were in Madison WI. I made it clear when we first brought Bell to the ER Wednesday - in no uncertain terms- that I didn't want Bell to have students or residents do her I.V's, surgery, closing etc. I felt so bad that I requested that because today the entire department was staffed by students & residents and they were WONDERFUL! They were knowledgeable and kind and true animal lovers. Without checking Bella's chart they were able to tell me when she pooped & voided; what she ate and her response to her pain meds. We went over the MRI and ultrasound of her abdomen and her chest xray. They didn't know I'm an ER nurse and they were totally accurate in their evaluation of her tests. Dr Barnes came in for a short time to say "Hi" - first time I met her. She left the discharge up to the students/residents. I am so very pleased with the University of WI Madison I would recommend this facility. One problem...When my Wienie had his back surgery I read all the literature DL recommended - anything I could get my hands on, really. Was there some issues with fenestration? I seem to remember it wasn't a treatment of choice, if I remember. Well, besides the disc surgery between c2&3, she also did fenestrations on the 3 discs below because of some changes she saw on the MRI. Also, the initial reading on the MRI showed a mild-moderate pressure on the cord, but during surgery it was found to be a 40% pressure! So much for the accuracy of an MRI! Anyway, I didn't know there would be additional surgeries to my babe's spine. I will ask her about the fenestrations when we return in 4 weeks for follow-up. Bell is currently on Diazepam (Valium) 2 mg every 12 hours and Carprofen (Rimadyl) 25 mg every 12 hours. Ted built her a crate yesterday as we weren't completely comfortable with the ones we saw at the pet stores. She has never been crated since we've had her for the last 4 1/2 years and she is NOT liking THE CRATE! But she is comfortable and the surgery went well and that's all I can hope for. The rest is up to us. She is on total crate rest for 2 weeks and gradual ambulation allowed at an increase of 5 minutes/day. Thank goodness they cut her nails, which I felt was also very thoughtful. They said they know how dogs hate to have their nails trimmed so they automatically do it while the pup is anesthetized knowing the dog shouldn't be "wrestled with" during recoup! So, there you have it, my friends! I would also like to add that my Wienie, who had surgery 10 weeks ago, is on top of the world! Feeling good, digging holes and attempting to break into Bella's crate to steal her new squeaky toys. Life is good Pat |
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Post by natureluva on Jun 23, 2013 15:34:53 GMT -7
Hi Pat, so happy to hear that Bella is home and that she made it through the surgery! Is she ambulatory? Does she have bladder control? Can she wag her tail at exciting things? I'm trying to ascertain her neurological status. Sounds like the vets at the University of WI Madison are excellent! Would you mind adding them to our database for recommended IVDD vets/surgeons? dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting# I notice you didn't mention that Bella is on Pepcid AC to protect her tummy from the excess acid produced by the Rimadyl? You might want to get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC 30 minutes before each dose of Rimadyl. There is some controversy between surgeons about fenestration. Some think it doesn't work and some think it to does work to reduce the chance of herniations. My surgeon doesn't perform fenestration, but we have seen plenty that do on Dodger's List. Not sure what the exact terms of the controversy are. But if the MRI showed signs of disc trouble elsewhere, perhaps it is a good thing that those areas were fenestrated. We look forward to hearing how Bella does in the coming weeks! Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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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 Jun 23, 2013 17:50:20 GMT -7
Good news all around I'm glad that she is home and that Weinie is doing so well! |
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 24, 2013 14:06:30 GMT -7
Thanx, Stevie! It's so gratifying to know there are such good people out there!
Today was challenging - she wants out. She is so passive/aggressive! Something I didn't know about her! Her caretakers at Madison were amazed at her calm demeanor. She would do anything they asked. The neurosurgeon said she was so compliant she wouldn't have been surprised if she held out her paw and showed them a good vein to start her IV! We all had a good chuckle! But, here at home she isn't happy about confinement. Jumping up and trying to scratch out of the crate. I tried all the tricks I used with Wienie (new squeaky toys, Animal Planet on the TV etc ). But my little girl isn't happy. She also has very bad breath and feels warm, so I'm off to the drug store to get a thermometer and more Pepcid AC. I also wanted to correct something I said regarding her recovery. The 5 minute increases in her leash time will be weekly, not daily. Have a great day and I'll be back! Pat
I will add Dr. Barnes and Madison WI to the data base now
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 24, 2013 14:37:10 GMT -7
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 24, 2013 17:49:50 GMT -7
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 27, 2013 18:36:34 GMT -7
Oh, thank you Pauliana! I also have get a grip on how to post pictures for the recovery forum and 2014 calendar. Everything seems to be on hold, right now, since the floods in Illinois. We currently have a pond in our back yard with geese! or maybe ducks...I've never been good at identifying water fowl  But Bella is doing well and seems to be stronger every day. She had a quiet day while I was at work and was so happy to see me when I got home. I carried her outside when I got home from work and she wanted to get those geese!Her walk continues to be that of ataxia but she just seems stronger. She will be off her meds tomorrow and I'm off work, so it will be a day of evaluation. Tail wags; pooping normally and also voiding well. This is just a miracle in the making - I am so grateful..pat |
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 28, 2013 12:19:28 GMT -7
Today it's a crazy house. It's my day off and Bell has been off diazepam for 24 hours and her last NSAID was given this morning. She appears to be pain free but is not compliant with the rules of strict crate rest. She howls and carries on like it was her last day on earth! My other doxies are upset and scratching at the bedroom door, trying to get in and also barking. I sat on the floor with her by my side and she slept for 2 hours while I watched rerun after rerun of Gunsmoke. Theres nothing else on at noon here in Illinois...well, maybe a few more choices but that seems to be the best. When I tried to put her back in the crate she totally freaked out. Right now shes howling like a Banshee. Wienie was so easy while he recuperated. He loved having all his squeaky toys and an occasional visit from me. Bell does NOT want toys - only freedom. I worry she'll hurt herself doing body slams against the crate. I'm going to sit on the floor with her again as she is banging the crate walls as I write this. UGH!! Pat
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Post by natureluva on Jun 28, 2013 16:36:34 GMT -7
Sounds like you need a pet stroller: A pet stroller is a life saver during and after crate rest! It is easier to lift a dog out of a pet stroller than it is a crate, and you can easily wheel the dog from room to room to be in the center of family activities. If the dog is off all medications and in no pain, you can wheel him/her out the door for a stroll on smooth surfaces in quiet areas. Dogs get a lot of mental stimulation out of strolling! Two things though - you can't leave a dog unattended in a pet stroller and the interior has to be big enough for the dog to completely stretch out and turn around in. You can find pet strollers on Craig’s List or eBay and on many pet supply websites. Here is an article on strollers: dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htm Also, can you try herbal calmers such as Composure Soft Chews plus a pheromone spray? Works well for my pups. www.kvsupply.com/composure-mini-bite-sized-chews-for-dogs-30-count Let us know how things go. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jun 29, 2013 17:32:10 GMT -7
Thanx, Lisa, for such a great idea.I looked at the different strollers and will probably purchase one. Yes, it's getting harder to lift this little pup out of her crate.She's gained since surgery and supporting all the parts that need to be supported is difficult. Last night she howled and scratched and I finally told my husband to lay on the floor with her in the guest room, which he did because he didn't have to work today and I did. She didn't move an inch all night. I decided, for family peace, if the pup doesn't trot around and will sleep through the night with his/her person on the floor beside him/her...so be it.She sleeps peacefully beside her humans which is better than her destructive behavior in her crate. I will also try the Composure (and may take it myself). She is very compliant to be carried outside to potty and carried back in. She just hates the crate and I feel badly I never introduced her to it before...I just never thought this would happen. Post surgery probably isn't the best time to start this for her. I would encourage everyone to at least introduce a crate to their pups-I wish I had...Pat
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jul 5, 2013 5:00:06 GMT -7
When Bella came home from the hospital (she's 15 days post op) she had really nasty breath. It was so bad I asked the tech what they were feeding her. Long story short, I ended up taking her to the vet 4 days ago and she noted Bella had inflamed gums, so started her on clindamycin and Tramadol for pain. Her breath has improved 100%. She also had her staples out at that time and the incision looks good! Anyway, I'm a bit uneasy with this mouth problem starting right after surgery...did a tooth get fractured during intubation? was there a pre existing condition, like an abscess or even mouth cancer, that exacerbated during intubation? As you probably guessed, I'm a worrier - have been all my life. I'll worry about anything if given the chance! But I don't want her to have a dental because they have to hyperextend her neck to intubate and that would be harmful since she's recovering from cervical surgery. One thing after another with these little old girls! We'll get through it...we always do!Pat
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Post by dustysgama on Jul 5, 2013 5:59:25 GMT -7
Hi Pat, I am so sorry for your what you have been going through. 2 furkids going through the same thing. Bless you for your compassion and your patience to help these sweet souls through all of this.I hope the mouth issues are just a wee bump in the road to her recovery.
My little guy Dusty had his surgery on Wed. waiting for the call to get him today. Fingers crossed.
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Post by doxiemom6 on Jul 5, 2013 6:58:41 GMT -7
Oh..keep us posted on Dusty! It's so rewarding and comforting to follow all the successes of our pups following disc surgery. It's a very scary time for everyone when our babes aren't well. Following the DL guidelines and seeing my doxies progress - no matter how slowly- continues to give me hope we are moving forward to at least control this terrible disease.
And, thank you so much for the well wishes for my Bell! I think she will do OK. Wienie is doing fabulously and back to digging holes in the yard. Heck, he can dig a hole in my new sofa cushion and I wouldn't care! I'm just happy he's back! Pat
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But Bella is doing well and seems to be stronger every day. She had a quiet day while I was at work and was so happy to see me when I got home. I carried her outside when I got home from work and she wanted to get those geese!Her walk continues to be that of ataxia but she just seems stronger. She will be off her meds tomorrow and I'm off work, so it will be a day of evaluation. Tail wags; pooping normally and also voiding well. This is just a miracle in the making - I am so grateful..pat
