abby
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Post by abby on Mar 15, 2013 13:51:58 GMT -7
Hi,
I hope I am doing this correct. It seems like Abby is resting comfortably this afternoon. Tried to express her this afternoon and I couldn't get a drop out of her. She was barking at the gardners when they came today, so she is starting to feel like herself.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 15, 2013 14:00:00 GMT -7
Jacklyn, is this your Abby? Abby 3/4 surgery? I'm glad she is finally feeling good again. Is she now staying dry, no leaking. What about the sniff and pee test periodically, what have you observed?
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abby
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Post by abby on Mar 15, 2013 14:06:57 GMT -7
I feel like it is my Abby but it is my mom & dad's dog and yes this is the same Abby 3/4 surgery. I found her for my parents. I think she was having a good day today but we are still having an incredibly hard time keeping her dry. She woke up two times last night wimpering and my parents found that she soaked thru bedding and then the 2nd time she had a BM in her crate and she wasn't happy about that! I can pick her up now and she doesn't pee on me like she used to but I tried to express her this afternoon when I was over there and couldn't get a drop out but then I noticed within 10 minutes she had pee pee on the pee pee pad! The sniff & pee test hasn't worked yet! Her stroller is supposed to be here today, so we are going to start using that around the house so she can get in different rooms and be near people on the couch, etc -- I think she is going stir crazy. We have a Dr. appt on Monday to get her staples out and a recheck. She tried to roll on her back this afternoon, I stopped her because I don't if that is a good thing! |
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 15, 2013 14:24:17 GMT -7
Jacklyn, do ask for another hands on top of your hands type of expressing lesson. First express in the clinic, have them check your work and then get another lesson. You guys will achieve the necessary skill level OR Abby may beat you to it if bladder control returns. So keep on periodically doing the sniff and pee. Are you guys expressing for poop? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmRolling on the back is not much you can do to stop it....she does not feel any pain and the stitches may be itchy. Let us know how Monday's appt goes. Bookmark this thread to receive email updates when a reply is posted. Select your preferences at profile > edit profile > notifications (in edit profile you can also set your name) Bookmark the post you are viewing with the rectangle ACTIONS button |
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abby
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Post by abby on Mar 15, 2013 14:30:23 GMT -7
Thanks! We are going to ask for another lesson when we see the doctor on Monday along with her tech. She has been able to go poop on her own (thank god!) she has a bowel movement at least once a day sometime a couple of times a day. She has been really good with that! I just want to get better on the expressing of her bladder so she doesn't get a UTI. She is on antiobotics currently to make sure she doesn't get one at this time!
I am trying to get my mom to go out of the house for a couple of hours, I am telling her Abby will be fine! I think she is wimpering to get attention from us! It is hard to tell!
I will for sure post how her appt goes on Monday afternoon when I get back in the office. Her appt is at 12 o'clock. I am sure we will have a ton of questions for the doctor!
By the way I like the new site!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 15, 2013 15:02:44 GMT -7
Jacklyn, I like the new site too so much easier. Maybe one day if you want you'll put your face in your profile section.... We'd really like to get to know everyone better and see who we are writing to.
Expressing for poop is so that Abby does not have to be near her poop. They abhor having waste near them. So about 30-60 mins before mother nature expels poop, you can express and save Abby some grief and anxiety.
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abby
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Post by abby on Mar 15, 2013 15:12:40 GMT -7
So, that is probably why she is wimpering when she is wet & had the poop in her crate last night! I wouldn't like it either! We are going to contiune on her pain meds until they run out, she seems to be fine without the nerve medication since that has run out! In regards to her poop there is no clear or set time she does that..sometimes it is during the day and last night it was around 6am...she is keeping us on our toes!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 15, 2013 15:31:51 GMT -7
I kept a chart of when I fed, when accidents happened. It was a bit of trial and error, but finally I have found feeding for my dog at 7am and 5pm gives poops the next day at 7am, about 2ish and again before bedtime at 10ish. Each dog processes food at a different rate so charting helps to figure out their bodily function schedule. If I'm late in expressing for poop, I'll see the tell tale imminent signs for me to make haste and get to the bathroom to express: legs start jerking, tail may go up, Clark gets quite agitated as he can feel poop coming but of course has no ability to stop it.
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abby
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Post by abby on Mar 15, 2013 16:02:16 GMT -7
Thanks Paula, I will advise my parents to do that. I guess she has been resting most of the day in her crate and every so often waking up wimpering. I think she wants our attention, she is so used to be with us on the bed, on the couch...for sure not used to be in a crate. the next 4 weeks could be very interesting. I really hope her stroller gets here today... I think that is going help a lot!
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abby
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Post by abby on Mar 18, 2013 17:20:15 GMT -7
Hello Everyone,
Abby had her two week appt with the doctor to get her staples out and a neuro-check to see how she is doing. What I can say is that Abby was great at the doctor didn't make a move when her staples were being removed. The bad news is that there was still no pain senstation in her back feet or any movement in her back legs. The doctor advised that it can take up to 3 months to get that back if it is going to come back. The doctor gave us a 50/50 chance but at least we still have her here with us. The good news is her doctor advised that we can take her on stroller walks outside now and we can hold her in our lap and she can be in her playpen instead of 100% crate which she was starting to get really antsy about. She still needs to be crated at night time for sleepy time but at least she can be with us more then what she was before. We are still trying to get the expressing down but I think we are getting better at it. We are going to try some doggie diapers on her so she can sit with us on the bed or couch! Hopefully that will work! She will be starting PT probably in another week or so, we will keep you informed on how that is going!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 19, 2013 8:26:53 GMT -7
Do keep us posted. Remember a lot of things are still healing. Anytime out of the crate should be limited where she is 100% supervised and you are in control of her every movement. Dogs do the unexpected in a blink of an eye such as paralyzed ones jumping down, darting off at the sound of a TV doorbell. Owners feel very guilty they did not protect their dog.
Texas A&M explains why crate rest unless you are doing supervised, controlled and deliberate PT with your dog.
Vertebral column injury and surgery can disrupt the normal stabilizing structures of the spine such as muscles, bone, joint capsules, and the intervertebral disk. Excessive, unrestricted activity after surgery or certain injuries can lead to vertebral column destabilization and prolonged healing of the injury site. The intervetebral disk, in particular, is very slow to heal and healing may be incomplete; excessive vertebral column motion after disk surgery may therefore lead to recurrence of disk herniation. Additionally, animals that are weak or incoordinated may accidentally traumatize themselves, leading to orthopedic and soft tissue injuries.
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abby
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Post by abby on Mar 28, 2013 15:31:32 GMT -7
Hello,
Abby update here! She is doing well, it has gotten easier to express her and she is being a great girl about that! I still don't know if we are getting 100% of it out of her when we do express her because it seems like this girl and pee all day long! We got the dog stroller and she is loving going out for her "stroller walks" We have been doing her excercies with her at home and yesterday was the first day when we were doing her "range of motion" type that her back leg actually kicked back at us. We got excited but we don't know if that is a reflex or if maybe she is starting to get some feeling back there. She never liked her feet touched so she would kick back at us when she good feel her back legs. We have been trying to get her in to PT in town but the place is all full, so we are trying some out of town places but they are great in returning our calls. So we are trying!She is enjoying being out of the crate in her bed where we are, but you are correct that we may made a monster because if she doesn't think we are paying attention to her enough attention she wimpers or barks at us!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 28, 2013 18:07:24 GMT -7
Hi Jacklyn, good to hear Abby is doing so well. Be sure to do the sniff and pee test with her once in awhile to see if her bladder control is returning. Is she stil on any meds?
Have you tried doing some water exercises with her at home? With your surgeon's permission, you could do some in the tub. It should help her until you can get her into PT with a therapist.
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abby
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Post by abby on Apr 3, 2013 12:55:20 GMT -7
Hello, Abby update:
We were able to get Abby in to the UC Davis Rehab Center in Davis, Ca tomorrow for a consult and to set her up for PT! We are excited to get her in and start some real PT for her. She has been doing well (or as good as expected!) We got her a air matress for her playpen area so when she is out in the front room she is resting on the air matress and she seems to LOVE it! We might be spoiling her with the air bed, her dog stroller, her two beds and all the people loving, but she is SO WORTH IT!
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Post by natureluva on Apr 3, 2013 18:02:08 GMT -7
Hi Jacklyn, glad to hear Abby is comfortable (and obviously very loved) :-) Aren't pet strollers the BEST? I still use mine to this day, and my dog's surgery was almost five years ago! I want to highly suggest electric acupuncture if it is within your budget. You could ask UC Davis if they can do it or refer you somewhere. It stimulates the nerves to heal, reduces pain and inflammation, and induces a state of well-being. I really believe it helped my dog regain his bladder control more quickly after his surgery. Regarding DPS, it is true that it can take months to return. In fact, it took my dog 11 months after his surgery to walk on his own again. He used a cart for 9 months. I credit is walking with acupuncture and swim therapy. His cart also serves as a PT tool, but carts shouldn't be considered until at least 8 weeks post-op. You can read my dog's story here (I may have already told you this, sorry if I'm repeating myself!): www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory/goosieSullivan.htm Some dogs stand up a week after surgery, and others, like my Goosie, take much longer. Please let us know how your PT appointment goes! Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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abby
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Post by abby on Apr 8, 2013 15:49:30 GMT -7
Hello, Abby had her 1st PT appt last Thursday over at UC Davis...it went well! Very nice doctor and they started her with electro-therapy on her legs and laser treatments on her back. She was so tired when she got home it was funny. She has been sleeping thru the nights the last week or so and dry when she wakes up! So, we are thinking that she is getting some of her bladder control back...we have tried the sniff & pee test, nothing yet, but when we have taken her out and she has sniffed she will go #2. My mom is getting good at expressing her on her side, and taking a warm washcloth to her tummy/bladder area and she does what we call a "waterfalls" today my mom was only able to get her to pee pee just a little even though she has had a good amount of water. Before the injury she would usually go in the morning and the evening, so maybe she is trying to get back in a routine. She is very comfortable and is starting to scoot incredibly quick! We can't believe how fast she is!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 8, 2013 20:04:23 GMT -7
One more week til graduation day on April 15th. Then you can gradually re-introduce her to more freedom and the right to be scooting around the house.
Keep us posted on the PT treatments.
That is great that Abby is staying dry through the night. If she sniffs and then poops, bladder control may be soon following!
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abby
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Post by abby on Apr 8, 2013 20:14:25 GMT -7
Thanks! Abby hasn't wanted to drink a lot today! She ate all of her dinner! So she hasn't peed a lot today, but she hasn't had a lot of water! Any suggestions? Don't get wrong she has had water but not has much as we would like! Her appetite is good!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 8, 2013 20:19:53 GMT -7
Could be reasons why she is hasn't had alot of water. Could be enough water is in her food because you are soaking her kibble or it is canned food? You can always offer her a frozen broth cube or 1/8 cup warmed broth several times a day.
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abby
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Post by abby on Apr 8, 2013 20:25:32 GMT -7
She gets hard kibbles but my mom puts some chicken broth in her food to moisten her kibbles.... Could be why we haven't been able to get a lot of pee out of her today
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abby
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Post by abby on Apr 29, 2013 13:21:50 GMT -7
Hello, It is has been a while so here is an Abby update:
Abby has been going to physcial therapy at UC DAVIS for the last 3 weeks...she is doing acupcunture and water treadmill at her therapy sessions. We think she is getting stronger, she is wanting to get out of her bed more often on her own and she is really strong in her front legs. We are doing sling walks with her but she prefers to run like a race horse when she is in the sling! The doctor advised that she still has no pain senstation or movement in her back legs but we are not willing to give up on her yet. Her doctor advised it could take longer then 3 months and that every dog is different. She is sleeping thru the evenings and is dry when she wakes up! We still have to express her but she is really good about it!
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Post by natureluva on Apr 29, 2013 18:30:10 GMT -7
Wow! Sounds like Abby is doing quite well and is feeling GREAT! :-) She is clear proof that dogs simply don't care whether their legs work or not - they just want to be dogs. It's a beautiful thing. Just FYI - it took my dog 11 months to walk again after his surgery, so it is true, every dog recovers at a different rate and to a different degree. Feel free to read about my dog's recovery (there's a neat little video of him walking at the end): www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory/goosieSullivan.htm You're doing a great job with Abby. Please continue to let us know how she is! Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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