Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 27, 2013 10:12:18 GMT -7
I know the feeling well, Sally. I'm going through it myself with Jeremy right now. He (and I) went through so much a year and a half ago with his first disc problem and surgery and rehab. It was a nightmare. It took so long to get him moving again and I've watched him improve and improve until he was doing so good. And now he's down again, not as bad this time, but still showing a regression in his hind leg movements. It just breaks my heart. And yes, I wake up each day thinking, what's going to happen today? Is he going to get worse? When will his next episode be? How will he be when he gets out of the crate? It was like living with a time bomb the first time around and I was just getting to feel more relaxed with him and wham, here we go again. So yes, I understand the feeling of hopelessness. But it's not hopeless. They can live good lives with this disease. We just need to take it one day at a time and try to keep our spirits up and keep encouraging our dogs to heal and each other to stay strong. My thoughts and heart are with you and Vinnie.
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Jul 27, 2013 11:38:30 GMT -7
Stevieluv and Marjorie, thank you for your empathy! I am just struggling with quality of life issues. I know that because Vinnie is on Crate rest right now, that things are the way they have to be. He wants out now, but we know better. I'm just thinking ahead and worrying. I need to adjust my frame of mind to one day at a time. What will be, will be.
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Aug 5, 2013 6:21:47 GMT -7
Hello everyone! Vinnie is now on his sixth week of crate rest and really doing well. Biggest improvement is that he is eating out of his bowl without being hand/spoon fed. There is no yelping when he eats and chews. We hold the dish up so he doesn't have to lean down so much to eat. Unfortunately, he is stil a 'gulper' but at least there's no screaming! He's really wanting out of the crate, but he's just going to have to wait 3 weeks. Question, when the 8 weeks are over, can we start him back in his wheelchair foe short periods, or should we just sling/ harness walk him for a week or so to build up stamina in those front legs?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 5, 2013 12:45:10 GMT -7
Very good to hear still no pain while eating!!! Any activity after completion of crate rest needs to be incremental and a slow building up of strength and muscles, whether that be going on sling walks, using the wheelchair or scooting about the house. You can read up on the concept and a sample schedule here…. look to the far right column "After crate rest easing back into physical activity" www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm#afterrest |
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Aug 11, 2013 19:48:30 GMT -7
The end is in sight! Two more weeks of crate rest! Vinnie is doing great! Anxious to start rehabbing him to start to strengthen his front legs and get him back into his wheelchair. Scared that this may happen again, but we are going to force him to take it slow...hard when he wants to play with the other two dogs! I keep learning!
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Aug 17, 2013 13:48:29 GMT -7
A week from today and Vinnie graduates. I am nervous, but plan to take it slow. So scared! PLUS, his front nails look like gargoyl toes, and we are going to attempt to get them cut, even if it means one or two a day!
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 17, 2013 20:02:55 GMT -7
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Aug 17, 2013 20:12:33 GMT -7
Thank you Pauliana! We are just scared that he's going to lose use of one or both front legs...just gotta say what will be will be.
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 17, 2013 20:55:33 GMT -7
How are his movements with his front legs, has he shown any improvements since his cervical episode started? Sounds like he's eating well with no pain and that's a wonderful sign. Some therapy or rehab will help a lot when the time comes.. Slow and steady..one day at a time. He's gotten this far, he's a fighter!
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Aug 18, 2013 5:28:02 GMT -7
He can put weight on them. Lately, he has been using them to move away from his potty pad after he does his business while we are supporting his back end. I think I will start with some water therapy in the bathtub.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 18, 2013 9:33:51 GMT -7
LOL @gargoyle toes! We have the same issue here. Under normal circumstances, Polly is impossible about toenail trims. I'm afraid to even try yet. It's just going to have to wait.
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Aug 18, 2013 10:00:50 GMT -7
Pollysmom, Vinnie goes nuts when we try to trim the front nails! Since his last disc episode was cervical, this makes us even more scared as he throws himself with his neck. But, if he is going to be able to walk with his wheels next week, those toes HAVE to be trimmed! Back nails are easy as he has no feeling!
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Sabrina
Helpful Member 
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Aug 18, 2013 12:21:10 GMT -7
Hi Sally! Haha! I hear you on the toe-nail business. Charley's grow like weeds - we're only at 4 and a half weeks, and already I look at them with a shudder! But like you and Nancy I'm not willing to risk dealing with his nails until the 8wks are up!
Have you ever tried filing Vinnie's nails? Awhile back I started filing Charley's nails with a flat file (from the hardware store - "pet nail files" are worthless on his nails!). It takes forever and is rather awkward figuring out how to hold each nail so I don't file my own fingers off (!!), but Charley tolerates it much better than clippers. Maybe if nothing else starting on Vinnie's nails with a file would be a way to ease him back into having his paws handled so he doesn't turn into a bucking bronco right away?
Our dachshunds and their nails!
))Hugs!((
-Sabrina
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 18, 2013 15:06:15 GMT -7
Polly even screams and yips when we're trimming our Lab's toenails.
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on Aug 24, 2013 8:05:54 GMT -7
It's graduation day!!!! Boy is Vinnie happy! (And so are we!) |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 24, 2013 8:21:49 GMT -7
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StevieLuv
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Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Aug 24, 2013 12:53:49 GMT -7
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 25, 2013 11:10:37 GMT -7
APPLAUSE!!!! Good job! We all know what an accomplishment this is. Here's hoping its smooth sailing from here on out for both of you!
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