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Post by Tyler & Benson on Apr 7, 2018 11:36:16 GMT -7
Yes, the last 2-3 weeks he has been very unsettled in his recovery suite a lot of turning over and trying to stand, when I put his sling on he’s trying to run. He just has a lot of energy and keeping him still is getting more and more difficult. It was about this time that I noticed the increase in knuckling in his back left paw.
My vet is closed now but I am going to call the ER vet who treated him and see if I can get him pred today. I definitely don’t want him to get worse he had been doing so good and even partially stood 2 weeks ago on his own.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Apr 7, 2018 13:14:08 GMT -7
As they feel better it is harder to keep them still. Maybe some of these calming tips can help. Try using an oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser. This 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 such as Acepromazine, Trazodone, etc. with. Of course ALWAYS keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price. Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is. Some brands to consider: --Comfort Zone (DAP) wall plug-in diffuser www.comfortzone.com/dogs/products--Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser www.adaptil.com/us/Adaptil/Adaptil-DiffuserUse a diffuser with one oral calmer from below: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed: us.virbac.com/product/behavior/anxitane-chewable-tablets2) 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.phpOne of our moderators had success using Anxiety and Stress by Tomlyn. It comes in a formula for dogs and another one for cats. It's a homeopathic product that balances emotions. Just keep an eye on your dog and make sure he/she is drinking it if you decide to try it. www.chewy.com/tomlyn-natural-pet-dog-anxiety/dp/5733Bach's Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation. I used this to help keep my Frankie calm while he was crated. www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/Please let us know what the vet says about the increased knuckling
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Post by Tyler & Benson on Apr 9, 2018 20:21:52 GMT -7
Great information. I’m ordering the plug in and fingers crossed it helps out some.
The ER vet I spoke to on Saturday would not prescribe the prednisone and said he needed to be seen. Obviously traveling with him is not an option which I explained. The issue is that the treating vet from before was not in the office and they offered to try to reach him. I decided to wait for my vet today and discuss. We talked and he wants to hold off on the prednisone. I explained that he is knuckling more than what he had been in his sling. He can’t put weight on his legs (he never was able to) but as they graze the ground he had been correcting his foot more often. He thinks that I should limit his feet on the ground and that it is too hard to tell if he’s knuckling from nuero issues or the height of his sling. ie if I’m letting his feet hit the ground more it might affect how his feet are moving (like if his sling is raised higher it might actually just be easier for him to correct than his foot full on dragging the ground). I thought about this and it makes sense. His outside time is so limited and the length of the strap sometimes depends how tired my arm is holding up his 65 lbs of dead weight. He is doing better today I think. He corrected his knuckling a few times when outside a moment ago and also almost completely stood up in his recovery suite this morning. Im supposed to follow up with the vet later this week.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 10, 2018 6:52:30 GMT -7
Tyler, that is wonderful news of Benson being able to almost move up into a stand all by himself, that's an increased move in the right direction than what you last wrote on 4/7 of trying to stand!
Glad your vet recommended trying a little experiment of providing a tad bit more lift on the sling. Of course, you don't want to hike up the back end in any significant amount.
Yes, I know, 65 lbs of dead weight IS hard to manage!!! Just do the best you can to keep his back horizontal to the ground but giving a bit of weightless support for the legs. A tad bit of weightlessness makes it easier for Benson's back legs to move..
Look forward to more posts from you on what his back legs are doing... do back legs attempt to move in a walking motion with few steps allowed at potty time? Do back legs attempt to scratch an ear?
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Post by Tyler & Benson on Apr 10, 2018 8:43:54 GMT -7
Yes, his legs move in a swinging motion when he’s in his sling. He looks like he’s walking without actually being able to walk. This has gradually improved and become more pronounced over the last 3-4 weeks. Also, I have observed him 4 times now (once yesterday) try to scratch his ear. He can’t quite get his foot that far yet but it’s pretty close. He also kicked his foot a bit when I was scratching his side.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 10, 2018 10:04:13 GMT -7
Tyler, very positive signs of nerve repair!!!
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Post by Tyler & Benson on Apr 26, 2018 15:10:22 GMT -7
Just wanted to give a quick update on Benson. He has now been off crate rest since 4/17. He is still using his sling for potty breaks as he cannot support himself enough to walk quite yet. He is able to get to a standing position on his own but walking has not been as successful. Benson attended his first physical therapy session today. Primarily this focused on some exercises to increase mobility and muscle in his back legs. The vet was pretty pleased with the muscle he already had considering the crate rest and showed me exercises to do with him at home. The one concern was that Benson is not always correcting his paw placement during the treatments which hinders his ability to take steps. I have a follow up in 2 weeks and will discuss water therapy treatments. I also was referred to an acupuncturist who does home visits that I contacted today. Hopefully we can try this out in the next week. Overall he’s doing pretty well. Hoping for continued improvement.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 26, 2018 18:18:23 GMT -7
Tyler, you both did it! Benson graduated all 8 weeks. Now begins a slow and incremental program of back into physical activity. The knuckllng under of the paw is nerve damage that with time likely will self heal. If available in your area, seek out underwater treadmill, today (why wait 2 weeks?) as the optimal type of water therapy. This therapy has the dog actually practicing what they need to relearn...walking. Swimming is a water therapy but of course practices swimming not walking. This video explains why underwater therapy works so well for dogs like Benson. The movement of the hip joints and muscles and the changes in pressure on the paws from the underwater treadmill triggers spinal cord communication with the brain. Water bouyancy makes it easier than leg movements against gravity. There is not only the potential to regrow damaged neuronal pathyways but also for neuron to muscle re-education to learn the art of walking again.
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Post by Tyler & Benson on Jun 5, 2018 15:29:29 GMT -7
I haven’t updated in awhile. Benson has been doing physical therapy for the last 5 weeks. Water treadmill and range of motion exercises. We also tried acupuncture but he was not cooperative with this. Also, CBD oil treats 2Xs a day.
Today, 6/4/18, I am So, So, happy to say that Benson walked for the first time at length completely on his own. We’ve been using a harness as a safety net for walking outside as his balance is a bit off and today I took it off. He walked approximately 50 feet completely on his own. It has been such a long road to recovery but today feels like a huge win for both of us. He’s standing on his own quite often and has made giant progress especially this last month. Thank you all again for your support and guidance. It’s really great there is a place like this.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Jun 5, 2018 16:56:54 GMT -7
Woohoo go Benson!!! I'm doing my Snoopy happy dance for you both 😀
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 7, 2018 7:24:43 GMT -7
Tyler, thank you for sharing such a VERY wonderful update. While no one can give the dates for nerve improvement to happen on, do know Benson is following the classic predictable order of nerve return. I do believe the water treadmill therapy has played an important roll! Help to inspire and give hope to those just beginning the IVDD journey --- how about a JPG for our Dodgerslist Photo Gallery? LOGIN www.dodgerslist.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5username: 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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