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Post by gingersmom on Jul 5, 2013 17:31:53 GMT -7
My 5 y.o. baby girl had surgery today at the T12-13 level to remove a herniated disc. About a week and a half ago, she just started crawling around on the floor and whimpering. She'd yelp if she was picked up. I immediately took her to the nearest Care Center and she was diagnosed with possible IVDD, placed on strict rest, Tramadol, prednison & Valium. She started to improve within a few days. She wasn't quit herself but much better. We had a follow-up with her vet and he was happy with her improvement, just noting she had some tenderness in the thoracic area still but wanted her to finish the meds. The next day, she started whimpering again and just wasn't herself. I called the vet, he suggested I take her back to the Care Center to be looked at again. There, the vet felt she should continue on the prednisone daily as opposed to every other day as originally instructed. She was given a pain shot and I was able to take her home. Unfortunately I had to work that night and had to entrust my DH to take care of my little girl. When I got home the next morning, Ginger looked happy to see me. I allowed her out of the fencing we had her in and she slowly came out, slowly rolled over on her back so she could have her belly rubbed. Her belly was so tense!!. I carried her outside to let her use the bathroom and noticed that her hind legs were so shaky and she wobbled from side to side. I knew this was not good news. I called the regular vet who suggested I contact the Care Center to let them know. I did and my fears were confirmed. She was more than likely going to require surgery. I took her to the Care Center near Dayton and Ginger was transported to Cincinnati that day for evaluation. That was July 3rd. July 4th, Cincinnati called me because they had had her sedated thru the night to keep her comfortable. The meds were turned off for a short time so the vet could examine her. He called to let me know she was walking just fine. His plan was to have a myelogram done in the morning and depending on the results of that, possible surgery. Fast forward to today. Her neurological status changed and the weakness returned in her back legs. Myelogram confirmed herniated disc and she had surgery. Vet said everything went well and while there are risks, she has a 80-85% chance of a good recovery. I am hoping to see her tomorrow. I miss her so much. I miss her hugs and kisses. I miss her cuddling with me. I plan on reading thru the threads as time allows to see what I can expect when the time comes to bring Ginger home.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 5, 2013 18:21:40 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? Now is a good time to get up to speed on disc disease and how to care for a dog born with this disease. In the early days of learning our dogs have IVDD, everyone needs a shoulder to lean on while getting things figured out, dealing with emotions, getting up to speed on meds, what disc disease is, etc. Your job in the coming days is to become a reader so you become the confident leader of the health care team.... to discuss confidently various issues from medications to recognizing if suggestions of activity would be harmful to the healing disc. All that takes being a reader. Start on our main website with "Overview: the essentials" yellow button it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all the orange buttons and the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" to complete your education. Here is the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmYou will also want to start a list of questions for discharge day so that nothing goes unanswered. Here is a list to help you get started: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htmDr. Isaacs, a board certified neuro surgeon has answered alot of our questions about post op…. I think this will be helpful to you as well: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmLet us know when Ginger comes home, what the surgeon directs for PT and for crate rest and what meds if any. |
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Post by gingersmom on Jul 8, 2013 11:08:25 GMT -7
Ginger is home! We brought her home yesterday, She will have her sutures removed on 7/18 and can start PT then. We have exercises that we do with her at least 3 times a day on her front and back legs. She is in a small fenced area in our living room. She never was a crated dog, so there's a lot of whining. You can see she wants to do more right now than she is capable of. I really thought she'd be able to bare weight. The vet tech said it could take 4-8 weeks and up to a year for a full recovery. She's a strong willed, stubborn thing!! She's on Tramadol, Valium, Prednisone and a med to help her pee. She has been able to pee on her own which has been a blessing. I will check out the link you provided above as I'm sure it will answer some questions that I have that I have not thought of yet. I was up with her quite a bit last night just to make sure she had what she needed. Thank you...
Barbara
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 8, 2013 20:55:12 GMT -7
Hi Barbara, welcome to Dodgerslist! So glad Ginger is home with you now to heal in comfort in her home sweet home.. -- You mentioned the meds she came home with but what are their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. -- Is her pain under control? Any shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved? -- Can your dog move the legs at all or wag the tail if you do some happy talk? -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood? Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here: ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs. Sending healing thoughts over the miles.. |
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Post by dustysgama on Jul 9, 2013 12:57:20 GMT -7
Hi Barbara. Sounds like Ginger is on her way. we are all going through the same thing and we all understand your feelings and concerns. My Dusty had his surgery on the 3rd and is still unable to stand, but I can see and feel the strength returning to his hind legs. He had never been crated either and was very unhappy. But I moved his crate to a big window and removed the top of the crate and he seems content now. Today he was really restless and I could do nothing to settle him. He had not pooped yet and I figured that was the problem. I rubbed his tummy and hind ends and he gave up a few farts, and I am happy to report he pooped. 6 days after surgery. He hasnt eaten much but I knew it was in there somewhere. He is sleeping now. I hope your sweet Ginger improves each and every day. It is so hard to see them like this but we have to optimistic. Ginger WILL walk again.  |
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Post by gingersmom on Jul 10, 2013 5:55:36 GMT -7
Oh lord--I had everything typed out and lost it all. Here I go again.
Pauliana - Ginger is on Tramadol 12.5mg every 8-12 hours, Valuim 5 mg every 8 hours and Phenoxybenzamine 2.5 mg once a day. The vet never mentioned anything for GI upset. She is voiding and stooling fine now. The first day home she had a small soft stool. None the second day. I gave her a little pumpkin puree and that cleaned her out pretty good. No diarrhea or blood stools. Her pain seems to be well controlled. She is eating fine, however, I think they spoiled her a little at the clinic with soft foods. She normally gets the small hard kibble at home. She sometimes goes as far as flipping over her bowl and then giving me that look as if to say, "what is this $%^+". How dare you" So I'll add a little chicken broth or the pumpkin puree to it. She's not spoiled one bit...
Once the sutures are out, Ginger can start PT which can include cold laser therapy, massage, therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy (I'd like some of that!), cold therapy and a home exercise program. We are doing exercises now with her when she get her meds. I will have to check the prices out for these services as the therapist recommended 1-2x per week until final surgical check. Not sure my wallet can handle that, plus we live 45 minutes away right now. We just sold our house and are looking for a new one closer to my husband's and my work. I will check out the link you provided above regarding the holistic vets to see if there are any in the Dayton area. She is wagging her tail. She wants to exceed her limitations when we got out for potty time. I made a homemade sling which works great for both of us, but I have to reign her in as she want to do too much. The first few days she would cry out & try to bite me if I picked her us wrong. I quickly learned what works for her. This morning I caught her scratching her ear with her hind leg!! She rolled over on her back, I think to try to scratch it, then stopped. It was great to see her doing this although I'm sure it's not what she should be doing in order to heal.
I was very emotional when I typed that first post. I'm a nurse and know what to expect when it comes to humans and healing. I think I prepared myself for the worse but set my expectations too high if that makes sense. I see improvement in Ginger just over these few days of having her home and am very pleased. I know everything will work out in time... thank goodness for this site and the support that everyone gives to each other.
Dustysgama - As a nurse it's always a great thing when our patients pee and poop post surgery!!! It's the next best thing to sliced bread. I hope Dusty continues to improve. He is a handsome little guy.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 10, 2013 10:20:48 GMT -7
Barbara, that is good news on both on the tail wags and the attempt to scratch her ears!!! Neuro functions are returning. It is ok if Ginger wants to roll on her back…means she feels good enough to do that.
So is she now totally tapered off of Prednisone? Is she is still on pred, it is highly recommended to get Pepcid AC (famotidine) on board …. 5 mg 30 mins before steroid and thereafter every 12 hours. Steroids are responsible for increased stomach acids. Ginger does not need exposure to bleeding ulcers or a perforated stomach lining on top of trying to heal post op.
Good report overall, Ginger will continue to repair nerves over a period of time. Please continue to let us know how things are going.
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Post by gingersmom on Jul 10, 2013 14:36:36 GMT -7
Ginger was on Prednisone prior to surgery but did not come home on any, so I guess we don't need the Pepcid. Little Miss Houdini managed to get out of her gating this morning and crawled her way to the kitchen,which is just a few feet from where she was being kept. It was purely my fault as I was preparing to eventually tear down the gate because we had to leave the house for a home inspection. Just now, she used her front paws to climb up the gate and was standing on her hind legs for a few seconds. Should I be concerned that she's trying to do too much this soon? I don't want her to backslide and I sure as heck cannot afford another surgery. Short of sedating her constantly, what else can I do?
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 10, 2013 20:23:21 GMT -7
Hi Barbara,
is Ginger in an ex pen or puppyfence. recovery suite? To prevent her from standing on her hind legs put a light blanket or large towel over the top of the pen..That should calm her and keep her from wanting to stand.
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