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Post by songbird96 on Jul 5, 2013 21:08:36 GMT -7
First time posting. We are doing great post op. Some involuntary hind quarter movement. Eating an drinking well. She hasn't had a bowel movement yet, but only has been eating for a day. How do you deal with potty issues until they stand and walk in their own? Izzie has a cath for the next few days, but that first bowel movement is what I am look at.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 6, 2013 7:52:14 GMT -7
Angela, welcome to Dodgerslist. Is Izzie still on any meds…if yes what are the names? Is there a reason she is on a cath? Is she quite fat? At the hospital was she one of the few who are difficulty to manually express the bladder. If no to both questions, then I would ask to for a lesson on manually expressing the bladder. Caths can cause permanent scaring, invite infection unless highly sterile conditions are implemented. When manually expressing you can do the sniff and pee test to verify if bladder control is returning…can't do that with a cath. It can take some time for a bowel movement…so look for one in the next days. Her meds can also contribute to constipation…so let us know if she is on any meds at this time. You can express poop if since she is also like bowel incontinent as well as not yet having bladder control: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poopDr. Isaacs answers post op questions for the Dodgerslist community here, it is good reading: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? -- Currently can your dog move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment. What did your surgeon direct for PT any of these exercises in the video? What did he direct for crate rest? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? |
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Post by songbird96 on Jul 6, 2013 8:09:45 GMT -7
She is on Tramadol. The cath is because she sustained a traumatic disc Herniation due to injury while traveling out of state. I think the surgeon chose to keep her cath in until we get back home so flying would be easier on her. She is on Tramadol for another couple days.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 6, 2013 8:17:36 GMT -7
What was the injury that caused the disc to herniate. What breed is Izzie?
Thank you for explaining the extenuating circumstances of having to fly back home and the cath. Hopefully when back home you'll be able to do the sniff and pee test to see if any control is coming back. If not your local vet can give you a lesson on how to manually express the bladder. When do you fly back home?
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 6, 2013 8:45:22 GMT -7
We have been putting Amos's meds in canned organic pumpkin, just enough to cover the pills, which the vet said will help him poop. It has been working like a charm and he likes the pumpkin!
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Post by songbird96 on Jul 7, 2013 16:05:19 GMT -7
Izzie fell from a high place while my nephew was playing with her. She is a Bichon Frise and a therapy dog. She is the smartest and sweetest dog I have ever had. We just just got home today from San Fransisco dispite the plane crash. We will have sutures and cath out on Tuesday. She is trying to pull to standing and can stand when assisted. We are doing passive range of motion and stretching 3x daily and are now Tramadol prn.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 7, 2013 20:36:02 GMT -7
So sorry to hear of Izzie's accident that caused the herniation.. Glad she came through surgery and is now home to recover.. Hope you weren't on that plane that crashed in SF.. How scary! What dosage and frequency for the Tramadol? Is she on any other medications? What did your vet recommend about post op crate rest? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmWelcome home and sending prayers for Izzie.. |
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Post by songbird96 on Jul 8, 2013 21:53:26 GMT -7
No we were not on the plane that crashed, but when we taxied in an out on the run way you could see it. What a tragedy. We are home safe and sound.
Izzie had her catheter and staples out today. She is whinning a lot in her kennel, because she wants out. At least I assume that is why, because when take her out for pt she stops. I did ask for a lesson on expressing the bladder, but since she was empty i wasn't able to feel the bladder. I an still not able to feel it and I am not sure what you mean by the sniff and pee test. She did have a bowel movement in the vet, but I am so nervous about her being able to urinate.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 9, 2013 13:05:22 GMT -7
Let us know if Izzie passed the sniff and pee test. The only way for us humans to know if there is bladder control is with the sniff and pee test. Carry outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe.
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Post by songbird96 on Jul 9, 2013 15:44:26 GMT -7
I actually had to take her back to the vet today, because we were unable to decompress the bladder. The vet was not able either so she prescribed 2mg Valium to relax the bladder some. It is probably do to the catheter, but we will see in the next few hours. Sniff and pee test will e difficult because we just moved in to this house and she has not developed a "favorite spot." Also she has a shy bladder, lol. She doesn't go if someone is watching. We are taking it a day at a time right now, but I am hopeful the Valium will help relax the bladder.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 9, 2013 20:29:11 GMT -7
Hopefully the Valium will help relax her so she will be easier to express. Hope she has a better day tomorrow after a good night sleep.
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Post by songbird96 on Jul 10, 2013 21:04:36 GMT -7
I am THRILLED to say Izzie passed the sniff and pee. We are making great strides.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 10, 2013 21:05:52 GMT -7
Awesome news!!!!!
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Post by songbird96 on Jul 12, 2013 13:49:40 GMT -7
Having some issues using the harness and homemade figure 8 sling. Any suggestions on how to get her to use it. I am also noticing that her foot flips upside down sometimes when she is standing or trying to take steps.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 12, 2013 19:49:05 GMT -7
knuckling is due to nerve damage that will self-repair with time.
Can you be specific in exactly what the potty issues are with a sling?
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Post by songbird96 on Jul 12, 2013 20:23:46 GMT -7
Well we are having some general potty issues, but that is not what I mean. Izzie is not wanting to try to walk with the sling on. She is very particular about not wearing clothes so is acting like she does when someone tries to dress her in clothing. She stands there frozen and doesn't move. She is ambulatory in her hind quarters because she pushes herself along with them and scratches with them.
Her potty issues are a different story. The vet sent a urinalysis off to the lab today, because she may have a UTI. She is only urinating about once a day and is extremely foul smelling. She did sniff and pee, but only once. The vet thinks it is a UTI that is causing that issue.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 12, 2013 21:22:55 GMT -7
Hi Angela,
The figure 8 sling is mostly for the male dogs.. Maybe she would walk better with just a harness and using a leash, towel, or other cloth item in front of the rear legs under the abdomen as a sling.
With the right antibiotic for her UTI she should be feeling better soon.. Please let us know the name of the antibiotic and the dosage when she starts taking it and thanks for keeping us posted on how Izzie is doing.
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