tammy
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Post by tammy on Jul 17, 2013 13:33:53 GMT -7
My daughters Dachshund went down last monday and still no deep pain 9 days post op - she is trying to get prepared to bring him home with out hesitation to love and care for him however has had little success in being able to express his bladder; they are still working with her and trying many different technics - has watched video's and read - I guess we are looking for any advice as her nerves are taking over and she is losing her confidence- if you have any insight at all we would be greatful - I do not live close so I am no help physically -she has been able to get a tiny bit but not complete and they have started him on something to relax the bladder called prazosin as they say he is a little more difficult than others.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 17, 2013 16:49:16 GMT -7
Tammy welcome to Dodgerslist! What is the dog's name? Is your daughter able to join us on the forum?
Some dogs just are hard to express…. it might be because they are quite heavy and the bladder can't be felt or some other reason.
Another reason a dog can be hard to express is that bladder control can be returning and the dog fights it. The only way for us humans to know if there is bladder control coming back 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 your daughter observes regarding the sniff and pee test.
Was the hospital able to express the bladder or did they too find it difficult. Using a catheter is a last resort to manually expressing the bladder. They can cause scar tissue and invite infection if not used totally sterile.
Learning to express can also take going back to the local vet where you express in the clinic and then have the vet tech check your work and go over techniques again.
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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 Jul 17, 2013 20:47:51 GMT -7
Expressing a bladder is a technique that takes a while to master. Hopefully the medications to relax his bladder will assist her. Here is our link on expressing www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmIs she getting hands on lessons from the Vet or Tech?? She is getting the hang of it if she is even getting a small bit of urine out. Hang in there and don't give up! Keep us posted on her progress. |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 18, 2013 10:11:49 GMT -7
Tammy, how is your daughter's doxie doing today?
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tammy
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Posts: 9
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Post by tammy on Jul 18, 2013 16:14:40 GMT -7
His name is Deuce, my daughter asked me to look up information as she is getting a bit overwhelmed with so many opinions and so much information. I told her about Dodgerslist because I have read a lot of your information as I have 2 Dachshunds myself and recently went thru conservative treatment with one of my little ones.
The Surgery center has been able to express the bladder but did say he was a difficult one and they actually started him a couple days ago on something to relax the bladder called prazosin. They also said something about him going a little on his own but it wasn't consistant.
This morning she was able to express the bladder!!! She did it again this afternoon and they are going to discharge him day 10 po
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tammy
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Post by tammy on Jul 19, 2013 20:00:18 GMT -7
Deuce is home with his momma Cassy; she has been able to express his bladder but is still getting the hang of it. He came home on Tramadol 50mg 1/2 pill 2-3 times per day (she is giving 2 times as he doesn't seem to be in pain) Prazosin .5 twice per day. He also takes Phenobarbital 16.2mg 1&1/2 pills twice per day for seizures. Shouldn't he be on pepcid as well?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 19, 2013 21:14:00 GMT -7
Pepcid AC is used to protect the stomach against the extra acids that all NSAIDs and steroid causes. This is good news that Deuce's pain is under control with the Tramadol!!
What did the surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest?
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tammy
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Post by tammy on Jul 20, 2013 8:04:33 GMT -7
She is to do range of motion on him and he is to be on crate rest however she has been holding him because he started obsessively licking his feet last night and continues this morning - she has left a voice message at The Surgery center and is considering just taking him to the animal ER as she is afraid to leave him to go buy a cone that he will hurt himself or his feet with not being able to feel them why would he be doing this?
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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 Jul 20, 2013 10:14:34 GMT -7
Everyone has experienced numbness or pins and needles tingling in your legs when sitting in a bad position for too long a time. Deuce can be feeling abnormal nerve sensations that are mild pins and needles to quite painful burning, on-fire feeling that makes them bite to stop the pain. These are abnormal signals explaining why a paralyzed dog can feel this neuropathic pain.
You would need to stay on top of observing for any more signs of chewing on body parts as this can lead to death. Immediately put a e-collar on or a lengthwise folded towel and secured closed with duct tape. Get to a vet for a medicine that can help to control these very painful sensations. The name of the drug is called gabapentin.
Let us know what the vet prescribes in mg and how often to give it.
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tammy
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Post by tammy on Jul 20, 2013 15:03:39 GMT -7
Cassy called the surgery center and they told her to put a collar on him and follow up with his vet on Monday. She got 2 different ones however he can still reach his feet and of course she is worried about him having discomfort so she is at the animal er right now. I told her if they don't suggest gabapentin after she tells them what is going on she should ask about it...It was the first thing the Dr suggested and then they tested pinching his feet and he turned around!!! We have deep pain! They are trying to get the medicine thru a pharmacy but it will have to be broken down or something like that as they don't have it in liquid. They are also going to check that his bladder is expressed well while they are there. Deuce went down on July 8th - hopeful this is a positive thing that is happening. |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 20, 2013 16:51:20 GMT -7
Glad to hear Deuce's nerves are healing!!!
The only caveat I have about compounding is that liquid gabapentin is if it has been prepared for humans it likely will contain the toxic to-pets-sweetner: xylitol. On the bottle it will not indicate the sweetner. You would have to ask the pharmacist what is the name of the sweetner used. If liquid gabapentin is compounded by a vet pharmacy it should contain a safe-for-dogs sweetner.
HOWEVER most all pharmacies carry a 100mg capsule (the smallest size it comes in) much less expensive than compounding and you do not have to wait... just call around your local pharmacies for the best price and have your vet call in the Rx. My 13 pound doxie was prescribed 25mg of gabapentin powder. All I needed to do was divide the 100mg capsule powder into four equal parts by dumping into a creased pieced of paper and with a razor blade move the powder into four equal piles. Also just as easy to get 33mg by dividing one 100mg capsule powder into three parts.
The remainder of the powder piles I stored in one of those 7 day pill boxes with a lid for each day.
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tammy
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Post by tammy on Jul 21, 2013 14:30:50 GMT -7
Thank you for the information, we are relived to know they did not use xylitol per the pharmacist who said that the sweetener used was "stevia glyceride powder"
I really appreciate this forum as I have been praying and reading since this happened - it is so wonderful to actually have responses and direction; as questions and concerns come up my daughter Cassy is asking me to "ask Dodgerslist" - It's like having a life line to reach for in such an emotional storm of life.
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tammy
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Post by tammy on Aug 13, 2013 15:07:32 GMT -7
Deuce is making progress - he does have deep pain and his legs do not seem as flaccid, he is having therapy at the surgery center and my daughter also does range of motion exercises and puts him in a stand position to try to build up and strengthen his legs - he has just this past weekend made pee pee on his own a few times - it still is not consistent but when he does he seems to be able to empty completely. While the hope of gaining bladder function is absolutely sensational I can't express the joyous emotion during a face time call with my daughter in Dallas and me in Florida when he wagged his tail  |
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
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Post by Deborah & Angel on Aug 13, 2013 15:13:26 GMT -7
GREAT news, and prayers that he will continue to improve and heal...Many (((hugs)))..  |
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 13, 2013 15:21:47 GMT -7
What a wonderful update to read about Deuce, Tammy! I remember the joy I felt when Jeremy first wagged his tail after surgery so I do know what you mean. I hope that you'll continue to see improvements - please keep us updated on each one as they happen.  |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 13, 2013 20:15:26 GMT -7
Isn't technology great…Facetiming with your daughter in Fl to see that tail wag is the best. Deuce is on a very good path of nerve healing… we look forward to you next updates.
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