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Post by Diane & Joey on Jul 17, 2013 15:31:29 GMT -7
Our Joey, 6yo tweenie doxie , went to VA Tech for IVDD surgery. He is now home in DE where he makes a little progress each day.
(added):
date of surgery 6/29/2013. Days in ICU- 3
Joey is taking:
1mg diazapam 3x daily;
rimadyl 75mg 1x daily;
1/2 pepcid AC 2x daily;
tramadol 1/4tab 3x daily;
C-prazosin .5 mg 3x daily
Also antibiotic for resistant UTI* - ciprofloxacin 250mg 1/2 once daily
* UTI bacteria is pseudomonas aeruginosa per culture taken ~ 7/8/13.
Joey seems to have very little pain at this point, although he is quite sensitive with his left hind quarter.
He wobbled quite well for first time today but tired easily.
We were given PT instructions, "warm wraps" 3x daily. Also to be crate-rested for 6 weeks post-op which is on top of the 2week pre-op.
He started wagging his tail (to my total delight) yesterday! This was especially welcome, as the surgeon had indicated little or no DPS in tail upon discharge.
we are trying to get him to sniff and squat but so far no go. We had to start adding "For Bid" to food so he would not eat his feces (he is tidy!) He seems to have a little control of bladder on and off, but was diagnosed with UTI 2nd week of recovery.
Eats and drinks ok.
Expressing has been VERY difficult, his tummy is quite tight, after getting bit several times I stopped. vet suggested going back to catheter, but after UTI diagnosis I am just letting him go on his own for now.
Poops looks OK, but as mentioned, we have to be very fast to catch it or he eats it. He is quite good at hanging over his daddy's arm to poop, however! He sticks his tail straight out (a tale tell sign!)
discharge papers indicate 6 weeks of crate rest.
Thanks for the link for holistic vets!
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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 17, 2013 16:52:55 GMT -7
Valley, welcome to Dodgerslist. Tell us a bit more about Joey…… -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC if on an anti-inflammaotry. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory. -- Currently can Joey wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? -- Can he sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood? -- If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet. ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html-- What directives did the surgeon give about PT and for crate rest? |
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 18, 2013 11:58:13 GMT -7
Hi Valley! Welcome to Dodgerslist..Glad you are here with us! Fabulous news about Joey's tail wag!! One of the very best signs of nerve repair!! Begin your reading about IVDD here and become an expert on IVDD for Joey's sake. www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm
I noticed in your list of medications that you list both Pepcid AC and Famotidine which is the generic for Pepcid AC, I just want to make sure you aren't giving Pepcid 1/2 pill 2 times a day (every 12 hours) and Famotidine 1/2 pill 2 times a day.. Double dosing Joey. Just give one or the other as they are the same drug.
Here is some info that might help you with expressing. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm Please make sure he is actually urinating because if pee is allowed to remain in his bladder it will make his UTI much worse and could progress to a bladder infection and then a kidney infection.. With a resistant UTI infection, if one antibiotic doesn't work, it may be neccesary to do a urine culture to determine which bacteria is causing the infection so they can determine the correct antibiotic to use. Hope Joey feels better very soon!! Sending comforting thoughts and prayers.. |
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Post by Diane & Joey on Jul 18, 2013 14:11:41 GMT -7
Hi Pauliana,
thanks for looking at Joey's info and for your comments. You are right, the vet did discontinue the famotidine and added the otc pepcid, no duplication there. I updated his details to include the exact dosages, name of uti bacteria, and other meds.
I realize the risk of not expressing him, believe me. I am continuing to review the videos and have seen several of them multiple times. I think my next step will be to get him to a different vet who knows more about expressing first hand, as I think my current vet was too quick to move right to catheter. The last time I used the catheter he seemed pained and his urethera muscles seemed to "spit out" the catheter. With that action you would think he has complete control of the bladder but he continues to wet the crate. He is also historically an "enthusiastic" piddler as well as submissive piddler, so i have a feeling this might be the last ability he will regain.
thx again for your comments, this website has been invaluable to me both pre and post op, I am so very greatful for you guys!
-Val
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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 19, 2013 10:21:51 GMT -7
Don't hesitate to take him back to the clinic or to a new vet where you express him there and the vet tech checks your work and gives you some additional tips. This is a practice thing. after a weeks worth of expressing you will be moving into pro expresser territory!!!
There are two reasons to express properly.
1. to avoid UTI's
2. to maintain the tone of the bladder. Overflowing happens when t he bladder reaches a certain overstretched point. Then t he reflex kicks in to allow some urine to overflow out. Continued overstretching ruins the tone of the bladder so that when the brain can again communicate with the bladder it won't function right. YOu need to be expressing every 4-6 hours. As you improve expressing can go do every 6-8 hours
Be sure to let us know how the sniff and pee test goes. 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.
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Post by Diane & Joey on Jul 19, 2013 12:38:48 GMT -7
Hi Paula,
Thanks so much for the tips. Also, thanks for the excellent video you posted on how to express. if I try to express him and he acts like he is in pain, should I stop? Do you think his UTI could be painful? His urine looks and smells ok, probably because we caught it early.
The really good news is he has gone out twice today and both times he did sniff and pee!!
Thanks!
Val
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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 19, 2013 20:56:22 GMT -7
Great news on passing the sniff and pee test!! Once bladder control begins to return they likely will not want you to express. I would do a quick express check until you are confident he is fully voiding himself.
A UTI can make you feel pretty crummy (it's an infection) and can burn on peeing. I think he may not want you to express because he now has some control.
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Post by Diane & Joey on Jul 31, 2013 21:42:10 GMT -7
Paula, thanks for your support! You were exactly right, his infection was hurting, but lucky for all of us he was getting back bladder function at the same time.. He is almost finished with the antibiotics and he shows no signs of the UTI!
More on his progress, since his 6/29/13 surgery at VA Tech:
- Joey's tail is back to wagging normally, such a happy little guy!
- His crate has been clean and dry since the end of the 3rd week post op. He did have one accident on the rug due to excitement about a visitor.
- Pees and poops outside! I watch him in his crate carefully and he gets a funny look on his face when he needs to go out!
- Walking mostly steadily now, but still tires easily. Left hind leg is still weak. Has trouble on tile and wood floors, we keep him on the rug.
- today Joey made it clear he wants to eat his regular food at his regular spot near the kitchen. OK! (We are so easily trained)!
- his PT has done wonders for his recovery, especially the bathtub! And he loves his warm compress twice daily on that hind leg.
- still on tramadol and rimadyl. And pepcid ac. Vet check is Aug 7th.
I will post pictures soon. Thanks again for all you guys do. You really have been a lifesaver, so much good info that is just not available anywhere else!
Regards,
Val
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Post by Diane & Joey on Aug 11, 2013 1:28:34 GMT -7
Joey saw the vet on Tuesday and is happy to report there is no sign of the UTI! YAY! Today marked the end of 6 weeks post-op. He is doing great! Eats and drinks normally. Pees and poops outside, however... He is not quite "there" when it comes to squatting to poop. He gets tired and may just sit down and wait to be taken back inside. Once inside, there may be a dropped "nugget" or two. We are getting good at seeing that he still needs to go because that tail is sticking straight out! We think this problem relates to low muscle strength in his hind quarters. We have had him in the bathtub for therapy a few times and he likes it. Another sign that his hind legs are not yet strong enough is when he tries to walk on tile or hardwood, which besides one large rug in the family room, is all we have in our house. Sooo, he is splaying his legs, left leg in particular, when trying to walk. We bought several inexpensive runners to lay around his favorite spots, like the route to the kitchen and the route to the front door. I also ordered nonskid dog shoes and I really hope they will assist with his walking enough to build up more strength. We are so delighted with Joey's progress and his willingness to adjust to his new set of house rules. Regards, Val |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 11, 2013 11:01:31 GMT -7
Val, congratulations on Joey's graduation! It takes time for the muscles and nerves to get back to full operation…Joey is definitely on the the way. Glad you hear you are giving him the extra traction he needs on smooth floors with our runners…that is great. Post some graduation pictures. First upload to our gallery and then just copy the URL here in a post. We'd love ot see how Joey is doing around the house with your runners for example. The Gallery info: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/260/upload-photo-dogAlso please give us a review on the booties, other members are sure to be interested. |
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