Cris's Molly 6/29 conservative schnauzer/poodle mix

Hi Cris, my name is Maureen. Welcome to DodgersList. I am so sorry that you are going through an IVDD episode and that your Vet is so discouraging, and so very very wrong.
Believe that your dog CAN recover with Conservative treatment, and have a wonderful life even if they don't walk well or at all.
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.htm
there is so much to learn to become the best advocate that you can for Molly. You are not alone anymore - we are all here to help you.
Can you answer a few questions for us, so that we can help you?
Is her pain under control?
You said that she is peeing and pooping okay and Tail wagging when she is happy to see you.These are excellent indicators that she still has neural function.
Can you list all off her medications?

100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help Molly-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.

The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.
I know that seems so overwhelming at first - we are here for you Don't give up, and if your Vet won't help you, then find one who will.
Keeping you in thought and prayer

HE IS WRONG!!!! Our Stevie was completely paralysed, and didn't stand until almost 6 weeks of cage rest has passed. You may have learned all that you can from him - you know what has happened to Molly as far as an IVDD episode, so maybe you should look for a Vet that will help you manage her condition. Unfortunately I saw alot of that type of attitude when I was still working as a Vet tech, it's almost like they get angry at you for not bowing to their lofty pronouncements about surgery or death. HE IS SO VERY WRONG!! Dogs lead happy loving lives even if they can't walk or walk well - they just want love and acceptance (and food of course!)and they are happy.
Here is a great article about IVDD and quality of life ( like you don't have enough reading to do) Great quality of life with IVDD
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm
If your Molly needs a wheelchair for rehab or to move around at the end of 8 weeks we can help you find that too!
Hang in there - we've got your back!

Cris can you confirm for us about the bladder control. Here is how nerves typically heal... in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord:

1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
4. Leg Movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.

So you see IF she has bladder control then necessarily she would have to have deep pain sensation. If she leaks on you when lifted or you are finding urine leaks in her bedding that would be a sign of lack of bladder control. 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.

I'm sorry you do not have a neurospecialist who is aware that conservative treatment is a viable way to heal. You are paying top dollar for this specialist's supposed knowledge about IVDD he does not seem to have. Time to get another vet, you and Molly need support not negativity. Many general vets know IVDD.  Getting up to speed on disc disease you will be in a position identify a vet who knows the disease and hire them. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/VetchkList.htm

My Clark has been paralyzed since 2007, so I speak from experience.  He has had a total of 1 bladder infection since 2007.   He hops with his front legs for joy when he sees his wheelchair coming..so he can run and sniff the woodland trails, go for walks with me and the neighbor dogs or just enjoy chewing on a bone in the cool grass…what a life!!!!

Dex is to get the swelling down. Swelling causes pain. So if on the taper there are no hints of pain (shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy) then no meds at all are needed.  The rest of the 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks is to let the disc itself heal. 

It can take being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain.

So let us know your observations on the sniff and pee test, if she is showing any hint of pain.

Those are good signs! Does she wag her tail for you too?
How nerves heal - order of recovery
Here is how nerves typically heal... in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord:

1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
4. Leg Movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.

You can see that she is in a good place (between 3 and 4 on the list)- even if the neurologist didn't see the DPS - she is way past that

I have good news!! Or I definitely say it is. My Molly scratched her ear with her left foot, then got up and adjusted herself in her crate!! I am so incredibly happy. And just 4 days ago I was told she was paralyzed and I had to consider putting her down!! So for those who are experiencing this, please educate yourself on this site. It is so helpful and the support is awesome. Thank you all for the well wishes. I still plan to continue the eight weeks of crate rest and so hoping for a full recovery!!!

Cris, this is fantastic news. During crate rest we focus on the disc healing and not so much looking for nerves to heal as they can be slow….. Molly is on a roll!!!!! Go Molly. Cris, we hope you will order some of our free literature to help educate owners…we only need to give these dogs a chance, the right environment to heal in and believe in them that after crate rest not matter the degree of healing they WILL get back to having a happy life.

Here is where you can obtain our free literature and jump on our education bandwagon: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm

FANTASTIC!!! More improvement are sure to come. Give it time and be patient, we are all Praying for you and your FurBaby..

Just an update... I have been busy and have not had a chance to update since everything is going back to NORMAL!!  Yay.  Molly has continued to improve and is well on her way to 100%.  She remains crated while I am away and while here she is limited.  There will be no more jumping on furniture and the use of stairs.  I am so happy with all the information on here and the support that was provided for those difficult weeks.  Thank you all.  And I have been spreading your info to all those who will hear me!!