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Post by woodysdad on Jul 22, 2013 13:30:17 GMT -7
Woody is a 4 yr. old mini dox. While on vacation July 5th he ruptured a disc playing with another dog. We went down screaming and was immediately paralyzed from the chest down. He was operated within 4 hours. He has shown no signs of pain for 10 days now. His personality is back. Unfortunately, he shows no sign of deep pain.
The surgeon initially advised 2 weeks crate rest. She also sent us home with a supply of catheters and instructions how to do it. We cath him 3 times a day. He also has regular bowel movements. I still have him on crate rest and I am guardedly hoping for recovery.
We have tried to express him with no luck. He is very independent and hates anyone touching his nether regions. He obviously also hates the catheterization. I have watched the videoed instructions on expressing. I can't find the bladder. He is so tense that I can't feel a thing. It does however induce a bowel movement in the mornings and in the evenings like his old schedule was. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I have lots of questions, but this is the most urgent.
Woodysdad
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tammy
New Member
Posts: 9 
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Post by tammy on Jul 22, 2013 16:04:13 GMT -7
Woody's Dad, so sorry about your Woody - my daughter is going thru the same thing with her boy Deuce. A moderator will be along shortly but I hope you will read some of the other threads and find encouragement as we have. They also have links in a lot of the post on topics that may apply to you/Woody. Expressing the bladder has been very difficult for my daughter as well and while she still is not a pro she has been able to do it. Hopefully you can go back to the vet and have them assist until you get the feel for it as I would think the risk of infection would be a little less than to cath him. Were they able to express him at the clinic?
You may want to post meds he is on and such so when the moderator comes on they have some information to best advise you.
My best to you and Woody
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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 22, 2013 20:31:10 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? Most surgeons teach how to express rather than use catheters. Usually the dog is overweight and hard to feel for the bladder or the bladder is just difficult to express. Did Woody have these problems? Cathing can cause scar tissue and needs to be very sterile in use. You really need a hands on top of your hands type of lesson. Can you go to your local vet for an expressing lesson? Expressing inside the house on a pee pad or in the shower stall with a rubber traction mat can make a dog less tense than expressing outdoors with all the smells and excitement. YOu can express for poop. Lots of in fo and video here on both kinds of expressing: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.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? -- What did the surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? |
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Post by woodysdad on Jul 23, 2013 6:46:38 GMT -7
Thanks Tammy and Paula,
The surgeon never even mentioned expressing. She did indicate that there was another way
but never expounded on it.
My local vet was unable to express the one time he tried. I will look at the literature again.
Woody was very very fit. Still is I guess.
There is absolutely no pain. There has not been any pain since the 12th.
He is no longer on any meds. He has been off for about a week now. Both surgeon and local vet agree there is no longer need.
No voluntary movement at all. Legs or tail. The tail does react when he is cathed or when he is having a BM. We get a lot of involuntary movement when we pinch his toe or tickle his feet. The surgeon does not view this as positive. Our local vet does view as positive, however. Very CONFUSING!
Surgeon recommended 2 weeks crate rest. She supplied a DVD with a litany of exercises, PT, etc. She recommended that if he had no signs of deep pain after the 2 weeks, that we except the finality of paralysis and get him a cart.
He is currently undergoing laser treatments that started 4 days after surgery. My local vet suggested 2 treatments a week for 4 weeks.
As far as massage, etc. it is very difficult as he is very reluctant to allow anybody touching him some times. But we are trying.
Eating and drinking is normal. In fact he has become quite ravenous. BMs are regular and normal.
In fact, except for the paralysis and the change in his hunger and obviously boredom, he is back to his old self.
I am really considering getting him a cart ASAP.
Thanks again,
Chris
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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 23, 2013 10:10:15 GMT -7
Chris, do get an expressing lesson from your local vet. When the vet tried, Woody's bladder could have been fairly empty. Give Woody 1/8-14 cup of liquids 1-2 hours before the lesson so there will be something to express during the lesson.
Only consider a cart after all 6 weeks of crate rest have been completed. It takes 2 weeks for the surgical swelling to subside and temporary neuro setbacks to resolve…..then you can better see the direction of healing. Two weeks to regain DPS is not realistic at all. Nerves are the slowest part of the body to heal. Think in terms of months. During the 6 weeks of crate rest the focus is on letting all the surgical caused damage heal…bone, mucles, etc. TAMU explains why the need for post op rest:
PT is supervised, controlled exercise, not dragging about, nor running about the house in a wheelchair.
Toe pinches and paw withdrawal are an excellent way to get the muscles to fire and positive in that way. Should be part of your daily pt! Those actions are, however, reflexes.
The good news is Woody is not painful and he is off meds. This means once 6 weeks of crate rest is complete he's gonna be one happy boy to be back enjoying all the family activities. He may need a wheelchair to do that while waiting on more nerve healing to take place. At the end of 6 weeks you will be better able to assess where he is neurologically and decide if money is better spend on water therapy or a wheelchair.
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Post by woodysdad on Jul 25, 2013 10:51:57 GMT -7
Paula, you mentioned water therapy. His local vet mentioned it today. At three weeks is this too early?
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Post by julnewma on Jul 25, 2013 12:33:37 GMT -7
We started water therapy 1 week after surgery and continued those visits for about a month. In the early sessions, the physical therapists covered Frankie's incision with Vaseline (I think) to protect it. Based on my experience, 3 weeks doesn't sound too early.
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 26, 2013 13:21:04 GMT -7
We started water therapy after three weeks with our Amos and it has been a great help in his healing process. We also are doing PT and laser therapy once a week. Good luck to you!!
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