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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on May 7, 2019 16:43:57 GMT -7
Just an update....Rowdy is still doing very well. I have scheduled an appointment May 22 for a consultation about the laser disc ablation. If all goes well, they will do it the same day. I am super nervous about it, but we are so scared he will hurt his back again. His appointment is at 7:30 am so we will have to leave no later than 5:30 am because of Dallas traffic. Will keep you posted.
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Post by Pauliana on May 7, 2019 18:52:21 GMT -7
Roxie, thanks for the update on Rowdy.. Glad to hear he is doing so well.. Wishing you the best regarding the LDA.. Hope it works out well for him! Please let us know how it goes.. we'll be thinking of you and Rowdy!
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on May 20, 2019 8:39:56 GMT -7
Rowdy is still doing well. Our appointment is this Wednesday. I am still very nervous about it, but feel it will help Rowdy. I haven’t read anything negative about the procedure, I hope I am right. We have been going for walks on a leash almost every night. I have only let him loose in back yard a few times since he is done with crate rest. He loves getting out of the yard and going down the road. Many new smells! We live in the country, but have close neighbors. Will keep you posted.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on May 20, 2019 10:00:59 GMT -7
Yes, do keep us updated on the LDA procedure, hope all goes well and will be successful in avoiding future disc issues.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on May 23, 2019 20:54:53 GMT -7
Well Rowdy underwent the laser disc ablation yesterday morning. Our appointment was at 7:30am at Dallas Veterimary Surgical Center on Trinity Mills Road in Dallas. Wow, we live in a rural area and I don’t do Dallas traffic very well. I would still be driving around if not for the navigation directions in my pickup! I left our house at 5:45 and got there a few minutes after 7:30! This is where he had his second back surgery. Dr. Reaugh did the procedure. He explained it to me and showed me pictures on his phone of what they do. I was so nervous about it. I guess because Rowdy has been doing so well. So he went through the procedure just fine. He had to spend the night and got to come home today. He has a shaved patch on his back, off to the side. He is acting no different at all. They did send Gabapentin 100 mg to take every 8-12 hours and Carprofen 25 mg to take every 12 hours until gone. He can stop the Gabapentin in around 4 days. They said just to use your judgment. He is to,have 2 weeks of crate rest. Outside on leash, but no support. They stressed the crate rest because they look so normal and feel good. We are lucky because Rowdy loves his crate. Ever since his first back surgery in 2016, he likes to be in his crate. We had just started letting him sleep with us again, but this is just temporary. After two weeks, he can return to normal. Still recommended no jumping up and down off furniture, etc. They also said that they do not have a lot of pain with this, more like soreness. Rowdy had recovered so well from his surgery, but we were so scared to let him loose in back yard. I feel good about this and that our sweet boy can run and play again and we won’t be so scared.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on May 24, 2019 8:38:52 GMT -7
Roxie, glad to hear Rowdy is back home and all went well with Laser Disc Ablation procedure. Which disc #s had the procedure?
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on May 27, 2019 18:40:39 GMT -7
Paula, I don’t know for sure, but they placed 7 spinal needles [Laser Disc Ablation procedure]. I do know, they do not do the neck. He is feeling so good. He wants to go for his walks, but we cannot yet. They really stressed the rest for two weeks and out on a leash for bathroom breaks. I can see what they were talking about, Rowdy looks normal and wants to play. I told him to just hang on, it’s only two weeks. I am going to call and see if I can get a detailed report. They may have sent one to my vet. Thank you all for your support.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Jun 6, 2019 20:26:57 GMT -7
I got my detailed report today! Rowdy had 8-22 gauge needles placed in disc T10-11 through L4-5. Said diligent convalescent care is critical for a successful outcome. Single most important component of healing is insuring that tissues are not subjected to high strain as occurs with unregulated activity. Crate rest for 2 weeks after procedure. Rowdy completed his crate rest yesterday, June 5! He is so happy! We have been having such bad weather, he really doesn’t want to go out in the yard! But is can have freedom in house finally. I hope now we can relax a little. Rowdy looks great. Other than having his hair shaved once again, you wouldn’t know he had anything done. Only time will tell, but I dont feel as anxious about letting him run around. They did recommend no up and down from furniture and we don’t intend to let him peel out the back door if one of the cats is in the back yard! So I am giving it a 👍!
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Jun 7, 2019 4:46:31 GMT -7
Glad to hear that Rowdy now is allowed to move about the house once again, Roxie. Yes, do continue to be cautious by not allowing any jumping or any steps/stairs. Prayers that Rowdy will continue to be well with no more disc problems. So glad that you're feeling less anxious about his future.
Please keep us updated and stay in touch.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Jun 23, 2019 14:55:13 GMT -7
Wanted to give an update on Rowdy. We have had something new happen. He had a short episode of Involuntary muscle movement. It was like his left back leg was going to scratch his ear. It was very odd. Just a jerking sort of up and down. When I took him outside, his gait was stiff in his hindquarters. I am thinking he may be having some sort of nerve sensations. He had no more of this. Today, Sunday the 23, he did it again. Did not last long, maybe 5 to 10 minutes at the most. I took him out in the yard for better footing and it was scary looking. He had the scratching movement and then both legs would stretch out behind him. He does not act like he is in pain. I plan to call the neurologist and tell them about it.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Jun 26, 2019 19:45:20 GMT -7
I took a video of Rowdy having one of these episodes and sent to the vet who did the PLDA. We have an appointment the 5th of July. He has had a few more of these...very short lasting. Rowdy cannot control it at all.
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Jun 27, 2019 5:16:40 GMT -7
I'm sorry to hear this, Roxie. I hope it's just a temporary side effect from the PLDA. The neurologist didn't give you any opinion based on the video sent? My prayers are with you and Rowdy.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Jun 27, 2019 17:53:01 GMT -7
No he did not. Just wanted to see him. He had one this morning, but didn’t have one the day before. I just want Rowdy to be ok. He is such a sweet, Happy boy. I am anxious to take him and see what they say. I can live with it as long as I know Rowdy is not in pain. Doesn’t act like it, but he has a Odd look on his face when it happens. Will let y’all know.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Jul 5, 2019 18:59:06 GMT -7
Rowdy had his appointment today. They really gave him an exam, checking reflexes, looking for anything that showed pain. He came through with flying colors. Dr. Reaugh did not know what caused those episodes. He had not seen that before. I talked to him about Rowdy chewing on his hind legs and since I have been giving him the Gabapentin, they are drying up. He said it is possible, he is having some kind of nerve sensation. We are going to continue the Gabapentin for two weeks and then take him off of it. So Rowdy has not had one of those episodes in about 5 days now. I am glad I took him. They were very kind and attentive of my concerns. Only time will tell about the LDA procedure, but I feel very hopeful.
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 6, 2019 5:36:56 GMT -7
I do hope that these episodes have now stopped and will not start up again with the stopping of Gabapentin. Please keep us updated, Roxie. Glad to hear the exam went well.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Jul 8, 2019 19:31:29 GMT -7
Thank you so much.
Rowdy is still doing very well. He has been running in the back yard like he used to do. No up and down though! I wanted to clear something up about him chewing on his back legs. He had been doing that periodically before the PLDA and now thinking back several years, he had done it before surgery. I wonder if it could have been a sign something was going on with his spine giving him some kind of sensation in his legs. But good news is they are clearing up and he has stopped chewing!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 8, 2019 19:40:40 GMT -7
Roxie, wonderful to hear how happy Rowdy is loving running in his yard and the chewing has stopped. You are now atuned to this issue and will be able to quickly identify the start of it with any licking/biting and get that gabapentin restarted.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Jul 15, 2019 9:36:15 GMT -7
Thank you so much for your support. Rowdy continues to do well. Running and playing like a puppy. He is such a happy boy. No more episodes. He is a bright spot.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Sept 1, 2019 15:29:41 GMT -7
Just wanted to give an update on Rowdy. He continues to do very well. Little Rascal can run like the wind in the back yard. My husband and me are both less anxious about him hurting his back again. We do not let him do any up and down on furniture and we have a ramp for the back porch. He feels great. He does have to take the Gabapentin on and off. His hind legs had healed from his chewing and last week I discovered two small spots. We started the medication and they are already drying up. After two major spinal surgeries, I think we are very lucky that that is the only problem he has on occasion. We are glad we had the LDA done.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 1, 2019 16:24:04 GMT -7
Roxie, love hearing Rowdy continues to do well post-op and post LDA. Good that the gabapentin works for the neuropathic pain and that is not a continual event.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Sept 15, 2019 5:26:03 GMT -7
Just wanted to give update on Rowdy. He is doing so well! Have not had to give him the Gabapentin in several weeks. He is running and playing. Such a happy boy. I feel like the PLDA was successful. It has certainly given us peace of mind. Thank you for your support. Oh I Wally, our other boy we did conservative treatment on is doing well also. No episodes at all.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Sept 15, 2019 7:35:24 GMT -7
Yay, that's terrific!! So happy everyone is well.
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Post by Roxie & Rowdy on Oct 8, 2019 18:18:09 GMT -7
Just a note to let you know Rowdy continues to do extremely well. He was running circles in the back yard today. Such a happy boy!!!! He still will chew on his back legs occasionally, but we will put him on the Gabapentin for about a week and it will stop. I really think the disc ablation helped him. On another note, my husband is going to,have to have a laminectomy on his neck for an empingement on his spine. I am extremely worried about him. Several of his fingers have gone numb. Rowdy said Dad will have to have crate rest!!!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 8, 2019 19:55:08 GMT -7
Roxie, good to hear Rowdy continues to do well and you have good monitoring for neuropathy signs! Very best wishes for good relief for your husband with his upcoming surgery.
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