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Post by Melissa & Charlie on Nov 4, 2019 10:44:40 GMT -7
Post Op Life Hi Our dog Charlie just had IVDD surgery last night. I have been trying to find some information online about pos op home life and considerations but there is not too much out there. Charlie is a miniature dachshund. I am thinking baby gates for steps once he is fully recovered but for anyone that has gone through the process how much change to your home environment did you have to make? Was your dog able to navigate steps anymore and what other restrictions were needed? Charlie also has a 75 lb golden retriever brother he always loves to chase around the couch.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 4, 2019 13:22:59 GMT -7
Melissa, welcome to Dodgerslist Care and Support Forum! We are glad you have joined us all. We have a treasure trove full of just the information you are asking about. You came to the right place! The treasure trove is located on our main website, www.dodgerslist.com , and is searchable by entering a topic in the search box. Look for the search box on our pages a very helpful tool: You know alot of details about your dog, but we know nothing at all. So you can see why it makes it difficult for us to give you an answer that pertains to Charlie. Below you will find a series of questions so we know just the right answer to help you and Charlie. Normally we guide you through the post op period and as graduation day approaches and we have learned how much Charlie has advanced, we can be more precise in how to handle PT, easing back into family life, back friendly activities, garments to protect if needed, etc. INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS: Please introduce your Charlie. We look forward to you answers! ❖1 Do you know if there still currently pain (guessing he is still at the hospital?) ☐shivering, trembling ☐Arched back ☐yelping when picked up or moved ☐can’t find a comfortable position ☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move ☐tight tense tummy ☐Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ☐Not their normal perky selves?
Once he he back home, full pain relief is expected in 1 hour with his pills and stays that way dose to dose. If not in control your vet would need a call from you to know asap to adjust meds. ❖2 How much does your Charlie weigh? --When you know his meds do list them out for us with name, dose in mgs and how often you give them.
When an anti-inflammatory woudl be on board, then Pepcid AC (famotidine) help to suppress those extra acids and is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory. www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html
❖3 Any GI track problems at the hospital or once at home? —Eating and drinking OK? No nausea/not eating, no vomit? —Poops OK? Normal firmness & color -no dark black or bright red blood indicating bleeding ulcers? No diarrhea?
❖4 Post-op crate rest is to allow the surgical sites to heal. Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! —> www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm
STRICT for a post-op dog means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎"no chiro therapy whys": www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm ◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times.
Post-op dogs will follow surgeon’s directives for PT during post-op rest as the offending disc material was surgically removed. 1. How many weeks did your surgeon direct for post-op rest, when you know that info? 2.Let us know, too, what your surgeon direct for at home PT when the time comes?
❖5 Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control – OR- do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted which are indication of an overflowing bladder and loss of bladder control? Overflowing bladders need to be expressed to avoid UTIs. Review video then get a hands-on-top-of-your-hands expressing lesson. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm
DOGs with BLADDER CONTROL: Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps unless surgeon has directed some walking PT. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog’s back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
❖6 Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
❖8 Is the surgeon a general DVM or a specialist surgeon: ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho?
#9 I can just feel that your mind is flooded right now with all kinds of concerns and questions. Now is the time to jot those things down so that no question goes unanswered during the excitement of discharge day. Here's a starter list of questions to which you can add some of your concerns to ask your surgeon: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm
This page is good reading by Dr. Isaacs, ACVIM (neurology) as he explains many post-op questions for our IVDD community: meds, crate rest, PT and discharge day. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm
See if there are any other things you can do to make post-op crate rest go smoother with these very useful tips and ideas: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm and www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm
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