Welcome to Dodgerslist! We are so glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you!
Disc disease is not a death sentence!
Struggling with quality of life questions? Re-think things:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmPost-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.htmSTRICT 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?
2. What did your surgeon direct for at home PT?
Acupuncture, laser and water therapy are excellent post-op therapies, if within your budget. Check with surgeon prior to starting. After my dog Frankie's surgery we used water therapy where he walked on an underwater treadmill. This helped Frankie a lot.
Here is some more info on water therapy you can do at home:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapyIf the surgeon okays water therapy usually it would be when the stitches have been taken out after about 2 weeks.
Expressing does have a steep learning curve. It took me a long time to become proficient but I practiced and I got better and better. You will know you are doing it right when you get a steady stream and Scooter stays dry between expressing section. I am not sure if you have see the information we have on expressing here:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#bladderexpressYou can also express for poop. Here is some info on that:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poopIs Scooter showing any signs of pain? Here are the signs of pain we look for; Is there still currently pain? ☐shivering, trembling ☐yelping when picked up or moved ☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move ☐tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position ☐Arched back ☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ☐head held high or nose to the ground ☐Not their normal perky selves? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way between dosew. If not in control your vet know .
Can Scooter wag his tail in response to some happy talk? That is the first sign of healing that a pet parent can see.
Is the surgeon a general DVM or a specialist surgeon: ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho?
Knowledge is the power to fight the IVDD enemy and win!!
The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to get up to speed on IVDD as soon as possible. Begin absorbing the must-have overall sense of meds, care and how the treatment works. Your dog will be depending on your ability to learn:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/theater.htm--- PRINT OUT this link and tape to your fridge:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm--- use the printout as your roadmap to avoid dangerous detours in your dog's care
--- make notes/highlight to keep yourself on track
--- follow all the links in the next days to become the IVDD savvy pet parent your dog needs.
Please keep us updated on Scooter's progress.
