Elaine's Jackson surgery 2/2013

Hi,
Does expressing the bladder get harder once he starts sniffing and peeing?
It feels to me as if he's holding his urine. I may be imaging things. His penis also gets very hard and enlarged. I told the vet about it but he said it was nothing! The problem I'm having is I try to take him on his sling 3 times a day to a spot that he likes to sniff and pee. Which is always different. Sometimes he does pee and sometimes he doesn't. Am I trying too hard? Now that I know he can should I keep at it or is that too hard on him?
Some days he takes steps and some days he doesn't.
Is this part of the patience test?

Fantastic! Now the challenge is to keep him from doing too much.

Elaine, I'm glad that you have that visual of happiness back with the wagging tail!!!  Jackson is really on a very good path of nerve healing, got bladder control and now just needs to fine tune how to walk the back legs.  I would definately do all you can to give him opportunities to keep practicing to move those legs.  Think of Jackson's situation like a baby learning to walk  or a stroke victim having to re-learn how to  move the legs,  balance, etc.  PT is something that is slow and deliberate so the body can practice learning the right way to place paws, right way to balance, right way to coordinate nerves with muscle moving legs.

As you  see Jackson has not a clue he can't chase, so there will be a need to have a harness leash, and sling to protect that little guy from flying!  LOL. 

We are very excited with Jackson's progress and look forward to your updates.

The wheelchair can interfere with a good test on bladder control. The saddle will be pressing on the bladder. Better to sling walk to potty place and relax the sling to see if there is a sniff and then release of urine. When bladder control returns it can be more difficult to express because they can feel you doing it. Still a quick express check is in order after they pee on their own to till you are confident the bladder is being fully voided.

Can you take him today to your local clinic and have the vet tech help you.

Hi again,
Another update on Jackson. He's walking a little more somedays. Especially outside. Indoors it's easier for him to pull himself.
We had a urine test last week and there was no infection. I was really happy about that. There was crystals in his urine and the vet put him on Royal Canine SO. I'm not so happy about that. I wonder if anyone has another way to reduce crystals besides this food.
Jackson hasn't taken to his Eddies Wheels cart. He also hated water therapy. So now I try and do my own walking therapies everyday.
He's able to take about 10-15 steps in a row. A little wobbly but slowly he's progressing.
Thanks for any advice about his sediments.
Elaine

Ahhh if you could call that walking ;-) but yes he's making progress. I actually do take Jackson to different places (textures) to walk. He likes dirt the best. :-) I don't like dirt that much. Unfortunately he bruises his feet. I made my own type of booties out of duct tape which works pretty well. Not for walking but for dragging his back paws.
Jackson is high in both oxalate and struvite. 11-20 in both cases. I'm not sure how bad that is. I'll check up on your link. Thanks

Thanks so much for your reply. Jackson is doing better in many ways. The process is extremely slow. Yesterday he walked 3 blocks and sniffed and peed so much. Today his walking turned back to dragging his hind legs. I'm not sure why.
I've been using paper tape and gauze for his bruises. I cover it with duck tape to protect from the hard sidewalk. He walks best on the sidewalk for some reason. I try to get him to walk in the grass but I think it's still too hard for him to lift his legs high. He like to walk through the dirt. I'm guessing because of the traction.
He is better off when he gets to go out though. This weekend he has my full attention! It really makes a difference. On days that I work I can't be with him as much.
I will look for the socks but I think he'd wear them out in a second. If you cover the gauze first with paper tape then with duck tape but not tightly as to stop the circulation you can really protect the paws.

Jackson's still walking and he's improving all the time.
I've been taking him swimming in a nearby river. He chases dogs and walks three times a day.
He's walking more than dragging now. He looks like he can lift his legs so much more.
He still gets bruises on his paws but not nearly as bad as before. I still tape him with paper tape on his left paw. He's not knuckling anymore!
I still need to express his bladder though and help him with his bowl movements.

So glad to hear that Jackson is improving, all the hard work is paying off! I have to help Daphne too but it gives me hope that Daphne's bladder and bowel control will eventually be normal, seems to be getting better, but I am not sure if it is luck or that her nerves are healing. Looking forward to more updates. Hugs and best wishes to both of you.

Your video brought tears to my eyes, Elaine! Great job on memorializing his monthly progress. It was a true joy to see what a difference each month made.  Thanks so much for sharing it.

Blessings to you both.