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Post by Chris & Cooper on Mar 24, 2020 16:07:47 GMT -7
[Original subject line: question about expressing]
Cooper is a 5-1/2 yr old Cavalier King Charles. He was diagnosed w/IVDD and had spinal fusion surgery in mid 2013. He came into rescue due to his owner being unable to care for him. Currently he weighs 23lbs down several pounds from initial intake 4 months ago. He was with a foster family who expressed his bladder successfully 2xday. He does have some bladder control but tends to urinate only while moving forward and releases small amounts. His foster family had commitments and on March 14th, he came to me. I watched all the expressing videos, initially expressing his bladder was challenging but I was able to partially express it AM & PM. I do not have a yard, we took 4 walks a day to allow him to empty his bladder after I expressed what I could.
1 week after he was with me, I could no longer express his bladder and it feels as if he is keeping the bladder high up in his abdomen. It doesn't feel like an inflated balloon anymore. I'm puzzled as to why I can no longer express his bladder. And, for a dog who for the most part can control his bladder, is it necessary to manual express?
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 24, 2020 19:58:25 GMT -7
Chris, the reason for expressing is to make sure the bladder would be pretty much emptied. If Cooper would not be able to fully void, the urine that remains can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. So the question is when you allow him to walk and he releases all that he can, when you do an express check is the bladder pretty much quite flat? So flat that your one hand can almost feel the fingers of the other hand? Perhaps taking Cooper into your vet where the vet tech can give you some pointers, check to see if after you express in the clinic whether all the urine is prett much out would be helpful. Does Cooper mark? That is does he sniff and then make the decision to release his urine on top of another dog's? That is evidence his brain is able to control his bladder. Just walking and urine comes out could be -- due to a urinary tract infection (a urinalyis can prove if infection and getting an antibiotic on board). When first learning a new skill to express, there can be the likelyhood not all the urine is being fully voided. -- OR it can be due to the damaged nerve function (then a need to express his bladder). Can he control his poop or does it just plop out? A good video and tips to review both kinds of expressing (bladder and for bowels) at this link: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmWhen will the foster parents return? |
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Post by Chris & Cooper on Mar 25, 2020 9:18:38 GMT -7
Thank you for your thoughts Paula.
1) Foster parents can no longer foster him so I am looking for a new foster family as well as adoptive family. I am in So Cal and we are under quarantine orders so I will be unable to place him anywhere for the period.
2) Cooper does mark while we are on walks, however, he tends to 'sprinkle' as he walks from the area he wanted to mark.
3) He does try to squat to poop but at times he also has his poop 'fall out' his rear and some mornings poop is in his bed.
4) He is weak in his rear whether this is due to nerve damage or muscle wasting, I don't know.
5) His vet wants to see him so we will be going in this week. I could not discern a difference between his bladder before the walk or after. I've studied the videos from several sites and still can't seem to 'master' the technique.
Cooper is extremely compliant and will stand waiting while I press and press on his bladder without complaint. He is a lovely soul!
Thank you for your information!
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 25, 2020 13:26:17 GMT -7
It seems that Cooper regained only partial control of his bladder and bowels and will need to be expressed or at least need an express check after he has urinated by himself. Learning to express, is a tricky thing in the beginning. When I had to express my dog it took me far more than a week to become proficient. The bladder keeps on moving as it empties and it is sometimes hard to find. Since Cooper can release urine intentionally you may be searching for a smaller bladder. I needed multiple hands-on lessons from the vet and vet tech. I really struggled with this. My husband and son did not have as much trouble learning to express as I did. I sometimes became discouraged, but I kept trying and in the end I learned. Things may be harder for you because Cooper has partial bladder control and it may be harder to overcome the sphincter.
When you bring him in to the vet, consider asking for another lesson and please keep trying. You will get there in the end.
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Post by Chris & Cooper on Mar 25, 2020 16:20:29 GMT -7
I greatly appreciate your encouragement! It is daunting to keep trying and trying and get nothing! As we are on 'lockdown' here in California, I can't have the vet tech or vet give me a hands on lesson. The vet is going to make me a video when Cooper sees him on Friday. However, I will keep trying!!
I do have one more question for anyone to answer. Cooper doesn't have great control of his hind legs. He kind of paddles when he walks, one paw flips slightly when walking and scrapes the a small area on the top creating an abrasion. The other paw drags a bit and wears one nail in particular down to a nub. I've got different boots (Walkabout & Mukluks) for him and they all cause him more difficulty when he walks. I.e., he falls back or the back legs cross over and he drags them. I put the toegrips on him but they don't seem to give him more gripping ability (and yes, I've checked that they are on correctly) as it appears he carries his weight on the back part of his hind paws so that the nails don't really touch the floor. Any ideas on 'other' booties that might help stabilize him?
Thank you!!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 25, 2020 17:20:24 GMT -7
Chris, boots seems to be an issue with smaller pawed dogs. You can read the discussion on this Forum and tips others have offered here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/1564/footwear-harnesses-scooting-garments If you find a good solution for Cooper, members are always looking for options, please do share and add to the discussion. With his nerve damage of not always able to place his foot correctly flat on the ground and of nail grazing the ground, that could certainly affect his balance. You might be able to strengthen legs muscles to cause him to lift his paws a bit higher. Here is an idea for exercising at home: --- Buy cheap cut of meat or chicken when on sale as really high value treats. Cook, cut into tiny treats and freeze to use as needed each day. --- Do all PT where there are no other distractions of kids or other dogs. --- Do PT slowly so that steps are deliberate- helps to re-train the nerves and muscles to work together in a more normal gait pattern. --- Surface with good traction such as carpet or use of a Yoga mat or rug runners ---reward always for walking and never ever when dragging. ---Use sticks, broom, pvc pipes spaced out on good traction carpet. Dog then will learn to lift paws as they walk SLOWLY over each one. --- Single leg balance for the weaker leg. While standing, lift the stronger leg off the ground for a few seconds-this will force bearing weight on the weaker leg. .Lower and repeat with the opposite side leg. The toe grips would be helpful with better traction on smooth indoor floor surfaces. If there is abrasion, you may want consider these products to protect a wound.. -- EMT Gel www.amazon.com/Trophy-Colagen-Wound-Dressing-1-Ounce/dp/B0002B8CPC/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=EMT+gel&qid=1563807221&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-2-- an ,antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin from your grocery store www.amazon.com/Neosporin-Pain-Relief-Action-Ointment/dp/B000NQ10FK |
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