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Post by Diane & Cooper on Jun 1, 2020 19:57:52 GMT -7
Cooper is a miniature (actually tweenie) Dachshund, who will be 6 in September. Weighs 16 & 1/2 lbs. MRI showed IVDD, extrusion at L1/2, and had hemilaminectomy on 4/16. He had surgery and was discharged the next day. With Covid going on, I could not go into hospital . Someone came out to car and tried to show me how to express his bladder. That whole thing was a nightmare, but he finally regained bladder control at about 2 weeks. Started walking at about 3 weeks. He is still not walking that well, though. Wobbly and arched back, although the back seems somewhat better. No post-op visit, only phone call with surgeon. At about 2 weeks I started taking him for acupuncture/laser treatments. He has had 3 so far. Not sure if they are helping or not. That doctor put him on a powder to put in his food for musculoskeletal health and ginseng for endurance. The therapy doctor seems to think he is gaining strength and said the coordination should come..... Cooper was shaking his ears quite a bit. Was worried it would injure him. I called his regular vet, who prescribed some eardrops and he seems better now. I worry about him and I am afraid to let him do too much. The neurosurgeon said 4 weeks of crate rest and said that therapy was not absolutely necessary, but to try to do range of motion. It has been 6 & 1/2 weeks post op now. I am wondering if I can let him out in the fenced backyard. (He does enjoy squirrel patrol) I bought him a stroller to take him on walks, which he seems to enjoy. Also just got a wobble cushion, thinking it might help him with his balance, but haven't tried to use it yet. Is the wobbly walking normal and how long should it take him to get back to normal? Thanks so much!!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Jun 2, 2020 6:12:12 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Diane. 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. Nerves are very, very slow to heal and Cooper has made tremendous improvements in only 6.5 weeks, regaining his bladder control and walking again. Improvements like he has had can sometimes take months, even a year or more, so he's doing very well indeed. No one can tell you when or if you'll see more improvements. Each dog heals differently. But with the improvements Cooper has made in such a short period of time, I think you'll see improvements in the wobbly walk in time. A hump in the back can occur following surgery. More info here: www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/hump.htmYou can let Cooper out in the back yard, as long as he doesn't get too rambunctious chasing squirrels. The main thing you need to prevent him from doing is jumping up and down from anything, jumping up on his hind legs and going up and down stairs/steps. Here's our page with a list of never-again activities and friendly activities: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmHere's info on how to make your home back friendly: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmSince Cooper can wobbly walk, walking is one of the best exercises to do. Walk him on uneven surfaces, up and down slight inclines, on a sandy beach if possible, even along the edge of water if available. Exercise will help to strengthen the muscles supporting his spine. Here is our page with some post-op exercises: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmHere are some water exercises you can do right in the bathtub or in a small child's pool: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htmKnowledge 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. Use the “search box” to easily locate topics over at our Main www.dodgerslist.com website: www.dodgerslist.com/index/searchBOX.jpgPlease do keep us up to date on how Cooper does. Learn all that you can about IVDD and enjoy Cooper each and every day. Blessings to you all.
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Post by Diane & Cooper on Jun 18, 2020 9:52:47 GMT -7
Thanks so much, I really appreciate your input!
I have been letting Cooper out in the fenced backyard. Yesterday he [6/17] chased after a squirrel. Not sure if he over did it or what..... He spit up a bit this morning and seems to want to be right by my side. He is shivering some. Before I took him out this morning he pooped just a bit on the floor and then finished when I got him outside. He is walking, although maybe a bit more reluctant to move than before. Gave him a Gabapentin. Called the surgeon's office who did surgery and talked to tech. Absolutely no help. Said it could be unrelated to surgery and that if I was concerned or if he got worse, to take him to primary vet. Just worried about him. Keeping him quiet. Should I be doing anything else?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 18, 2020 10:16:50 GMT -7
Diane, if he over did muscles yesterday, seems like he would not be shivering today. Crate him, take him to the family vet just to be safe. Gabapentin would hide pain symptoms the family vet would need to observe. Let the vet know when you gave gabapentin so he can take that into account. Let us know what the vet thinks.
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Post by Diane & Cooper on Jun 19, 2020 8:31:06 GMT -7
Cooper seems fine this morning. Keeping a close eye on him, though. Not going to let him out without a leash for now. It's strange, he seems to have an easier time trotting or slightly running compared to just walking, which is still kind of wobbly. Is this a normal thing?
June 18: Thanks, I will take him tomorrow if need be. He seems much better now although I did give him a Gabapentin earlier in the day.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 19, 2020 8:47:33 GMT -7
Good, then that he is ok and without any gabapentin on board?
I'm do not know why trotting is easier to maintain proper gait, while walking is wobbly.
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Post by Diane & Cooper on Jun 19, 2020 10:49:33 GMT -7
No Gabapentin. Just gave him one yesterday. He was rolling a bit on his back this morning, so must be in no pain.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 19, 2020 14:11:59 GMT -7
Glad to hear that Cooper is doing better today.
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