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Post by Diane & Tink on Dec 6, 2020 21:07:03 GMT -7
[Please do not edit this post. Moderator is currently reading and marking post to organize the chain of events and the date each happened on. Please add missing data in a new post in this SAME thread. Thanks! ]
My 9 year old terrier/dachshund/chihuahua mix had emergency spinal surgery on Friday (2 days ago). She went from being in sudden excruciating pain on Monday, to gradually moving less and less and by Thursday was almost completely unable to use her back legs. I spent much of the week on the phone trying to get her in to see a neurologist, and finally went to the ER for the 3rd time at a wonderful pet hospital in San Jose where I was told she needed surgery to remove a slipped disk in her back, and if we waited it could get worse fast and she might not ever walk again.
Oh and also it would cost between $10,000-$15,000. 😳
I was in shock. I thought we’d have to put her to sleep, there is just no way! I can’t possibly... but my daughter Jodie said she would contribute all her savings that she made working 2 jobs in high school whilst getting straight As. She planned to travel the world after graduation, but then Covid happened. “I am not going to sacrifice Tink just so I can go traveling!” She said passionately.
So what could I say... Tink had the surgery, and after staying 2 days in the hospital after some complications due to vomiting, I was able to bring her home today. They tell us she did well and has a 90% chance of close to full recovery, tho her activity will be somewhat limited for life. 🙏🏼
We are so grateful and happy Tink is hopefully going to be ok!!! ♥️😘.
So far She seems unable to pee on her own and I have not been able to express any urine from her bladder. I’ve read instructions and watched a video and I think I’m doing it right, but nothing is happening. I’m grateful to this site for the info and support! I was sitting with her on my lap when I read NO LAPS! Thank goodness you told me! I assumed it would be ok cos I was keeping her still, but what you advised makes perfect sense! I look forward to learning more and I am SO GRATEFUL for this resource and support! Thanks so much! Diane
To answer your questions- Tink is 9 years old and weighs about 15 pounds. I picked her up from the hospital today, Sunday dec 6 2020 after having surgery on Friday the 4th.
She is only on gabapentin 250mg/5ml 1.4 ml every 8 hours. Before the surgery she was on meloxicam 1.5 mg/1ml (15lb dose) daily for 4 days.
We did not get any other med orders, tho sometimes she takes trazodone12.5 mg for anxiety/depression. She is a rescue dog who was abused at a very young age and has intense fear of most men.
We got a diagnosed of IVDD with a slipped disk that required surgery. I was told that the surgeon is a neurologist but I don’t know more about her qualifications.
My biggest concern right now is that she has not voided since I picked her up at 1300 today and it is 2025. I will try your method of lifting her hind legs with a scarf in hopes she will be able to pee on her own. Otherwise I’ll keep trying to help her express urine. So far unsuccessful.
She ate her regular amount of food tonite with water added to it- but has not pooped since the surgery which isn’t unusual at this point. She very weekly moves her legs but I have to reposition them with paws down.
Thank you in advance for any input or advice! She doesn’t seem in pain, but she is most definitely not back to her normal self. 🙏🏼♥️ Diane
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,564
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 6, 2020 21:39:56 GMT -7
Welcome Diane! Could you list the meds she came home on if any. Name of med, dose in mgs and how many times a day dosing? Did the surgeon tell you if Tink had deep pain sensation (DPS) upon release from the hospital. How much does she weigh?Did the surgeon give you a hands-on-top-of-your-hands type of expressing lesson? Have you seen this video as a refresher to your lesson? dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/ Expressing is a new skill to learn. It takes about a weeks worth of expressing to finally have the light bulb come on as to where the bladder is, how it feels and how to squeeze it. Don't hesitate to go back to the surgeon or even your local vet. There you can express in the clinic and then have the vet tech check your work and provide extra pointers. Is Tink fully out of post-op pain round the clock and dose to dose if she has meds to take? If in pain, please contact your surgeon ASAP they should be open nights to advise of the pain that you're seeing so meds can be adjusted. —Methocarbamol works on the pain of muscle spasms. — Tramadol is the general pain reliever. — Gabapentin works on nerve pain. Let us know which if any pain signs you observe: SIGNS OF PAIN: ◻︎ shivering-trembling ◻︎ yelping when picked up or moved ◻︎ slow to move ◻︎ tight tense tummy ◻︎ arched back, ears pinned back ◻︎ head held high or nose to the ground. ◻︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position ◻︎ slow or reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions ◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily. ◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain ◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ◻︎ not their normal perky selves
Excellent reading about use of anti-inflammtories during a disc epidode.--- Learn why XXX is not a pain reliever, how long it could take to rid the body of all painfully inflamed and swollen tissue around the spinal cord. dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ EMAIL ALERTS Please do set up email alerts as timely interaction/communications is needed when helping your dog. How to set up: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,564
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 6, 2020 21:53:48 GMT -7
Did the surgeon say she had bladder control when she was released from the hospital today 12/6?
Often Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord. Thus is may be that she may have some bladder control and not like you expressing her. So it needs to be determined if she actually has bladder control (does not leak on you when lifted nor are you finding urine leaks in bedding) See "Sniff and Pee" test below.
Can she wag her tail with happy talk or seeing a treat?
Do you see the back legs move such as to reposition in the recovery suite? Any tail or leg movement at potty time is likely reflex not brain directed purposeful movement.
When have you seen her back legs move?
Can she move up in to a stand?
Does she wobbly walk even if her back paws still knuckle under?
SNIFF AND PEE TEST
The only way for humans to know if there is bladder control is with the “sniff and pee test.” Carry outdoors, set them on an old pee spot to sniff. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. See if they will release urine on the old urine area. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should continue to do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe.
NOTE: When the bladder is full, it fills the entire abdomen area so any pressure should release urine if bladder control is not yet back. You may need to hold the pressure for a little longer than you think you would. As the bladder empties, it gets smaller and can slip away from you. You’ll need to find it again. Sometimes it moves back by the pelvic area. Keep pressing until the bladder feels flat, almost like your hands are touching.
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