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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Aug 16, 2013 6:23:17 GMT -7
Todd is a foster dachshund that was originally adopted in 2007. He has developed a few health issues over the years, seizures and liver troubles. He began having back trouble several months ago while still in his adopter's home. After they unsuccessfully treated him (no real doctor's notes available about that) he was surrendered back to our organization completely 'down'. Unable to walk, wag or urinate and with minimal DPS in one hind leg. This was July 13th. The organization's vet laid out three option:refer to neurosurgeon for surgery consult, conservative treatment or euthanasia. The vet chose conservative! So now after a month of crate rest, with Dexamethazone, Tramadol, Gabapetin and lots of laser therapy treatments, Todd is up and walking, wagging, peeing and a true Miracle Dog! He has been taken off all of those medications, his phenobarbital has been replaced with another more liver friendly option and his latest bloodwork showed great improvement in all his numbers. Todd spent the first month of conservative at the vet's clinic, but is now at home with me. He will continue 4 more weeks of crate rest. He is allowed to walk on leash outside for potty breaks. I'm a bit concerned that he will be hard to place in a new forever home considering his 'back history'.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 16, 2013 7:40:31 GMT -7
Phyllis, welcome to Dodgerslist. So glad to hear Todd is healing nicely with his nerves to be able to ambulate already!! Now the tough part is to continue with 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for the remainder of the 8 weeks….he'll be feeling better and he will appear to be fine. It is the disc now that has to finish healing. At potty time he should be carried to and from the potty place. And he should be taking a very, very few footsteps to get his business done. You can either stand in one spot and the 6 foot leash and harness would then only allow a few foot steps to potty. Or you ca set up a 6 foot diameter potty spot with an ex-pen or other fence so he knows there will be no sniff fests going on at potty time. All dogs born with this disease have the potential to have another disc problem. Some only have one their entire life while others can have multiple episodes. The care of Todd will depend on the owner understanding he has a disease, know the pain signs to watch for. Crating at once to prevent worse damage to the disc which in turn would damage the spinal cord and getting to a vet promptly for a confirmation diagnosis and meds. We are always looking for IVDD vet recommendations for members trying to find a vet who knows conservative treatment for our directory: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Aug 16, 2013 7:49:02 GMT -7
Hi Phyllis! I'm Sabrina. What wonderful news about Todd! Are you familiar with all the info on the main Dodger's List site? I'll link some articles throughout my post in case you haven't seen them. I am so glad that you are giving Todd the 8 weeks crate rest that he needs to develop secure scar tissue around the disc(s)! ---see: Conservative treatment for disc disease (IVDD) - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htmWith Todd feeling so well, he will probably try to over-do things in true dachshund style! Are you carrying him outside to a potty spot and only letting him take a few steps? If Todd is wanting to turn potty breaks into prolonged sniff-fests (!), then putting up some poke in the ground wire/plastic garden fencing will help. I made a 6ft "potty spot" for my Charley, and that has helped us so much! ---see: Crate Rest Recovery Process - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm --- The video on this page shows the danger of too much movement before the 8 weeks are over: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm--- If you aren't already familar with a secure way to lift Todd, here's a good illustration: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/liftcarry.jpgI know there just aren't enough homes for all the dogs who need one. Dodger's List will provide you with free literature for just the cost of postage, and they have dvd's for $3. If you get a supply of these for your rescue, they'd be a great tool to help educate potential foster homes/adopters about IVDD. That way if people are interested in Todd, and willing educate themselves, they don't have to be turned off by the fear of the unknown. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm)Hugs!( -Sabrina
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Aug 16, 2013 8:03:59 GMT -7
Sabrina, I'm very familiar with Dodgerslist. Last August, my own dog had surgery for IVDD and I relied on the yahoo group a lot back then! I have always used brochures and handouts from Dodgerslist as part of my foster dog's new home packet! Our organization encourages adopters to familiarize themselves with Dodgerslist.
Todd walks on leash for potty breaks. He is expenned 24/7 except for these potty breaks. He will go back to the vet monthly for laser therapy treatments. Todd is very patient with his crate rest. He happily lives in the pen and watches the families activities from there. I have a pet stroller that I can use when we want him to join us outside for family time. I've had to remove blankets from his bed because he would spend too much time nesting and fussing with the blankets. He does not attempt to jump up on the sides of the expen.
As he gets more restless with his crate rest, I will have to get more creative!
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Aug 16, 2013 8:19:04 GMT -7
I'm sorry to hear that your own dog has IVDD - I hope that the recovery and "new normal" are going well.
Sending you extra )))hugs((( for pointing people to Dodger's List! I wish I had known about it before my Charley was diagnosed, but I'm so thankful I found it just a few days later.
So glad Todd is such a patient little guy with the crate rest, and that you have figured out how to let him still be involved in family life!
)Hugs!( -Sabrina
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Aug 16, 2013 20:41:54 GMT -7
You have done a great job with Todd, and I'll bet that he finds a forever home, even with his back issues
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Aug 17, 2013 8:20:08 GMT -7
Todd continues to follow his crate time without complaint. Rescues, as a rule, are just grateful to have a warm bed, clean water and delicious food! I think if he was MY dog, he would object to the crating! Todd does have some thinning hair on his torso, I believe this is from lots of steroids, phenobarbital and liver issues. Hopefully with most of those medications removed and with some really healthy food, his hair will re-grow! It will take a really kind soul to adopt Todd. Someone who understands that IVDD dogs can still live long and healthy lives! My other foster, Kendall, is recovering after being hit by a car in June. She was rescued with a fractured pelvis and two broken back legs. So Kendall and Todd have side-by-side crates! Both grateful for a second chance!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 17, 2013 11:29:39 GMT -7
You are truly an angel to take in these special needs pups. Bless your heart!
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Aug 17, 2013 17:52:07 GMT -7
Sometimes I think, they rescue me!
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 17, 2013 21:04:59 GMT -7
There is nothing like the spirit and gratefulness of a rescue. They know what's it's like to be down and out and when that special person comes, the rescue becomes the rescuer.. I feel that every day from my rescue cat, Roseanna..She never lets me forget that she loves me and appreciates me for what I did to save her. From terrified to devoted in a few months. She is such a gift.. I know just what you mean Phyllis!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 18, 2013 9:41:08 GMT -7
All the animals we've ever had have been rescues. I just couldn't bring myself to go to a breeder when then are so many sweet creatures in need of a home.
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Aug 24, 2013 17:34:24 GMT -7
Todd continues to improve daily. He is pain free and able to walk a few steps at potty time. He still has two more weeks of crate rest and he will have another laser therapy session next week.
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 24, 2013 19:13:35 GMT -7
Thanks for the update Phyllis! Glad to hear he is doing so well!
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Sept 2, 2013 6:30:10 GMT -7
Last week of crate rest and Todd has been moved to 'Available Dog' at the Dachshund Rescue of Houston. Next week we slowly move him to a slow progression of activity, though as a rule at my house - fosters are crated during my work day and whenever not under my watchful eye. Anybody have a favorite ramp manufacturer that make less obtrusive ramps? Ours is frustratingly massive!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Sept 2, 2013 7:42:33 GMT -7
Hi Phyllis Good news that Todd is doing so well. One of our moderators has the Puppy Stairs and recommends them. www.facebook.com/puppystairs These are nice looking and easily movable.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 2, 2013 7:50:44 GMT -7
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Sept 8, 2013 15:54:32 GMT -7
Todd graduated from crate rest and he's pretty happy about that. He does spend 20 hours a day still in a pen, but is allowed limited walking time around the house currently. Over the next 4 weeks we will slowly increase that. In the meantime, Todd is enjoying his new status at Dachshund Rescue of Houston as 'available dachshund'!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Sept 8, 2013 17:40:06 GMT -7
Congratulations on going the full 8 weeks of crate rest! Here's some info for after crate rest, with a general schedule of activity to follow. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmI hope Todd finds a home soon. And meanwhile, he's very lucky to have found you! All the best to you both.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Sept 8, 2013 18:21:27 GMT -7
He looks great Phyllis. Hoping he finds that forever home soon. Good job!!!!!
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Post by Pauliana on Sept 8, 2013 20:13:28 GMT -7
You did it Phyllis and Todd! Best wishes to Todd in finding his forever home and thanks for all you do!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Sept 9, 2013 9:53:58 GMT -7
Congratulations - Todd has one very inspiring story! Thank you for doing the rescue work you do, and for not letting Todd become a throw away doggie because of his IVDD. You have my deepest admiration!!
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Sept 11, 2013 12:21:41 GMT -7
Todd's last vet visit was last Friday and every single liver test came back normal!!!!
Years of phenobarbital had surely taken their toll on his liver and the changes in medications have fortunately given him back a normal functioning liver!
He takes Potassium Bromide for seizure prevention and monthly HW preventative. That is the sum total of all he has going on medically! An amazing turnaround from just two months ago!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Sept 11, 2013 18:26:39 GMT -7
Todd truly is a miracle dog! He has come through so much and I just know he's going to find the best forever home ever!
Blessings to you both.
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Sept 18, 2013 18:04:47 GMT -7
Fingers crossed, Todd has a potential adopter interested in him! Hoping the discussion about his back history doesn't scare them off!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Sept 19, 2013 8:42:36 GMT -7
Fingers crossed for Todd to find a forever family! I would take him in a heartbeat if he was here in Canada- I love that sweet little face. We have lots of practice with epilepsy and IVDD in this house too
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Sept 22, 2013 13:55:20 GMT -7
Ok, I need all the paw prayers you can offer on Tuesday! Todd has a Meet and Greet with a potential adopter! I've discusses at length his IVDD episode and restrictions going forward. The adopter is Dachshund smart and is aware of back safety! Woohoo...this could be the final chapter of a miracle comeback story for my little foster!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Sept 22, 2013 17:41:11 GMT -7
Thoughts are prayers are with you and Todd, Phyllis. It's time for a happy, loving furever home for Todd!
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Sept 24, 2013 12:22:59 GMT -7
Todd's Meet and Greet went well. Decision should be made tonight after his information has been submitted to high-rise condo association for approval. His new adopter will be receiving a Dodgerslist DVD along with other literature to make sure she has all the sources for IVDD help if ever needed! I'm so nervous for Todd!
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Post by Phyllis & Copper on Sept 25, 2013 6:32:06 GMT -7
The bad news: the potential adopter decided to not adopt Todd. The good news: the potential adopter cited the reason for this decision "he was too active"! Seriously, this dog couldn't walk 3 months ago! What a comeback Todd has made, he's too active for this new forever home!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 25, 2013 10:55:08 GMT -7
Bitter sweet, indeed. Thank you for your continued but frustrating work in finding just the right home for Todd.
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