Jordan's Dany - 2/22 Surgery - Yorkie/Cavalier - 4 weeks

Welcome to Dodgerslist, Jordan. 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. Know more about us and how we team up with veterinarians:
dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/

When you go to the vet this morning, be sure to get a hands-on-your-hands, if possible with COVID, demonstration on how to manually express Dany's bladder. That's the best way to keep her bladder healthy. The only way we humans can tell if a dog has bladder control is to carry them to a spot in the yard where she or another dog has peed, support their hind end but not under the belly, let them sniff and see if they can release urine on their own. If they can, then they have bladder control. If not, then the bladder needs to be manually expressed. Here's our page on expressing for your review before you get a demonstration by your vet.
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/

During the taper of the Prednisone, you'll need to be on the lookout for any sign of pain returning. The return of pain would indicate that there is still swelling and still a need for the original dosage of Prednisone for a bit longer. Should you see any pain return, be sure to notify the hospital ASAP so Dany can be returned to the original anti-inflammatory dosage of Prednisone for another course. Swelling from surgery usually lasts about two weeks so hopefully all of the swelling is gone.

Usually when the anti-inflammatory (prednisone) is tapered, all pain meds are also tapered and/or stopped so a true test for pain/swelling can be made.  Having pain meds on board during the taper of the Prednisone makes it hard for you to observe if there is still swelling/pain and still a need for the original anti-inflammatory dosage for a bit longer.  When you speak to the vet today, please speak to them about what they want to do with tapering or stopping the pain meds.  Once the swelling is gone, no pain meds  or anti-inflammatory are needed any longer.

Post-op crate rest is to allow the surgical sites to heal.
Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! —> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
STRICT for a post-op dog means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy whys: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm
◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times.

Take a look at our page on post-op therapy and check with the hospital as to when and which of these exercises can be started.
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/27/surgery-dog-pt/

Acupuncture or laser light therapy can be be started right away as an adjunct to pain meds and to kick start nerve cell energy production. Options: Acupuncture vet who does home visits to avoid back moving during transports. For transport to necessary visits, pad out the recovery suite extra space with a rolled up towel/blanket to prevent body shifts during braking or cornering.
CAUTIONS: ~~ Laser light therapy is contra-indicated with tumors which are detected via x-ray.
~~ Why Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/

Also water therapy can be performed after the stitches/sutures are removed. Some of these exercises can be done right in the bathtub. Many members have found underwater treadmills to be very helpful in regaining their dogs' use of their legs. Please check with the surgeon before starting any of these.
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy/

Knowledge 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 soonest 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.
﹆1 Remove yourself from the dark scary unknown. Be in command of the 4 phases of healing, what to expect with pain, with swelling, disc and nerve healing. Get up to speed: dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-place
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fridge-Flyer-promo.jpg
﹆2 Two FRIDGE FLYERs to print out
a) Help all of your family recognize emergency signs and action to take.
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/emergency-fridge-flyer2.pdf
b) Avoid dangerous detours with the Conservative Roadmap for your fridge:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf
﹆3 Excellent IVDD video playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGTcmjenJIkUNy9ke7IvPlFIMKFfjBSen
﹆4 At the MAIN WEBSITE, use the orange SEARCH bar feature to easily access the treasure trove of more IVDD information. You will feel so very empowered to help your dog! dodgerslist.com/

The guest board is a temporary Guest courtesy to get immediate help until you can register. I encourage you to register and login. That way all the features of the Forum are available to you, making it faster to reply and get an email alert about replies. It also makes is far easier for us to track your dog and give the best assistance. Illustrated what to expect during registration: www.dodgerslist.com/forumads/RegisterFORUM/register.htm

The days following surgery can be a very stressful time. Do know that it will get better. Sometimes the swelling from the surgery can cause a worsening of neuro function. Nerves can take a very long time to heal, months, even a year or more, but they can heal with time. Stay strong, stay positive and never give up hope! Please give us an update after the exam today. Prayers that her UTI will improve soon.