PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,884
|
Post by PaulaM on May 11, 2021 8:04:59 GMT -7
Christina, take a look at front end harness you have to see if it fits the needs of an IVDD dog. There are many good harnesses on the market. IVDD dog owners should look for a harness that does not wrap around the neck nor sit on the soft tissue of the neck. The graphic below shows how the harness should fit the dog and where the pulling stress should be. The problem in fitting a harness to a dog is kinda like us gals having to try on several brands of jeans til we find what fits our bodies. I ended up having my two with each a different brand to get the right fit. Product Examples: • Noodle and Friends never choke Dachshund harness: www.noodleandfriends.com/Dachshund-Harnesses-s/1814.htm• PetSafe Surfit www.pawmark.com/proddetail.php?prod=SFHAfter graduation, you may wish to contact a dog trainer to help you develop the skills for relieving Oscar's aggressive nature and retrain for wanted behavior. You have observed Oscar does have the ability to move his legs in a walking motion when in a rear sling and has attempted to scratch his neck. Each time you sling walk him outdoors to the potty place that IS his PT. Are you taking him out to potty every 4-6 hours? Is he still on gabapentin and diazepam?
|
|
|
Post by Christina & Oscar on May 11, 2021 18:21:51 GMT -7
Thank you for the harness examples. I take Oscar out to pee every 2-3 hours. He was able to bring himself to a stand position on his own on our last potty walk.
He is no longer on any of the medications. No gabapentin. No diazepam. No steroid. No antibiotic.
I am going to attempt to leave him at home crated tomorrow for 4 hours so I can get some work done. I pray that I can work without worrying. I still do not trust anyone else to pick him up if I were to get a pet sitter.
|
|
|
Post by Stephanie on May 11, 2021 19:02:12 GMT -7
Wonderful news, Christina! Please keep us posted.
|
|
|
Post by Christina & Oscar on May 15, 2021 20:41:00 GMT -7
Let's see if I did figured out the video post. Oscar is progressing. I just noticed in the video that I posted that his leg closest to the camera looks weird, like it isnt working yet. I know he feels it though. He's come a long ways in a few weeks. He can stand up on his own now most of the time. We have our next vet appointment this week. I need to make a list of questions that I would need answers to regarding his care. Does it look like I need to follow through with PT from the video?
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,884
|
Post by PaulaM on May 16, 2021 7:16:06 GMT -7
Christina, wow! Oscar is coming along nicely with his walking. He is kinda like a stroke victim in having to re-learn the art of walking. Practice in walking could be formal underwater treadmill therapy if it fits your pocketbook. The movement of the hip joints and muscles and the changes in pressure on the paws from the underwater treadmill triggers spinal cord communication with the brain. Water bouyancy makes it easier than leg movements against gravity. There is not only the potential to regrow damaged neuronal pathyways but also for neuron to muscle re-education to learn the art of walking again.
You can use the same principals of water height from the water treadmill video above with an at home $10 child's plastic pool to help strength those back leg muscles. Learn more here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy/Discuss with your vet other at home ideas to help strength legs and brain to muscle re-education if appropriate for Oscar. --- Buy inexpensive 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 --- Do therapy at meal times. Feed dinner a few kibbles at a time, for stands, sits. Scatter some kibbles on a non-slippery floor and use sling if wobbly walking to get his food. --- reward for pushing up from a sit to a stand. ---Use sticks, broom, pvc pipes spaced out on good traction carpet. Dog then can 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. --- Outdoors on leash/harness and if needed a sling. Walk across a gentle slope, walk up and down the slope. Walk on different textures...low grass, higher grass, on sand. Let us know what your surgeon suggests for Oscar. I bet she will be pleased at so much progress already!
|
|
|
Post by Christina & Oscar on May 23, 2021 10:17:35 GMT -7
Hello. We rescheduled Oscar's recheck appointment for may 26th so we haven't been back since he got his staples out. The pawknuckling appears to have stopped. I notice that he favors one leg more than the other and looks very bow legged. He is re covering well for a dog they suggested I put to sleep. I am including a progress video I just recorded and uploaded to YouTube today.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,884
|
Post by PaulaM on May 23, 2021 11:58:44 GMT -7
Christina, your 5/23 video makes me happy to see what wonderful nerve self repair from those paralyzed legs on April 22! Thank you so much for sharing. We invite you to hop on to our educational bandwagon team. Education about disc disease is our number one mission! We wish not have to hear of any dog being offered put-to-sleep because of disc disease nor one denied the correct principles of STRICT rest to help them heal. We would like all of our members to pay forward for the help they have received with their dog by helping us educate IVDD is not a death sentence! Dogs live happy lives whether walking or with an assist from a wheelchair.
We depend on YOU... -- When in conversation at the grocery store line or wherever you may meet breeds most prone to IVDD (Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas) give out our little wallet cards. Hand carry our client literature and introduce us to your vet. Ask Linda to send you a free brochure packet for your vet: dodgerslist.com/free-literature-2/ Everyone, please help to educate!
|
|
|
Post by Christina & Oscar on May 26, 2021 8:00:59 GMT -7
We went for Oscar's recheck appointment and the surgeon said everything looks like it is healing well. Now we will be on the hunt for new vets familiar with IVDD since they only do emergencies and surgeries at that location. He has been cleared to: take baths and do pool therapy from home, and to have 10 minutes of walking time at potty time.
Not cleared for playing or running around yet. Not cleared to be left out of crate rest yet.
|
|
|
Post by Romy & Frankie on May 26, 2021 13:21:13 GMT -7
I am glad to hear that the surgeon thinks Oscar is healing well. He has definitely made a lot of progress. Having an IVDD experienced vet is important. Here is some info on finding one. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/10/find-ivdd-vet
|
|
|
Post by Christina & Oscar on Jun 21, 2021 18:24:24 GMT -7
Oscar is doing great but he walks with his back legs inwards, very bo legged still. I'm worried the legs healed improperly. Is this a normal thing after surgery?
|
|
|
Post by Stephanie on Jun 21, 2021 19:29:17 GMT -7
Hi Christina, What do you mean by harness for the front? I have had to try several harnesses for these tricky broad breeds! I found this one I like the most, but I'm not sure what you're actually looking for. The less they tug on the neck and back, the better they are. I got it on Amazon for like $13. Harness
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,884
|
Post by PaulaM on Jun 21, 2021 20:51:40 GMT -7
Christina, if Oscar's back legs are still walking in a similar way to your May 23rd video, that is nerve damage. It can just take time for the nerves to heal, for the muscles to again coordinate with nerve signals. Better to think more in terms of months rather than days/week for this kind of healing. Still plenty of time for a more normal gait to happen. Surgery's only purpose is to take misplaced disc pressure off of the spinal cord. The body's job is to self repair the damaged nerves. Now that Oscar has graduated on June 2, he should be slowly and gradually introduced to free time, but supervised, to be on his own out of his recovery suite explore his home and back yard. Have you started that yet? Lots more ideas and tips for living with an IVDD dog: dodgerslist.com/living-with-ivdd-tipsWould you consider helping another trying to make decisions… We have a directory where you can share surgical info. Here is where you can share your dog's info: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/13/member-reported-surgery-costs-recommendationsState: Hospital: Address: Cost: Date of surgery: What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.) Comments:
|
|
|
Post by Christina & Oscar on Apr 7, 2024 7:06:53 GMT -7
Oscar has been doing well since his surgery in 2021. He never regained his full mobility but continues to lead a full life for the most part. I stopped in today to do a search for dogs who have any symptoms of thier tails curling to one side as this is a new development as of yesterday. The fear of IVDD and walking through that experience would not have been possible without all of you. Just looking to see if this is a symptom of another flare up or episode.
Christina and Oscar
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,884
|
Post by PaulaM on Apr 8, 2024 6:23:05 GMT -7
Christina, I've not come across a tail curling to one side associated with a disc episode. As usual, if there is any suspicion of a disc episode (pain • neuro diminishment), immediately crate Oscar to protect a disc from further damage that could effect on the spinal cord. The idea is to keep symptoms mild and prevent a surgery. Get to a vet for a diagnosis & meds. SIGNS OF PAIN: ⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved ⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned bac ⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position ⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions ⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves ➕if a neck disc: ◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground ◻︎ 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 up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
MONITORING NEURO FUNCTIONS As damage to the spinal cord increases, there can be a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions if excessive back/neck movement for example. 1. Pain with initial tear of disc and ensuing swelling 2. Wobbly walking legs cross 3. Nails/toes scuffing floor 4. Paws knuckle under. Dog is slow to correct or can't right the paw(s) at all 5. Weak/little leg movement, can't move up into a stand 6. Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down) 7. Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors. 8. Tail wagging with joy is lost 9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment.
|
|