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Post by Ann Brittain on Jun 20, 2021 10:47:48 GMT -7
Hope the meds get Augie back on track to healing. I'm glad to hear he stopped licking his paws.
It's very difficult to keep a dog confined when he wants to start moving. It takes time for nerves to heal. It's up to you to keep Augie confined and as inactive as possible as he recovers. You'd be smart to limit walking to potty times only. It takes patience and can seem overwhelming, but you will be glad you were strict with him when he's back to his normal life.
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Post by Hank & Augie on Jun 26, 2021 13:41:57 GMT -7
It is hard. Augie is a dog in love with life. He has never been in a create before. I am now allowing him out of the create lf he lies at my feet on a blanket and not walk around . he enjoys the sun so we do the same in the yard. i have set up a monitor so when he is sleeping i can somethings done. hope it gets better
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 26, 2021 14:33:02 GMT -7
It is hard. I know. Try to take some comfort in knowing you are doing the very best thing for Augie when you crate him. Be very, very careful when you have him sitting next to you on the grass. Dogs can do the unexpected in the blink of an eye, and he may see or hear something that makes him start to move. It would be just horrible if Augie was to have a relapse from too much activity. Have you tried some of the training tips on the page below? Not only can this be helpful in keeping the dog calm but training will give Augie mental stimulation and training deepens the bond between pet and pet parent. dodgerslist.com/2020/02/24/tips-to-help-with-recovery-suite/%E2%80%8B?highlight=train
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 27, 2021 11:03:25 GMT -7
Hank in addition to the excellent idea from Romy above, I'd like to ask....
For how many weeks does the neuro want for post-op rest which includes his directed PT? Depending on the dog's case, most surgeons say 4 weeks of rest while others may feel 6 weeks is best.
If you can find out what your surgeon wants, then that can be a spirit lifter for you and for Augie to know not too much longer he can begin being reintroduced slowly to his normal family life about your house and gently edging into more physical activity.
Let us know what your surgeon says.
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Post by Hank & Augie on Jun 28, 2021 9:08:25 GMT -7
i will be calling the doc today to set up his post surgery exam. he has been walking by himself ever since his surgery. Hope to know more this week.
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Post by Hank & Augie on Jul 2, 2021 15:49:53 GMT -7
We saw the doc yesterday. he is pleased with augies progress. Doc said that it is ok for augie to go on 2 5 minute walks per day for the next month. He feels that this should be enough PT. Augie is off all meds except a trazodone if needed for panic attacks. Hopefully he keeps improving.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 2, 2021 20:48:27 GMT -7
Hank, it sounds as though your neuro is good with starting some PT on a slow basis in other words Graduation Day. 4 weeks of rest and then slow introduction to physical activity sounds typical for a surgical dog to be graduated. Meaning going from very strict rest in a suite now beginning a slow over the course of several months transition to family life stuff. Could you call to confirm with the neuro if along with the twice a day 5 minute walks, can Augie also be graduated to begin a slow supervised transition back to some family life? Such as out of his recovery suite only when you are there to supervise where he can --- walk to the kitchen to eat his meal, --- sit by your feet when you are at home. --- Just short spurts of gentle, minimal family life normality several times a day. Be sure if the neuro ok's doing some family-life stuff, your home has been prepped to be safe for Augie Make your home back friendly with ramps going over any outdoor steps/stairs when going for his 5min walks: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/867/rampsFurniture blocked off to prevent Augie having any ideas of jumping on chairs/sofa. --- Large Pillows, cardboard box, --- If you are handy, a PVC frame blocker is quick to assemble. For a no sewing involved idea, just stretch a t-shirt over the PVC frame. Two frames would secure a couch. For the link to PVC furniture blocker scroll down to the bottom of page: dodgerslist.com/2020/07/09/home-protect-ivdd-backs/%E2%80%8B?highlight=furniture%20blockers Large pillow to block furniture ———> DIY PVC frame blocker with fabric We'll have lots more tips once you have confirm with your Neuro if Augie may also begin a slow and supervised transition from his recovery suite to getting back to family life in your house. We look forward to hearing what the neuro thinks.
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Post by Hank & Augie on Jul 3, 2021 11:30:11 GMT -7
getting the house ready. yes augie can start getting back to family life. he can be out of the create with supervision. I am getting some ramps for the steps. In order to keep him comfortable with the create he will eat there with the door open.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 3, 2021 16:54:45 GMT -7
Hank thanks for letting us know that Augie has officially graduated! Your preparations with ramps and making your home back friendly where needed and Augie being supervised with his slow introduction back to family life stuff should help Augie's spirits. He's a young boy at 3 y.o. Normally a dog can wear off his extra energies with long daily walks. While Augie is being transitioned for a month with twice a day 5 minute walks, consider some other ways to tire him out. MENTAL STIMULATION During this transition time, physical activity is something to slowly build up to as your neuro has directed. For dogs mental stimulation can be just as tiring as a long walk. You can help in that department. Stop if your dog is getting over excited and displaying rambunctious behavior or excitement. You can make something as simple as eye contact a very rewarding behavior that also acts as a way for your dog to “ask permission” when wanting something. When dogs have a focus and an understanding about how to behave to get what they want, they are much calmer overall. To train for eye contact — each time your dog looks at you, say, something like, “Yes!” or use a clicker to mark the second you get eye contact, and then give your dog a high-value food reward. Wait for your dog to look up at you again, say, “Yes,” and reward again. Do this exercise 10 or so times and then say, “All done,” and put the treats away. Come back later and do it again until you can see that your dog is really starting to make automatic eye contact in hopes you will say, “Yes,” again and give a reward. lip lick: WOULD YOU HELP DODGERSLIST? Hank, education about disc disease is our number one mission! We invite you to hop on to our educational bandwagon team. Too many dogs have been put to sleep because owners lack education about IVDD treatment. STRICT crate rest and proper medication has helped many dogs recover. We would like all of our members to pay it forward for the help they have received with their dog by helping us educate! Pick what suits you....
We depend on you. Here are some ways to help... -- "Share" our FB posts www.facebook.com/Dodgerslist-- 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 free little wallet cards. Hand carry our literature and introduce us to your vet. Ask Linda to send you a free brochure packet for your vet too: dodgerslist.com/free-literature-2/ ** ---- Would you consider helping another trying to make decisions about surgery? We have a directory where you can share surgical info. Here is where you can share Hank's info: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/13/member-reported- surgery-costs-recommendations State Hospital Address: Cost: Date of surgery: What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.) Comments:
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Post by Ken & Fergie on Aug 3, 2021 18:06:28 GMT -7
Hi Hank, I wanted to see how Augie's doing since his surgery. I am also from the Bay Area and I also have a Pit mix with disc problem. I have an appointment at VCA Sonoma in a few weeks and was wondering what the cost was for surgery. Did the Dr tell you whether Augie had a Hansen Type I or II? I hope Augie recovered fully! So no stairs or jumping for Augie for life? I am glad he has a conscientious dad such as you!
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Post by Hank & Augie on Aug 4, 2021 7:30:42 GMT -7
Augie is doing great. VCA was wonderful. Dr Wavely (not sure of spelling) was fantastic. I have a friend who is a vet and she said he is the BEST. Augie's surgery was more difficult than most. He spent 5 days in the icu. The cost was about $12,500. Lucky i had insurance. I think he had an L 4-L6 (or an C4-C6) He is now on 2 10 minute walks per day. Still no jumping or stairs. Will have to check with his doc as to running. Augie puts up a fight when he needs his nails cut. Took him to his regular vet for a shot and to have his nails cut. They were only able to get 1 paw done. They didn't want to go further .they were worried that he would be moving to much. Not sure how to get his nails done . Hope Boy is doing ok
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 4, 2021 7:39:33 GMT -7
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 4, 2021 7:43:10 GMT -7
Hank, good to hear Augies is doing well, post op! At home you can do some things to help Augie accept getting his nails cut. At some point, you may even be able to trim Augies nails yourself. At minimum you make it easier for a vet to trim nails by desensitizing Augie to touch his nails, and the clipper. dodgerslist.com/2020/07/22/nail-trim-for-health/
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Post by Ken & Fergie on Aug 6, 2021 19:52:23 GMT -7
I am glad to hear Augie is doing well. What did the Dr say about lifestyle changes now that Augie has recovered? Can he run or do long walks?
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Post by Hank & Augie on Aug 22, 2021 17:54:00 GMT -7
sorry it took so long to get bback. let augie get some running today. He did ok he will never have the balance of before in the rear legs but other than being tired he had a good time. I will keep it to a short run for a while. How is your guy?
[Moved update by Hank on 9/28/2020 10:35am MST to the public Forum:]
Paula augie has been off all restrictions for over a month, no meds or pt.. He is running , swimming no jumping/ball playing. just like prior to surgery. I was lifting him this am [9/28/2021] and he let out a yelp. i am wondering if his neck is sore. He will rest today. I am not sure what is going on. i am wondering if there are any meds that may help. Someone said that cold lazer in the neck area might help. I will call his doctor today.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 28, 2021 9:53:30 GMT -7
Hank, I'm sorry to hear about yelping. What goes thru all our minds is first a suspicion could this be another disc episode. #1 thing with a suspicion is to crate your dog at once to prevent a worsening of the disc that then could seriously affect nerve function (wobbly legs, loss of bladder control, etc. #2 Contact the vet. When there is pain only, it is difficult to distinguish what caused the pain and no what the treatment should be: overdoing exercise and a kind a muscle pain. Could be osteoarthritis in the neck joints having developed or could it be another disc just beginning to budge to put pressure on the spinal cord. I've gone back to re-refresh myself on Augie's thread history. He's a young dog at 3 y.o. So his disc problem very likely could be the has a type of disc disease a dog is born with where the discs age prematurely. That is versus the normal aging process that all people and dogs go thru with body parts including the discs. Monitor for any signs of neuro diminishment: 1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord 2. Wobbly walking, legs cross 3. Nails/toes scuffing floor 4. Paws knuckle under 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. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy. Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery: dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/Let us know what your vet thinks is the top-most disease for his diagnosis, so we know whether to move Augie's thread over to the Conservative Treatment board vs. arthritis or pulled muscle. p.s. What has been your success level in discouraging jumping for Augie? Reduce jumping, no more stairs, and training them NOT to fly: details here: dodgerslist.com/2020/07/09/home-protect-ivdd-backs
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Post by Hank & Augie on Sept 28, 2021 12:58:26 GMT -7
NO signs of neuro diminishment. Since this is the first time he has shown any pain (only when i picked him up) i will keep him resting. Just had him out for a walk with no problems. Doc says to watch him and see what the next few days. The only time he jumps is playing ball at the beach. no ball no jump. hope i am just being over protective. Just noticed a sore from the halter think that may be the problem.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Sept 28, 2021 13:12:01 GMT -7
Having Augie yelp in pain is scary.
Since you found another possible source of his pain, the sore from the halter, I think it is a good idea just to watch him for now.
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Post by Hank & Augie on Oct 12, 2021 9:18:33 GMT -7
augie update... i feel so blessed. Augie's recovery is going great. He is on NO restrictions. I still keep an eye on him. Augie was able to walk after surgery and 6 days in the icu (wobble at first}. He had no bowel problems,and walked on his own 1 week after coming home. No PT other than walks. The doc used no staples just stitches that melted away {large incision 7in on back}, cleared up very quickly. From what i read augie and i are so very lucky. Please let members know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Augie's entry to the Dodgerslist photo Gallery: Photo and caption: www.dodgerslist.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=1334
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