Ryan's Coco 2022 surgery3wks - Fr. Bulldog-Michigan;GRAD2/15

Sounds good to have your girl back home!!!

If you can, share a photo too of the play pen and of course any deep pain sensation (DPS) observance by the neuro, meds and that all pain is in control.

Ryan, see that nice set up of a divide between the sleep area and a pee pad area!

Since Coco does not yet have deep pain sensation back, she would not be able to pee. Her bladder overflows due to reflexes. When the bladder becomes very full and overstretched, reflex kicks in to let some but not all urine out.        
     Beginners with expressing often need to start expressing every 2-3 hrs to keep a dog dry. When proficient in feeling the shape of the bladder and where it goes as it empties, AND she is staying dry, move to every 3-4hrs.  With a weeks worth of expressing practice you can easily express every 4-6 hrs to keep her dry.  And even dry with up to 8 hrs of sleep til next morning.

If need be refresh yourself on the tips and ideas for expressing the bladder.
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/

Also learn how to express for poop. It is not the health issue the bladder is. Poop expressing is more to avoid Coco suffering any anxiety in finding poop where she sleeps.

Ryan, as Ann remarked, the happy tail wag due to seeing you is fabulous news!!  The next neuro function to return will be bladder control.  Here is how you monitor for it:

SNIFF and PEE
The only way for humans to know if there is bladder control or if the bladder is overflowing due to reflexes is with the “sniff and pee test.”
    Carry Coco outdoors periodically daily or every other day.
Set her 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 similar to the act of expressing her.
    See if she sniffs and if she will  then release urine on the old urine area. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You would continue to do a quick express check.  The check is to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe.

For how many weeks does your surgeon want for post-op rest to let the surgery areas heal?

What did he direct for at-home PT on the back legs?  Any of the ones demoted in the video below?

A moderator here came up with a great clean up solution.

Brew some decaffeinated green tea and let it cool.

Use some unscented baby wipes dipped in the tea.

It neutralizes urine and leaves a fresh clean scent.

Ryan, thank you for again helping another! Wonderful to hear she is progressing well. Ya know, we are a group who LOVE the detail! What notable thing(s) have you been observing?

Yes, the decaf green tea is a handy thing to brew up. IF you find you need a bit more absorbency than baby wipes, check the dollar store. Look for inexpensive washcloths, where you can keep a stack handy by Coco's pee pad area. Just dampen a washcloth with the cooled tea to wipe the belly and genital area and legs. Really does leave a nice earthy fresh scent. Tea is mild with acidifying, antibacterial properties to neutralize urine.

The remaining tea can then be stored in the refrigerator and warmed before use.

This tip and many other good ones comes from our supply list at the Main Dodgerslist web site. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/

i.postimg.cc/rp9HtMR1/Dog-care-TIPS-400.jpg

White vinegar in a spray bottle is good to disinfect and remove the urine ammonia smell from floors, etc.

I am happy to hear that Coco is getting used to her familiar surroundings again.

Excellent job on expressing for poop! Being able to do this will make things easier for you and Coco.

It could be a UTI. UTI's occur more frequently in dogs that need to be expressed despite our best efforts. Not all UTI's cause dark colored or bloody urine. Consider geting a urinalysis to rule out the need for antibiotics. In most cases, a urine sample can be dropped off at the vet's office for testing.

Peeing shortly after an expression attempt sometimes happens. Expressing is a skill that must be practiced. It took me some time to learn to express my dog Frankie before he regained bladder control.

You could try expressing and if not successful stop and then try again 5 minutes later. Some members have used a warm towel on the dog's stomach to help them relax.

Another thing to consider is that Coco may be regaining bladder control. Bladder control is usually the next step in healing following a happy tail wag. When a dog starts to regain control, they often resist being expressed. After an attempt at expressing that is unsuccessful, consider bringing Coco outside to "sniff and pee". If she then releases urine, you will know that bladder control is returning. You should also do an express check afterwards until you are sure she can completely empty her bladder.

Ryan, if you have a deck, you could set up a little area for the sniff and pee test there with an ex-pen or other blocked off area.
i.postimg.cc/MZrsPYQb/pottytime-deck.jpg **

Brain directed terms are: peeing, urininating
Reflex caused term is: overflowing bladder

Give the sniff and pee test every other day or so, as that is the next neuro function to return. Look for the Jan 30 post above for the details about "Sniff and Pee"

Ryan, good job in following up with your neuro for a possible UTI! Bladder infections  can make a dog feel pretty crummy. Glad to hear already Coco is feeling more like her normal self!!

Have you been able to do a sniff and pee test? Results?

We are continuously learning about things when members share details. Would you help to add to our knowledge base by letting us know the exact name of the antibiotic and how many mgs is each dose and how often? Thanks bunches!

We’re 15 days out from Coco’s surgery on the afternoon of 1/25. It was in the 40s today in Michigan, so we tried the sniff and pee test with Coco right outside our front door. I am happy to report that she sniffed and peed! I started crying as she was using the bathroom and know this is a good step to her recovery. We brought her back upstairs and gave her a treat, and put her back in the recovery suite.

We’re going to finish out her anti-biotic for the UTI and she’s almost done with the Gabapentin too. She’s still on sedatives as well and we’ve been giving them to her as prescribed.

Appreciate the replies and we’ll be looking for some more!

Hooray for Coco!! She's definitely a fighter. That's amazing progress.