PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 6, 2022 6:49:56 GMT -7
Danielle, love hearing Otto will move his legs in walking motion when you push his cart for him. Hope to to her in the future his legs will get stronger with time. Which brand wheelchair did you get. Is it a quad chair? or a cart for the back legs?It matters not the brand name (Pepcid AC or Mark Acid-Pep). Look at the active ingredient listing that there is only famotidine listed. Always good to know about each med your dog takes. My fav bookmark is the Mar Vista Medical Center drug directory for meds. Look up "famotidine" marvistavet.com/pharmacy-center.pml |
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Post by Danielle & Otto on Jul 9, 2022 11:20:43 GMT -7
His wheelchair is Hobeyhove quad. We modified with a pool noodle to create a chin rest and more side comfort. I like feeding, and giving him water in it. It makes it easier. Uti. I took him for a re check and he still has a uti. She says it is the steroids. So I going to ask the neuro to get off, wash out and return to metacam for the time being. The vet pressured me about his qol. It was the primary. Vet pressure is hard. |
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jul 9, 2022 14:03:10 GMT -7
It is so sad when vets question a paralyzed dog's quality of life. Dog's don't regret the past. They look only at the present. He has your love most importantly. He can get around in his wheelchair. He can enjoy his food and a cuddle. Otto does not think about what he lost. We humans do that. Otto thinks about what he can do. I am so sad that you are dealing with pressure from your vet on that. You probably have already seen this, but it might help to read it again when you are feeling down: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/hope-quality-life |
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Post by Danielle & Otto on Jul 9, 2022 14:51:34 GMT -7
Thanks Romy!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 9, 2022 18:31:10 GMT -7
Danielle, if you have the opportunity, would love to see the modifications you've made to Otto's cart. And would be very interested to see as you push the cart, what Otto is doing with his front legs and back legs. Can you take a video with your phone and upload it to Youtube? You will need a Google account which is used to sign in at YouTube (see below if you do not have one) Upload your video to YouTube.com —At the top of your browser when viewing your uploaded video you will see a "share" button below your video window. — Pressing it will expand to reveal the URL (it starts with <http...> ) you can paste into a Forum post. —How to details for mobile devices and computers: support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?hl=enHow to get a Google Account: —Use an existing email address —Go to the Google Account creation page: accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp—Enter your name. —Choose to use 1) current email address OR 2) Create a new Gmall address. —Enter your current email address. —Click Next. —Verify your email address with the code sent to your existing email. |
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Post by Danielle & Otto on Aug 15, 2022 19:40:06 GMT -7
I am adding a pic of Otto in his wheelchair with noodle modifications. So, I am took him off steroids completely.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
20 lbs 13 y.o.
1/10/22 stopped walking
Strict rest started 2/10
2/11/22 vet appt neck pain
Dementia - barks at night
3/21 4 limbs w/DPS. Can't sit up with front legs. Back leg paralyzed
prednisone as of 3/21: for long term use; STOPPED 8/16/22
gabapentin 100mg tab: 100mgs 3x/day
cyclosporine drops for eye
Pepcid AC 10mgs 2x/day]I took him to the usual primary I use on Saturday. I did a uti test. We finally beat it! However, the urine specific gravity was very high. She said there was something wrong with his kidneys. However, his kidneys were fine when checked by internal medicine 3 months ago. I think what happened is the long-term steroids induced Cushing's disease.So she suggested a blood test and said he needed antibiotic for his skin infection, which I would have done. However, she kept pushing me euthanize him instead so I just left and am not going back. However, I have to find a primary or urgent who will treat him tomorrow, as he has an ingrown eyelash that has turned into a small abscess. Obviously, this needs to be addressed. Right now he is just on gabapentin 100 mg 2-3x a day and .5 10 mg pepcid 2x a day. Also cyclosporine eye drops. Sometimes at night, he gets melatonin or trazadone as needed. I think, what freaks vets out is he curls in a ball. It looks a bit weird although I do not think he is in pain.  |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 16, 2022 7:40:36 GMT -7
Danielle, good to hear off of Pred. and UTI is resolved!! Let us hear about the new vet and how he is supportive of caring for Otto and taking care of the eyelash thing. Let us know what the new vet thinks the curling in a ball is all about. How often does he curl up?
Your noodle improvement to the cart looks to be quite comfy for Otto. How does he do in the cart, enjoying getting outside, moving around your yard and sniffing and investigating things? Do you still need to push the cart for him or can his leg now move more in a walking motion?
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Post by Danielle + Otto on Jan 21, 2023 22:48:11 GMT -7
Hello,
Otto cannot move around on his own in the cart. He could not in summer as well. He is really struggling with uti. I think I need to learn to express his bladder but it is hard.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 22, 2023 10:59:03 GMT -7
Danielle, bring us up to date.
Currently on any meds: mgs? frequency?
What date did Otto fail the SNIFF & PEE test? Proof of no bladder control would at that time demand that you manually express the bladder.
What does "hard" refer to. The bladder is hard to find/feel? Or that learning how to express is hard? Did you get a hands on top of your hands type of expressing lesson?
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Post by Danielle & Otto on Jan 24, 2023 22:43:20 GMT -7
My dog does pass the sniff and pee test. However, I think maybe he is not able to void his bladder entirely, as he has a uti problem. We did a uti test during the weekend but he does not have one right now. He has been uti free for a few months.
However, he had antibiotic resistant uti before so the vet thinks bladder expression would be a good idea for uti prevention. I am going in for a lesson on Saturday.
I did a lesson with the neuro before and watched some videos but I am not totally sure I have it down.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 25, 2023 9:51:43 GMT -7
Danielle, great news he continues to be UTI free for months now!! if your vet thinks it a good idea to express, then try it. But first always give Otto a chance to pee on his own as much as he can. Then, you express to make sure he had gotten out all the urine. Do know with dogs who have bladder control to whatever degree, they may not like you expressing which can make it a bit more of a challenge for you. Make sure the demo you get is where the vet puts his hands on top of yours with expressing Otto. This is to allow you to understand the pressure that will be required. Also give Otto a drink of water at least an hour before the lesson. This way you will have something to practice on at the lesson. Reviewing the technique and reading the tips before the lesson will help you get more out of the hands on your hands lesson: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/ |
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