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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 27, 2022 9:00:50 GMT -7
20 years ago hearing yet another Dachshund, Dodger, was put to sleep. Enough! That was it! Too many dogs had been euthanized for having disc disease (IVDD). We had to find out how to stop this. DodgersLIST was born and inspired by Dodger in 2002. The newly formed Dodgerslist needed to be an IVDD source... all in one place for owners. Knowledge to help advocate for their dog and aid the dog in healing disc and nerves. Today, more vets are aware of the two treatments to help a dog with a disc episode. Medications, time, and rest called medical (conservative) management can work for many dogs. High-tech surgery includes advanced imaging of MRIs and CT scans. In the past, these pictures were available only for people. Today advanced imaging is used with animals. MRIs and CTs give surgeons accurate information to plan for surgery. The goal of building up Dodgerslist wasn't for the faint of heart. The average lifespan of small organizations is less than 8 years. Passionate supporters and talented volunteers plunged ahead to accomplish the dream... the Dodgerslist Website, is a source of all things IVDD. Visitors access Dodgerslist from all around the world. Many of our resources have been translated into Spanish, French, Italian, and Polish. The IVDD Support & Care Forum dedicates 7 days a week to owners' questions. Answers are specific to the pet during home care. Dodgerslist continues to associate with veterinary professionals on IVDD education. This stunning variety of collaborations include: 1. A DNA dog swab collection project with help from breeders, Dachshund owners and Forum members. Researchers looking for an IVDD cure analyzed DNA samples. 2. In-house videos of IVDD care videos. 3.New webpage articles, reviewing others for correct information. 4. Q&A Neuro Corner with noted Drs Isaacs and Galle (ACVIM-Neurology). A handful of volunteers these 20 years do remarkable work every day. Prior to our other dream coming true... Dodgerslist has your back until there is a cure for IVDD! -- Linda Stowe, 2002 Founder of Dodgerslist (a website, Forum, and social media FB) dodgerslist.com/ |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 18,886
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 27, 2022 11:57:43 GMT -7
Thank you Linda for starting Dodgerslist and your work to provide such a comprehensive resource for understanding IVDD. In 2007, my dog had a disc episode. I Googled and found really wonderful support and information at Dodgerslist to help me understand this disease and the care needed. Here on this Forum, we link back to share the many useful webpages at www.dodgerslist.com in understanding the aspects for caring for an IVDD dog. Thank you so much for the work of maintaining and expanding the valuable website resource!! Here on the Care & Support Forum we are but less than a handful to help educate those visiting with their pet. So thankful you have the free cards and brochures our Forum members can order for their vet and people they meet with IVDD prone dogs: FREE LITERATURE - dodgerslist.com/free-literature-2 |
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Post by dogdaze on Mar 27, 2022 12:07:20 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Thank you from DogDaze ]
We have been blessed to have many doxies be our companions over the past 25 years. Several have required surgery for IVDD and have had mostly successful outcomes. Recently we had one of our senior pups who had IVDD surgery when he was 6 suddenly become paralyzed last summer. Since we had one pup that required two IVDD surgeries in less than 3 years we did not want to opt for surgery due to this pup being 15 and the added cost along with the questionable pain and recovery period not to mention the cost of the surgery.
Thanks to your website and advice we followed our intuition and hearts as well as your great advice. Our pup never became incontinent and could wag his tail but was completely paralyzed. We did not sleep much and were able to provide 24/7 care with plenty of rest for three months. Then we slowly introduced him to hydrotherapy by putting him in a life vest and taking him to the beach so he could stand on his legs with the water providing support for his weight.
Fast forward three months later, just before Christmas we received the greatest gift of all when he stood up all on his own and started to walk slowly around his enclosure.
Now some three months later he is actually running, albeit a bit wooden and stiff but still running to try to keep up with his buddies to go out in our fenced in back yard to explore.
Just wanted to post this to let others know that you were so helpful to give us hope when we were questioning what we should do. Luckily for our pup he regained his full mobility within 6 months, without any surgery and the accompaning pain that causes during the healing process.
Thanks for all you did to help us.
Sincerely,
DogDaze
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 18,886
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 27, 2022 13:45:04 GMT -7
Welcome DogDaze. What a fabulous story about your dog. It sounds as though just reading things at this Forum and over on our Main Dodgerslist Website, you were able to properly care for your dog.
We really, do appreciate your feedback about the value of our educational resources. Most of all we are so very, very happy for your 15 y.o. pup that his body could self heal nerve damage and is back to running and having fun!
Thank you for taking the time to stop in and share your dog's story!
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