Sonja's August 3/9 surgery5wks- Aussie Cobberdog; GRAD 4/13

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Good Evening,     

The Neurosurgeon said in 2 weeks he could go to rehab. At first it was 6 weeks and now after she saw August she said in 2 weeks after his strict crate, so a total of 5 weeks instead of 6. 

I told the surgeon that he leaks when lifting and she did not say anything. We will do that again.

Thank you for information as well. The rehabilitation centers she mentioned  include Chicago Animal Rehab

"CARE", Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, Integrative Pet Care in Chicago. The one in Buffalo Grove has the water therapy.

We are currently using the help-me-harness. The sling just was too hard on my back.

As for home therapy she said in 2 weeks to start bringing him to parks where they have ramps so he can try walking on an incline. She said to try and get him to stand with harness for now. We are still going to do the range of motion on left since it lags a little.

Thank you Paula,
Sonja & August

Hello,

     Sorry for not clarifying. Total Post-Op 5 weeks. [Graduation Day April 13]

Surgery was on March 9, 2022.  He then can go to rehabilitation.

Thank you,
Sonja

This is very good news! August being able to stand himself up on his own, even if just for a short while, is showing progress.

If a dog stands up in the crate, we know standing causes him no pain, and he should be allowed to do so. The crate should be small enough that August cannot really walk in it.

Post-surgery, many vets prescribe very short, supervised, sling walks for pottying as a form of PT. Has your surgeon suggested anything like this?

Sonja, that is so lovely to hear that now August is taking some footsteps. His body is really doing a nice job of repairing neuro function!

The important part of 5 weeks post-op rest is to let the surgical areas heal. So while there can be some PT as directed by the surgeon, it is always done slowly, deliberately and in control with a sling harness and leash. This kind of gentle, slow movement should not cause undo stress on the areas involved with the procedure so they can heal.

If you have concerns, update the surgeon about August now able to take a few footsteps.  Often a surgeon with that knowledge may direct that you allow some footsteps at potty time. Maybe even gradually building stamina for a slow walk to and from the potty place with aid of harness, sling and leash.

It is ok for August to take a footstep or three even inside of the 8 panel ex-pen if he wants to stand and turn around.  Do you have the sides of the panel folded back on themselves to fit snuggly around his mattress? 

Sonja, primary point is to be educated to protect August from the well intentioned but harmful advice for an IVDD. Not all vets can know all the diseases for all the species they treat. But you certainly can be up to speed on the one important-to-you disease of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

CHIROPRACTIC
Encourage you to read how these surgeons explain the danger chiro is to IVDD dogs:

1) While chiropractic is a controversial topic, you should be educated about IVDD about the risks associated with chiropractic therapy:  Drs. Andrew Isaacs and Jared Galle, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic

2) If practicing chiropractic were totally benign at its worst, then this would not be an issue. But things can and do go wrong at an alarming frequency: stokes, paralysis, even death can result from chiropractic manipulation. And this happens in humans for who professionals are trained and licensed to practice on… never have a “ disk" case treated by chiropractic manipulations, as the procedures will probably worsen the problem. ~ Petty, DVM, Michael. Dr. Petty's pain relief for dogs: the complete medical and integrative guide to treatment pain. The Countryman Press, 2016. pp 168+ Kindle Ed.

3) I would like to thank Drs. Isaacs and Galle for their comments about chiropractic therapy. I have been “harping” on this for years, having seen all too many hopelessly paralyzed dogs resulting from chiropractic manipulations.
~ Patricia J. Luttgen, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVIM (Neurology)

4) I never recommend chiropractic for any reason in dogs. It’s nothing but risk and no reward. ~ Dr. James P. Cellini, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology)

5) Another alternative some might be inclined towards is chiropractic treatment. This also has shortcomings when applied to dogs with IVD disease. Although there are similarities between IVD disease in people and dogs, the two are not exactly analogous. Because the spinal cord is longer in dogs than humans, displaced disc material in dogs almost always involves some degree of spinal cord compression and injury. In people with lower back pain only nerve roots are affected. Chiropractic manipulation in dogs may be dangerous since it may promote further spinal cord injury. The anatomy of the spine (number of vertebrae, normal curvature, standing posture) is very different in humans and dogs. ~The Veterinary Specialists of Rochester, NY

NEURO FUNCTION
You did not provide for us the credentials of the vet remarking about deep pain sensation. Generally take only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or an ortho (ACVS) about this very tricky to correct try identify neuro function (deep pain sensation, DPS).

That being said, anyone can correctly identify a happy tail wag when you have specifically done some happy talk to your dog.  A  happy tail wag would not have happened unless first DPS had come back.

Has August lost his ability you reported on Apr 1 of being able to take some footsteps? As you can see, August would not be able to take any footsteps without first having had DPS.  

Please bring us up-to-date on August's current neuro function.

Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord:
1. __  Deep Pain Sensation: the first neuro function to return. DPS is the critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about this very tricky to correctly idenfiy neuro function.
2. __ Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3. __ Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
4. __ Weak leg movements, and then
   __  ability to move up into a standing position, and then
  ___ wobbly walking.
5. __  Being able to walk with more steadiness and
   ___ properly place the paw (not knuckling under).
6. __  Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.
LEARN MORE: dodgerslist.com/2021/02/06/nerve-healing-after-disc-episode/

Knuckling:
thumb.ibb.co/k3dqRS/Knuckling.jpg