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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 13, 2022 3:31:05 GMT -7
☀︎1-- Dachshund: Holly Grace. Lisa
☀︎2-- 10lbs
☀︎3-- surgeon: DVM / DACVIM
☀︎4-- surgery 6:9:22 crate rest? Yes
☀︎5-- Left rehab option to me said to give it at least a few days post surgery
☀︎6-- weeks rest 6-8
☀︎7--pain - NO
☀︎8-- Prednisone 2.5 mg every 12 hours for 5 days, 2.5 mg once per day for 5 days
Gabapentin 1ml 8-12 hours
Trazadone 50mg tablet 1/4 - 1/2 pill as needed 12 hours
☀︎9-- wobbly walk? Yes
☀︎10-- wet bedding? No
☀︎11-- Eating and drinking OK? Yes
Poops OK - yes
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 13, 2022 8:18:36 GMT -7
Lisa, welcome! Wow, sounds as if all is going really well for Holly post op. Is there any area of home care you could use some assistance on? This page has lots of idea to make the next 6-8 weeks go smoother. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ Or maybe there is something else you have a question about? When Holly went in for surgery, what was her neuro state? Were the back legs very weak or paralyzed? Tell us what you observed. What is her current neuro state? do back paws knuckle under. Can they self correct nor can not self correct? do back legs cross or wobbly walk? Tell us what you observe about her walking gait |
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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 13, 2022 17:07:55 GMT -7
She could move her left leg [prior to surgery] and had pain sensation in right but could not support herself.
current ? She is able to move both legs. her paws do knuckle under her especially the right. She doesn’t immediately right the paws sometimes she does but not primarily. She cannot walk without a sling, although when we use it she Works her left leg great And right leg small amounts. Right side is where most of damage was done.
Right now I’m most stressed about how much she should or shouldn’t move. She said put her in a crate and she will be fine. She’s not a crate dog she immediately lunges at door and is constantly moving
Dr said moving is okay just no running - jumping. She get excited and is constantly trying to get out.
I’ve been able to keep her still and quite for the most past by keeping her next to me. I gave trazadone last night and a little today when it wears off she right back to trying to move about.
Even when sedates she moves a wound in the bed which scares me how much moving is to much.
Keeping her down is not an easy task
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 13, 2022 17:23:53 GMT -7
As your and my neuro indicated, after surgery the dog is not like a China doll (easily broken). So as long as there is no rambunctious activity it is ok to turn around, stand up, take what few footsteps can be done in a recovery suite. However, there can be no jumping against the side of the crate, etc. There are a lot of surgical areas that need to heal by being calm and resting. Here are some ideas for emergency crate training if you feel you need. On the Main Dodgerslist webpage under the "Emergency" navigation you will find "E- Adusting to a recovery suite" Here is the direct link: dodgerslist.com/2020/02/24/tips-to-help-with-recovery-suite/------- When you post, we are looking to read only your words. No need to quote a previous post. Just write a full sentence and if need be 1-3 words from a post if it help reference what you reply to. Does the make sense?HELPFUL TIP: The Forum is best viewed via the "desk top view" of a mobile device's browser app (Safari, Chrome, Foxfire). The most effective way to give a reply: -- scroll down to the " Quick reply" typing area. Quick reply allows scrolling up & down to a previous post. Then back down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post. |
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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 14, 2022 16:59:04 GMT -7
Today was a better day I’m learning to try and relax and let her move within a pen as she feels like it.
Any idea how long it takes for walking to return? She’s moving her legs aggressively, but can’t hold her back legs up and doesn’t right her paws when turned under.
Also is trazadone and ganapentin longterm drugs?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 14, 2022 17:23:55 GMT -7
Lisa, good to hear you are able to relax better. That is gonna be good for Holly. She reads your every mood. If you are uptight, that lets her know things are not right. Which is not the case as things are going well post-op in the healing department. No one will be able to give you a date for when nerve functions will improve more. Nerves can be slow to heal. This makes thinking in terms of months rather than days/weeks a better approach.The classic textbook order for nerve healing typically goes in this order. 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 Movement, and then √ ability to move up into a standing position, and then √ 6/13 wobbly walking only with sling support. 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.jpgMeds are only used during typical 2 weeks post op until all the surgical caused swelling subsides. Gabapentin is for nerve pain. trazadone is for anxiety to help calm a dog. IF it is in your budget you may wish to investigate underwater treadmill to help expedite learning to walk in bouyant water rather than against gravity on land. There is also at home water therapy where you can mimic some of the principals of underwater therapy. UNDERWATER TREADMILL THERAPY The movement of the hip joints and muscles and the changes in pressure on the paws from the underwater treadmill triggers spinal cord communication with the brain. Water bouyancy makes it easier than leg movements against gravity. There is not only the potential to regrow damaged neuronal pathyways but also for neuron to muscle re-education to learn the art of walking again. AT HOME WATER THERAPY dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy/ |
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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 14, 2022 18:42:03 GMT -7
She was in her pen all day and moved around more frequently she seems to be more Whiney tonight, I hope
She didnt overdo it. Or maybe she’s just agitated.
She only goes outside to potty 4-5 times a day
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 15, 2022 8:57:36 GMT -7
How is Holly doing this morning after a night of rest?
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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 17, 2022 5:53:01 GMT -7
She’s doing so much better. I gave In and started using the ✙trazadone. That’s helped so much to keep her still. I keep telling myself it’s only short term and is best for her.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
10 lbs
Prednisone as of 6/13? 2.5 mg 2x/day for 5 days, then 6/18 taper. Final dose 6/18?
Gabapentin 1m 2x/day
✙Trazadone 50mg tab: 12.5mgs 3x/day]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 17, 2022 7:08:43 GMT -7
Lisa, good to hear traZODone is working well for Holly to ease anxiety and be calm. What dose in mgs and how often are you giving?
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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 18, 2022 3:10:07 GMT -7
Currently she is taking;
12.5 mg of trazadone every 8 hours hours.
1 ml of Gabapentin every 12 hours
2.5 prednisone once per day
She goes potty on her own but I notices Yesterday she seems to be peeing smaller amounts. This morning seems like only drops. She seemed to be shaking and whining off and on. Could this be uti!!
Overall she is doing well she’s pretty much either in her pen or in my lap all the time. She is gaining mobility so she moves around in the crate.
I have A camera on the room where she is crated I left for a bit yesterday but came back home because she was barking and jumping. I caNt seem to get past my fear that she’s gonna move the wrong way and reinjure herself.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 18, 2022 7:16:42 GMT -7
With the taper of prednisone going on that may be related to less urine produced, a normal thing.
However, the path to the bladder is very short for females. That means normal bacterias everywhere can easily enter the bladder from just sitting of butt dragging on the ground. Not all UTI have visible signs such as change in color, change in odor. A UTI is a painful thing where it burns so a dog will hold off on peeing. A UTI can also cause dribbling. As mentioned some UTI show no signs. In order to rule out bladder infection, an in-house urinalysis is needed to know if an antibiotic is in order to fight a UTI.
Explain to your vet, when not at home Holly is more anxious and jumps in her recovery suite. There is a range traZODone can be given. Maybe the vet could recommend an increased dose you could use 1-2 hrs before leaving home, It seems the dose 12.5mgs keeps her calm when you are there, right?
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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 18, 2022 7:23:39 GMT -7
Yes for the most part she is calm and sleeps. I give it to her at 7:00 am and 3:00 pm It wears off around 2 or so. It seems everyday she’s a wild girl between 3-8 she’s antsy even with trazadone and Gabapentin she the settles down. MAybe she has her own version of site crazy.
Btw….she did finally pee a good stream this morning so it appears all is okay there.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 18, 2022 7:38:31 GMT -7
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Post by Lisa & Holly on Jun 23, 2022 14:52:40 GMT -7
Holly Grace is officially post op,  ** she is still wobbly in the back side bit can walk with a sling. It seems knuckling Of feet is less. She is off all meds except trazadone so I can keep her from bouncing around her pen She has her surgery follow up on [6/27] Monday dr said she could start to walk around while confined to a small room. That confuses me since I see every 6-8 weeks crate rest. Dr said chance of reinjury in the surgery disc is 20% and all depends on is preventing her jumping and twisting her back. Holly is certainly wanting to go but I’m not Allowing that just yet. I’m so nervous Of reinjury, today I caught her rolling on her back as if it was itching. I know the fear will eventually pass , but for now it’s consuming. Wish the rules were more cut and dry. |
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 23, 2022 15:25:26 GMT -7
Some surgeons recommend more time and some less for post-surgery crate rest. This crate rest is to allow the surgical area to heal. Post-op recovery crate rest is different from crate rest of dogs being treated conservatively. Conservative treatment is for 8 weeks because that is how long it takes to stabilize the scar tissue that is forming to stabilize the disc rupture.
Some dogs that were treated conservatively go on to have another disc episode. Some dogs do not. My dog Frankie never had another episode after surgery.
There are things the pet parent can do to lower the odds of another disc episode. Things to avoid Forever: No more stairs or steps. Use ramps indoors No more jumping up or down, those activities increase impact on the spine. No tug-o-war, pulling games. No shaking toys. No zig zag running. No rambunctious playing with other dogs. Teach your dog to not pull on the leash No sitting up or standing on back legs. Teach your dog to sit down rather than jump AND keep all four feet on the ground
When a dog is released from crate rest by the surgeon, gradually give more freedom under controlled conditions. Holly should not have free rein of the house and yard immediately. Take a look at our information and then come up with a plan to gradually increase activity over about a month's time following the end of crate rest. dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/There is a sample schedule to slowly introduce your dog back to family life and physical activity here:
Holly can have some safe fun with nose work: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/16/have-fun-nose-work/Make some home modifications so that you can reduce the stress on the spine in the future. No more stairs, ramps to slide down from furniture. These and other tips can be found here: dodgerslist.com/2020/07/09/home-protect-ivdd-backs/
What helped my dog the most after surgery was walking on an underwater treadmill. I do not believe he would have recovered his ability nearly as quickly without it. I am not sure if you have had a chance to look at the information we have here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 24, 2022 8:32:32 GMT -7
Lisa, graduated from post op crate rest! Wow, Holly must be doing very well for the surgeon to go from 6-8 weeks to now 3 weeks of post-op rest. Your dog's muslces are soft and out of shape after the rest period. Gradually build up her muscles and lungs. Do this over a month's time. This will have Holly safely running and having fun again! Romy has pointed you to several excellent pages to help you. Plan on living many happy years ahead with Holly. Learn about nail trims for health, how to handle dentals. Lots more ideas and tips in living with an IVDD dog: dodgerslist.com/living-with-ivdd-tips May we turn the tables and ask YOU for help? Did you know there are less than a handful who volunteer daily to help dogs and their owners? We need helping hands from other Forum members in educating. Education about disc disease is our number one mission! We invite you to hop on to our educational bandwagon team. Too many dogs are put to sleep because owners lack education about IVDD treatment. STRICT crate rest and proper medication have helped many dogs recover. Pay it forward by helping us educate! Pick what suits you....
We depend on you. Here are some ways to help.. i.postimg.cc/R0y7zpGx/IVDD-survior-gallery.jpg ** -- Please celebrate Holly's graduation! Add a graduation photo and a short caption to our Gallery to give other members inspiration about your IVDD Survivor! dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/add-dog-dodgerslist-photo-gallery-- "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, Frenchies) give out our free little wallet cards. Hand carry DL literature and print out our letter of introduction for your vet. and free wallet cards for you: 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 your dog'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: Don't be a stranger! Stop in periodically. We really do love to hear how your dog is doing. We'd love a short video clip to see Holly in action at home, at PT and living & loving life in spite of IVDD! if you see a new member in a tough spot, give them hope. A brief paragraph about your dog can be insanely supportive and inspiring in a time of need!  |
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