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Post by heatherm on Mar 17, 2013 15:15:31 GMT -7
Hello, my name is Heather. My 6 yr old male doxie had his first disc surgery( L10-12) on Wednesday(3/13). I brought him home yesterday (Sat 3/16).
He came down with some symptoms last Sunday 3/10, shaking, not wanting to do stairs, but no discernible pain spot during vet exam. We had him on crate rest with Rimodyl, tramadol, and a muscle relaxer. He continued to get worse and began to lose leg and bathroom function late Tuesday night. I took him to the ER around 1:30 am, he had some use of legs prior to surgery.
Now he is home. He can pee, but hasn't had a bowel movement yet. He is eating fine and I did try the pumpkin this morning. (Fingers crossed!)
My question is about swelling. He has swelling on one side of his incision, but not the other. No discoloration, but its a 1x2 inch rectangle raised area that you can feel with your hand. No oozing, no bleeding. His mobility is such that he is turning himself over and changing positions on his own. I'm just a little concerned as the swelling in not present on the other side.
Also, I see in other posts with similar surgery dates that some are doing light therapy (bicycles,walks?) already! My vet said to wait until after the two week check up to do therapy because he is able to pee and use his legs now (although not for very long). Should I be doing passive therapy already???
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Post by natureluva on Mar 17, 2013 15:43:58 GMT -7
Hi Heather, welcome to Dodger's List! We're glad you found us. That is wonderful news that Freddy can already use his legs and pee on his own this soon after surgery! You can begin passive massage and gentle leg exercises with your vet's permission. Here's a link to help you: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm We follow what the most knowledgeable IVDD surgeons recommend for post-op care, and that is 6 weeks of crate rest. The dog is allowed out for potty breaks and any physical therapy that the vet prescribes. Water therapy should not begin until after the stitches/staples come out. Here are two links to help you with crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm Regarding the swelling on one side of the incision, this could be a seroma. Have your vet confirm that diagnosis. If it is a seroma, the vet likely will have you apply warm compresses. If you are not already getting it, we highly recommend acupuncture and laser light therapy for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of relaxing the dog. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ The best way for you to help Freddy is by learning about his disease. Here is a brief tutorial on IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/index.html . If a dvd is more your style, we have an excellent one available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm We look forward to hearing how Freddy does throughout crate rest. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by heatherm on Mar 17, 2013 16:01:01 GMT -7
Thanks Lisa and thank you for the links. I was all over the Dogerlist site the night before I took him in, and again the day before I picked him up. What an incredible resource!
I think Freddy is doing pretty fine so far, but ya know, when its your baby you just want to make sure! He also started taking prednisone today along with his tramadol (and Pepcid). I think this introduction of steroids today is making him more unhappy with the crate rest. Poor guy.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 18, 2013 9:58:00 GMT -7
Prednisone can be relieve swelling that causes pain.... so that with tramadol he is likely feeling great and not wanting to be in his crate. Be aware you might be inadvertently training for unwanted behavior. To dogs rewards are: food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact, approaching the crate, petting. So anytime you see unwanted behavior ignore it, turn your back, leave the room if you have to. Anytime your dog is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward. Soon your dog will learn which of the behaviors receive reward. Consider some of these ideas: Many members have found a pet stroller to solve the whining problem because the stroller can be wheeled from room to room as you go about your activities. Pet strollers, however, should only be used when you are directly supervising. More details on strollers: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htmDuring the day try the coffee table or the dinning room table so there will be a view out a window and a better perspective on what is going on in the house from a high. Make the crate or ex-pen more cozy by draping a blanket over part of the top. Play classical music or one of the wildlife TV shows. Let us know if he is being rambunctious in his crate or just whining. |
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Post by heatherm on Mar 19, 2013 13:33:32 GMT -7
Thanks Paula! I did see the pics of converted strollers on Dodgerslist, but felt he would try too hard to climb or press against the netting.
We did purchase an AV/tool cart that's about 3 feet high and we set the wire crate on top of that. It's worked pretty well as we can move it from room to room.
Thanks for the advice about reinforcing bad behavior, I'll keep that in mind as the weeks go by!
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Post by heatherm on Mar 23, 2013 9:56:23 GMT -7
This is Heather, Freddy's mom (3/13/13)surgery- we are almost at 2 weeks post surgery rest, but I'm already thinking about life post surgery. It looks like Freddy is going to make a complete recovery, and while that's a blessing, I can already see it's going to be VERY difficult for him to consider restricting his past behaviors for future spine health. Already he is looking at landscaping ledges in the yard as if he would go ahead and jump up on them, he has the urge to bound away after squirrels, and his beagle brother will probably try to engage him in play again. We are making several ramps for furniture and the back steps, but I'm not sure what else I can do short of keeping him always(?) away from his brother and keeping him on a leash when he's in the back yard ( for the rest of his life?). I can already tell that after 6 weeks he's going to act like nothing ever happened. I've also been reading several of the profiles where the dog has had repeat episodes of surgery. Frankly, I couldn't really afford this surgery (even with Care Credit) and there's no way I can afford to do surgery again. Could you point me in the direction of some additional Post Crate rest protective health tips? Thanks! I'd like to share pictures of Freddy's crate on wheels and sling setup. Just like I learned on Dodger's List- he's got the memory foam, fleece, and towels around the edges! I also stiched a scrap of fleece to his harness to keep his shaved area warm and covered.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 23, 2013 12:44:54 GMT -7
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Mar 26, 2013 12:54:42 GMT -7
I understand your concerns. My Polly is over two months out from surgery, and is doing quite well. She stubbornly refuses to use a ramp unless she's on a lead. If I turn my back for a second she's jumped up on something. I'm very concerned about another possible disc incident, because my husband has told me firmly that we cannot afford to do it again. Ugh.
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81 
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Mar 27, 2013 13:01:57 GMT -7
Look at that boy and it's only been 2 weeks! Lucky you.. Our Clarita looks just like Freddy (but with a few more lbs!) what does Freddy weigh? Clarita is really trying, but not there yet.. I do hope she progresses as well as your boy. Pat
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Post by natureluva on Mar 27, 2013 15:29:22 GMT -7
Hi Heather - Freddy is adorable, and your crate set-up is fantastic! Here is a link to help you protect your dog in the home, and Paula has shared the After Crate Rest link with you: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm Let's face it - dogs will be dogs. Dachshunds like to dig, hunt, run, play, etc. Just make sure he doesn't overdue things - no stairs (use gates and carry up and down), no jumping up/down from furniture, no excessive digging, no rough play with kids or other dogs. Walking/running are good activities for our IVDD pups. Here's how to pick up and carry an IVDD dog: youtube.googleapis.com/v/kyD2IW5m0qY I'm so glad he had a great response to his surgery. Please keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. ~Lisa |
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Post by heatherm on Apr 6, 2013 11:30:36 GMT -7
Thank you for all of your support. Freddy is doing well! The staples are out and we have 3 more weeks of crate rest to go!
He keeps doing his little back shake/shiver when we go outside (like shaking off water), but legs are still working well & we are looking forward to his handsome red hair growing back in.
Got hubby making ramps. We are also making changes to the back yard, sectioning off an area for the dogs vs. having the run of the garden. Freddy expressed interest in jumping on and over various landscape features and small walls-- that will not be good for him post surgery, so we had to make some changes. Post surgery life will be more about walks around the neighborhood vs. "mountain-goating" around the backyard!
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Post by natureluva on Apr 6, 2013 16:59:15 GMT -7
Heather - thanks for the update. That is excellent that your hubby is building ramps! My dog also does that "shake" when he goes outside. I think it has something to do with the temperature change from indoor to outdoor, not sure. But I don't think it is caused by pain. I was just looking at the photo of Freddy again, what a handsome guy! And you are right - his coat is a gorgeous color, very deep red. If you have the time, please order some of our free brochures to hand out to other doxie owners or your vets, etc: dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm The more owners and vets we reach, the more dogs we save! Please keep in touch and let us know how Freddy does in the future. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by Mary & Rodney on Apr 13, 2013 17:24:27 GMT -7
Hi love the wheeled stand.Where did you get it?. Its so hard bending down to the cage. Back is sore after only a few days. Thanks
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