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Post by cindijim on Mar 17, 2013 16:55:04 GMT -7
There is life after surgery and crate rest.
Suzy Q has had 3 surgeries. We did take her for physical therapy for over a year. She has more movement than we ever expected. I thought she would wind up in a cart but she has surprised us greatly. She walks but in her own way. She does not drag herself anymore
She has very little bowel control. She can't urinate on her own without some help but there are ways to make everything work. Yeah I can have a lot of laundry some days but all in all I'm able to get her outside to potty most of the time. I have her on a schedule just like you do a new puppy. Her last surgery was a year and a half ago.
It's a lot of work but it's not her fault. She is still the sweet little girl she has always been. I owe this to her. When I get a dog, I get it for life and give them whatever medical care they need.
This is a story to tell you there is life for them and you after back problems
Cindy
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Post by amazinggrace on Mar 19, 2013 20:15:25 GMT -7
Hi Cindy,
So happy for Your baby Suzy Q! My Grace is post surgery 4 weeks next Tuesday, Dr, told me today to prepare for a paralyzed dog. How can he really say that in such a short time? He said she would be showing some movement by now. She doesn't have any DPS on either back leg. What do you think?
Michele
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Post by cindijim on Mar 20, 2013 14:02:52 GMT -7
Michele
I think it is a short time to make that decision. I think Grace needs to be given a chance to be able to walk again and live a normal life. But I'm not a vet. I think you may be really surprised at what Grace will do.
If you can, I would really encourage therapy. It's not cheap but if you can, try it. I know it made a giant difference for Suzy. We were lucky and were able to have her go twice a week for a long time. They told us we could even let her "swim" in the tub to help encourage movement. With supervision of course. Just enough water that she can't touch bottom. I don't know what the forum offers as far as exercises but I'm sure there are plenty of them they recommend. Look for them.
I never expected Suzy to do as well as she has. I was ready for the cart right away but they don't like to do that immediately. They say the dog will learn to rely on the cart instead of trying to walk. She still has the bathroom issues but so what. I have her. And she is happy and lives a full life. Look for any kind of movement. Tail twitching. Even just the tip.
Keep doing the exercises they told you to do with Grace. And don't give up on her. No matter what they say until you have tried everything. Only Grace knows what she will do. Give her a chance to do it.
And if she is paralyzed, you'll live with it. She will still be a happy little girl because she has you and she knows how much you love her. Don't treat her any different. Let her do as much as she can.
Dogs aren't like us. If we were paralyzed we would think oh poor me. I can't do much on my own. They don't look at it like that. They get around however they have to. They do whatever they have to do to accomplish what they want to do. They don't sit and mourn for the old days. They are happy as they are.
Please keep me informed on her progress.
Cindy
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