Posting on Thurs Dec 22, 2022 9:32am Montana USA time
Kayla, welcome to the Forum. We are glad you have joined!
What is your city in China? Hoping to figure out the date and time when you post a reply. Is English your native language? if not native you have an excellent command of it!
It can take time for nerves to self heal. Better to think in terms of months rather than days/weeks for this slowest department of the body to heal.
So this is how we humans are able to determine movements we see if they are brain directed messages again traveling down the spinal cord or a reflex movement.
We have to see some sort of head level involvement with the tail, with a limb or with release of urine so we know the movement was done with purposeful thinking. Examples:
--- Sniff (head level nose) on an old pee spot, then release of urine would be brain directed.
--- Hear (head level ear) you doing some happy talk and then tail wags is brain directed. Leg & tail movement during potty time can often be a reflex. Limb and tail movement during dreaming is brain directed.
--- Itchy sensation at neck and then tries to scratch would be purposeful movement. Tickling paws can cause reflex leg movements of pushing in or out.
This is the typical classic textbook order of self healing of neuro function:
1.
Deep Pain Sensation (DPS):
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 with sling support, 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: knuckling under or slow to right paw
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.jpgIs Pudding off of all post-op meds? Do you currently see any signs of painfulness or discomfort?
It usually takes about 14 days for all the surgery caused temporary inflammation to subside. Until then pain meds are used so the dog can heal in comfort.
SIGNS OF PAIN:
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved
⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned back
⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions
⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves
Great tips and ideas for the weeks of post op rest your surgeon has directed:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ What kind of recovery suite does Pudding have? (wire crate, 8 panel ex-pen, a baby's Pack N Play). For how many weeks post op rest did the surgeon direct? Often it is 4weeks or maybe 6 weeks depending on the dog's case.
What did your surgeon direct for at home PT? Any of the ones demonstrated in video below?
Appropriate physical therapy can help maintain those muscles
with lost nerve connection and keep the joints flexible
while nerve cells regenerate.
Post-op PT for the paralyzed IVDD dog:
How many times a day are you expressing Pudding's bladder if can't pass the "sniff and pee" test. Expressing is a health reason to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI). You can also express for poop that is more just to prevent anxiety from Pudding finding poop where he sleeps.
SNIFF and PEE Test.
The only way for humans to know if there is bladder control is with the “sniff and pee test.” Carry outdoors, set them on an old pee spot to sniff. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. See if they will release urine on an old pee spot in the grass. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should continue to do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe.
NOTE: When the bladder is full, it fills the entire abdomen area so any pressure should release urine if bladder control is not yet back. You may need to hold the pressure for a little longer than you think you would. As the bladder empties, it gets smaller and can slip away from you. You’ll need to find it again. Sometimes it moves back by the pelvic area. Keep pressing until the bladder feels flat, almost like your hands are touching.
Did you get a lesson on how to express when discharged from hospital? Don't hesitate to get another hands on top of your hands type of expressing lesson if you need one. It can take a weeks worth of expressing to learn this new skill.
How to express for urine and how to express for poop (videos and tips):
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/Look forward to hearing your responses plus... if you have any additional concerns we can address for you.
