Stepanie, I agree wholehearted with Ann's comment to maintain a hopeful outlook for Gretchen.
Thanks to Ann's post, upon closer reading of your previous post, your neuro IS indicating the surgical sites (disc, bones, skin tissue) have healed enough to pursue a slow transition (lightening up on rest) back to family life and activity....in other words now is graduation day 1/19!
Nerves can still have the potential to heal many months after surgery, even close to year out.
Even if there is not yet DPS return, this neuro function does have a potential to self repair. So it might be a good time to consider ordering a wheelchair while pursuing formal PT to keep legs/muscle in shape awaiting nerve repair. A cart means a new beginning as mobility and independence is restored.
The cart will take about 2 weeks to custom make, while you gradually begin a slow intro back "life" at home.
dodgerslist.com/2020/06/06/wheelchairs/ For whatever it's worth... Eddie's Cart, it's very sturdy, small footprint, easy to get in and out, used thru mud puddles, forrest trails, Eddie's Co. is easy to communicate with on fit, etc. Any cart is problematic in homes with all the furniture legs, etc. to get caught in.
Spinal walking for dogs without DPS. Some few dogs can learn it, mine never did. Learn more from Dr. Clemmons plus watch dog spinal walk:
dodgerslist.com/2021/09/27/spinal-walking/A dog doesn't decide not to walk when the nerves at some point may self repair because they are too comfortable in dragging. When the brain can again communicate with the back legs, the dog can learn to stop dragging and use the legs. Underwater treadmill therapy would be that training at the time you observe there is beginning to be purposeful leg movements.
As Ann mentioned at home water therapy can be helpful. IMPORTANT: watch the Underwater treadmill video and look over water therapy at home ideas:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy/ GRADUATION DAY 1/19: A SLOW RE-INTRODUCTION
Determine how you are going to ease back into more normal activity at graduation from rest. The idea is to gradually give more freedom under controlled conditions. Not free rein of the house and yard immediately! LOL
Your dog's muslces are soft and out of shape after the rest period. Gradually build up their muscles and their lungs.
Take a look at our information. Gradually building your dogs muscles over a month's time will have your dog safely scooting, wheeling, and having fun again!
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Here is a sample schedule to safely and slowly introduce your dog back to family life and physical activity:
dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/?highlight=sample%20scheduleDIY back PROTECTION around the house
i2.wp.com/dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/home-back-protect-banner_700-45kb.jpg **
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1) Ideas and products to provide improved traction for cart dogs:
dodgerslist.com/2022/10/08/traction-solution-improvements/2) Teach yout dog to be safe and not jumping down, but to use a ramp if they sit with you on furniture.
Dogs are best at visual learning rather than verbal commands. Dog trainer Anna Jane Grossman says “Dogs learn in pictures. Inside your dog’s brain is a very simple algorithm – pleasant images in one place and unpleasant images in another."
Ramp training even for the paralyzed dog:
HAPPY DAYS AHEAD
--- Lots more ideas and tips in living with an IVDD dog now and the years ahead (nail trims, dentals, having fun, etc.):
dodgerslist.com/living-with-ivdd-tips-2 PT THERAPY AT CLINIC or HOME
-- Water therapy at home for dog with no DPS can be lovely on the muscles just as a warm bath feels good to you. Also again, bone up on Underwater treadmill for the day you see a happy tail wag:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy-- At home daily massage and range of motion are important to continue with
Appropriate at home post-op physical therapy can help maintain
the muscles with lost nerve connection.
Therapy keeps muscles in optimal condition
while in wait to receive regenerating axon terminals.
GARMENTS TO PROTECT
You will want to consider how you will prevent rug burns from scooting and protecting bacteria from entering the bladder. Females have a very short path into the bladder and the use of a garment will protect against urinary tract infection (UTI). Here are 4 sew and no-sew options whether Gretchen is a frog- or seal-like scooter:
dodgerslist.com/2020/06/13/garment-skin-uti-protection/
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. We depend on all members to pay it forward for the help they have received with their dog by helping us educate!
Pick what suits you....
We depend on you. Here are some ways to help..
-- Please celebrate Gretchen'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 our literature and print out our letter of introduction for your vet.
►
ORDER BROCHURES & cards, they're free!◀︎] for your vet and wallet cards for you
i.postimg.cc/HxfzpNkT/help-order-350-32kb.jpg -- 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:
-- Offer your talent and skills to enhance the Forum, Website or Facebook. Let us know here where you'd best fit:
dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/#volunteerAnd finally, don't be a stranger! Stop in periodically. We really do love to hear how Gretchen is doing. We'd love a short video clip to see her in action at home, at PT and living & loving life in spite of IVDD!
if you see a new member in a tough spot on the Forum, give them hope. A brief paragraph about your dog can be insanely supportive and inspiring in a time of need!
i.postimg.cc/8P5FkBYy/living-laugh-love-in-spite.png
