Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 3, 2013 13:52:01 GMT -7
I'm very pleased to hear that Rusty is doing so well, Pam! Excellent. Now, as for that ex-pen! Again, as StevieLuv and I had mentioned, Dodgerslist follows the advice of IVDD-knowledgeable vets who recommend a full six weeks of crate rest following surgery. The crate that Rusty is currently in is a much better size for his recovery. Two much movement and a re-injury or regression could occur. Rusty has made such wonderful recovery, you don't want to take the risk of having anything go wrong at this point. I know he's tired of being confined. But if a re-injury occurs, he would be confined for much longer than another three weeks. Please take the safe route and continue with crate rest in his regular crate until October 22. The water therapy will help that time to fly by. And I can almost guarantee you that after his water therapy, he'll be tired and will be very glad to rest in his crate.
All the best to you and Rusty for continued improvement.
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Post by RustysMom on Oct 6, 2013 18:18:33 GMT -7
OK..I am going to take your word on the exercise pen. It's hard, since he is feeling so well, and wants so badly to be up and about. Plus, he can be in his own bed while inside the ex pen, and he really likes that. But, I think you are right. When in it, he does do some walking around, but he is very wobbly, and I cringe when he struggles and flops and falls when trying to walk. I am afraid he is going to reinjure something. I think for now, the crate is best. And really, he has gotten pretty used to it. Oh, and he did start swim therapy yesterday! It went great. If any of you live in the Everett/Lynnwood/Edmonds/ N Seattle area of Wa State, check out SplashDog. They are awesome....Here's Rusty's video if anyone is interested! :-) www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202278865756780&l=8300727464181171924
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Oct 6, 2013 20:34:55 GMT -7
Wow! - look at him go! Love the wagging tail while he is swimming, and you can see all 4 feet moving too! He looks wonderful.
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Post by RustysMom on Oct 6, 2013 21:00:43 GMT -7
LOL...yes, he was really moving! And all 4 feet and tail were going full speed...the massage therapist working with him was laughing at how fast he was going. His new nickname is Turbo Weinie! :-D She was really happy with how well he was doing for just 3 weeks post surgery. He is going to go 2 times a week at first, then will go to once a week after that.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Oct 7, 2013 9:49:13 GMT -7
HAHAHAAHA!!! Turbo Weinie!!! Love it!!
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Post by RustysMom on Oct 10, 2013 21:22:51 GMT -7
Rusty had his 6th laser treatment on Tuesday, and his second swim therapy session tonight. He is coming along so well! He got a real workout in the pool tonight, she had him do longer swimming bouts between massages. Just in the past 2 days, he has gotten so much stronger! And he can walk on his own now without falling, and his steps are getting much more stable, in line, and like normal. I am feeling pretty good about his progress, especially since it will just be 4 weeks on Saturday.
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Post by Pauliana on Oct 10, 2013 21:59:55 GMT -7
Congrats to you and Rusty on such a huge improvement! Laser and Swim therapy are doing him a world of good!!
Excited for you!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 26, 2013 10:19:23 GMT -7
Pam, congratulations are due for Rusty! What a good report you gave and wonderful inspiration to Jacquie for her Frankie just starting the healing journey! We hope you will stick around and help others just having received an IVDD diagnosis to know there is always hope!
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Post by RustysMom on Oct 26, 2013 18:57:23 GMT -7
I guess this makes up for never graduating from obedience class! lol....
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Post by Crystal & Abby on Oct 27, 2013 10:50:52 GMT -7
Yay!!!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Oct 29, 2013 10:04:53 GMT -7
Congratulations Rusty! You go Turbo Weinie!!!
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Post by RustysMom on Oct 30, 2013 13:04:49 GMT -7
Yes, the Turbo Weinie is really doing well. I am still struggling with how to manage him in the house, as he still wants to jump up on my leg to greet me, likes to sit up to beg at dinner time, and is used to climbing on furniture. Plus, slipping on the kitchen floor...Ugh, that's a tough one! I am trying to learn about all of the great ideas on here for managing those things. Plus, I can see it is a lot about retraining, retraining, retraining! He needs LOTS of reminders not to do some things. And, he is learning. If he starts to do something he shouldn't now, I remind him and he stops and gets that "Oh, yeah...that's right" look. As for outside, except that I still cary him up and down the stairs-- I pretty much have let him go back to what he loves to do. Which for the most part is checking out the yard for those dastardly squirrels! He runs along following their scent trails, happy as a lark. And then ther is the "thing under the shed"..... thats what we call it! We have never seen it, but Rusty is certain it is there! And, he will spend hours looking for it. :-) But overall, things are going very well. He has another swim therapy class tonight. I really believe in both that and laser therapy. I think they have really helped. He will switch to just once a week form now on out for swimming, probably for at least another month. It's very, very good to have my crazy little boy back!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 30, 2013 20:40:28 GMT -7
Sounds like a couple of refresher classes on training are in order. You may be able to apply Dr. Yin's "sit not jump" approach to Rusty whether you are standing or sitting on a chair.
As for smooth surface floors…cheap rug runners on the path ways he usually takes can help him have better traction until his nerves heal more.
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Post by RustysMom on Nov 9, 2013 19:52:46 GMT -7
Today is Rusty's 8 week anniversary! Exactly 8 weeks ago tonight, I was anxiously awaiting word on how Rusty would come out of surgery. It was a long, scary wait that night! But now tonight, Rus is sound asleep right here beside me in his exercise pen after a nice walk at the park with him, his sister, and myself on a crisp but sunny fall day. It is so good to see his gait steadily returning to normal. I have always loved how cute his jaunty little butt looks when he is happily trotting along! He is gradually getting better and better alignment, pretty much normal now, unless he gets tired. Then I know it is time to make him go take a rest. Swimming and massage has been a great help. And the support and info on here has been awesome! :-) Oh, and I have lots of runner and throw rugs all over on the slick floors. He is doing better with walking on them, but still needs TONS of reminders to SLOW DOWN and not jump and spin when he is excited.....that is the hardest part of this! I hate having to get after him so much, but I know it's critical. He is starting to understand, I think....And I am using the techniques in the video above, not that I always have treats at the ready for him! But I have learned that if he comes towards me, or even more, when I am going towards him when I am just getting home and he is excited, if I come at him low with my hands down at his level, saying "No jump!" and reach out to pet him right away, and praise him for staying down, it is working well also.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Nov 9, 2013 20:01:06 GMT -7
I'm so glad that Rusty continues to do well, Pam. You've done a wonderful job with his recovery and it shows! Rusty's story and your part in caring for him is an inspiration to others. Kudos to you both!
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Post by RustysMom on Dec 11, 2013 11:17:43 GMT -7
Hi everyone....sorry for not being around a lot lately...life gets busy sometimes! But I try to check in now and then, but I do need to get more active at posting support to new people's pages. I remember how it helped when going thru the stress and anxiety of dealing with everything. Rusty is coming along pretty well. I have to really keep an eye on him, since he has always believed himself invincible! It gives the term "watch like a hawk" a whole new meaning! But for the most part, he is doing well. I have done a lot of work with him to try and curb the habit of jumping up to greet me and the sitting up to beg that he has always been fond of doing. Not perfect, but he understands now when he starts to do it and I remind him, that he needs to chill and settle down, and he does. Do any of you notice the cold winter weather effecting your dog? We are having an exceptionally cold December here so far, and it seems like the cold weather causes him a bit of stiffness. I haven't really noticed him acting in pain really, just stiff and taking a bit longer to loosen up sometimes. I guess I should be thankful things have gone as well as they have though, considering it's only been 3 months!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 11, 2013 12:13:45 GMT -7
Hi Pam, my Mimi is only a week off of crate rest, but in the morning, it definitely takes her longer to loosen up. I asked my vet about this and she said that this was normal...again it's not pain, more like how we are when waking up in the am...a bit stiff. My vet also mentioned at that time that the cold may affect her as well. Another friend of mine who has a doxie rescue said the same thing, cold can make them stiff.
We are having a frigid December and I have noticed that she won't really move around a lot outside...will just do a quick pee and that's it. When she is inside where it is warm she is fine. I always make her wear her coat outside. So I think it's kind of normal. Good luck to you!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 11, 2013 23:00:59 GMT -7
Cold weather could exacerbate some developing arthritis. Just like us getting warmed up and moving about is what helps. If you feel it is pain…then you might consider acupuncture or laser light therapy for relief.
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