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Post by Sara & Maylee on May 27, 2024 22:38:11 GMT -7
So today 5/27, I experimented with 1/4 tablet of Trazodone - so 12.5 mg, I think. Better - but man she’s pretty drugged. I do not plan on giving it to her - only when absolutely needed. I feel like I need to be able to assess any pain return with the additional Pred taper - but I wanted to know she could relax when anxious. We leave Thursday for 5 days and I’m kinda a wreck as far as leaving her to the housesitter - but I do trust she will do a good job. I plan on having envelopes of meds, dates and times all ready for her. I made her practice picking Maylee up from the crate and taking her outside - I hope things will be ok.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on May 28, 2024 17:29:24 GMT -7
Sara, invite your house sitter to join us via her own sign in account. Might be handy should any question arise until she could get hold of you. Or maybe just for support, too.
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 3, 2024 19:57:00 GMT -7
6/3 - Hello - we got home this afternoon and all seems ok - our housesitter said things went well and Maylee seems to be good. She was so excited to see us I was worried she was going to hurt herself again! She has an acupuncture treatment on the 12th of June. I could not find one to come to the house so I have to take her but I will use a small carry crate and give her a sedative to keep her calm. I am really starting to wonder how I will ever feel comfortable with her doing normal things again. I already know we will make the area in our yard that she can access much smaller - right now she has over an acre. I will also keep her confined to 2 rooms vs the entire house - that way I have more control over her access to furniture and stuff. Does that seem reasonable?
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 4, 2024 13:21:55 GMT -7
I am glad to hear that your trip went well and Maylee is good.
After graduation, Maylee will have only limited restrictions. She will slowly return to most of her usual activities. We will be able to provide more details on how to do this as graduation day approaches. You will be able to set up your house to be back friendly so she will have access to a larger portion of the house.
It is quite common for pet parents of IVDD dogs to be nervous about activity after graduation. I certainly was. But we cannot keep them in a bubble. All we can do is set things up to be as safe as possible and then let them go about being dogs. As time continues, and you watch Maylee do this, you will become less fearful
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 12, 2024 12:42:05 GMT -7
So today 6/12 Maylee had her 1st acupuncture treatment. I finally found a holistic vet that does it 1 day a week in our area - it was an easy drive and Maylee was in a carry bag - secure. She has been doing so good I felt ok about the drive - but I am not letting her out of crate rest. It was a pretty cool experience- not at a typical vet office, but instead more like a massage parlor - calm music, good smells - it was awesome. And Maylee did so good - she was nervous at first but handled the needles fairly well. She is scheduled for another one in 2 weeks, which will be after her release date. the vet said she looked great - she is not a neuro but said Maylee seemed to be doing very very well compared to her original episode vet notes. It was also the first time I have been on the floor with her, without her being in her crate. I have sat outside in her xpen with her, but the comfy floor mat and music made me so excited to cuddle with her again!!
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 12, 2024 13:30:49 GMT -7
Excellent to hear the other vet say Maylee was doing very well. That is good news.
Acupuncture can help with healing, and the fact that she did well at her first session bodes well for additional sessions. Calming music probably helped as did your presence.
I am happy to hear that you are continuing the crate rest. It is limited activity that helps the disc to heal. Her graduation day is fast approaching. June 24 will be here soon, and then you can cuddle as much as you want.
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 12, 2024 13:35:31 GMT -7
Yes - we are holding a steady course!! She has an appointment in about 3 weeks for physical therapy as well. Hopefully they will give me some exercises to do at home to strengthen her core.
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 16, 2024 8:44:07 GMT -7
So after 7 weeks of leaning down and pushing Maylee’s crate on wheels and putting her in and out of her crate and Xpen, I have thrown MY back out and can hardly walk… I’m so ready for this experience to be over !
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Post by Ann Brittain on Jun 16, 2024 9:49:53 GMT -7
I'm so sorry to hear you've suffered a back injury. Hopefully you have someone who can help with Maylee to give yourself time to recover. Caring for an IVDD dog, can seem like a forever process, but it is well worth the time, effort, and even the pain we have to endure to help our dogs get back to a normal life. Fingers crossed that your back heals quickly, too!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 17, 2024 11:56:54 GMT -7
Sara, hope your back pain will heal by staying off of it just as for Maylee's disc. The way YOU stay off of your back is by using your core stomach muscles, thigh leg muscles and making sure you are bending by hinging at your hips...rather than bending with your weak back. Hips and legs are much stronger than backs. This is the same principal that pro weight lifters use....they NEVER bend their backs when lifting those heavy weights. LIFT and CARRY Mitzi (support both ends, keep back horizontal to the ground) May "staying off bending your back" relieve pain and help your own disc heal. Take care!
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 19, 2024 8:37:10 GMT -7
Today 6/19 our first shipment of fencing comes to begin altering the amount of yard Maylee has to run in comes in. I am very excited. We chose to just use Xpen material as it will be easy to adjust and move and alter as time goes on. We will also block off the living room and bedrooms when we are not in those rooms with her - at least until I can get her trained to use a ramp -which I am dreading - she is stubborn 🤣. At some Point this weekend, I will give her a sedative and trim all her nails and paw floof - it has grown out of control and completely covers her paw pads 🤣. We lovingly call them her “grinch paws”!
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PaulaM
Moderator. ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_magenta.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_magenta.png)
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 19, 2024 9:19:37 GMT -7
Sara, good news in getting ex-pen panels to use.! They are indeed very flexible in doing many jobs: from being a fence, a recovery suite. Taken apart, a couple of panels can serve as a blockers to furniture, etc.
Monday, June 24th will be graduation day. Then is the time to clip nails if need be and slowly begin introducing activity. You can begin to introduce gently the start of ramp training, too. Just know that ramp training is not a one time thing. Mitzi will need refresher training from you periodically (weekly or monthly) to keep her mind on the task of using ramps properly.
I expect there would be no changes from today about Mitzi because you are continuing with STRICT rest. However, DO UPDATE us on Monday to confirm, so we can tailor our suggestions for after graduation with up to date comments for Mitzi Maylee .
How is your back today? Did you see the lifting tips in previous post.... Did they aid you in any way?
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 19, 2024 9:27:36 GMT -7
Yes thank you - have been to a Chiro a number of times and have been very careful picking Maylee up - excited to have this whole process over soon and hopefully not to return!
My dog is Maylee - not Mitzi - maybe a different feed? I’m sure keeping up with all the threads in not easy!
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 24, 2024 6:35:06 GMT -7
Well - today 6/24 is Graduation Day. I feel like I should be so much more excited than I am. The reality is that I’m scared. I’m scared she will hurt herself again. She’s such a hyper little ball of energy that holding her back will be difficult. She also has had no exercise for 8 weeks so I am sure she has had major muscle loss and atrophy. I was able to get her an appointment for physical therapy in Modesto, about an hour away, but it’s not for a couple of weeks. So in the meantime, I suppose my plan will be to limit her movements - make the spaces she’s allowed to go smaller, easier to control. She needs her paws trimmed, they are so overgrown and long, and cover her foot pads, so we will do that as a family this evening. It has been a long haul, I should be excited, but I’m also not, if that makes sense.
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PaulaM
Moderator. ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_magenta.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_magenta.png)
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 24, 2024 9:08:27 GMT -7
Sara, I reviewed your posts to see where Maylee is in her neuro status. You reported back in May 5, that she no longer knuckles under her paw. We were looking for a current update today from you....is she a bit wobbly, needing a sling, etc.....do tell us about her gait when she walks? GRADUATiON DAY.... you did it, you aided Maylee's ability to self heal her disc! Give yourseld a pat on the back. AND read what this owner wrote about how to adjust your own mind about living with an IVDD dog: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/410/living-fear-ivddDr. Isaacs, ACVIM (Neurology) gives his thoughts on this topic from the Neuro Corner:
![https://i.postimg.cc/T1HTLqh5/Neuro-corner-Isaacs-175.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/T1HTLqh5/Neuro-corner-Isaacs-175.jpg) I hope this information will be helpful as you begin safely and gradually re-introducing her back to family life and activity, GRADUATION, A SLOW RE-INTRODUCTION The idea is to gradually give more freedom under controlled conditions. Not free rein of the house and yard immediately! LOL You are correct, Maylee's muscles are soft and out of shape after the rest period. Take a look at our information below. Gradually building her muscles over a month's time will have her safely running and having fun again! SAMPLE SCHEDULE of supervised activity getting back to family lifedodgerslist.com/back-friendly/DIY back PROTECTION around the house1) Good ideas in making your home back friendly: dodgerslist.com/home-protect-ivdd-backs/2) Ideas and products to provide improved traction if Maylee is a bit weak or wobbly in her back legs: dodgerslist.com/traction-solution-improvements/3) Teach her to be safe and no longer jumping up or down. She CAN LEARN to use a ramp whether over steps leading outdoors or to furniture in the house. Training is not a one time thing. Expect to give her a quick refresher class every month or so BEFORE she can develop any bad habits such as shortcutting going to the bottom of the ramp. 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." HAPPY DAYS AHEAD 1) You and your dog have survived a disc herniation! Learn what you can do from this point forward. This graphic strip is very good to use with youngsters or other visitors who may be around your dog to help them quickly with pictures to understand Maylee's disease: dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ivdd-6-Life-with-IVDD-Dodgerslist.pdf. 2) Now for the everyday living with an IVDD dog things. Lots more ideas and tips in living with an IVDD dog such as dentals, nail trims, safe ways to have fun together, and more: dodgerslist.com/after-graduation-living-with-ivdd/ This page is an excellent source on nail trims for health reasons. Especially how to deal with Maylee's long overgrown nails and how long it might take to get them to the correct length: dodgerslist.com/nail-trim-for-health/PT THERAPY AT CLINIC or HOME Safety first. You should always consult with a veterinarian before starting any exercise program with your dog. -- Water therapy: dodgerslist.com/surgery-dog-water-therapy/ as a means to strengthen leg muscles at home. -- Strengthening core muscles. This applies not just for humans, but REALLY applies to the IVDD dog: "...improve the strength and coordination of the muscles that surround the spine so they can act like the world's greatest back and neck brace. www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spondylosis " Core exercises don't require specialized equipment. These are 4 exercises you can do at home: 1) Sit toStand, 2) Down to Stand, 3) Three Leg Stand, 4) Backing UP. The last exercise presented in the video,⚠️ HIP extension, exercise is NOT for dogs with IVDD back disease!IF her gait is not entirely normal, you can help her to learn to fine tune lifting legs, etc. Most dogs LOVE to work for treats and praise from their owners. --- Buy cheap cut of meat or chicken when on sale as really high value treats. Cook, cut into tiny, itty bitty treats and freeze to use as needed each day. --- Do all PT where there are no other distractions of kids or other dogs. --- Do PT slowly so that footsteps are deliberate- helps to re-train the nerves and muscles to work together in a more normal gait pattern. --- Provide a surface with good traction such as carpet or use of a Yoga mat or rug runners --- Use sticks, broom, pvc pipes spaced out on good traction carpet. Dog then will learn to lift paws as they walk SLOWLY over each one.
---Do PT therapy at meal times. •Reward for pushing up from a sit to a stand. • Scatter some kibbles on a non-slippery floor and use sling if wobbly walking to encourage walking to her food. --- Single leg balance for the weaker leg. While she is standing, lift the stronger leg off the ground for a few seconds-this will force bearing weight on the weaker leg. Lower and repeat with the opposite side leg. --- Outdoors on leash/harness and if needed a sling. Walk across a gentle slope, walk up and down the slope. Walk on different textures...low grass, higher grass, on sand.
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.. -- "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.
for your vet and wallet cards for you And finally, don't be a stranger! Stop in periodically. We really do love to hear how Maylee 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 Forum member in a tough spot, 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
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 24, 2024 10:16:47 GMT -7
Maylee has no pain, and no neuro issues - she has been looking normal for a long time now! She has another acupuncture treatment on Thursday and I will have the vet check her again, but I think she is good to go besides any muscle loss. Her back end in not wobbly and she corrects the knuckle test right away. Thanks for all the tips for sure! I will ready them and slowly start her intro to her new life 🤣.
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 24, 2024 14:07:04 GMT -7
So we trimmed her paw hair - not toenails yet… didn’t want to over stress her …. And she just went on her first little walk in 8 weeks!!! In the backyard and on our sidewalk - soooo great!!! I can tell even that little 10 minute cruise made her tired tho …. Baby steps …. But man it feels good!! I carried her back to her crate - she drank lots of water and is out!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 24, 2024 14:24:22 GMT -7
from the page re: SAMPLE SCHEDULE of supervised activity getting back to family life
The point about taking introduction gradually is to be able to know IF, if you would observe pain, discomfort you would know it certainly could not be due to allowing Maylee to over exercise couch potatoe muscles but would quite possibly involve a disc and need vet help/diagnosis.
Today, with so much exercise at once, you do not know if you are to see Maylee uncomfortable...is it due to over doing muscle exertion or could it be another disc damage?
Sara, please let us know how Maylee is doing with the 10 minute outing. Fingers crossed for Maylee.
Let us know you will be able to follow a gradual and slow introduction back to physical activity.
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jun 24, 2024 15:08:59 GMT -7
Maylee didn’t walk straight for 10 minutes - she was on a leash sniffing the backyard and our sidewalk for maybe 10 minutes - it was not over exhaustion for her - I would not have done anything like that at all - but I will make sure to keep a close eye on her.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 25, 2024 13:04:22 GMT -7
It must have been really nice for you and Maylee to take that short walk. She has been sedentary for a while, so it is not surprising that she got tired. Shorten her next outing until you get a feel for what she can tolerate. Little by little she will regain her stamina.
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jul 2, 2024 6:32:07 GMT -7
7/2 - Maylee is doing really well - although she is even more frustrated in her crate as she is now going on brief walks and potty’s on a leash - so every time back in the crate is a struggle. I have read over the suggestions again and again - but it feels like she will never get out.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jul 2, 2024 13:49:30 GMT -7
It does sometimes feel like crate rest will go on forever. I remember feeling that way with my dog. One thing that helped make the time pass for him was some nose work. We did it with right in the crate. The one that worked best was the Muffin Tin game. There is a video here: dodgerslist.com/have-fun-nose-work/
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Post by Sara & Maylee on Jul 22, 2024 14:24:54 GMT -7
7/22 - Just thought I would say hello - Maylee is doing great - she’s got great movement and is loosing her weight she gained 🤣 - still trying to keep her calm and slow - she wants to do all the things 🙄.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 22, 2024 14:33:47 GMT -7
Sara, very happy to hear Maylee is progressing nicely as she transitions back to physical activity and family life.
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