Laurie, it is still early the nerve healing department, so it may be with time you may see nerve repair. In the meantime if it fits your pocket book, a wheel chair can be used now to give Ghost mobility. You would be looking for a wheelchair that meets the needs of an IVDD dog. Check out this page for the features and the price points of different carts:
dodgerslist.com/wheelchairs/Until the cart comes (usually takes about 2 weeks to custom make for Ghost's body), you will be doing sling walking to start down the hallway in short spans to make sure he does not overdue things /muscle soreness.
Check out this SAMPLE weekly schedule for your sling walking:
dodgerslist.com/back-friendly/GRADUATION, A SLOW RE-INTRODUCTION
Once Ghost was off of all meds and no signs of pain were observed, you could start very light passive range of motion.
Now that Ghost has graduated 8 weeks of crate rest, you can start
active PT at home.
Appropriate physical therapy
can help maintain those muscles
with lost nerve connection
and keep the joints flexible
while nerve cells regenerate.
With graduation from crate rest, Ghost's PT would be the same as for a post-op dog:
Ghost's muscles are soft and out of shape after the rest period. GO SLOWLY introducing activity. YOU want to be sure you have certaintly that any discomfort is not related to sore muscles but could be possibly disc related (crate at once, get vet help to diagnose)
Water therapy at home can be beneficial not just as a form of exercise, but may help Ghost to move his back legs that he may not be able to do against gravity on land. Water therapy can take a lot of effort.... again introduce it in small dose of time to build up muscles and not be sore from overdoing things.
There is also underwater treadmill at a clinic, when there is evidence that Ghost attempts to use the back legs to reposition his body in his crate. Check out this page for various at-home options vs. at a clinic Underwater Treadmill:
dodgerslist.com/surgery-dog-water-therapy/RAMP for Ghost.
3) Teach your dog to be safe and not trying to jump down from your lap but to use a ramp. Yes it is true, dogs with paralyzed legs do not consider themselves handicapped.
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 for paralyzed back legs:
HAPPY DAYS AHEAD
1) You and your dog have survived a disc herniation! Learn what you can do from this point forward. Especially good to use with visitors to your home who may be around your dog to help them understand Ghost'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 for paralyzed legs are very important, safe ways to have fun together, and more:
dodgerslist.com/after-graduation-living-with-ivdd/ NAIL TRIMs for health, you will want to now care for 8 weeks of nail growth. Tips and suggestion to make this task go smoother:
dodgerslist.com/nail-trim-for-health/ GARMENTS TO PROTECT a scooting dog
You will want to consider how you will prevent rug burns from scooting. Here are some sew and no-sew options:
dodgerslist.com/incontinence-care-tips/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 about IVDD.
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.
►Today,
ORDER BROCHURES & cards, they're free!◀︎
for your vet and wallet cards for you
i.postimg.cc/HxfzpNkT/help-order-350-32kb.jpgAnd finally, don't be a stranger! Stop in periodically. We really do love to hear how your dog is doing. We'd love a short video clip to see Ghost in action at home, at PT and living & loving life in spite of IVDD!
if you see a new 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
