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Post by Kathryn & Jazz on May 17, 2024 11:15:07 GMT -7
Hello, my name is Kathryn.
Jazz was on Conservative treatment until the disc in her neck ruptured while she was eating on May 15th. She had surgery [5/16?] yesterday to remove a disc in her neck and is coming home in a few hours.
I have found most of my answers already on this amazing site and we already have her recovery pen set up thanks to you.
I am sure the vet/tech will be able to answer most of my questions when we pick her up, but if not I will definitely be back for help.
I am a little concerned about how to hold her up to pee as both of her left legs were paralyzed, but the Vet has recommended one of their harnesses, so we will try it and see how that goes. I will return and complete the rest of the questions once I know her post surgery medications.
thanks again,
Kathryn
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Post by Romy & Frankie on May 17, 2024 13:37:40 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Kathryn. We are glad you have joined us. We’ve got valuable information we’ve learned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you! Learn more about us and how we team up with veterinarians: dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/
Surgery removes the displaced disc material pressing on spinal cord nerves and causing pain and neuro deficits. The source of pain now, would be from the surgery itself. Nerves no longer being compressed can begin the healing process.
It is good that you have her recovery suite (crate) set up for when she gets home. The surgeon will tell you how many weeks of crate rest he wants. This is most commonly 4-6 weeks, but we have seen surgeons prescribing 8 weeks of post-surgery crate rest.
Dr. Isaacs, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology) , has helped us to understand why the importance of crate rest after surgery with this answer: "Crate rest is important post-operatively to help prevent damage to the surgical site. If a dog gets too active bleeding can occur that leads to a hematoma (blood clot) compressing the spinal cord. Also, it takes 2-4 weeks for the rent/hole in the intervertebral disk to heal and seal over. So, if a dog gets too active post-operatively additional disk material can rupture, and we are right back or worse than we were to begin with." You can read more of Dr Isaacs answers to questions about surgery here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/12/dr-isaacs-surgery-answers/
A sling, to help Jazz stand for pottying is a good idea. At 30 lbs, Jazz will be difficult to safely carry out to potty. Try using a pee pad right outside her crate and support her to stand there. You can encourage her to use the pee pad by getting a paper towel with a bit of another dogs's urine and put it on the pee pad. I had to do this after my dog's surgery.
Here is a DIY idea that can be used to support front or back legs. You can make two to support front and back legs.
We have a sample list of discharge questions you may want to ask. You can add some of your own concerns.
Please keep us up to date on Jazz once she comes home.
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Post by Kathryn & Jazz on May 19, 2024 12:05:45 GMT -7
5/19 updated Q&A merged into this post.
☆ 1 pain? no, managed by medication.
★2 30 lbs, 6 years old
Jazz was on Conservative treatment until the disc in her neck ruptured while she was eating on May 15th.
post surgery meds same as before surgery except Trazadone added if needed:
Gabapentin 200mg every 8 hours
Codeine 15mg every 8 hours
Methocarbamol 200mg every 8 hours
Metacam once per day
Trazadone 100mg up to every 8 hours as needed but we are only giving it to her at night as she is pretty calm.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
30 lbs 6 y.o.
Metacam ?mg 1x/day for how many days?
gabapentin 200mgs 3x/day
codeine 15mgs 3x/day
methocarbamol 200mgs 3x/day
trazadone 100mgs 1x/day]
☆ 3 -- GI signs? : n/a
☆ 4 Jazz and her sister are rescues so unsure of exact breed, but Jazz looks a large Dachshund and her sister looks like a Boxer/Lab. My name is Kathryn.
☆ 5 yes - neck disc herniation
Neurologist removed the disc [May 16], yesterday.
☆ 6 🔘 date of SURGERY? May 16, 2024
☆ 7 🔘 We misunderstood, she was able to urinate on her own but lying down, not standing.
☆ 8 have been told by vet she has not regained strength in both left legs and needs help to stand.
Thank you for the information!
Jazz is doing well, her tail works again! She still can't stand but she can move her left legs again and sits up briefly which is encouraging.
We invested in 'The Help'em Up' harness which is amazing... not just to help hold her up for potty but we aren't spring chickens and she is heavy, so being able to lift her up into the other person's arms to carry her is a game changer for us.
My only concern right now is that she still hasn't peed since she has been home. She did at the clinic more than once and we think maybe she is less medicated/relaxed now? She does not seem uncomfortable and is not dripping so we are going to be patient for now.
Kathryn
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on May 19, 2024 14:27:37 GMT -7
Katheryn, wonderful to hear Jazz is back home and in comfort from post-op pain and ability to move both of the left legs!! For how many weeks does the surgeon want for post-op rest which includes the PT he directed for at home? Often that rest can be 4 or 6 weeks to let all the surgery areas heal. Let us know which of these post-op exercises your surgeon might have directed: Appropriate physical therapy can help maintain those muscles and keep the joints flexible until walking again. Post-op PT for the paralyzed IVDD dog:
Nerve healing often can take longer than the post-op rest to see regain of leg function. Think more in terms of months rather than days/weeks. What is the mg dose of Metacam 2x/day? For how many days is the Metacam Rx? Peeing on her own
Is she consuming a normal amount of water now at home? Let us know that with your help em up harness, that you can give Jazz an opportunity to pee with your assist in holding her body best as possible to stand with the right front/rear legs. Jazz my not like having to pee where she sleeps in her bedding nor having to pee laying down. Take her out of the recovery suite every 2-3 hrs, moving to every 3-4 hrs as she stays dry. Either take her out to the grass and give her a chance to sniff an old spot and then pee in an upright position. OR another option is inside, place a pee pad adjacent to her crate and use the pad as the potty place. Use an old urine stained piece of paper towel from her sister, placed on pee pad for Jazz to sniff will let Jazz know it is ok to pee in the house on the pee pad. |
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Post by Kathryn & Jazz on May 20, 2024 12:59:42 GMT -7
Jazz is able to push herself to sitting now and stand briefly, so things are progressing well!
The vet didn’t say how long Post-op rest is for exactly, just strict crate/pen rest for two weeks and then she goes in for a follow up appointment.
Post-op exercises:passive range of motion & weight shifting exercise. Sit to stand is to start in 2 weeks.
Metacam - 13kg dose daily for 7 days after discharge.
She did pee last night in her bed after more than 24 hours, which was almost as much of a relief for us as it had to be for her lol! We are still taking her out every few hours and she is starting to sniff the grass so think we will have success soon.
thank you again for your support!
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