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Post by Gina24 on Jun 8, 2024 7:45:34 GMT -7
[Original subject line:Laz GSD surgery ]
i.postimg.cc/LXP8RBY8/G-shepher.png i.postimg.cc/bwbM9fBY/surgery-back-leg-paralysis.png 1 Is there still currently pain? Laz is currently at Cornell - he had surgery [6/7] yesterday. On pain management. ★2 Approx 60# He just t urned 3 on Wednesday. [MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 60 lbs 3 y.o. 6/7 surgery]
A.. names of meds currently given? *unsure* B. They will use a steroid. Unsure of timeline. C.. PEPCID AC: Phrase a simple question that you expect a simple "yes "or "no" to it. Does my dog have any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? No ☆ 3 -- Does your dog show red flag signs of stomach damage? No ☆ 4 German Shepherd , Laz. Gina ☆ 5 🔘 Seen by vet on Thursday who recommended taking to Cornell on emergency which I did. 🔘 -- or a specialist surgeon: ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho? [Cornell] Specialist 🔘 SURGERY? Friday, June 7--SURGICAL dogs will follow surgeon's directives for rest & PT during post-op rest as the offending disc material was removed. -- How many weeks did your surgeon direct for post-op rest? Have not discharged but thus far they've said 8 weeks. -- What did your surgeon direct for clinic or at home PT? Do not have that info yet. ☆ 7 🔘 Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control? No. He is paralyzed in his hind limbs with no feeling.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 8, 2024 11:05:29 GMT -7
Gina, welcome to the Forum! We look forward to Laz being back home and what all the surgeon directs for meds, any at home PT and for how many weeks he wants for post-op rest to let all the surgical areas heal. Until Laz is discharged you may like to get ready for home care with these tried, true and tested ideas. ◊ This is a general page on care tips of all sorts. Include setting up the crate mattress and other things in general for all sizes of dogs. Well worth going thru to see what you already have around the house and which ideas you can incorporate: dodgerslist.com/strict-rest-recovery-process/ ◊ This page is devoted to large breed dogs and overcoming their specific care challenges. Safely lifting for both the dog's needs and your own back may need thinking outside of the box for different options: Lots of options to see which fits your home and your abilities: dodgerslist.com/large-dog-care-tips-ivdd/Everyone wants to know how long will it take to heal neuro functions. There are other things that need to heal too. Be aware of each...take a look at this page for tools you can download to educate yourself and other family members: dodgerslist.com/most-asked-disc-disease-ivdd-question/So no one will be able to tell you how long to heal nerve function. The textbook order of healing is all that is known. Nerve healing is a predictable step by step order. Once deep pain sensation has healed and back with ONLY the identification by the surgeon, then healing continues in this orderly order that you can monitor: MONITORING NEURO FUNCTION HEALING Think more in term of months rather than days/weeks for this slowest part of the body to self-heal. 1. _Deep Pain Sensation: the first neuro function to return. DPS is the critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with non-surgical conservative treatment. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about this very tricky to correctly identify neuro function. 2. _Tail wagging with joy at specifically hearing YOUR happy talk, seeing you or getting food. 3. _Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test. 4. _Weak rear leg movement, and then _ability to move up into a standing position, and then _wobbly walking. 5. _Being able to walk with more steadiness and _ properly place the paw without it knuckling under. 6. _Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run. LEARN MORE: dodgerslist.com/nerve-healing-after-disc-episode/Knuckling paw Let us know if there is any particular thing on your mind, that we can comment on. And as you get updates on Laz, please share with us. Do confirm the name of the disease, the surgeon diagnosed for Laz.
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Post by Gina24 on Jun 8, 2024 12:19:31 GMT -7
Hello and thank you for this forum, the website and your help. It's invaluable and so appreciated. There is a lot to learn. They did say he had IVDD. I know there will be more detail in the discharge paperwork. I am not sure if there is additional diagnostic info that goes with this. I've been reading the site a lot today and am working on his recovery suite. The discharge questions I had not seen along with a couple of others so I'll be reading those tonight. I have 3 questions right now if that's okay. 1. May I use washable pee pads like the ones for people? I have some on hand. 2. I have an orthopedic flat bed that's about 4 inches high is that too high? I'm thinking so - he could fall off of it? 3. About 20 years ago I bought this luckydogdirect.com/collections/stay-series-kennels/products/lucky-dog%C2%AE-stay-series%E2%84%A2-4l-x-4w-studio-kennel that I set up inside the house 😊 for a German Shepherd who needed care and I've used it ever since for other dogs to enjoy as a comfy spot. It's 4ftx4ftx 6ft. So if I got one of the Foam by Mail bigger, lower beds like 28x46 it would give me room to get in and do care and be okay? 4. Okay sorry one more question - can you express the urine into a container or just on a pee pad or?? He will have to be on his side for this. It's hard to picture the logistics! Thank you again.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 8, 2024 13:36:20 GMT -7
You can definitely use human pee pads for Laz. Anything that is absorbent enough will be fine.
A 4 inch high bed is too high if there is a risk he may fall off. What can be done is to use rolled up blankets or towels and place them around the bed. Then falling off will not be an issue.
Along with the risk of Laz falling off, a 4 inch high bed may be more difficult for you to lift him up on. After my dog Frankie's surgery, I had some trouble lifting him. He was over 60 lbs. I used a "Help em Up" harness. This has a handle along the top of the harness that makes lifting easier.
The size of the crate should only be large enough for the dog to stretch out the legs when lying down. If the studio kennel is too large, pad it out with the rolled up towels.
Expressing is tricky and must be practiced to be learned. You may want to try different positions and see which one works best. With Laz lying on his side, and one of your arms underneath and another over the top, lying on pee pads wold be easier than using a container. As Laz heals, you may find another position works better. With my dog, I started expressing him lying down. As time went by, and he could support some of his weight, while he was standing, I supported his back end on my forearms and used my hands to express. With this position, a container would work nicely.
Have the vet give you a hands-on lesson in expressing before you take Laz home. Then, at home, experiment until you find what will work for you. We have a lot of info at the link below: dodgerslist.com/bladder-bowel-care/
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jun 8, 2024 19:48:44 GMT -7
Okay - all set [registered]! Thanks! (My mind is still not settled but enough - and thank you for acknowledging that is the feeling!)
Thank you so much for these quick answers!
I'm going to get a 2 inch bed topper from Wal-Mart - that's a great idea and so much easier for both of us and it will make a couple of beds. They also have a really big body pillow thing that looks like I could wedge it in there to keep him in place better.
It's good to know you took care of a larger dog and did it on your own! I guess the hospital has a supply of that Help em Up harness so they will fit him with that (thank goodness or I'd buy a Chihuahua sized one - I never get the right sizes).
Thank you - the bladder stuff worries me a lot and I've been trying to read and watch and it still - it's not the kind of thing I have ever done. This is very helpful. ETA - they will teach me on discharge day how to express in person but I'm reading/watching videos. 😬
The vet student called tonight and said they took him outside today, that his hind legs are slightly less stiff and had a little more range of motion. He's only 3 and this has all been a surprise.
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Post by Ann Brittain on Jun 9, 2024 6:58:57 GMT -7
I'm glad to hear Laz is doing better. You're smart to prepare, in advance, for when he comes home.
Expressing a dog can be challenging, but very necessary if they cannot pee on their own. Hopefully he will be back to normal soon, but, in the meantime, Dodgerslist will be here to help with tips and support.
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Gina & Laz
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jun 9, 2024 15:08:39 GMT -7
Thank you!
I'm so grateful for that. It's overwhelming to think of!
Thank you - I've done the bookmarking and notifications.
They're doing PT with him using one of those "peanuts" and he seems to have had a good Sunday. I'm so grateful. We are looking at Tues/Wed June 11 or 12 for discharge where I will get instructions, med list, and learn about expressing him and PT.
Thanks!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 9, 2024 17:50:01 GMT -7
Gina, due to your "hitting the books" and learning as much as you can before discharge date, home care should be a much smoother process for you. HANDY TIP TO REPLY The Forum is best viewed via the "desk top view" of a mobile device's browser app (Safari, Chrome, Foxfire, etc.). Scroll down to the bottom of your device's screen to click on "Desktop".
The most effective way to give a reply: -- scroll down to the "Quick reply" typing area. -- No need to entirely quote a previous post via the QUOTE button. Just include 1-2 words of the question with your answer. We basically only want to read your own words in your post.
Quick reply allows scrolling up & down to a previous post. Then back down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post.
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jun 10, 2024 12:12:47 GMT -7
Thank you! I'll do the quick reply - I wasn't sure!
I hope it helps. I am so afraid of making things worse or hurting him.
He comes home tomorrow 6/11. Surgery was 6/7. Initial discomfort showed as vague symptoms on 6/5, with paralysis 6/6 and to the vet prior to the appt I'd scheduled for that day when the discomfort started. Just getting the timeline fully in here. Shocking turn of events.
Quick question - bedding goes garbage bag, pee pad, fleece - and another pee pad on that?
Thanks for all of this. This is really like having an inside scoop.
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PaulaM
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Posts: 19,793
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 10, 2024 14:04:48 GMT -7
Gina, it is, indeed, a very fast thing (acute) for a disc episode. Fast action needs to be taken to crate at once and get vet help upon any suspicion of a disc episode. You did a good job! This is the layering order for the mattress system: Top layer: Fleece "bottom sheet" tucked in all around tightly and a bit under the mattress keeps pee pad from shifting. Middle layer: Pee pad on top of mattress Bottom layer: Mattress enclosed in trash bag to protect and avoid having to clean urine out of a mattress.
At suite freshening time, dispose of used pee pad, put the bottom sheet in the washer. Having extra fleece bottom sheets means you have them near by and can quickly remake bedding. Fleece is no sew, no worries about raveling just cut one of those cheap about $10 (100% synthetic throws found at Target, large grocery storea down to sizes you need. Fleece (no cotton, 100% polyester) is available at almost every fabric store like JoAnns. Fleece washes and dries very quickly. On a warm summer day I even dry mine outside in the sunshine so it smells wonderfully "outdoorish" for my dog. i.postimg.cc/2yzMZ5g3/suite_setup_CHUNK.jpganother view of mattress setup + more tips: Would you like to introduce your vet to Dodgerslist so his next patient can benefit from the inside scoop on home care? Find our introductory vet letter for you to print out. PLUS free printed brochures and cards you can order: dodgerslist.com/free-literature/Let us know if the surgeon says Laz has deep pain sensation (DPS) when discharged and maybe even to the point of bladder control?
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jun 10, 2024 14:32:17 GMT -7
Oh good - I knew I saw that picture somewhere. I was - in my mind - doing many more layers. ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) Thanks! There's no sensation reported yet. I'm hoping and praying. I also wanted to mention the surgeon did 3 things. The hemilaminectomy, durotomy, and fenestration. Right now, other than what I've read, I don't know if that will help his chances. I didn't even know what those things were last week. Now I barely do! He was 50/50 on walking they said with hemilaminectomy. 😞
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 11, 2024 13:28:43 GMT -7
Nerves are slow to heal. We always have to think in terms of months, not weeks for healing.
It can take about two weeks for the swelling caused by the surgery to go down. That is what happened after my dog Frankie's surgery. He went in with some DPS and came out with none. I didn't understand how this could happen until I found out about post-surgical swelling. Over the course of some months, he began to regain function.
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jun 11, 2024 19:24:57 GMT -7
Oh wow that's interesting - I never even considered that. Thank you - very helpful to learn there's different reasons for whatever is happening and not just where the mind goes. I appreciate it.
I am going to get him tomorrow, 6/12.
I recommend* the Wal-Mart body pillow available at the store for about $15 for filling space in an area and it bends and moves too. I wish I sewed/had a sewing machine to make a case for it!
*of course this is before I get my dog! I hope it works well in reality.
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jun 13, 2024 10:38:33 GMT -7
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 60 lbs 3 y.o. 6/7 surgery Prednisone as of 6/13: 10mg 2x/day for 1 day, 6/14 begins taper doses gabapentin 300mgs 3x/day traZODone 50mgs 3x/day Tamsulosin (Flomax) 00.4 mg 1x/day muscle relaxer for bladder neck Flagyl (metronidazole) antibiotic ] ?mg ?x/day ]
1. PREDNISONE 10 mg tablets: Give 1 tablet (10 mg) by mouth every 12 hours for 1 more day. Then give 1/2 t mouth every 12 hours for 3 days. Then give 1/2 tablet by mouth ONCE DAILY for 3 doses. Then discontinue, NEXT DOSE DUE: 6/12 at 8pm with dinner 2. GABAPENTIN 600 mg tablet: Give 1/2 tablet (300 mg) by mouth every & hours for pain relief Easiest dosing for most owner is 6am, 2pm, and 10pm 3. TRAZODONE 100 mg tablets: Give 1/2-1 tablet (50 mg 100 mg) by mouth every 8 to 12 hours as needed. Laz has been receiving 1/2 tablet by mouth every 8 hours and tolerates this well without being overly sedated. If there is more exciting events in the house or as he regains more of his spark during recuperation, you may need to increase the dose to 1 tablet by mouth every 8 hours. Easiest dosing for most owner is 6am, 2pm, and 10pm
4. TAMSULOSIN 0.4 mg capsules: Give 1 capsule by (0.4 mg) mouth ONCE daily to facilitate bladder expression This medication is used to relax smooth muscle associated with the internal urethral sphincter and make urination and bladder expression easier.
5. FLAGYL- need to get that info from the bottle - they added that yesterday. German Shepherd stomachs can be touchy!
Wow! This is all a lot harder than it sounds and it sounded hard. I got him yesterday late afternoon and he was very excited. Did well in the car. I don't have his nest right yet. But he's comfy now. Did a good expression when we got home (just from taking him out of the car) and one this morning, but just now on my lunch break I could not get the Help Him Up Harness on correctly (so many buckles) and did a not great job. Is whining normal?
I am waiting for the PT peanut to arrive - that is where they've been expressing him and I could see it helps. I think that will be a game changer (knock wood).
Questions - Do slings help enough for moving them? How much water should a dog drink in recovery is a question that just occurred to me.
His follow up appointment is 6/27.
Thank you all - DodgersList was listed as a resource on the [Cornell U] discharge paperwork!
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Post by Rita & Scout on Jun 13, 2024 12:01:44 GMT -7
Hi Gina, I just wanted to say hi! Today is day 6 since we brought Scout home. I agree with you that it is very hard not just emotionally but physically. My first 4 nights were mostly sleepless, my husband took his turn and let me sleep night 5, last night the vet increased Scout's medication for the night time and she slept most of the night. It seems like things are improving for us, we have more hope now for her recovery and she is in better mood at least part of the days, usually in the afternoons/evenings. We are taking her on walks twice a day in a dog stroller, bought one from Amazon for dogs under 66lb, she is enjoying fresh air and scenery. She is an older girl and not trying to jump, so the vet approved this activity for her. Scout is urinating by herself and we don't have to express her bladder and it is a major relief for us and probably for her as well. I am rooting for you and Laz, hang in there and things will get better. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 13, 2024 13:35:43 GMT -7
Happy to hear that Laz is home. Dogs do better at home.
I found the Help em Up to be a bit complicated too. I got it eventually. There are some videos on their site. I am not sure if you have had a chance to look at any of them. Also, you may have been rushing a bit since you were on your lunch hour.
Expressing is a skill that must be practiced. Many of our members have struggled with this. I had to go back to the vet more than once to get another hands-on lesson. Don't worry if you don't get it at first. Just express more often while you are learning so you can get more urine out over the course of the day.
You should be able to lift Laz with a sling. Laz is about the same weight as my dog was after surgery. I was able to lift him with the sling but it just felt more awkward.
It is not uncommon for dogs to whine much more than usual. His life has changed a lot. Whining is not a sign of pain. - shivering-trembling - yelping when picked up or moved - tight tense tummy -arched back, ears pinned back - restless, can't find a comfortable position - slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions
If you see any of these signs, especially if you see more than one let the vet know right away, so pain meds can be adjusted.
Laz is on pred so he will want to drink more and therefore urinate more. He should have free access to water.
All anti-inflammatories, like pred, cause excess stomach acid. This can sometimes lead to serious stomach damage. To prevent this damage, a stomach protector like Pepcid AC is used. Ask the vet if your dog has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a “no health” issues answer, then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine)
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory.
I know your vet gave you flagyl but flagyl is an antibiotic type of medicine and does not protect from excess stomach acid.
Please keep us up to date on Laz as he recovers.
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Gina & Laz
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Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jun 23, 2024 16:39:57 GMT -7
Thank you Rita & Scout for the encouragement! I'm so glad Scout is doing so well! Romy & Frankie thank you for all that info. I started him on the Pepcid [DATE? ?mg ?x/day ]
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 60 lbs 3 y.o. 6/7 surgery Prednisone as of 6/13: 10mg 2x/day for 1 day, 6/14 begins taper doses gabapentin 300mgs 3x/day traZODone 50mgs 3x/day Tamsulosin (Flomax) 00.4 mg 1x/day muscle relaxer for bladder neck Flagyl (metronidazole) antibiotic ?mg ?x/day ✙Carafate ?mg ?x/day ✙Cerenia ?mg ?x/day ✙Prilosec ?mg ?x/day ✙Pepcid AC ?mg ?x/day ]and then - last weekend he wasn't hungry, just drinking, and that's unusual. I called the vet on Monday the 17th and then my phone lost connection so I missed their call. He started eating and acting normally and I thought great. On Tuesday the 18th I was doing morning cleanup with him and he sat up and vomited blood. I have never seen anything like it in like it 30 years of having dogs. His stool had been darker but not dramatically so - it usually is with his food. Made a connection with my local vet first and they had me bring him over, gave him a shot of✙ Cerenia and a bottle of ✙ Carafate. Cornell called later in the day, added generic ✙ Prilosec to the list. The Cerenia of course gave almost instant improvement and he was able to rest. The guess is that he has a Peptic ulcer. Things were improving - but we were experiencing unbelievable heat which impacts me - then last night again 6/22, he was off his food while still on Carafate and Prilosec generic. Then he threw up evening of 6/22, but only a ton of water - and it was only brown tinged from the canned food he'd eaten. Today 6/23 he ate some of the GI canned food and is drinking water. I gave him half of a dog biscuit because I'm so sad for my buddy. I honestly have been so overwhelmed by it all. He's lost some weight - he didn't need to lose any. I finally got the right sized exercise peanut and it's on day 1 of inflating so we can try it tomorrow. Hopefully he's still healing the nerves. He can be a little willful and really wants his old life back - he wants to go out back (can't steps). I get it! But it's scary! Thanks again for the help and information. He has an appointment on Wednesday the 26th with neurology for a routine follow up. I still struggle with that harness - it is definitely better than the sling but the sling is working for me. Weird question - could he control his bladder at all while still paralyzed in the legs? I swear he releases urine when he sees me getting the gloves and pee pad. He does not like the pressing. Thanks!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 23, 2024 17:06:44 GMT -7
Moderator Paula is reading and preparing a reply.
When a new med or change in meds is mentioned, please provide the details of ?mg ?x/day. Thanks!
✙Carafate ?mg ?x/day ✙Cerenia ?mg ?x/day ✙Prilosec ?mg ?x/day ✙Pepcid AC ?mg ?x/day ]
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 23, 2024 17:16:37 GMT -7
Gina this is the predictably step by step order of nerve repair: ORDER OF NERVE HEALING 1. _ Deep Pain Sensation: the first neuro function to return. DPS is the critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about this very tricky to correctly identify neuro function. 2. _ Tail wagging with joy at specifically hearing YOUR happy talk, seeing you or getting food. 3. _ Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test. 4. _Weak rear leg movement, and then _ability to move up into a standing position, and then _wobbly walking. 5. _Being able to walk with more steadiness and _ properly place the paw without it knuckling under. 6. _Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run. LEARN MORE: dodgerslist.com/nerve-healing-after-disc-episode/Knuckling: thumb.ibb.co/k3dqRS/Knuckling.jpgFor us humans to be able to distinguish between reflex and brain directed, we have to see some sort of head level involvement with the tail, with a limb or with release of urine so we know the movement was done with purposeful thinking. --- Sniff (head level nose) on an old peed spot, then release of urine would be brain directed. --- Hear (head level ear) you doing some happy talk and then tail wags is brain directed. Tail movement during potty time can often be a reflex --- Itchy sensation at neck and then tries to scratch would be purposeful movement. Tickling paws, etc can cause reflex leg movements of pushing in or out. --- leg or tail movements during potty time are likely a reflex movement, not brain directed. If you have observed a happy tail wag from Laz when you specifically did some happy talk, then the next neuro funcition to return would be bladder control. Can he do a happy tail wag?
SNIFF and PEE The "sniff and pee test" is the only way for humans to determine whether bladder control exists. Carry the dog outdoors, set him down on an old pee spot for a sniff. Make sure that neither the sling nor your hands are on the stomach region as this could put pressure on the bladder. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. Until you are certain that full voiding is always occurring, continue to do a quick express check after dog pees. Tell us what you observe.
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jul 12, 2024 10:54:17 GMT -7
It's been a long time since I updated. Things went south with the FloMax. He was urinating non-stop (like a faucet you forgot to turn off) and ended up with some paraphimosis and skin issues during the weekend of the 29th of June. The urine had been an issue - I could not time expression because it was ongoing - but the skin and penis had been okay - I just wasn't connecting to the FloMax and was blaming it on me not catching it in time. He went to his regular vet July 2, and the med was discontinued. I will say since that washed out I noticed a huge difference in him, not just urine wise but attitude (good enough to be obnoxious) and strength. I think the med was knocking him out, perhaps via low BP.
However, that weekend was the straw that broke me and a friend volunteered to start a GoFundMe so that he could do boarding rehab. I am not sure he will be able to walk but am praying so. I didn't want to post on here so as not to looking like I was fundraising.
On Tuesday July 9th I took Laz to rehab boarding. He will be there at least 3 weeks, getting PT and then doing underwater treadmill and other therapies like laser. I will never be able to thank my friends and his donors enough.
From their report from 7/9 - this is Thera-Vet Acres in Webster NY: "Laz has questionable deep pain in both hindlimbs, but withdrawal is present in both hindlimbs and in his tail. He has rectal tone and hyper patellar reflexes bilaterally (a full neurologic examination was not performed)."
I honestly am not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
He will go to Cornell on July 18, then back to rehab. Getting to work on and off all day on therapies is a dream to him. He is also loving his new friends there and is especially fond of the boarding manager - his respite home is in her office. In just 2.5 days he began bossing her for attention, so I know he's feeling like himself. She is working on this with him. 😂❤️
Thanks again for the support here.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jul 12, 2024 13:48:11 GMT -7
I am glad that you were able to get Laz into a rehab facility with an underwater treadmill. After my dog Frankie's surgery, we did this type of aqua therapy. I do not think he would have recovered nearly as well without it.
It seems like the Flomax was just overwhelming his sphincter so that urine was always being released. That would have made it very difficult to express, let alone keep him clean and dry.
The neuro exam is showing minimal DPS. DPS is the last of the neuro functions to be lost when spinal cord nerves are damaged. It is an indicator that the brain can communicate through the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Without DPS, other neuro functions can not return. However, it is possible for DPS to return, which bodes well for the return of other function.
Feeling like himself again is great to hear.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 13, 2024 17:18:12 GMT -7
Gina, is the July 18th Cornell visit with the surgeon? Let us know if the surgeon identifies if there is deep pain sensation.
Would you let us know when will or did the post-op rest period directed by the surgeon end? It is now 5 weeks post-op.
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jul 17, 2024 17:01:15 GMT -7
Thank you Romy & Frankie and PaulaM I will update you on the crate rest probably Friday the 19th! I did want to let you know he wagged his tail today! I am so grateful. A tail wag is always so nice to see but wow!!!! Thank you for this board and website!!!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 17, 2024 17:37:25 GMT -7
Gina, wish we could've seen that wag. How about painting us a word picture. The details are of importance.
Did you see the wag after doing some happy talk or him seeing you?
Or did you see the tail move during a potty break?
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jul 17, 2024 17:42:05 GMT -7
I forgot the link! He's at rehab but they video'd it for me. He loves them there. Laz Wagging!
Or Look at his face!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 17, 2024 17:45:54 GMT -7
Hearing the happy talk and seeing Laz move his tail in a wag sure appears as though not only did deep pain sensation return, but the next step of a happy tail wag. Next to return would be bladder control ...or does he have that now?
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Gina & Laz
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MALE- German Shepherd
Posts: 14
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Post by Gina & Laz on Jul 17, 2024 17:51:11 GMT -7
Ahhhhh!!!! Yay!!! I'm so glad she taped it and you saw it! That makes this even better. My gosh!!!
I don't think he has bladder control - is there anything to do to help that or just getting him out, smelling urine. I wonder if I should bring some with me from his bestie. He always sniffed hers - would go looking for it. It doesn't have to be fresh right? Just catch, jar, and refrigerate okay? I guess it could be any dog's urine not just hers.
Thank you!
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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
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 18, 2024 8:54:37 GMT -7
Gina, the body heals nerves on its own. And it is on the body's timeline. No one can tell you when the next neuro repair will occur. However, it is known the classic textbook order nerve functions return. Once he has the ability to do a happy tail wag, the return of bladder control begins. So what I would do is begin to periodically test, when it is expressing time, to first allow Laz an opportunity to see if he can pass the sniff and pee test. Excellent if you can keep a piece of stained paper towel in the fridge in a ziplock bag for the day you do the test. FYI, spike that paper towel with some of his bestie's urine or even could be some of Laz' own. When it's time to express, first do the test. When you do the Sniff and Pee test, place that urine-stained paper towel on a pee pad near your expressing station or outdoors in the grass. Take Laz to the paper towel. Let him sniff and observe if he releases any urine. Be sure during the Sniff/pee test the sling is not pressuring the tummy area. A figure 8 sling type of sling does not press on the bladder.
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