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Post by maxmom2013 on Sept 22, 2013 8:46:27 GMT -7
My name is Amanda and I just adopted Max a 5 year old dachshund who has IVDD. He is such a great little pup but it's hard to take him out b/c he has no control of his bowel movements and I can't find a good diaper. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the best diapers to use. The doggie diapers that have a hole for the tail does not hold it in and it's like he is not even wearing a diaper at all. I tried baby diapers but they don't stay on. Absorbent is not an issue because I have to express him. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm new to IVDD!! Thanks everyone!!
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Sept 22, 2013 9:01:19 GMT -7
Hi, Amanda First of all, kudos to you for adopting an IVDD dog! Dodgerslist doesn't recommend diapers at all. They can cause skin issues. You can express the bowels and it's not as yucky as it sounds, really! You just need to get the timing down - you express the bowels 30 to 60 minutes before the time Max usually poops. Or, if it's just a concern for when you go out with him, express him before you leave. Here's the info on expressing the bowels: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poopI'm going to refer you to our Overview page so you can review the links there, which will be very helpful in educating yourself about IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmHere are some tips on how to make your home back friendly: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmDodgerslist also has a $3 DVD that is very helpful in educating about IVDD. Share one with your vet, friends and family members so they can learn about IVDD, too: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmLet us know if you have any further questions. All the best to you and Max. |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,935
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 22, 2013 9:16:24 GMT -7
Amanda, can you tell us if this is a current disc problem or something that happened to him longer than 8 weeks ago? If this is a current disc problem, let us know the meds, do you see any signs of pain (shivering, yelping). If this is a current disc problem are you doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?
Are his stools runny and that is why the diaper does not hold it? As Marjorie pointed out to you with the poop expressing link.... you can avoid poop accidents by expressing and avoid diapers altogether. You will just have to note when mother nature pushes out poop and plan to express 30-60 mins before. Your dog may also give you a signal by becoming agitated, lifting the tail...that means you only have seconds to get to the bathroom and express. Next time you will know to express a bit earlier.
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Post by maxmom2013 on Sept 22, 2013 9:52:00 GMT -7
Max went into the hospital the beginning of June and had back surgery around June 6th. He had therapy for the last 3 months or so and I adopted him last weekend September 14th. His poop is not runny at all! I've been trying to figure out when he goes but honestly it's at all different times. I feed him in the morning and then he goes and sits in the bathroom with me while I take a shower and most of the time he goes while I'm in the bathroom so that's an easy clean up but then he will just go randomly. Sometimes he's gone about 20-30 minutes after he eats, a few times it's been while he is eating. Sometimes he goes when he hasn't eaten in a while so it's really hard to calculate when he will go. The one I know is he goes every night around 4:30am to 6am, I don't feed him right before bed so that time I can't figure out. Do you think if I express his bowels right before bed he would be good all night? My other two dogs sleep with me so of course we want Max with us and he wants to cuddle with me while he sleeps it just wakes it hard when he goes in his sleep. I usually wake up around 2am or so to go to the bathroom myself so I go ahead and express him too. He is such a sweet little pup and I want to take him out with me I just don't want accidents in public. I feed them twice a day; in the morning and around dinner time. I did free feed my other two but I had to switch to scheduled feeding b/c Max would eat all day long if I let him. So if I express his bowels about minutes or so after he eats do you think he would be ok until he eats again or should I do it every so many hours? And if I express his bowels before bed do you think he would make it through the night? Thanks guys for your help, this is all new for me!! Max's owner's passed away while he was in the hospital for back surgery and he didn't have much time to find a home when I adopted him!! He is such a joy in our home already, I just love that little guy and want to give him the best life possible!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,935
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 22, 2013 10:19:25 GMT -7
Max found a treasure in you, thank you for giving him a forever home! Each dog's can process food at a different rate...so get out paper and pencil, note feed times and times poop just plops out. See if you can discern Max's pattern. My Clark eats at 5pm and 7am. I express for poop and we have very, very few accidents. Any poop accidents are due to my missing the schedule! -7am arising before breakfast -at noonish-1pm -at 4pm or right before 5pm feeding -again right before bedtime at 10pm I can appreciate not wanting to take him in public for fear of accidents. Does he have a wheelchair? You can attach a poop catcher type pouch to the back of the cart. Scroll down to read about Barbara Techel's modification to K-9's "Catch-it-all: www.k9carts.com/catch-it-alljoyfulpaws.com/blog/2013/06/helpful-products-for-paralyzed-dogs-to-make-their-life-and-yours-easier/Can he wag his tail if you do some happy talking to him or if he sees a treat approaching? |
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Post by maxmom2013 on Sept 22, 2013 10:43:44 GMT -7
Great that really helps!! He does have wheels so that would be a great option. He can not wag his tail at all! I will get to tracking his poop times to set a schedule. Thanks for the advise!
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