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Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 2, 2013 9:31:06 GMT -7
Hi all,
Today won't be graduation day but maybe tomorrow. Last night i took a big fall when taking Mimi out for potty break. I went down ver hard and unfortunately I couldn't hold Mimi and she fell too. She yelped for about 10 seconds then just wanted comfort and was shivering. She went back in her crate. I had to go to the ER but gave her 1/2 a Tramadol before we left. She was shivering a little bit but was resting. I am ok, nothing broken but very very sore with a huge lump on my head.
Today Mimi seems totally fine. Not shivering no hard belly - nothing. Rolling in her back for belly rubs and begging as normal to get out of the crate. Peeing and pooping no function loss either. The vet we have been working with is not in until tomorrow.. I will continue to monitor Mimi today and will call the vet timorrow. I think she was really scared last night (as was I). But she really seems perfectly fine today but not going to take the chance. So stay tuned.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Dec 2, 2013 11:46:59 GMT -7
Jean, I'm so sorry to hear about your fall. I'm sure it was scary for you & for Mimi. Glad nothing is broken, but it may still take you a while to fully recover. Sounds like Mimi is really OK, but it may be easier on you to not rush into things. I know Mimi is anxious to be out of her crate, but the changes need to be gradual for both of you.
Take care & keep us posted.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Dec 2, 2013 15:01:20 GMT -7
I'm so very sorry to hear of your fall, Jean! How very frightening for both of you. You've both been through such a long haul and to have this happen right before a day that should have been such a happy one for you both. Glad you're OK though the lump sounds very painful. And it does sound as though Mimi is fine. Take it easy and please keep us updated.
Prayers for you both.
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lupi
New Member
Doing better every day!
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Post by lupi on Dec 2, 2013 22:34:17 GMT -7
Oh I'm so sorry! I hope you feel better soon and that Mimi is ok. That must have been a really bad fall. Please take it easy and be careful.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Dec 3, 2013 3:08:45 GMT -7
I am so sorry to hear about your fall. I hope both you and Mimi are okay. It does sounds as though Mimi was just scared and you probably took the brunt of it. . Healing thoughts for both you and Mimi... Keep us updated and take whatever time you need for yourself first before you take the next challenge of letting her loose.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Dec 3, 2013 7:04:50 GMT -7
Jean! Don't do things like that!! All kidding aside I am so happy that neither of you were seriously hurt - an extra day of rest for both of you is a good idea. Mimi is made out of tough stuff! Looking forward to her graduation day. Take care and keep us posted. (((hugs)))
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 3, 2013 10:41:39 GMT -7
OK, we are officially graduated 10 weeks is enough for all of us. Spoke wiht our vet today and she agreed that we would have seen either pain, reduced function or something else immediately or within 24 hours of the incident. TOday again at potty time I took her out and watched her like a hawk. Her walk was still the same slight wobble that she has had, nothing worse at all. SO YAYYYY!!! Official discription of status - no pain at all. Personality completely back. Control of bladder and bowels. No back hunch or anything. Walk - no knuckling ever, walk just slightly wobbly. Needs support on hardwood or tile to keep her legs from sliding. I have rubber booties to give her that will provide traction around the house (I also have some runners to lay down if she will stay on them - which I doubt). For homeproofing, she will be in her ex-pen when we are not home to keep her safe. When we are home, the bedroom doors will be closed (unless we are in there to watch her) and the door to the basement will be closed. We have a Puppy Stairs ramp to the couch that we will train her to use. We still need to build ramps for outside but until we do we have no problem, carrying her out over the patio into the back yard. So I think we are as prepared as we can be for her release. Right now I am content because I finally have my girl with me on the couch. She is pressed against my leg as close as she can be fast asleep. I want to thank the friends I made her for their support. I also want to thank the moderators who answered every question I had with infinite patience. You are all amazing.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Dec 3, 2013 11:28:26 GMT -7
Hooray! Congratulations!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 3, 2013 11:38:49 GMT -7
Jean, thank you so much for your compliments to us all…Dodgerslist is all about helping the dogs. It warms our heart when owners take the crate rest part seriously as you have done. Pat yourself on the back!
Hope your own soreness is going away
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Dec 3, 2013 13:45:42 GMT -7
Yay!! Congratulations to you and Mimi!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Dec 3, 2013 15:24:48 GMT -7
Congratulations! I'm so very happy for you and Mimi! May all go well for you in the days ahead.
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Dec 3, 2013 16:00:03 GMT -7
Yay! Finally! I'm so happy to hear Mimi wasn't injured. Enjoy your couch cuddling:)
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Dec 3, 2013 20:14:45 GMT -7
Congratulations Jean and Mimi!!! I am so very happy for you both. Please keep us updated on Mimi's process. Happy Dance!!!
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Post by tugandbucket on Dec 4, 2013 19:56:59 GMT -7
Hooray for little Miss Mimi! I am so happy to hear she's cleared this hurdle. (Note to you... no more falls! Mimi won't be happy if she has to put YOU on strict crate rest ) Keep us updated on her move back into newnormalcy - I'm kind of living vicariously through little Miss Mimi right now, she does so remind me of Rusty man. Hug that little girlie for me. Job well done Jean and Miss Mimi!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Dec 7, 2013 12:13:05 GMT -7
Yippee!!!
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Dec 8, 2013 15:24:12 GMT -7
Way to go, Jean!!!!! I'm so pleased to hear how well Mimi is doing!!!!
))Hugs!(( - Sabrina
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 25, 2013 7:27:56 GMT -7
Merry Christmas everyone! Just wanted to post a quick update . Mimi is doing well. Her hind end has filled out again and she is doing a pretty good job of walking (although not perfect she doesn't care) and running (OMG!) she lets me put her PAWZ on her hind paws each day and is great at using her ramp 98% of the time to get up and down from the couch. We caught her jumping down twice (I almost had a heat attack!) so now we have leanrned to push the coffee table against the couch when we get up so that her only choice is her ramp She remains crated during the day when we aren't home. We have modified some thing she liked to do before so they are back friendly. She used to love to be held by me with her back up so she could tuck her head under my chin. Of course that is a no no so now I hold her with my arm under her body (back straight and supported) at a slight angle so she can rest her head on my shoulder and I can lead my head onto hers. But mostly she is just back to being our sweet girl who barks and dances for treats and wants to lay in out laps always. It is such a blessing to have her back.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Dec 26, 2013 8:08:13 GMT -7
Wonderful update - really makes me smile.
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lupi
New Member
Doing better every day!
Posts: 52
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Post by lupi on Dec 26, 2013 8:39:39 GMT -7
I'm so happy to hear that! Lupi is doing great too. Don't you find you appreciate all the ordinary, special moments now? I hope Mimi stays safe and healthy.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 26, 2013 10:43:54 GMT -7
The little things are what make each day with her now. I take nothing for granted anymore
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jan 9, 2014 9:56:18 GMT -7
Hi everyone....Happy New Year!
Brief update...Mimi is going back on Gabapentin 2x per day, for a small bit of neuropathy in her left leg (the leg damaged by the IVDD). I have been observing her behaviors for several days before calling the vet this am. She nibbles (gently - nothing hard or severe)or licks on her left leg/paw and occassionally her tail in the morning mostly. She was doing it at night (after we took off her booties) but since she has stopped wearing her booties (Yay!)it really seems to be focused in the morning. The vet and I agreed that she may have a bit of neuropathy in that leg so we are trying the gabapentin 2x per day to see if she gets relief. She has shown no other signs of pain/relapse (no shivering, no staying still, no weakness, no tight tummy), just this nibbling/licking in the morning. Otherwise she is doing her full body flaps and a million "downward dogs" every day...she so missed doing those!!!
On the positive side, she has regained enough strength and muscle tone in her leg that she doesn't have to wear her booties in the house for balance anymore. She still wobbles a bit, but she runs now (I have a heart attack when she does it but quality of life right?) and we are super careful that she only does it on surfaces with a rug or outside in our flat back yard (we have ice and snow only in very small piles in specific areas right now - no where near where she was running). I try and take her for walks when the temperature is a bit warmer (over 40 here - and fully in her coat) because she loves it and it helps to develop her leg/stomach muscles. No jumping off furniture, always holding supporting her back and letting her enjoy the life of belly rubs, snuggles and treats (although less because we are working on her losing a bit of weight).
So that's it for us.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 9, 2014 10:46:55 GMT -7
Jean, good observation on the possible neuropathic pains! What does in mgs did the vet prescribe Gabapentin 2x a day?
Love to hear Mimi is back to her old self, enjoying a run while you provide her good traction/protection to be herself.
Thanks for the update!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jan 9, 2014 11:03:18 GMT -7
She is at 40 mgs 2x per day. She said we will leave her on that and monitor, and then move her to a lower maintenance dosage.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Jan 9, 2014 12:58:29 GMT -7
Just checking in for the first time in weeks. Loved seeing the positive updates on Mimi. Hope the gabapentin does the trick for the neuropathy.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jan 13, 2014 13:57:02 GMT -7
Mimi (aka Princess McJumpy Butt) is going to put me in the hospital if she doesn't knock it off with the jumping! We carry her outside to our back yard to go potty still, because it is winter and we don't have our outdoor ramps yet. However, we are right there with her, we never leave her. However, she is very sneaky and has twice jumped up onto our patio (about three inches at the high point and about 1 inch at the low). She jumped up once on the low end and once on the high end (although not very well because duh she doesn't have full strength in her left leg but try explaining that to her!). We have trained her to use the ramp in the house and have sealed off everything else so she never jumps up or down from anything else. We thought that we would be ok by carrying her in and out to potty still and being right there with her that it would stop her from doing dumb things but she is apparently hell bent on making hubs and I freak out. OK, just venting. I keep being so scared that she will have another IVDD episode. I don't think I will ever get away from that fear.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 13, 2014 17:43:48 GMT -7
Good job on training her to use the ramp in the house, Jean. I know how hard it is to keep them from doing what they shouldn't. They think they can do more than they can and sometimes they really CAN do more than you think they can! Maybe some fencing around the patio would do the trick. You're right - the fear never really goes away but it does fade in time. All we can do is protect them as best as we can and then just let them be dogs. I took my Jeremy to the beach today. At one point, he wandered off a good distance and then started running back to me. My heart was in my throat since he was running so hard and fast and with such abandon (his back legs can't keep up with his front legs when he runs so he bunny hops with the back legs) but that look of sheer joy on his face just melted my fears away. Take a deep breath and try not to worry about tomorrow. Mimi never does!
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