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Post by lucykitt on Sept 25, 2013 13:09:09 GMT -7
We have had two dachshunds now who have had IVDD, both requiring surgery. The first -- Annie -- who experienced her episode in November 2009 -- went into the surgery with deep pain sensation and just leg weakness/some dragging. She did wonderful, and is probably 95-99 % recovered today.
We were not so luck with Sassy. She is a fit puppy and, frankly, the last one of our three who I thought would have problems. She lost all back-end movement suddenly one morning and, even though we had her to the vet hospital within 1 hour of the problem (I heard her yelp once, and she then couldn't use her back legs), she went into surgery with no deep pain sensation. This was around April 1 of this year.
So, the good news. Sassy can go to the bathroom on her own, is pain free, and really a happy puppy. She has no deep pain sensation, however, and, although she gets around on her own, it is spinal walking. She does really well; she still tries to play catch and chases her sisters around.
My question is whether anyone has had a long-term experience with a spinal walker. We have not yet invested in a wheel cart, mainly because Sassy doesn't seem to need it, and is really pretty confined in our house (if we are in the living room, she is there too). Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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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 25, 2013 16:54:48 GMT -7
Lucy, welcome to Dodgerslist. How good to hear Sassy is pain free and happy! Can you tell us a bit more about going to the bathroom. Does that mean you have seen her sniff an old pee spot in the grass and then she decides to release urine. Or does she leak on you when lifted? Here is more information on spinal walking with a video so you can see what it looks like. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/spinal_walking.htmlThere is no timetable anyone can give you when to expect nerve repair to happen. In fact, there is no time limit for nerves to heal...it can take weeks to more like a year or even longer. However, it is known that neurological function usually returns in the reverse order of the damage. The first big sign you want to look for is that wonderful tail wag! 1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.) 2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you, getting a treat or due to your happy talk. 3. Bladder and bowel control proved by passing the "sniff and pee" test. Take your dog out to an old pee spot in the grass. Let him sniff and then observe for release of urine. 4. 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 placed paws. 6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.http://www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htm Can you tell us which kind of vet told you Sassy has no deep pain sensation and what date they told you that… your local general vet or a specialist ACVIM (neurology?) If she really does have bladder control, then she necessarily would have deep pain sensation. |
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Post by lucykitt on Sept 25, 2013 18:47:37 GMT -7
Sassy has complete bladder function. She does not leak, and urinates outside on her own. As for bowel movements, again she does it on her own, although she does often end up going in the house, on the way to the door, as I think it sneaks up on her a bit.
The neurologist at our University vet hospital is the one who told us she does not have deep pain sensation. He did so after testing with a clamp pinch on her back leg. That being said, she can and does wag her tail, a fact the vet knew at the time. He believes it is just reflexive, although he did admit that she is somewhat of a unique case, given her other progress but apparent lack of sensation. This was approximately 6 weeks post-surgery (about mid-May).
Sassy is about 60-70% there, but her walk is akin to a drunken sailor. I have seen the videos of spinal walking, and that certainly appears to be what she is doing.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. My concern is that because we let her be a normal dog, including walking where she wants (but not jumping or walking up steps of course) and playing with our other girls we may be tiring her out too much or risking further damage. Again, though, she shows no sign of pain, and is a happy girl.
Thanks.
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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 26, 2013 9:15:41 GMT -7
Lucy, if there was no deep pain back in mid-May, that does not preclude the good possibility that now in Sep nerves have repaired such that now leg function is returning. With spinal walking, they can go in a straight line quite nicely. It is when they change direction or turn a corner, there is no brain control invovled so then fall or sit and they get back up for the new direction. A dog that is walking even wobbly walking has brain control to message the legs on the need to change directions without falling. I would allow playing as long as it is not rough stuff. There is a fine line between keeping them safely in a bubble vs allowing them to be a dog with reasonable safe activities. This article may help you to gain perspective: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/410/living-fear-ivdd |
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