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Post by winowithwieners on Sept 26, 2013 15:48:23 GMT -7
Hi everyone!
Mom of two mini Dachshunds(3yrs) and a Chiweenie (1yrs)! One of my Doxies woke up a week ago with no movement in her back legs. I immediately got her in to the vet who said she needed surgery ASAP.
We went up to Ft. Collins, CO to the CSU Vet Teaching Hospital and they got her into surgery within hours.
The surgeon called after her five hour surgery and informed me that she had intervertebral disc extrusion with severe spinal cord compression and one with moderate spinal cord compression.
Prissy came home on Sunday after being in the hospital for 5 days. She is still only able to feel deep pain, but still has no movement in her back legs and I have to manually express her bladder. I have made her kennel as comfortable as I can; blankets, water and have moved her into the living room so she can be with us. I have also started some very light PT- massaging her legs, scratching her body because she is slowly being able to feel her sutures and her fur is growing back. I have also been doing bicycle movements with her back legs. She has been pretty quiet, hasn't eaten much but then today she started crying a lot and the only time she quits is when I take her outside to potty. I am very grateful that I was referred to your site, so much great info and I can definitely use the support since these are my first Dachshunds and just rescued them a year ago!
So any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!
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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 Sept 26, 2013 17:45:56 GMT -7
HI, my name is Maureen, what's yours? Welcome to Dodgers List. I'm happy to hear that Prissy's surgery went well and that she is now home with you. If you would give us some more information we will be better able to assist you. What was the day of Prissy's surgery ( I guessed for the title) What medications is she on, and what dosages? Is she eating and drinking okay? Do you have to express for poop too? Here is link with some feneral information on surgery www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmDo you think that her crying is an indicator of pain, or a need to pee, or boredom? You have to put on your detective hat for this one, because her fussing could be because she hurts - it takes about 2 weeks for post op swelling to subside, or if she is constantly fussing to get out it may be because she has a bladder infection brewing, making her feel like she has to pee all of the time, or she might just be bored and want out-period. You might want to call your Vet about these points, and also ask if the physiotherapy exercises need to be modified for now, maybe they are too vigourous for her right now. Great place to start reading www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmOn healing and pain www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmI know that this is alot of information, and learning all about this disease lets us be the best advocates for our dogs that we can be. We are all here to help you, and have all been through this with our own dogs. Please keep us posted. Keeping you in thought and prayer  |
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Post by winowithwieners on Sept 26, 2013 18:44:12 GMT -7
Hi Maureen! I am Ashley and thank you! Prissy's surgery was Wednesday, September 18th and was released on Sunday, September 22nd. She takes Tramadol, 50mg, 1/2 tablet three times a day and Prazosin, .5mg, 1 capsule three times a day until she can urinate on her own, which I think is beginning to happen! She is drinking fine, eating wise she needs a little help, but did eat by herself tonight!! I just have to express her urine, she can poop on her own but I am trying to figure out when she does because she usually does in her crate.
Today I think her crying was because she wants out. She was very lively and didn't sleep much at all. And I think it kills her when I leave to take the others out for walks! But today was also the first day that she started licking/biting her shaved area. I didn't do any of her exercises today except a little massage and scratching! We are going back on Tuesday to get her sutures out so I have been keeping some questions and have the surgeons phone number and email.
You guys are incredible and all of the information and success stories are so great and encouraging!! Thank you so much!
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Post by Pauliana on Sept 26, 2013 19:59:17 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerlist Ashley! Her incision could be bothering her because it is healing and is likely itchy. The other reason she may be licking and biting at that area could be neuropathic pain. Pain varies in degrees from mild to severe on-fire sensations. Everyone has experienced numbness or pins and needles tingling in your legs when sitting in a bad position for too long a time. Prissy can be feeling abnormal nerve sensations that are mild pins and needles but which could progress to painful burning, on-fire feeling that makes them bite to stop the pain. These are abnormal signals… neuropathic pain. Dogs have tragically chewed off body parts to stop the pain. I hope she is just feeling itchy but it is best to rule out neuropathic pain and discuss with her surgeon. An e-collar on or in a pinch a lengthwise folded towel, secured closed with duct tape can keep them from reaching her shaved area til you get vet help. Gabapentin helps with this kind of pain and works especially well with Tramadol. Keep an eye on her sutures and make sure to contact the Surgeon and let him know this is going on.. I hope her appetite is picking up and it's great she ate tonight. Her stomach may be upset, she has been through a lot. It may be a good idea to ask your vet permission to put her on Pepcid AC to ease her stomach upset. We always recommend it when they are on an anti inflammatory and even though Prissy isn't on an anti inflammatory Pepcid AC can still be helpful.. Our Vet told me that dogs with IVDD have a tendency for gastric acid problems and she sent Tyler home after IVDD surgery with Pepcid AC along with Tramadol and Gabapentin 3 times a day. I gave Pepcid AC to him 30 minutes before feeding him and giving him his morning meds and again 12 hours later.. Ask your Vet this way: "Is there any medical reason why Prissy can't take Pepcid AC?" If there is no medical reason she can't it's 's available over the counter at any grocery store or drug store. We use the 10mg tablet and cut it in half. 5mg for Doxies and other small dogs. Is she in a kennel or a wire crate.. Some dogs feel too closed in, in the plastic kennels.. Here is some information on some other styles that she may feel more relaxed in to cut down on the crying. I know it's hard when she sees the other dogs going out and she can't go too. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmSending comforting thoughts your way.. |
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