Deb & Eli
New Member
3rd surgery Mar 2014
Posts: 3 
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Post by Deb & Eli on Oct 3, 2013 4:37:51 GMT -7
Eli had emergency surgery in Jan. for a totally ruptured disk. Recovery was slow but steady. After 8 weeks of crate rest he could control his bladder. After 3 months of at home therapy he could stand on his own while he ate and support his full body weight. At six months with the help of canine rehab (water therapy, massage, etc.) he took his first steps. We continued therapy and he continued to improve with his legs getting stronger all the time. He actually starting looking like the old Eli following us around the house. Yesterday he was walking in the yard as usual, came in and ate dinner and went to lay down to rest. He was looking very uncomfortable in his bed like he was trying hard to get comfortable. He started to shake and couldn't stand up at all. Within 30 minutes we had him back at Tufts Small Animal Hospital. On presentation he had deep pain, had reflexes, but no voluntary movement in his back legs. They kept him overnight to do a nuclear scan but said there was an 80 percent chance that he would need more surgery. Still waiting for them to call but very concerned especially since he was doing so great....
Is this typical for a recovering dog to go down so fast?
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 3, 2013 6:52:31 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? I'm sorry to hear that Eli had a 2nd disc episode. Dogs can have either one disc episode their entire life or they can have multiple ones. Eli was born with a disease…a degenerative disc disease. Any one of his discs have the potential to prematurely age to no longer be the cushion for vertebral movements. Instead as the spine moves it puts pressure on a disc that is no longer flexible. The disc either has tiny little tears and starts to bulge or as in Eli's case it sounds like the disc may have fully torn and allowed disc pieces to escape and more faster damage to the spinal cord. In preparation for hearing back from the surgeon, I recommend these two very informative links. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm Surgery Considerations www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm Dr. Isaacs answers questions re: surgery We are here to support you, please keep us updated as you learn more. In the meantime learning about the disease Eli was born can improve the kind of dialog you can have when working with your vet. Our treasure trove of all things IVDD is located on the Main Dodgerslist Website: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm The "Overview" is a good place to start whether you are doing surgery or conservative treatment. |
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Deb & Eli
New Member
3rd surgery Mar 2014
Posts: 3
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Post by Deb & Eli on Oct 3, 2013 20:34:31 GMT -7
The MRI showed another disk compressing his spine. He had surgery this afternoon to remove the disk matter compressing the spine. After 8 months of rehab we begin once again. He will be in the hospital for a few days and then back to crate rest. So frustrating that he was doing so well and here we go again.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 4, 2013 14:14:48 GMT -7
I'm so very sorry to hear this. It's so hard to get through such a surgery and recovery. Then we're still always faced with the possibility of it happening all over again. Two surgeries in one year is such a difficult scenario for you to have to face. My prayers and best wishes are with you all. I hope Eli has a quick recovery and is soon back to where he was before this second disc episode.
Please keep us updated and let us know how he is doing.
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Post by RustysMom on Oct 6, 2013 18:05:25 GMT -7
Wow, I am sorry you are going thru a repeat, after so long already with it the first time! Kudos to you for doing this for your dog, it takes a lot of love and dedication to do what we have to do for our dogs during this. Please keep us updated on Eli's progress!
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Deb & Eli
New Member
3rd surgery Mar 2014
Posts: 3
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Post by Deb & Eli on Mar 22, 2014 3:58:05 GMT -7
We totally understand the living in fear part. Eli had his first back surgery in January of 2013. After 8 weeks of mandatory crate rest, back proofing our home as much as possible, and six months of doctor approved PT he took his first steps. We were over joyed. We watched over him carefully and were so proud of his hard work and determination. Ten months later in October of 2013 another disk ruptured and more surgery. We were so down but we began all over again with the crate rest and PT. We were making great progress and Eli was walking on the hydro treadmill and standing on his own for brief period of time and two weeks ago it happened again and he had another disk removed because it had ruptured.
This is the third time is 13 months. We are fortunate we live close to a veterinary teaching hospital with neurosurgeons available 24/7. Unfortunately these surgeries are expensive (average stay is $4500.00) and emotionally devastating. We were also told there are only so many times they can remove disks and that is the scariest of all. We love our little guy so much, hate to see him in pain, and always wonder if we are doing right by him. They can not predict when or if there will be a next time but the fear hangs over us a bit even though we try and take one day at a time and enjoy his wonderful personality and sweet kisses everyday.
I have 4 doxies and have had dogs all my life but this is our first experience with IVDD and now we hold our breath every time one of the other dogs appears to be limping a bit. We try not to be paranoid but it's hard not to be. We have extra large orthopedic beds all over the house for humans and dogs to lay with each other and watch TV. No one (not even us) sit on furniture anymore.....
We wish we could put them in a bubble but no in our hearts we have to let them be dogs. Thank you for this site and for all the wonderful information found here; we would not have survived those first few awful days without the love, support and knowledge we found here.
Deb (Eli's mom) also Sidney, Mariah and Quinn's mom as well...our rescue clan! |
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 22, 2014 4:52:51 GMT -7
I'm so very sorry to hear that Eli has needed a third surgery. I'm sure the stress on all of you has been very difficult. Hopefully, this will be the last time he has difficulty. I know the fear that goes along with IVDD all too well. Continue to try to take it one day at a time and not look ahead to the future as none of us know what the future will hold. Our dogs teach us wonderful lessons each day on living in the moment. That's something we all need to learn to do.
We're here if you need any support or advice at all.
Prayers for a speedy recovery for little Eli. Hugs to you all.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 22, 2014 8:09:44 GMT -7
Deb, sorry to hear a third surgery was needed. Was the surgery on March 8th? Is Eli on any meds at this point? What did the surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest this time? What specifically happened two weeks ago? Was it pain or pain and neuro deficit? Was conservative treatment first tried or directly to surgery? We do have a lot of helpful information thanks to many members who have shared. Would you consider helping another trying to make decisions… We have a directory where you can share surgical costs: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting State: Hospital: Address: Cost: Date of surgery: What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.) Comments: |
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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 Mar 29, 2014 9:08:41 GMT -7
I am so sorry to hear that Eli have had to have surgery yet again. We hate this disease! You will get through this - we too have had 3 episodes in a one year period of time - sometimes it feels like we are living in anticipation of "the next time". Stevie is courageous and keeps on fighting like a trooper. Hang in there! (((hugs)))
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