9 yr old lab mix diagnosed with FCE

[CarolC]

Poetry in motion, she is doing beautifully!!

On the bowel thing, I've dealt with that in 3 dogs and the secret here is 1) keep them in the part of the house you aren't as worried about (may mean putting a baby gate to keep her out of the living room/dining room 2) feed them something so when you have "falling road apples" they are firm, well formed, non-sticky and low odor. Pick 'em up with a kleenex when you get home and toss them. Science Diet w/d dry kibble has worked really well in this house. What goes in has a big influence on what comes out.

[Sean]

I totally agree. Mik doesn't have control of his bowel. To me it is not big deal but keeping him on the science diet makes life a whole lot easier. My whole house is ceramic tile with rugs around so it isn't a big deal. He feels it coming on and typically makes it to the door so the rugs are usually safe. When we have people over for a holiday it isn't nearly as easy to clean up after him. People always sneek the dog a treat. I also use Proviable when he has to take antibiotics because that usually messes with his digestive system. Mik does a really good job of controling his bladder.

[jesara]

Update 5/17/2012:

Sorry for the lack of posts. I have been extremely busy with work, attending weddings, kids and Sasha's rehab in the last month.

1. Sasha is now taking 3 walks a day, approximately a half mile per walk until she starts getting fatigued.
2. Bowel and Urine control is definitely getting better. There are accidents but for the last three days she has had no accidents, even while locked in her crate while I am at work. When I get home and let her outside, she urinates immediately. No complaints here.
3. She is now pretty much full out running, albeit clumsy, playing fetch with a ball (see video). There is definitely some hopping going on, but I am ok with that while playing. I make her slow down during her walks and her legs are moving with the occasional hop to re-align herself.
4. She is gaining a little more flexibility in her rear legs. Pain sensation coming back but very minor. Occasionally her left paw (the weaker side) will roll under, but she can get it back on her own.
5. We did two hydrotherapy treatments total, but had to stop as I could not afford to continue. If anything, it gave Sasha confidence that she would start to walk, which has led us to great progress over the last month.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MME7GuTXsCI&feature=youtu.be

[Sean]

Sounds like you are getting there. Mik will never have the endurance he had prior to his accident but he gets around great. I took him on a 2 mile run once and it got pretty tough towards the end and I felt real bad about it. I think I can get a good 1/2-3/4 mile out of him before I notice the feet not quite coming around. I am happy with that and so is he. If I am working outside all day he goes at his own pace and can handle being up and then taking a break when he needs to.

I watched him jump over a log today and was quite impressed with him. I have cut back his food intake drastically and have him down to about 70-75lbs from the upper 80's this winter. He is really getting around a lot better.