Yorkie with FCE

by **ankell23** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:38 am

Hello,

I am very new to these types of board things and I hope I am posting correctly. I have a 6 year old yorkie who was diagnosed on Tuesday with an FCE. The neurologist has been wonderful. She was very encouraging and helpful. Currently his right front leg and hind leg are effected. I will say he is getting stronger each day. He seems to want to get better, and the Dr. thinks he will recover well, but may have a "gimpy" front paw. I have been heartbroken and in a panic for my dog, since he is my first dog...I am terrified of hearing any bad news. My question is how do I get him to pee and poop? He has peed once each day...except for yesterday. He is drinking, but I want him to pee! I don't know how to get him to do it...the last times he just did it...once on me and once on the floor. I didn't mind, but since he didn't go yesterday...I am worried. He is trying to sit up more, and food is a good motivator for him. Any help you can give about helping him pee...I would certainly appreciate. Thanks!!

by **CarolC** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:41 am

Hi,

It is good to hear he is already trying to get up. Most dogs with FCE will improve, so there is reason to be optimistic. He does need to empty his bladder every 8 hours to prevent a urinary infection. If he is not doing this, it is best to take him to the vet and let them show you how to squeeze his tummy so he will pee. It's called expressing the bladder. You probably won't have to do it forever, but just right now during the early stages of recovery. If he has not urinated today, I would take him to an overnight emergency vet and let them express his bladder for you, so he will be comfortable and not get an infection.

Here is some information on bladder care. There are a lot of videos at the end if you want to see a demo.

http://www.handicappedpets.com/mediawik ... dog_or_cat

:gang:

by **ankell23** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:36 pm

Thank you so much for your reply and information. No sooner had I posted my question - I turned around and he had pee'd!!!! I was so happy, it was on the pee pee pad..but that is fine for me. He seems to be going every 8 hours or so. I am going to read up on "expressing" because I know he needs to poop now! He really seems to be doing well..this morning he stood up on his own..he did it all be himself. He stood for about 3 minutes or so, I can not tell you how happy I was. I want to know the best way to massage him, and tomorrow we start water therapy - not sure what all I sure be doing. We go back to the Vet on Friday. I am hoping she sees improvement too! Thanks again.