Welcome! I am the Mom to a 180 pound St. Bernard, Hank, who is recovering from an FCE. The things that helped Hank the most were getting him up and moving after the intial 24 hour period was up. It was very tough and challenging to "sling" him due to his size, but the more activity he seem...

Hank is doing fabulous!!! I apologize to those waiting for a picture as I can't seem to get the url to work but if you send me a private message I'm happy to email one! He is walking wonderful and graduated from rehab last week! He is able to run a bit and play. His leg is working pretty good. He st...

How is Pippa doing? Any updates to share? I agree you must have hope! It does seem almost impossible at first but give the process time. Amazing things happen all the time! Sometimes you just have to believe and take it one thing at a time, and a path will be provided! Glad Pippa is moving on down t...

Gail, Perhaps she is just getting use to a new process. I'm far from an expert on harnesses, but trust your self. It is so hard when our precious pups need help and we aren't figuring it out fast enough. I am sure you will figure this out and Lucy will adjust and be comfortable. I have a hard time a...

I am planning on posting our pic's later today! It has been three weeks since his injury, as of yesterday! Today Hank got up and walked outside and pottied all by himself. We walked with him and reminded him to correct his foot if it toed under, but we didn't need a sling or a footie! I couldn't bel...

Thought I should send an update. Last night Hank wagged his tail! I don't think I could have been more thrilled or cried harder! He wagged his and then wagged while we were helping him outside. He had a good night and this morning he jumped up and ran around the end of our bed until we managed to gr...

It sounds like the diagnostics and surgery were the right choice! So glad that Pippa is on the road to recovery. We had a team of specialists all look at Hank and his MRI. FCE is diagnosed by elimination, but we are very confident at this point that the diagnosis is correct. His neurologist and actu...

I am 11 days out with a St. Bernard with either an FCE or traumatic Disc. We did the MRI and it was helpful but not conclusive. But we highly suspect an FCE type of incident because he isn't in pain. He wasn't walking at all and now without surgery he is walking with help. He did 10 minutes in hydro...

We are going to try and get a picture the next time he goes for a walk! He had rehab this morning and he did 10 minutes in the hydrotherapy tank! He walked normally while in the water. If anyone has experience with this, I would love to hear if this should be considered forward progress. I just don'...

Rehab today with Hank! I feel as if rehab was a miracle. They evaluated him and worked with him a bit. When we came back to get him we received wonderful news. We brought him with a sling and using three legs. The therapist configured a bootie and strap and now we can walk next to Hank and merely he...

I have to say that we are making progress but I'm exhausted and feeling so emotional about this journey. It is a privileage to assist and care for Hank as he is so special. My entire family is dedicated to his recovery and care. I never thought that I would be so intent regarding my dogs potty habit...

I already posted this in the emergency help section but want to post again! Woo Hoo our bladder is starting to work again! Last night after searching to see if I could find the water ballon/bladder for another attempt at expressing he whinned to go out an potty. Then he actually went! Then he was ab...

Woo hoo! We managed to void our bladder several times last night and this morning! He has now figured out how to squat to pee. Problem is he seems to be just getting this function back, so it is hit or miss at the moment. If his bladder is pretty full he doesn't seem to have a problem but it may tak...

My newsly FCE diagnosed 180 pound St. Bernard is having issues voiding his bladder. This happened Sunday and affected only his hind end, one leg more than the other. He is able to stand now and hop on three legs. His paralyzed leg has movement when he is dreaming and he is trying to use it when we w...

Thanks for the PM and I will be checking out the forum. Hank is home now and he is doing pretty well accept we can't get him to urinate on his own. I am so frustrated. The vet said to bring him back if he doesn't void by Sunday. He can can void his bowels by choice and goes when we take him outside....