As many of you know, I have 4 pupper doodles, two of which have IVDD and one of whom is paralyzed despite surgery. Oscar was the reason I came to this board. His father, Hunter, has had 2 IVDD surgeries, both successful, and he walked 1 day post op after both surgeries. Oscar Mayer Weenie Dog wasn't so lucky. Despite being in the surgeon's office within 3 hours of going down, and in sugery within 6, Oscar came out of sugery deep pain negative, with no bladder or bowel control. We tried accupuncture, water therapy, supplements and PT. Oscar remained deep pain negative with no purposeful movement. I got him a cart...became a master expresser, and set him up with a posh crate to keep him safe when I was at work. *FAST FORWARD* Three weeks ago, I took Oscar back to Texas A&M to stay while I was away in Europe. Since they don't "board", I had to have him admitted as a rehab patient. His surgeon did a routine evaluation soon after he was admitted. To her shock and amazement, my little booger of a dog had deep pain!!!!!!!!!!!!! She called in several students and other sugeons to evaluate him and make sure that he had regained feeling. The consensous was YES! Well...they immediately started him on the water treadmill and active and passive exercises. HE IS ABLE TO WALK IN THE WATER! Oscar can't stand on his own, or walk out of the water, but I'll be darned, 8 months post op he is showing signs that he MAY just walk again some day!
I have been putting him in the tub each day for water therapy, and am doing his range of motion exercises. I stand him up and release him so he can work on his balance, and on occasion, when I am supporting him...he takes steps!
Thought I would share Oscar's good news. If he never walks again, I am fine with that...he is my little light walking or not, but I sure am tickled with these new developments.
Hugs,
Cindi
