Hi all,
Just a brief update on the Buster.
He is pretty much back to where he was before the bladder surgery. He still goes back and forth with not hitting the ground with his front left leg and has good and bad days like everyone else.
OF course I worry about the stones returning but we just take it one day at a time.
We will just keep the faith for now.
IF you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you.
This is the principal difference between dog and man.
-Mark Twain
98 pound Boxer cannot walk
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
I am so glad to hear that he did not lose anything permanent through the surgery. It is not surprising he was kind of gimpy just after the surgery, I am glad it was only temporary. They say dogs live in the moment and not in the past or looking ahead to the future. If that's true, then in Buster's world life is all good. I'm glad he's enjoying life and that he recovered so well. 
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
Our 60 pound Golden Retriever had a spinal stroke (FCE) last January that left her paralyzed from her mid-back to her tail, no use of back legs, no blatter or bowel control. We were heartbroken and did not know how we would get through those first few nights but we did and you can too. It is a year later and she is walking again, a bit wobbly, but she walks. Check her story out at www.avafrick.com (success stories) for inspiration. Here are some tips we learned along the way:
Line the floor where your dog will be with shower curtains; esay to clean up and cheap to replace. Get a good orthopedic bed to prevent bed sores. Try the waterless shampoo to clean your dog, easy way to keep him clean; Keep him shaved, easier to keep clean. We got a harness to help us carry her out and to express her (very important to keep your dog expressed, squeeze on his bladder to get pee out). Harness was the best thing we had in the beginning.
Getting Keegan to poo was so hard at first but we put gloves on and did it. We knew her survival depended on us. Get an exercise ball and place your dog on it. Use a water bottle to squirt her bum-hole. Massage around the hole. I know it is gross, but after you do it once, it becomes second nature. I remember how we cheered so loudly the first time she pooped. We were so excited.
A doggie wheel-chair can be customed made for your dog. Keegan used her cart for about 2 months and then no longer needed it. There are always other owners out there that need carts so you can sell it once he no longer needs it.
Although our vet rec'd we put her down, my husband did some research and found a specialist, Dr. Ava Frick, in St. Louis area, and she worked MIRACLES. Her treatment plan is what got Keegan walking again. I highly rec'd finding an expert like her in your area. We did 3 hours of exercise a day, used water therapy (underwater treadmill) and alpha stim.
It was the hardest thing we have ever done in our lives, but she needed us. We refinanced our house to pay for her care, and after a long, very long and emotional year, she is up and walking. She still pees and poops inside from time to time but we are happy she is doing it on her own and not having to express her. Again, shower curtains have been a godsend.
She started with NO movement, no wagging the tail, nothing in her hind legs. Day by day, we did exercises and treatment, and one day we saw a little twich in her tail, followed weeks later by a twitch in her leg. Twitches turned in to jolts and so forth.
Check out her success story and I hope it will give you courage and hope. There will be nothing more difficult in your life but nothing more rewarding than re-habing your baby. All of it will be worth it. All of it. The sore back, the stress of cleaning and laundry every day, the early and late hours of treatment, the bills.
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Keegan's mommy
Line the floor where your dog will be with shower curtains; esay to clean up and cheap to replace. Get a good orthopedic bed to prevent bed sores. Try the waterless shampoo to clean your dog, easy way to keep him clean; Keep him shaved, easier to keep clean. We got a harness to help us carry her out and to express her (very important to keep your dog expressed, squeeze on his bladder to get pee out). Harness was the best thing we had in the beginning.
Getting Keegan to poo was so hard at first but we put gloves on and did it. We knew her survival depended on us. Get an exercise ball and place your dog on it. Use a water bottle to squirt her bum-hole. Massage around the hole. I know it is gross, but after you do it once, it becomes second nature. I remember how we cheered so loudly the first time she pooped. We were so excited.
A doggie wheel-chair can be customed made for your dog. Keegan used her cart for about 2 months and then no longer needed it. There are always other owners out there that need carts so you can sell it once he no longer needs it.
Although our vet rec'd we put her down, my husband did some research and found a specialist, Dr. Ava Frick, in St. Louis area, and she worked MIRACLES. Her treatment plan is what got Keegan walking again. I highly rec'd finding an expert like her in your area. We did 3 hours of exercise a day, used water therapy (underwater treadmill) and alpha stim.
It was the hardest thing we have ever done in our lives, but she needed us. We refinanced our house to pay for her care, and after a long, very long and emotional year, she is up and walking. She still pees and poops inside from time to time but we are happy she is doing it on her own and not having to express her. Again, shower curtains have been a godsend.
She started with NO movement, no wagging the tail, nothing in her hind legs. Day by day, we did exercises and treatment, and one day we saw a little twich in her tail, followed weeks later by a twitch in her leg. Twitches turned in to jolts and so forth.
Check out her success story and I hope it will give you courage and hope. There will be nothing more difficult in your life but nothing more rewarding than re-habing your baby. All of it will be worth it. All of it. The sore back, the stress of cleaning and laundry every day, the early and late hours of treatment, the bills.
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Keegan's mommy
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
Oh...my...gosh! This is a great story and I think you are the first family I've seen who has actually refinanced their house to pay for their dog's care. That's dedication! Buster's family's done their utmost for him, too, you have a lot in common!
Buster's family's done their utmost for him, too, you have a lot in common!Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
Hi all,
Just making sure Buster's story may help a newcomer by giving a update.
Buster cannot jump on a bed nor can he use his dog door his truck rides are limited because he has to be picked up in an out of the truck.
He wears easily on walks an his paralized limbs are still unsound at a gait.
He cost us a fortune in vet rx dog food from his bladder surgery an he is now 5 years old.
Buster can run an catch a frisbee an basically entertain men an women an children for hours with his demanding ways. He can talk up a storm when he wants something ,and is always in full denial that there is anything wrong with him at all.
So there you have it. Some dogs are just meant to be a little bit tougher in life.
Keep the faith
They never talk about themselves, but listen to you while you talk about yourself and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.
_ Jerome K. Jerome
Just making sure Buster's story may help a newcomer by giving a update.
Buster cannot jump on a bed nor can he use his dog door his truck rides are limited because he has to be picked up in an out of the truck.
He wears easily on walks an his paralized limbs are still unsound at a gait.
He cost us a fortune in vet rx dog food from his bladder surgery an he is now 5 years old.
Buster can run an catch a frisbee an basically entertain men an women an children for hours with his demanding ways. He can talk up a storm when he wants something ,and is always in full denial that there is anything wrong with him at all.
So there you have it. Some dogs are just meant to be a little bit tougher in life.
Keep the faith
They never talk about themselves, but listen to you while you talk about yourself and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.
_ Jerome K. Jerome
Buster crossed over tonight
Hi all,
Buster is at the rainbow bridge tonight.
Caroline
Heaven goes by favor .IF it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
Mark Twain
Buster is at the rainbow bridge tonight.
Caroline
Heaven goes by favor .IF it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
Mark Twain
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
Caroline,
I am so sorry,
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Pam
I am so sorry,
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Pam
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
awwwwwwwwwwwww so sorry to hear you did the best you could, he was in a lovely place and will be forever......
mickey 1994- sept 26 ,2008
let all beings be happy
let all beings be happy
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
I am also sorry to hear this. What happened? I thought he was doing better. 
Pam
Pam
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
Puremut an smithpk,
So sorry it took so long to thank you for kind words.
To all the rest of you.
DO NOT GIVE UP if your dog had a FCE!!!!
So sorry it took so long to thank you for kind words.
To all the rest of you.
DO NOT GIVE UP if your dog had a FCE!!!!
-
Schnauzerlove
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 3:05 pm
Re: 98 pound Boxer cannot walk
Caroline,
I'm so sooooo sorry! When Dasani first went down I had no idea what we were facing and your journey you shared with Buster gave me the hope I needed to never give up. You are in my prayers.
I'm so sooooo sorry! When Dasani first went down I had no idea what we were facing and your journey you shared with Buster gave me the hope I needed to never give up. You are in my prayers.