Stuff I learned along the way

Neurological Disorders Resources. Treatment and care for pets having pain or trouble walking or standing due to spinal injuries or neurological disorders like IVDD, FCE and DM.
JaynTinks
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by JaynTinks »

I have an old dog whose back end has gone. I'm not sure if its paralysis she was diagnosed with arthritis, she can feel her legs and she knows when she needs the toilet but the muscles in her back legs have wasted and they just hang down now or drag if she's in her cart so I have to use the stirrups. She started with her back paws knuckling a few years back but was fine with little boots on at first.

Now I've noticed her front paws seem to be knuckling and she doesn't use them as much when doing puzzles she holds them out stiffly in front of her, I didn't relaise at the time she was trying to keep her balance so now I use cushions behind her or lay her up against something (back of sofa) then she can make more use of her paws when eating chews and doing puzzles.

She used to do some standing up but now struggles reaching to floor when the treats drop. I do have a little bean cube footstool thing that is just right height for her to stand in front of and have her puzzles on there. so looking for a few for xmas that she can do easily using only her mouth and without having to move round the cube to get to the puzzle from different angles. I'll be getting her a new quad cart, it will be her xmas present but she can use it from as soon as it arrives (not gonna make her wait until xmas day when she needs it now!) then she can stand for a couple of 15 min sessions a day doing puzzles and see if we can get her moving in it.

I never thought of using a treadmill for helping them keep strength in their front body and legs and surprised never seen it mentioned as it may have been more beneficial when she first started having problems.

I think you have to 'think outside the box' sometimes and some people find this difficult if they're not used to having to. Having disabilities myself I'm quite used to looking at something and thinking How could I manage that task?

Maybe we can start a thread on ideas for xmas toys for our dogs..as if they have quad cart and reaching to floor to pick up treats is difficult or you give them toys when they are on floor out of cart then the standard treatball to fill and chase round hte house is obviously not going to work for that dog?
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critters
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by critters »

You're SO right about having to figure stuff out! I think it's a little better in the US now, but I remember the days when critter disability stuff was in the Dark Ages!
IvyLeagueInk
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by IvyLeagueInk »

What wonderful words! I am brand new to life with a paralyzed dog and I am overthinking everything. Very stressful, but I think Snap will teach me. Snap is a 9 year old Bichon who suddenly slipped a disc and had emergency surgery. He only came home Friday night so this is is all so overwhelming. I also have a 14 year old Bichon and a young Pitt mix.
~ Terri Claire ~
14 year old Bichon, Ginger
9 year old Bichon (recently paralyzed), Snap
4 year old Pitt Mix, Madison
AlfredG
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by AlfredG »

This is the right attitude imo. But that's exactly how I was with my puppy too at first. Are you still around, IvyLeagueInk? How's your Bichon doing?
I'm sure Hostimonials would help you set up a great website.
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critters
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by critters »

:whale: AlfredG!
milliesmum
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by milliesmum »

So well written and helpful. Thank you
goldil0cks
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Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 5:13 pm

Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by goldil0cks »

Hi everyone!

I’m so happy I stumbled on this forum. Just when I started feeling discouraged and hopeless, I read the very first post and thank God I did!! My 4yo Dachshund, her name is Lady Scarlett (after Scarlett O’Hara), she was diagnosed with IVDD this past Tuesday. We didn’t realize the extent of this disorder until I began researching different articles and websites. The nurse couldn’t remember the name of the disorder and told me to “find more information on google.” I was banging my head against the wall, relying on information I found online, until my primary vet opened up an emergency slot for me and demanded I see a neurologist as soon as possible since Scarlett had lost deep sensation in her legs. Which we did this past afternoon. The neurologist gave us three options: surgery, no surgery, & euthanasia. My pup is still so young and full of life. She’s wild and carefree and loves being outside barking at everything—including her own shadow! I was so confused, frustrated and felt defeated because this was all just so sudden. With the neurologist pressuring us to make a decision, we decided not to go through with surgery and seek other forms of treatment instead. If there’s any suggestions or recommendations you all have for me, I would highly appreciate it! And thank you so much to everyone sharing their amazing and triumphant stories of the dog babies. It brings me so much joy!!

Kindly,
Gabriela
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CarolC
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by CarolC »

Hi Gabriela,

The decision on whether to do surgery is a time-sensitive one. That is probably why the specialist seemed to be pressing you to decide. This link may help you consider all angles.
http://www.dodgerslist.com/faq.htm wrote:Time is of the essence especially if your dog's legs are paralyzed plus have lost deep pain sensation. The last best chance for a good surgical outcome is within a window of 12-24 hours from losing the last of neuro functions, deep pain sensation (DPS). Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong.
If your dog has fully lost deep pain sensation, my understanding is surgery should be done within 24 hours of loss of deep pain, but the sooner the better. If your dog has totally lost deep pain and it has been 3 days, you would need to ask the vet whether there is a benefit in doing surgery after 72 hours. It sounds like the vet thought there might be, so I would want to know why he thought so, and what he considers the chances are of a good outcome. If the vet found there was still some residual deep pain sensation, then it may still be an option.

There are other treatments for IVDD, as you mentioned, such as crate rest, medication, acupuncture, and cold laser. (Non-surgical treatment is usually called conservative treatment.) These are good treatments, but they are more effective for a dog that still has deep pain sensation. There are dogs with IVDD who cannot walk but still have deep pain sensation, and rest and medication helps many of them get back on their feet. So you may wish to try treatments besides surgery, but if she has no deep pain sensation at all, it may not be enough. (There is no guarantee with surgery, either, though.)

If you have decided not to do surgery, then conservative treatment would usually include crating her 24/7 for 6-8 weeks, with an anti-inflammatory such as prednisone, to see if bedrest will help the swelling to go down in her back, and the disk to heal, and see if any additional function returns. If she is still unable to walk after completing her crate rest period, you may want to consider a wheelchair for her, so she can run and feel the wind in her ears again. :)

Is she going to the bathroom normally, or do you have to help her? If she has lost bladder control, you may need to express her bladder (squeeze her tummy so she pees) every 8 hours, to be sure she is getting it empty 3x a day. There is information here on expressing the bladder (and the bowel), including videos, so please ask if you need it.

There have been cases here of dogs that had deep pain sensation return months after paralysis, so just because she has no DPS now, does not guarantee it is permanent (too soon to know).

There is also something called spinal walking that some dogs can learn to do, even without deep pain sensation. When they move their front feet, it triggers a reflex in the hind legs that still works even during complete paralysis. Some dogs learn to do "spinal walking" themselves, and others can be helped to learn it with physical therapy. While this may enable the dog to walk again, the dog may still remain incontinent.

The most important thing to know is, your dog can have a happy life whether she walks again or not. Here is a very cute video about Tabby, that I hope you will enjoy.



There is a lot of information on Dodger's List you may find very helpful right now.

http://www.dodgerslist.com/index.htm

Hope this helps.

:banner:
goldil0cks
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by goldil0cks »

Hi Carol,

Thank you tons for sharing with me all of this! The neurologist said she had lower than 50% chances of recovering any feeling in her hind legs since she wasn't sure whether her DPS loss started on Tuesday or before that. I decided to not go forth with the surgery and elect other forms of treatment instead. I didn't want to submit my very attached dog to time without me or my family and expose her to any other risks that come from either surgery itself or the post-op process. She did however recommend physical therapy at the clinic and at home, crate rest for 6 weeks as well as Prednisone and Tramadol until her follow-up appointment on the 28th.

I'm still looking for clinics with acupuncturist services as well as hydrotherapy(?) I hope I'm saying that right. But most of the clinics have limited hours due to COVID-19. I am considering getting her a wheelchair and a ramp (I have a high bed) for Scarlett. She had a small pee accident this morning, but I am expressing her at least 2-3x a day to grant her some relief. I've also learned more information on how to handle her bowel movement which was extremely helpful!

https://www.handicappedpets.com/blog/bo ... nent-pets/

Thank you for showing me Tabby! She's absolutely adorable and has inspired me so much! I have bookmarked all the articles and pages on how to cope with a pet who is paralyzed and how to provide a happy life. Euthanasia is not an option for me at the moment seeing as how young and healthy Scarlett is. As much as I want to see her return to her walking on all 4 legs, my main priority right now is to provide comfort and happiness as long as she is with me :-)
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critters
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

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:whale:
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CarolC
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by CarolC »

goldil0cks wrote: Sat May 16, 2020 3:36 pm
I'm still looking for clinics with acupuncturist services as well as hydrotherapy(?) I hope I'm saying that right. But most of the clinics have limited hours due to COVID-19.
Yes, hydrotherapy, you said it right. It is very helpful. Acupuncture and cold laser might also be worth a try. When the dog has not had surgery and is being treated with crate rest, then they recommend not starting exercise till after the crate rest is done. So maybe by the time her 6-8 weeks of crate rest is done, the facilities will be open again.
http://www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm wrote: Dogs on conservative treatment crate rest who are not paralyzed are able to move around a bit in the crate and at potty time to keep their joints and muscles toned. No additional therapy is necessary.

However, a downed paralyzed dog can't move his back legs and the owner will need to help. Very light passive PT and massage must be limited to the least aggressive methods during crate rest for the downed dog. Delay passive PT activity until off medications and all swelling has gone down and the dog is no longer in pain. Check with your vet before starting.
goldil0cks
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Re: Stuff I learned along the way

Post by goldil0cks »

Thank you so so much! :D
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