almabee wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 3:00 pm
Yes, Shadow was a serious tree climber, we actually think this may have been the cause. Their is no apparent trauma, but I have a feeling she pushed it to far and fell on her back.
On one hand, maybe we should have stopped that, on the other hand, it's who she is, I don't know, tough one there.
True. You can't bubble wrap a dog and have them live a full life, it's a judgment call. They do recommend some limitations once there's been a disk episode, such as no jumping off of things. Interesting that this could be either IVDD or trauma-related.
Here are some examples of standing/walking after many months.
This was Murphy's Dad's beagle, Murphy, who swam in a horse rehab pool.
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10017&p=50429#p50429 wrote:Murphy went down 8 years ago (he is 12 now) with 2 herniated disks. After surgery, 8 weeks crate rest. 9 months swimming rehab. He learned how to stand on his own. Walking took a cart. Over time, he learned to walk, run, and climb stairs. He still has no DPS, so he is considered to be spinal walking. He has little bladder and bowel control. Since we got Summer, our 5 year old beagle, she has run him out of his cart. He only uses it for VERY long walks.
Marilyn's dachshund, Wally, who did not have surgery. Short post
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?p=48548#p48548 wrote:
My doxie Wally had no deep pain sensation, and no surgery and he didn't walk for over 18 months and now he walks on a leash. He had no blader or bowel control untill 2 days ago he started telling me when he wanted to go out and make poops. I am so thrilled, although he still doesn't have bladder control.
Hang in there each dog has his own time table,and it is worth the wait.
Longer post about Wally. The whole post is worth reading
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?p=49952#p49952 wrote:
Wally had no deep pain sensation and I was told by 2 vets to put him down [snip] I couldn't afford surgery and the vet wasn't sure if it would help. I gave him 8 weeks of crate rest and I had to express him [snip] I did get him some wheels and he used them when I was home. He would follow me all around the house. I even put him on the deck with his wheels. He couldn't walk or wag his tail for 18 months and then little by little he was able to push his legs against my hands,and he constantly slowlyimproved. Now he walks like a drunken sailer but he walks on his leash and wags his tail. He plays fetch and tug of war.
Paul Coover's dachshund, Porkchop, stood up after 4 years.
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10930 wrote:
Pork Chop Stood Up!!!!!!!!
Ok, so I don't like to get to excited, but just a short while ago, I looked and saw Pork Chop STANDING UP! I can hardly believe what I saw! It was only for about 3 seconds, but it is a HUGE start!
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, some history on our Choppy:
He has been down for over 4 years. He had surgery but never recovered. He has never had any real progress until now!
Just an editorial note. I don't know what it is about 4 years. I'd have to check but I think there have now been 3 dogs reported that started chewing their feet at 4 years, and here is Porkchop standing up after 4 years. I've just been noticing the '4 years' since the 2 recent chewing reports. We knew recovery continued at least that long. Here is a
post about my dog doing something new after 4 years 10 months.
Cindi's dachshund, Oscar, taking his first steps after 18 months.
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?p=42965#p42965 wrote:
Yeppers...Oscar has had the ability to pull himself up on his "knees" since last June when I boarded him at A&M, and they got him walking in the water tread mill.
Since moving to my new house, I've been putting Oscar in his cart more. He is able to exercise in his cart by "walking".
Yesterday the little booger sneaked out of the house and was in the back yard. I looked out, and he actually took a few steps SANS the cart!
It was the drunken "spinal walking" type of steps, but he took a few!!!!!!!! I am quite sure it is some form of spinal walking...but exciting all the same.
Hard to believe that 1 1/2 years post surgery he is still doing new things, but that crazy ole boy of mine never stops amazing me.
Joanne's German Shepherd mix, Tiny, started standing and walking after a year and climbed stairs 2 years later
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?p=96289#p96289 wrote:
When it comes to neurology there is no black and white, just a lot of grey (as my dogs neurologist frequently reminds me). Some dogs get right up after surgery, some take weeks, months or even years, and unfortunately some never recover. One of my paraplegics (Patroclus aka Tiny) started standing and walking after a year, and just this past week is starting to climb stairs (2 years later). I never give up, there is always the chance that something might happen. Keep on going with the rehab and see where it takes you
Syd's Mom's 17 pound mix, Syd, stood to eat and took some steps after 2 years when they got a new rug that provided better footing, and is developing bladder control.
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?p=100757#p100757 wrote:
I wanted to give you an update since it has been over 2 years since Syd's injury. We spent thousands of dollars on the surgery and therapy. Even though he never regained his ability to walk I am glad we gave him the chance. [snip] Recently we purchased a large area rug that covers the majority of the room he spends the most time in, covering the hardwood floors. This new ability for traction has stimulated him to stand and eat all on his own, which we have assisted him prior to. He takes several steps now without assistance and we are getting encouraged there may be more progress after all this time. I only wish we had bought this rug sooner
We still express his bladder but he is also starting to urinate on his own. Nerve pathways grow back slowly.
Sheri's Jack Russell, Pete, could stand for long periods to eat his food and walk 15 feet if Sheri pulled his food bowl with a string at about 2 years. He was injured May 20, 2003. This post was June 8, 2005.
https://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3156&p=14537#p14537 wrote:
Pete had no deep pain for almost 15 months before it slowly started to return. It has been 2 years since his accident and he is just now learning to walk again. Pete can now walk about 15 feet if he is following his food bowl (have a string tied on it and slowly pull it along as he is eating)but has learned that he can go faster on 2 legs than 4.
These are just some examples I bookmarked. I'm sure there are more.
EDIT TO ADD:
Matthew's whippet X terrier, Tommy, was reported walking after 15 months. The exact date is unclear.
October 9, 2006 was surgery.
December 5, 2006 Tommy could stand for 3 minutes.
Jan 31, 2007 Tommy could walk 3 steps but was not walking.
http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7925 wrote:
He still can not walk,but can now do three or four steps,and does this quite regulary.He is dragging his legs a lot less and seems determined to stand up for himself...which can do most of the time,he can now do this on command from his sitting position!
June 13, 2007 Tommy could walk 14 steps.
Jan 15, 2008 Tommy is walking.
http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10567&p=53012&hilit=tommy#p53012 wrote:
Some of you will remember me and Tommy,he had very bad spinal injurys after jumping down the stairs at home.
It has been a long time since I have posted,so I thought I would give you an update!
Tommy can walk
Not as well as he used to do I must admit but he can walk in his own fashion! No more leg dragging and no more scuffed knuckles. We go out for a walk around five nights a week and we do WALK...we do not drag around
Tommy can place one leg in front of another and can stand on comand and is a happy little dog with many good years infront of him
We still have to express urine but other than that he is more or less like any other little dog.
During the time after his injury I had many terrible moments where I thought he would never walk again...but I kept the faith,and with hydro and muscle stim,range of motion excercise and going out we got there! Maybe not 100% but at least 85%.
So never give up hope,fifteen months on he is happy and so am I.
July 17, 2008 Tommy is walking better