Praying for good news for Sammie, Tambrey.
Hugs,
Lisa
Sammie
Re: Sammie
Lisa, Angel Smokey and little Caz
Re: Sammie
Thanks everyone....his doctor just called...and he got to see the same one as last time when we were going through the back issues....He said the deficits are mild this time...
They put him on a carpeted area of the clinic and watched him walk around visiting everyone and said he has a back leg sway...which he has had since his last surgery...some stiffness but not terribly bad...he still has bowel and bladder function and reflexes are good...
some lower back inflammation but no disc issues to be concerned about...at this time!!
He HAS gained 2.8 pounds, so he is going on a diet...and hubby is home today so going to work on a way to keep him (and Ghost) OUT of the kitchen....we have a half door that we had cut a hole in...but even with a bottom bar across it, to where the cats could get through but we thought it was high enough to keep Sammie out, he has still been getting in there....
For the next 4-5 days doctor wants him on canned food with a bit of water mixed in to ease his bowel movements and lessen pressure/straining when he has to go...
And he will be on 1/2 tablet of Rimadyl for the next...not sure how many days...I will find that out when I pick him up this afternoon...but for now...just crate rest and canned food...diet and meds....
But please pray for Elliott too...a childhood friend of mine has 3 or 4 doxies...she lives in VA and posted on Facebook this morning that since their last big storm...Elliott has had some back troubles...she became paralyzed this morning
I told her about Sammie and to try to get Elliott in for a consult with a neurosurgeon if there is one in SoVa...and that Sammie's hemimlaminectomy was successful....
They put him on a carpeted area of the clinic and watched him walk around visiting everyone and said he has a back leg sway...which he has had since his last surgery...some stiffness but not terribly bad...he still has bowel and bladder function and reflexes are good...
some lower back inflammation but no disc issues to be concerned about...at this time!!
He HAS gained 2.8 pounds, so he is going on a diet...and hubby is home today so going to work on a way to keep him (and Ghost) OUT of the kitchen....we have a half door that we had cut a hole in...but even with a bottom bar across it, to where the cats could get through but we thought it was high enough to keep Sammie out, he has still been getting in there....
For the next 4-5 days doctor wants him on canned food with a bit of water mixed in to ease his bowel movements and lessen pressure/straining when he has to go...
And he will be on 1/2 tablet of Rimadyl for the next...not sure how many days...I will find that out when I pick him up this afternoon...but for now...just crate rest and canned food...diet and meds....
But please pray for Elliott too...a childhood friend of mine has 3 or 4 doxies...she lives in VA and posted on Facebook this morning that since their last big storm...Elliott has had some back troubles...she became paralyzed this morning
I told her about Sammie and to try to get Elliott in for a consult with a neurosurgeon if there is one in SoVa...and that Sammie's hemimlaminectomy was successful....
Re: Sammie
Please tell your friend to get her dog to a veterinary orthopedic surgeon RIGHT NOW, if she hasn't already done so. These injuries are best treated at the FIRST sign there is a problem. Paralysis is not a good sign, but every hour that is wasted in not getting into immediate surgery is a poorer prognosis.
Glad to hear Sammie's disc is not slipped again, but you will have to be extremely careful. No rigorous exercise, no jumping, no rambunctious play etc. If he has a habit of jumping on the couch, you will probably have to start teaching him to stay on the floor nearby with a special bed for him etc. (same for your bed, either provide a doggy bed for him on the floor or get some pet steps/ramps).
As for snow, please remember that while it appears they love romping and jumping through high drifts, doxies with back problems should never be allowed to do this, clear a path for him, or carry him to an area he can do his potty duty. The spine needs to be kept level, and avoidance of twisting, arching, raising hips too high etc.
Glad to hear Sammie's disc is not slipped again, but you will have to be extremely careful. No rigorous exercise, no jumping, no rambunctious play etc. If he has a habit of jumping on the couch, you will probably have to start teaching him to stay on the floor nearby with a special bed for him etc. (same for your bed, either provide a doggy bed for him on the floor or get some pet steps/ramps).
As for snow, please remember that while it appears they love romping and jumping through high drifts, doxies with back problems should never be allowed to do this, clear a path for him, or carry him to an area he can do his potty duty. The spine needs to be kept level, and avoidance of twisting, arching, raising hips too high etc.
..........Traci
Re: Sammie
Thanks....I am glad he is okay for nowe too....and actually, he does NOT like to play in the snow...he is an in and out dog in winter and we have to shovel a path for him first!! He will stand on the steps glaring at the snow and us until we do...
We have had stairs for the couch for him since his surgery, and we discourage him from jumping and try to MAKE him do the stairs!!
He does not come upstairs in the house so no getting on our bed either....
He will be on strict crate rest for at least 2 weeks...then we will see how he is...with follow ups as needed...I do not want to have him in unnecessary pain...and I know he was not comfortable lastnight
As for Elliott....I am sure you saw the thread I started by now....yes...my friend had already gotten her to the local vet by the time she even informed us from her phone updates...and they are now either en-route or have arrived at a critical care clinic for further eval and the said the vet rrecommended surgery as the best option for Elliott...
We have had stairs for the couch for him since his surgery, and we discourage him from jumping and try to MAKE him do the stairs!!
He does not come upstairs in the house so no getting on our bed either....
He will be on strict crate rest for at least 2 weeks...then we will see how he is...with follow ups as needed...I do not want to have him in unnecessary pain...and I know he was not comfortable lastnight
As for Elliott....I am sure you saw the thread I started by now....yes...my friend had already gotten her to the local vet by the time she even informed us from her phone updates...and they are now either en-route or have arrived at a critical care clinic for further eval and the said the vet rrecommended surgery as the best option for Elliott...
Re: Sammie
Sammie is home and in his crate....hubby was able to get it set up over by the heat vent where he likes to lay...and the cushion he had been laying on fit right into it perfectly....
Hubby also gave up his soft fleece blankie so Sammie would have a newer SOFTER one to curl up with....
He ate his food...went outside to go potty and before I could turn around he had beat me up the stairs....darned dog is NOT supposed to do stairs, so we may need to get a leash for him again...or lat least find his...he has not had to be leashed for a long time....
Now he is trying to sleep in his crate...
Hubby also gave up his soft fleece blankie so Sammie would have a newer SOFTER one to curl up with....
He ate his food...went outside to go potty and before I could turn around he had beat me up the stairs....darned dog is NOT supposed to do stairs, so we may need to get a leash for him again...or lat least find his...he has not had to be leashed for a long time....
Now he is trying to sleep in his crate...
Re: Sammie
I was just going to suggest that, a leash. With consistency, he'll soon learn that he's not supposed to do those things.
..........Traci
Re: Sammie
Today he has done great....well, we were gone for work then shopping, but we got home and his crate was dry but he was in a hurry to get outside!
Peed and Pooed normally....tail wagging to beat the band...he ate well...his eyes are bright....of course, he is on Rimadyl too....so we are not letting him do what he wants to do for fear of injuring that back....we let him be out and walk around for a while, but if he was caught running or trying to get on the couch....or eat Ghost's food....he had to go back to his "house"
He has been resting comfortably in there all evening...but we have been right in this same room baking and wrapping gifts and cutting meat etc to get ready for our family Christmas tomorrow...
Peed and Pooed normally....tail wagging to beat the band...he ate well...his eyes are bright....of course, he is on Rimadyl too....so we are not letting him do what he wants to do for fear of injuring that back....we let him be out and walk around for a while, but if he was caught running or trying to get on the couch....or eat Ghost's food....he had to go back to his "house"
He has been resting comfortably in there all evening...but we have been right in this same room baking and wrapping gifts and cutting meat etc to get ready for our family Christmas tomorrow...
Re: Sammie
Just an update....Sammie is going plumb nuts being in the crate!! He is resting and looking great....one would not think anything had been wrong with him...BUT...the vet said 10 days on Rimadyl (75 mg chewable split in half) and crate rest, then a checkup...so that is what we will do...
his food has been switched to IAMS Intestinal Low-Residue since he is on crate rest and since it was a switch in food...3/4 cup TOTAL food a day...period....so he gets 1/2 cup of dry kibble and 1/4 cup canned (same kind of food)...with a bit of warm water...and these are then divided for him into 2 meals...morning and evening....the vet tech said this will be alot easier on his tummy with having to be on crate rest and switching...and it would help his bowels be softer...and that it is....he is not straining at all to go potty....
He gets to be out for maybe 10 minutes when we are home...enough to stretch his legs and walk around some...but not get into anything...
His crate is in the dining room, very central to where we spend most all of our time...he can see us in the living room if we are watching TV...and both computers are in the dining room, so when we are online we are right nearby...
I am so glad we knew what to be looking for this time and were able to take care of it right away!
his food has been switched to IAMS Intestinal Low-Residue since he is on crate rest and since it was a switch in food...3/4 cup TOTAL food a day...period....so he gets 1/2 cup of dry kibble and 1/4 cup canned (same kind of food)...with a bit of warm water...and these are then divided for him into 2 meals...morning and evening....the vet tech said this will be alot easier on his tummy with having to be on crate rest and switching...and it would help his bowels be softer...and that it is....he is not straining at all to go potty....
He gets to be out for maybe 10 minutes when we are home...enough to stretch his legs and walk around some...but not get into anything...
His crate is in the dining room, very central to where we spend most all of our time...he can see us in the living room if we are watching TV...and both computers are in the dining room, so when we are online we are right nearby...
I am so glad we knew what to be looking for this time and were able to take care of it right away!