Doogie and Dandy checking out a snowy yard in February 2010.
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Category Archives: Doogie
No more Frankenweiner
Following a week of progress, Dandy visited the vet on Monday to get her staples out. She has made some “literally” good strides with her leg over the weekend, I’m rather scared to say. She behaves as if she didn’t have IVDD surgery at all: threatening to jump on and off furniture, chasing after neighbor pups, and generally being a dog on a mission to get her way. However, she also enjoys just being around the humans and knows when to relax on her dog bed when we’re watching TV or playing WoW.
Which is more than I can say for Doogie…the pee monster. I’m still grumbling over last night’s marking incident in which he wet 2 sofa cushions, 2 toss pillows and a faux fur blanket. What a BRAT!
On the road to recovery
The past week has been challenging. Watching your beloved furkid just waddling around like a drunken loon is sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes comical. After the first few days of pain subsided, Dandy is in high spirits–being the kissy puppy that she is. She is also behaving like the normal haughty princess she is…whining and crying to be out of house arrest. She’s eager to tear our of her crate and get outside at every opportunity. If she spots a toy, she’s dashing for it, ready to tear it apart. In the last 3 days, it’s been quite fun trying to keep this eager pup in check.
For about a week, I was extremely concerned that her right back leg might not improve. She has less muscle mass in that leg, and perhaps that is why it is taking more time for her to regain mobility with it. It’s been painful to watch her run on her right knuckle–I’ve resorted to hoisting her back end by her tail, to give her a little more mobility when she is using the bathroom. Dandy is getting regular her physical therapy, twice to three times a day, favoring the right leg in particular. Today, she seems to be displaying progress with it, since she seems to be dragging it less than normal.
Since she seems to be in less pain these days, I’ve decreased her Tramadol intake to twice daily. But I’ve learned to make sure to give her a half teaspoon of peanut butter with her pills…she has managed to spit out her meds on a few occasions.
Good news, the crate divider panel I ordered finally arrived today! Doogie will be happy to share the crate with her again.
Dandy at Home
After a pit-stop at Sonic (in which Dandy did not deign to share her popcorn chicken with me), Dandy came home. She seemed much relieved to be home, she waddled into her crate and burrowed under the blankets. Doogie too was very much excited to see her, forgetting to eat as he rushed back and forth from the crate to greet her.
Dr Hayashi instructed strict crate rest for the next 4 weeks. Dandy has been prescribed Tramadol and Previcox and physical therapy 2-3 times daily to get her back legs stimulated. One thing I am glad for is that Dandy still has good bowel control, she is able to go to the bathroom when I take her out.
She will have to wait two weeks to get her staples out. Doc also recommended getting some blood work done because of elevated liver numbers. Until then, doctor advised withholding the Previcox.
Dandy also has a recheck scheduled at the hospital in 4 weeks. Doctor was optimistic, but at the same giving some realistic warnings. While Dandy has some use of her back legs, there is no guarantee that she will regain full use of them. She may be clumsy from now on. She might get worse, she might get better. However, only time will tell.
Dandy Denied
The prednisone isn’t working. Earlier this week, the pain kept Dandy immobile, and she cried nearly all the time when I attempted to move her or pick her up. As early as yesterday, I decided to separate Doogie and crate him in the kitchen so that Dandy can recuperate in peace. She visited the vet again and changed medication to an NSAID, Previcox. The next two months will be a grueling one as the household adjusts to a pup who will be confined to strict crate rest. She will be fed in the crate and only allowed outside to take care of business. Otherwise she will be carried everywhere. The vet insists on getting an MRI, and he also indicated that surgery might be likely.
Knowing the information on IVDD, surgery is not a guaranteed fix. I’m willing to take a chance to go the long route to get Dandy better. What will certainly not be in Dandy’s future is jogging. As much as I enjoy taking the pups out for a run, I am sure that it did nothing but aggravate a condition prevalent with low-slung breeds.
I purchased a crate divider online, having lost or misplaced the one that came with my Midwest double door 36″ crate. Total came to about $30 online from CagesDirect.com. Let’s hope they follow through and ship the divider in timely fashion.