APRIL - update and a beware!

April actually wanted to get up this morning, *S*  she sat in the window for about 5 minutes and barked at a cat, she is holding her head up and walking normally, but only for a little bit.  She is good when she goes out to potty, does her business but comes right back to me to come in the house.  I can tell when her meds start to wear off, she gets then twice a day, when they are wearing off, she gets very very quiet, doesn't move much and has this look on her face. Poor little dear, but I do think she is doing much better.  We will see, when she goes back on the 4th of December.  As for checking out other hospital's and Dr's.  I am very comfortable with the care and the Doctor that we have now..  She is wonderful as was her assistant. thanks again for all your concern, there is no one like you people in this forum.

The same thing happened to my parents' dachshund when he was about 8.  Surgery was also mentioned to them at the time but they said they would wait and see what happened with the bedrest first.  They did the eaxct same things you are doing, carried him out to potty etc, and he initially showed no improvement.  Everyone was becoming really discouraged.  I think it took a couple of weeks and they finally starting seeing improvement.  It took quite a while (can't remember exactly how long) but he ended up making a full recovery.  He is now almost 15 and still pretty spunky.  Just wanted to give you some words of encouragment   Good luck to you and April.

Oh, thank you so much, good to hear and I know that it is prevalent in Dachounds too.  We are really hoping she will recover also with no operations.

I'm so glad that she's doing better.  Keep her very quiet, aside from the trips out to potty and don't let her jump to get on the sofa or to look out the window.  The problem with pain meds is that if it doesn't hurt, they go about business as usual and can add to the damage.  The pain is actually a GOOD thing because it makes them self regulate their activities.

Rusty never did have back surgery.  Often its something that can be managed.

I'm so glad you  checked in!  And hopefully April will continue to recover quickly

I'm glad they were able to figure it out so quickly, and that she's already getting better. She's lucky to have such a caring mommy.  

 I am so happy to hear little April is doing better...Please give her a HUGE hug from us.

Thoughts and prayers going out to April.  Get better soon sweetie!

I am sooo glad things are looking up! She is going to be fine.  I know it's scary when something like this happens.  My last dog ruptured a disc and had surgery.  she lived another TEN years afterwards.  Good luck and she will be up and racing around before you know it.

glenmar

don't let her jump to get on the sofa or to look out the window. 

That restriction should be pretty much permanent.  Teach her to use ramps or steps (ramps are better).

Examples of pet ramps and steps that are available: 
http://www.dodgerslist.com
http://www.littleshopofterrors.citymax.com/Pet_Steps_Ramps.html
http://www.petclassics.com
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=2874&Ntt=ramp&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Np=1&N=2001
http://www.luckycatfurniture.com
http://www.gooddeals.citymax.com/pet_ramps.html
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/70948.asp?promo=xsells

Glenmar, April has never jumped up on anything, she has never been able too and now that is a blessing.  I lift her up on everything.  She could never do anymore than one step, never got the hang of it. *S* guess cause I carried her or lifted her all the time when she was a baby.  As for looking out the window, that is a hard one to keep her from.  I'm trying.

Oh good!  I'm glad that she CAN'T jump.

Nothing wrong with her looking out the window, just try not to let her get too active while doing it.  I remember when I still had cockers they'd run back and forth on the back of the sofa to better see what they were looking at......maybe she doesn't do that.

I would start weening back on the pain meds now.  The prednizone is reducing the inflammation so letting her feel a bit of discomfort is OK.  That will tend to keep her from doing anything that she shouldn't.  Some folks won't agree with me on that, and I'm honestly not cold hearted about my crew suffering, but, I prefer for them to self regulate as much as possible.