Worried about Layla

[linz06]

There are just a lot of times she wanted my attention and I thought, I'll play with her more tomorrow, something good is on tv. I swear that when she comes home and barks at every single kibble she pulls out of her bowl, instead of telling her to be quiet and just eat it, I will chase after it and see if I can get to it before she can, because that's the game she wants to play.

I will never again take for granted a moment with her because no matter how young and healthy they are, you never know when it can all be over. But in Layla's case, it's not over. It just might be different for a little while.

Before we left yesterday, a nurse was going to take her to the back and Layla was sitting on the floor looking up at us with big eyes and I told her "You'll be walking soon buddy, you'll be walking right out of this place!" and the nurse said "No way, she'll be RUNNING out of this place!"

[teacup0819]

Originally Posted by linz06

Thank you so much, you're making me get teary again. I love her more than anything and I just want the best for her. I have not always given her the best and if I could go back and redo her whole life I would take every moment I ignored her or decided to leave her at home so I could do something else, I would change it all. She deserves the world and when she comes back to me I will give her the world.

You have given her the best....you have given her you!! We cannot always cater to our yorkies (or our children)....life has to be lived, even if it is just watching tv. It is important for you to also take care of yourself so that then you are better able to care for Layla. It sounds to me like you are a wonderful person and Layla loves you for it. Keep the faith and know that you have done and are doing the best for your Layla. I am praying for your miracle and that you will find some peace during this very stressful time.

[ladyjane]

Continued prayers for Layla and for you.

[linz06]

It is so hard to be strong. She seemed sad tonight and I couldn't help crying. Her first therapist made a comment about "Dogs in her condition that don't have deep pain sensation by this point after surgery..." and we put her in a cart so she could walk around and she showed us how it worked and it just made me feel like she didn't think there was any hope of Layla having a normal 4-legged life. When I lifted Layla to the therapist's arms, with one hand under her tummy for back support, I made her pee all over my leg. Scott tried walking with her with a sling, and that made her pee all over the floor. There had to be something better and some hope because it was so pitiful I cried.

When her surgeon came to talk to us I asked her if this was normal and she said absolutely, the sheath around the spinal cord takes 7-10 days alone to repair itself so there is no worry that she has no deep pain sensation yet.

It has been a really emotional night and Layla is coming home first thing tomorrow morning. I am so drained I feel like I need to either throw up or pass out. It is so hard for me to stay positive but I know I have to. Scott told me that I am the biggest influence on Layla's feelings and if I'm positive, she can be positive and beat this.

[ladyjane]

I totally agree that you need to be strong for her; but you also need to allow yourself to grieve. Even if this ends up temporary and she does improve, right now you are suffering the loss of your Layla as you knew her.

Cry as much as you have to....get it out!

I cannot tell you how badly I feel for you. It breaks my heart to even read your posts.

I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

[ladyjane]

If the surgeon said that this is normal, you really need to believe that and try to think positive.

[Connie]

I'm so sorry that you, your bf and Layla are going through this, and I pray that you begin to see improvement soon...the sooner the better! I know how hard it is to see these little ones suffer and my heart breaks for you. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[kjc]

Prayers to you and Layla...

I just want to let you know that I have seen dogs after back surgery that had to use carts eventually begin to regain use of their rear limbs even 8-12 months after their surgeries. And to note: I have never seen an unhappy dog in a cart. They are very active just watch your toes.

[AddieandMiaMom]

I agree that you need to grieve, just do it away from Layla. The therapist should be more positive, they essentially told you something different from what the surgeon told you. If you feel at any point they are not giving Layla 100% because they believe she's not improving in their timeframe, find another therapist.

Layla could be sad for any number of reasons. It could be what she went through during therapy, because it's something new and tiring, because of the therapist themselves, or just because she's tired of being at the hospital. She was so happy when you saw her the day before, I don't think she's going to stay sad.

It's going to be emotional for all of you, there will be moments of sadness and hopelessness, but there will be moments of sheer happiness as well. Hold on to those moments and believe that she will walk again.

Hugs and prays to you all.

[linz06]

She is at home with us now. We got there this morning early but her doctor was busy and couldn't see us right away. We sat on the floor with her and her bladder started leaking. They didn't express it before we came so we could learn how. Finally after almost an hour she came out and we learned about expression and range of movement exercises. We got her bladder fully expressed, with the vet finishing the end.

Layla and I went to my grandma's while Scott had some running around to do. She fell asleep on me. Then we had to rush back to town so we could get to the post office before closing. Just before we got to town, I felt something very warm on my leg. She peed quite a bit. When we got home, Scott expressed her bladder onto a pad, and he squeezed out as much as he could. I brought her bed down for her and put a pad under her rear end. She tried to pull herself forward and I noticed the pad was wet under her still. More pee! I am worried she has lost all control, because this is 4 pees in 2 hours.

Please keep praying for us all.

[Lizzie07]

Reading these posts just breaks my heart, but I am betting that Layla will improve greatly now that she is home with her loved ones. She has to be way, way happier! We are pulling for her and think you and Scott are two of the best doggie parents around!

[linz06]

Originally Posted by Lizzie07

Reading these posts just breaks my heart, but I am betting that Layla will improve greatly now that she is home with her loved ones. She has to be way, way happier! We are pulling for her and think you and Scott are two of the best doggie parents around!

Thank you so much. The support here is amazing. We could not get through any of this without everyone's help.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Lizzie07

Reading these posts just breaks my heart, but I am betting that Layla will improve greatly now that she is home with her loved ones. She has to be way, way happier! We are pulling for her and think you and Scott are two of the best doggie parents around!

Amen to that!

[linz06]

Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart.

I fell asleep with Layla on the floor for a little while but that's really hard on a human body! She hasn't been leaking pee since we expressed her about 2 hours ago, so that's a good sign I think. We did range of motion exercises on her back legs and gave her a little massage, and now she's laying on her side sleeping. I moved her position to her side after she laid on her stomach for the last 4 hours or so. Okay, now she's back on her stomach.

I just feel like I can't keep my eyes off her so I've set my computer up to check on things about 3 feet away from her. I hope she's liking it better at home but I can't tell. I wish she didn't lose her tail wag. I asked if we did okay for her and she licked my eyelid and did the weird tongue thing she does sometimes. There was a little bit of the old Layla back!

[teacup0819]

I'm glad to hear that Layla is home with you, but I know it is not going to be easy on you the first few days. Have you thought about using a doggie diaper and maybe a feeding schedule so that you can try and figure out when she is going to go. The diapers may help......but you should ask your vet or someone here who knows more than I do first. I am sure she is happy that she is home with you.