YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community


Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member!

Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us.

Go Back   YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community > YorkieTalk > Sick & Injured / Emergencies Talk
Register Blogs FAQ Calendar JavaChat Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-17-2016, 06:21 PM   #1
YT Addict
 
maggiefromnj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: nj
Posts: 497
Default Maggie had disc surgery today....(IVDD)

I previously posted about Maggie having a potential disc herniation. Maggie got worse as yesterday went on and into the evening. At dinnertime she was trying to eat with her right leg/foot pointed out to the side on an angle and her left leg almost crossed behind. If she tried to move she would lose her balance. Even on only Rimadly and a muscle relaxer I didn't think she should get worse. Her bowel control was "off" but not completely. We could see no point in waiting to go to U of Penn.

She seemed to get worse as we were there...it was a long wait with lots of patients arriving when we did who needed faster treatment. Finally we were able to meet with the Dr. Maggie was pretty much at stage 3 of the IVDD stages. She had serious loss of proprioception, that is not knowing where in space her feet were. What I considered walking the vet said wasn't really walking, she sort of was dragging her right leg, but trying to move it. Knowing that her symptoms were progressing they wanted to keep her overnight to do testing (MRI most likely--which is what they did). The vet said they would monitor her overnight and if she got worse they would call a team in, otherwise it would be in the morning. They said it could get worse within hours, or it could be days or weeks. She's seen it get really bad in 12 hours. She had her MRI and there was one disc ruptured and pressing on the cord. They did surgery and she came through it well, her cord was flat (like it should be) when they were done. We didn't go see her today because it would make her anxious if she was aware of us. We will see her tomorrow. She should come home Monday. We really miss her!

I think it was the right choice because it killed us to watch her falling down, and I was afraid she would injure something worse. Her chance of a full recovery is better with surgery. If we had waited and it progressed her chances would be lower even with surgery. I hated leaving her, but felt better for doing so, knowing she was in good hands.

With the surgery she will be allowed to sleep with us, and be out and trying to walk. Of course no jumping and she will be crated when she is not closely supervised. Without it I believe she would have had to be crated constantly. I read this "diary" on dogster and Scooter's case sounds eerily like Maggie's, I hope her recovery goes as well (though I only got to read part of it so far) [page 9] Scooter's Diary - A dog diary by Scooter, PAWS I don't know what kind of therapy she will need, but the vet said she had strong abs and good leg muscles and that should be in her favor for recovery.

She's never been really sick. She recovered from her spay like a trooper, without even a cone. I'm not sure what to expect. I hope she does well and I hope her personality etc are unchanged. She is a sweetheart with an awesome temperament.
maggiefromnj is offline   Reply With Quote
Welcome Guest!
Not Registered?

Join today and remove this ad!

Old 09-18-2016, 05:08 AM   #2
YT Addict
 
Kerryn915's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fishkill, ny, USA
Posts: 487
Default

Wow!! Sounds like you and your sweetie have been through a big ordeal! It sounds like you have given her the best chance of recovering with the surgery. It must have been awful to see her deteriorate like that! I'm sure once she's home she will be back to her old self personality wise! Lots of prayers for a full and speedy recovery!
Kerryn915 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2016, 05:59 AM   #3
♥ Maximo and Teddy
Donating Member
 
Maximo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
Default

You have had quite an evening and morning! I am very happy to hear that surgery went well, and I wish Maggie a speedy and full recovery.

Being young and in overall good physical condition should help with healing.

I can imagine how much you miss her and look forward to having her back home.

Please keep us updated on her progress.

Best wishes for your sweet girl and you.
__________________
Kristin, Max and Teddy

Maximo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2016, 06:01 AM   #4
Donating YT 500 Club Member
 
Lil Sis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 8,008
Default

I am very glad to hear the surgery went well. I hope for a full recovery..
__________________
Shinja mom to
Remy lil Sis to
Bailey and Sammy
Lil Sis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2016, 03:45 PM   #5
YT Addict
 
maggiefromnj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: nj
Posts: 497
Default day one

Thanks for the kind words. She did well. She is urinating and awake. We went to see her and she wagged her tail and we got to hold her but she was pretty sleepy. They are treatig her nice. THe upside of a vet school hospital is that there are a lot of people to watch over the patients and hold them etc. She was getting new bedding (a few folded up blankets) so she's not a on a hard cold cage floor. She can stand, but not walk yet. Today or in the morning they will try oral pain meds and if she doe well she can come home!

She doesn't have staples and the stitches will dissolve. Not sure if she has glue or just stitches, and why some dogs get staples....Maybe that's larger breeds or longer incisions? Luckily they didn't have to cut through muscle. She was due for a bath when this started, so she's not her prettiest....and her grooming is due in 2 weeks which I guess will have to be pushed back....

I'd like to hear more from pets who went through this. It seems as though recovery will be easier than medication alone because she can be out and try to walk, not stuck all the time in a crate. I bought one of those 6 piece baby play-yards that can make an "L" to block the front of the sofa and loveseat while also confining her to the family room. She will be able to sit and look out the back patio door!
maggiefromnj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2016, 04:43 PM   #6
Donating YT 500 Club Member
 
yorkiemini's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 4,285
Default

Good to hear!
Will look forward to how she does tomorrow!
__________________
. Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay
No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car
yorkiemini is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2016, 05:02 PM   #7
Action Jackson ♥
Donating Member
 
Britster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
Default

Oh, wow! I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. What an ordeal. I'm so glad she came through OK and you got to see her. That must be so hard not to have her. Hopefully she is in your arms soon, poor thing.
__________________
~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~
Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier
Britster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 06:56 AM   #8
♥ Maximo and Teddy
Donating Member
 
Maximo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
Default

How is Maggie doing? Is she home? Sending best wishes for her recovery.
__________________
Kristin, Max and Teddy

Maximo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2016, 07:49 AM   #9
YT Addict
 
maggiefromnj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: nj
Posts: 497
Default

She has been improving. I was worried at first. The first day she did well and pretty much laid around. We let her sleep in our bed because the vet said it would be ok and she gave me a hard time about her crate. She never goes off the bed at night. MISTAKE. Her dad accidentally touched her in the wrong spot and she yelped and moved down the bed. I held her on my chest for an hour, then had to put her back on the mattress. As I placed a pillow nearby to prevent another touch or bump I BRUSHED against her back end and she yelped again and took off! She was down her steps (which are not pet steps and are a bit higher) and made it to bedroom door. After that I took her downstairs and slept...Earlier that day she tried to twist away when her dad brought an ice pack in a towel over to me. The next day she leaped off the sofa when I was sitting beside her, because I reached toward her with an ice pack. I talked to the vet and she said she should be fine, just watch her. She believed she was reacting in more of an anticipatory way than actual pain.

The next night I gave her TRAZADONE. Love that stuff! I gave it to her at 11:00 and put her in crate at 11:30. She whined on and off for about 15 minutes but went to sleep and slept well all night! She was improved in the morning so I think the rest helped her. It is a pretty small dose but it helps. I hadn't realized it is used for crate training. The vet said it was for anxiety, but she had had seemed pretty normal.

She is getting better each day. Now we are to the point where she is thinking about jumping on or off the sofa. She wants to be up there with us so we have to sit on the floor with her, or make a barrier so she can't jump down. I bought one of those 6 sided baby gates so I can block both sofas. I'm crating her if I go out for short times during the day. She didn't poop until Thurs evening and her surgery had been Saturday. I fed her canned pumpkin, a little on Wed and some more on Thurs for lunch. Her right leg is still dragging, but she is becoming more aware of it. The vet said her awareness of what the leg is doing (proprioception) would be one of the later things to come back. She is licking it and trying to scratch her face with it. When I let her out of her crate yesterday she tried to run and jump with excitement!

I cant imagine how she would have recovered without surgery. The one problem I still have is that she will NOT lie on her side and let me do range of motion exercises. She will stand and walk some, and can squat to pee. I took her in the car hoping that wold make a poop come (it usually does--because we take her for rides to the park and she goes right away when we get there) he tried so hard to stand and look out in her snoozer seat. She did pretty well with that, so I think the little bit of exercise in the carseat is helpful.
maggiefromnj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2016, 05:32 PM   #10
YT Addict
 
Kerryn915's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fishkill, ny, USA
Posts: 487
Default

Thanks for the update! It must be really hard to watch her so closely and try and limit her jumping. But also so great that she can move so well!
Kerryn915 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2016, 05:42 PM   #11
YT 1000 Club Member
 
Susan78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hibbing Minnesota
Posts: 1,106
Default

So glad to read that Maggie is getting better. She has a wonderful daddy and mommy . I have tears in my eyes reading what all you three been through and have lots of recovery to do. Bless you and I pray Maggie continues do better each day. Susan
Susan78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2016, 07:16 AM   #12
♥ Maximo and Teddy
Donating Member
 
Maximo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
Default

I'm happy to hear she is making progress.

For the range of motion exercises, try sneaking it in when she is resting by starting with a chest/belly rub. Maggie sounds like my boys not wanting to go on their side or backs if I try to force them into it. I have to catch them in their beds.
__________________
Kristin, Max and Teddy

Maximo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2016, 06:54 PM   #13
YT Addict
 
maggiefromnj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: nj
Posts: 497
Default

thanks for you kind words and wishes She does a little better each day and now she is starting to think she can do things she can't and shouldn't. That right leg will still give out and she stumbles. We have the baby gate across the sofa and loveseat. Its going to be hard to restrict her when she gets even better...

Maximo...she in on to all my tricks! I posted on the general board asking for ideas how to get her to use her right leg more to scratch her face or lick her paw...Thinking if I put something on her paw she will have to bring it to her mouth to clean it...When is was at it's worst she would sit with her left leg bent in normal position and her right leg was sort of sticking out straight in front of her. I think she needs to work on bending it more, but it is improving so I'm hopeful. She does her best walking when she comes out of her crate and is so excited to see us and "runs" back and forth between us! But, the right leg is clearly weak and she loses balance some times.
maggiefromnj is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks



Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off




Google
 

SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:22 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 742 743 744 745 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 756 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783 784 785 786 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 811 812 813 814 815 816 817 818 819 820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 839 840 841 842 843 844 845 846 847 848 849 850 851 852 853 854 855 856 857 858 859 860 861 862 863 864 865 866 867 868 869 870 871 872 873 874 875 876 877 878 879 880 881 882 883 884 885 886 887 888 889 890 891 892 893 894 895 896 897 898 899 900 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 922 923 924 925 926 927 928 929 930 931 932 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 940 941 942 943 944 945 946 947 948 949 950 951 952 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 960 961 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 972 973 974 975 976 977 978 979 980 981 982 983 984 985 986 987 988 989 990 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1030 1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 1036 1037 1038 1039 1040 1041 1042 1043 1044 1045 1046 1047 1048 1049 1050 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060 1061 1062 1063 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070 1071 1072 1073 1074 1075 1076 1077 1078 1079 1080 1081 1082 1083 1084 1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 1090 1091 1092 1093 1094 1095 1096 1097 1098 1099 1100 1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 1111 1112 1113 1114 1115 1116 1117 1118 1119 1120 1121 1122 1123 1124 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130 1131 1132 1133 1134 1135 1136 1137 1138 1139 1140 1141 1142 1143 1144 1145 1146 1147 1148 1149 1150 1151 1152 1153 1154 1155 1156 1157 1158 1159 1160 1161 1162 1163 1164 1165 1166 1167