Quote:
Originally Posted by linz06  I am scared about her quality of life, and however selfish it is, I am worried about how it is affecting our quality of life. We just weren't expecting it and we will do anything to make her happy. I hate to think about it, but if she doesn't get better we will need to make big changes to afford care for her when the time comes that I can't bring her to work anymore. We will get through it somehow. She is just so young and I wanted her to have the best life I could ever give her, and I wish I would have known about this disease sooner so I wouldn't have let her bound up and down the stairs, or probably wouldn't have bought a house with so many stairs to begin with. My heart is broken, and I don't know what the future holds, and that is why I am scared. |
1. Quality of life: Dogs like a comfy bed, food and a roof overhead, and they love to just spend time with their owners, maybe some toys and treats.. Anything else is a bonus. Maybe you can arrange for a petsitter/dogwalker to come by when you can no longer take her to work with you. If there's a vet's office close by, see if a tech would be interested, if she still requires having her bladder emptied manually. You can still go on walks, get a pet stroller for her. My oldest has trouble keeping up sometimes, and absolutely loves to ride along and look at the sights and have the breeze in his face. Occassionally I stop and set him down for a close up sniff of the grass, when he's done he wants right back in the stroller!
2. Making her happy: Dogs are happiest when their owners are happy. This has not changed her, she is still the same dog she used to be (sucking on the pillow case, licking your eyelid and the thing she does with her tongue). The only thing that has changed is how she gets around, and how
you see her. You have got to look at this as temporary. If a person breaks an arm or leg, they are still the same person they were before...
3. I am a retired vet tech (20 years). I will let you in on a little secret: Vets will never tell your dog will walk again. Because if they don't, they would probably be sued. So please do not take their negativity to heart. They are only protecting themselves. If you are pinching your dog's toes, and she withdraws her foot, then she is feeling that sensation.
4. The tail wag: This is monumental! This is the one sign that the connection between the head (brain) and the tail is in working order. Nerves do regenerate, sometimes it can take months. The little signs you've seen are signs that she is healing, and I truly believe that she will regain her ability to walk. I have seen close to one hundred dogs have back surgery, and for the life of me I can't remember one that didn't make a complete recovery. One did reinjure himself, and the surgery had to be repeated, but he still made a complete recovery.
5. You, as doggy parents, have to get it together, for her sake. Set small goals for yourselves. Make it through the next two days, and plan a small celebration! Then, do a week... and so on. This is truly only temporary, and in 4-6 months, you'll look back and wonder why you were so upset in the beginning. The hard part is over (getting through the surgery). Now, just sit down, make out a schedule, and follow it. Do it on paper, and check off tasks as they are done. Anything you find difficult, will get easier as time passes. She's not used to having her bladder expressed, when she accepts it she will relax and it will be very easy to do. Keep a diary and record the times she does things she used to do, or regains abilities. Give each other breaks on the weekends, share the duties in caring for her, but allow each other some time off.
6. Maybe consider getting her an ex-pen. Size is adjustable... I've seen some pups learn when they mess on a pad, they pull themselves over to a clean area.
7. From what I've read, she is really recovering phenomenally! The tub swims are great, and the jets will stimulate her circulation, making healing quicker.
Teamwork and patience.... You folks are really doing a great job with this little one... sending prayers for continued healing....