Thanks for the support everyone! I really wish I could give you all hugs because you've all been the main reason I've been able to get through this!
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Originally Posted by kalina82  i don't know how i've missed this thread over the past few months but i did. I just read through the whole thing and i'm so happy to read how she's progressing. I think sometimes the vets sound pessimistic because they don't want to get your hopes up too much. This way, when something great does happen, it will be that much more special and wonderful!
I love that she's using her cart well and getting around. It can be tough to get used to but she is taking right to it.
As a tech i did have the opportunity to work with many dogs who needed back and neck surgery. Two of my fellow techs (at two different hospitals) actually had dogs that needed spinal surgeries. One was a 11 year old cocker spaniel and the other was a 2 year old mini dachshund. BOTH had hind limb paralysis and no deep pain sensation at first but with lots of PT and sling walking i'm happy to report they are now walking on their own. With the mini dauchshund, since he wasn't neutered (medical reasons), when he would drag his back legs around his testicles would rub on the ground. They were getting really red and irritated so what we did was place a hand towel on the ground then place him with his back legs on it and front legs off. Then we'd tie the ends of the towel up around his waist and knot it on his back, like an upside down waist superman cape. this way he could drag around all he wanted and not get ball burn.  |
Thanks for that idea! There are a few things we can buy (or make ourselves with patterns) online but even the cape-like things have straps that go up the front and around like a harness or suspenders. Layla wouildn't stay in it for long. But since she can't feel her back, I'm sure she would be okay with something just tied around there! We've also found that she seems to have shrunk a little lengthwise because of the arch now in her back, so her shirts will now cover her inner thigh and tummy area when she drags. That seems to help too if she's wearing a shirt on carpeted areas! I should actually try that on our wood floors at home too, it might be easier for her to slide with some fabric under her!