Worried about Layla

[paulalowe6]

I am so glad that Layla is home Lynsey! I will keep praying for a full recovery which I honestly believe is going to happen for Layla. Try to get some rest. You and your family have been through so much these past few days, it probably feels like an eternity. My thoughts and prayers continue for you guys.

[linz06]

I feel like she's unhappy and I don't know what I'm doing

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by linz06

I feel like she's unhappy and I don't know what I'm doing

I'm sure this all feels a bit overwhelming right now. After reading this thread, I know that I would be feeling that way. It sounds like you are doing a great job.

Perhaps Layla needs some time to adjust as well, and time to heal.

Remember to take good care of yourself too!

[Ellie May]

I'm so sorry to hear all of this.

It sounds like you are doing just fine.

[2Morkies]

Don't worry, she'll be alright.
My old dog (a Cocker Spaniel) had a slipped disk too. It took a while to heal, but it did heal. My vet gave my him anti anflamms and muscle relaxers. I had to keep him still for two weeks. He had a huge crate with a big egg crate cushin inside. I hand fed him and often slept on the floor next to him. He had to learn to go on pee pads on the porch because the Vet said no stairs. I also started him on Vet quality glucosamine to help with joints. He lived a long hapy life after that. With a little yorkie it might be easier to keep her down since you can carry her everywhere. She'll get better...think of it the same way as us having a slipped disk or pulled muscle...it heals, but it takes lots of rest.

[WinstonMom]

Oh Lindsey, my heart is just aching for you and for little Layla. I just know that she is going to improve, you are such a good mommy to her. Just give her time to heal and both of you time to adjust. How could she not be happy, surrounded by all of your love.

[linz06]

We seemed to get Layla's bladder fully expressed last night because she didn't have to pee at all from midnight to 7 this morning. I kept waking up to turn her over if she needed it, but she actually was able to change positions on her own. I had my alarm set for 7:30 this morning so she could get her 8:00 pills and Scott and I could get to church... the first time I've gone to a regular church service on my own accord in at least 10 years. I am just so desperate for her to get better, and when I prayed last week I told God that if he would please heal her spinal cord and give her back her ability to walk and potty functions, I would do anything for it and change my life. And I figured I should start by holding up my end of the bargain.

Anyways, before my alarm could go off, I heard Layla wimpering so I woke up and she was awake and sitting up beside the bed (I put her bed right beside ours to sleep for the night) and she looked like she was trying to jump up with us, like she used to every morning. I took her to pee on a pad and then let her sleep in between Scott and I on the bed for another 20 minutes.

Before we left, we put her under the little "desk" area in the kitchen, with her bed and food and water, and closed it in with a baby gate between two sets of drawers on either side. By the time we got home, she had dragged herself halfway out from under one of the drawers I am so worried she strained her back doing that. But there is no way to tell We really need to buy her a crate this week.

We put her down on the blanket with a bully stick, and she chewed on it a little. Then to our amazement, she ate kibble out of my hand! The first kibble she hasn't spit out since she came home! Then I took her upstairs to nap with me in bed. And she sucked on the corner of Scott's pillow, just like she always did! These little things just mean so much to me.

When she wanted to get up, we filled up the bathtub with warm water and strapped on her life jacket and got her to swim in little circles, and then let the water out to the point that she could stand, and turned on the jets for her. I don't know if they'll help at all but she seemed to enjoy it and kept walking past them. Then we took off the life jacket and let her just walk around in the water with her front legs (her back end floated) and I walked her back legs for her. Now she is sleeping on the blanket on the floor beside Scott.

She still has made no progress as far as the parts of her body she can feel. I know it may just be in my head but her back legs seem to have a little more resistance than they did before. And when Scott walked into the bathroom with a bag of chips, her tail started going hard, and not just the up-down "have to pee or poop" motion that it has been, it was sideways. But I don't know the facts about what should or shouldn't happen and I don't want to know the logical explanation because I want to keep hope.

[scentlady]

wow Linz
You're doing great! and so is Layla. you three are adjusting to your new life of helping layla with her rehab. Keep up the great work!

I'm happy to hear you went to church. So many people have would ask God for their needs without giving anything to Him but empty promises. But not you. Well done! I'm proud of you!


Thanks for keeping us concerned people informed and updated.
We will continue to pray for you guys.

Cheri

[linz06]

I feel useless and I'm breaking down.

[Ringo1]

Layla doesn't think you are useless. I'm so sorry you are going through this; and though I don't really know you; I have followed your thread on Layla. I think you should give yourself a huge pat on the back for everything you have done so far.

Progress may be slow; but try to keep the faith.

Do you have anyone close by to help you?

[linz06]

I don't know anyone to help us. We tried calling her hospital vet yesterday and left messages and never got a call back, and we also left a message with the town vet here when we were worried about expressing her bladder completely, hoping she could help us out, and we never got a call back. Layla still hasn't pooped and we even tried getting some out with a cotton swab and couldn't get anything to happen.

[DebbieD]

Originally Posted by linz06

I feel useless and I'm breaking down.

Lyndsey,
You are far from useless! I have just read you story from the beginning. I think the way you have handled this very difficult situation is admirable!
Try to hang in there a little more. It sounds like Layla is making progress and before long I truly feel as though you are going to have your miracle! Just continue to have faith, don't forget our children both fur and skin take their cues from us as parents. Layla will draw her strength from you. Just be sure that there is someone around to give you a hug when you need one!
Be strong! I will be praying for all of you.

[Ringo1]

I hope your Vet gives you a call back tomorrow. Hopefully, they will be back in the office. I wish I could help; I know nothing about what to do.

You probably have some adjusting to do, along with Layla. This isn't what you planned for your puppy. Running in the field; going for walks together ... all those fun things you planned for you baby. And, for now, you have to make a new plan together. In a way, it's like a death . . .of your dreams for the future; what life would be like. You probably do have some grieving to do as well. At least in the short term.

This is much more mild; but I kind of felt that way about my Westie . . when he became aggressive to other dogs. We were doing agility and having so much fun; and we had to quit. I knew I could never take him to a dog park . . ever. All the things I had planned . . . all the fun things . . I had to accept that he could no longer do. It was just too stressful for him; and subsequently, for me. He has a quiet life now; he gets along fine with Lucy . . . we walk together and they play together . . but it wasn't the very active involvement in things that I wanted for him. But, it's still a good life for him . . just not what I pictured. I was sad when I realized it . . but now I realize that he can still have a good life. I think Layla can too; she must know she is much loved.

I truly hope that Layla progresses and continues to heal. I'll say a prayer for both of you.

Hang in there!

[RowdysMom]

Lindsay, it is normal to feel stressed, depressed, anxious, and down. Someone said, and it is true, that Layla will pick up on these feelings. It is hard though, I know it is because we had my mom's doxy with us here when he was paralyzed.

Right now, your whole life revolves around Layla - but soon, you all will find a routine that works for everyone, and it won't seem so hard. You will, I know it. When that happens, you will feel better and more hopeful, more rested, and things will look and feel better.

It takes time to adjust to this major change. Everything has changed so quickly and everyone needs time to adjust. You are taking such good care of Layla - you have mentioned signs of her being her old self. She is probably doing better than you!

Hang on, it will get better!

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by linz06

I don't know anyone to help us. We tried calling her hospital vet yesterday and left messages and never got a call back, and we also left a message with the town vet here when we were worried about expressing her bladder completely, hoping she could help us out, and we never got a call back. Layla still hasn't pooped and we even tried getting some out with a cotton swab and couldn't get anything to happen.

She may not have eaten enough since surgery to have to go poop. Don't worry about that yet.

I wish I could help out with her care