Worried about Layla

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by AddieandMiaMom

You could try a soft sided carrier. I think if she is by your head, she won't make such a fuss. I had to deal with this issue with Addie when she broke her leg.

Another idea is to put her on the nightstand right next to your head if there isn't room on the bed, so that she can see that you're there with her.

When I first brought Maddox home, I was too afraid to let him sleep on the bed just yet. So I put him in the puppy stroller and rolled it right next to the bed. He could see me through the mesh, & I slept with my hand right by that little window so he could smell me. If you don't have a stroller, you might want to think about one - it would be great to push Layla through the house so she could be with you while you're cleaning, etc.

[linz06]

Originally Posted by bonbon

Another idea is to put her on the nightstand right next to your head if there isn't room on the bed, so that she can see that you're there with her.

When I first brought Maddox home, I was too afraid to let him sleep on the bed just yet. So I put him in the puppy stroller and rolled it right next to the bed. He could see me through the mesh, & I slept with my hand right by that little window so he could smell me. If you don't have a stroller, you might want to think about one - it would be great to push Layla through the house so she could be with you while you're cleaning, etc.

Thank you. Even getting a crate has helped so much. We just move her into whichever room we're in without having to pick her up and risk moving her spine.

Another friend told me this morning to just put her down, she would do the same for her dog. I can't believe it. She is not in pain, she is not suffering, she's just confused and scared. If we just gave up and killed every life that cried, there would be no life left. This is giving me more determination than ever to do what I can to have Layla walk again and prove everyone wrong. Layla loves to prove people wrong. "Oh, you think that gate will hold me in here?" "Oh you think this velcro harness will keep me here when I see another dog over there?" She's a determined little dog.

[jp4m2]

Lindsey, I just read your thread today and I am so sorry you and Layla are going through this terrible illness. It is perfectly understandable for you to be feeling so emotionally drained and sad. I hope Layla defies the odds and starts to improve and gets her mobility back.

All you can ask of yourself is to do the best of your ability to help her, and it sounds like that is exactly what you’re doing for her. It’s only been a few days, give it time and just focus an today……Don’t despair, with faith, hope, love and prayers anything is possible……I wish you all well and will be thinking about you……

[linz06]

Thank you. She has a 50% chance still, and we're leaning on that. 50% is still better than nothing.

[AddieandMiaMom]

I'm glad the naysayers are giving you more determination. You need it for yourself, Scott and Layla.

On a side note, I had someone tell me that they would've put Addie down when she broke her leg instead of paying for the surgery. I told them they should never own any type of pet.

[linz06]

I know how you feel. When they took Layla away for surgery, the vet (who ended up switching with another vet on her care) said that we may need to think about putting her to sleep in the next few months if she doesn't improve. It was terrible, but we discussed it... at what point would we put her down? If she couldn't walk? Or if she couldn't pee by herself? Or if she just peed all the time?
Then Layla got through surgery, and we visited her the next day, and she was so tired and so out of it, and she looked so sad with a little IV in her leg, and she tried to give us a few kisses on our faces with her dry little tongue, and we both knew then that we couldn't give up hope. We can't put her down.
A lot of people would have put her down without even a thought of surgery, or even life as a paralyzed dog without surgery. She may take a couple more hours out of my day, but isn't she worth it?

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by linz06

I know how you feel. When they took Layla away for surgery, the vet (who ended up switching with another vet on her care) said that we may need to think about putting her to sleep in the next few months if she doesn't improve. It was terrible, but we discussed it... at what point would we put her down? If she couldn't walk? Or if she couldn't pee by herself? Or if she just peed all the time?
Then Layla got through surgery, and we visited her the next day, and she was so tired and so out of it, and she looked so sad with a little IV in her leg, and she tried to give us a few kisses on our faces with her dry little tongue, and we both knew then that we couldn't give up hope. We can't put her down.
A lot of people would have put her down without even a thought of surgery, or even life as a paralyzed dog without surgery. She may take a couple more hours out of my day, but isn't she worth it?

Your thread really touched my heart Lindsey. Keep your strength up girl ,Layla is counting on it and to answer your question , of course shes worth it. They all are. Keep us posted. xx

[AddieandMiaMom]

Originally Posted by linz06

I know how you feel. When they took Layla away for surgery, the vet (who ended up switching with another vet on her care) said that we may need to think about putting her to sleep in the next few months if she doesn't improve. It was terrible, but we discussed it... at what point would we put her down? If she couldn't walk? Or if she couldn't pee by herself? Or if she just peed all the time?
Then Layla got through surgery, and we visited her the next day, and she was so tired and so out of it, and she looked so sad with a little IV in her leg, and she tried to give us a few kisses on our faces with her dry little tongue, and we both knew then that we couldn't give up hope. We can't put her down.
A lot of people would have put her down without even a thought of surgery, or even life as a paralyzed dog without surgery. She may take a couple more hours out of my day, but isn't she worth it?

Yes, she is worth it. I'm glad you think so, too.

[linz06]

Thanks everyone

[teacup0819]

Lindsey keep having faith in yourself, Scott and Layla.....take it all one day at a time...sometimes on minute at a time. I am glad the crate is working out for you and Layla...much easier to move her around in.....a stroller is a really great idea too. When my dog Biscuit was really sick and I couldn't trust that he could sleep on our bed for fear that he would fall etc because he couldn't walk well, I put pillows on my floor in the den for him and slept on the couch and kept my hand near his head while we slept. I would try putting the crate on your bed first and then perhaps moving into the living room/den for a while. I slept there for two months or more. You are all still in my prayers. Accupuncture sounds like the right track to be on. Try and make some alone time for yourself (of course after all of you have adjusted) to sleep, go out to dinner, a movie etc...or just some time alone with Scott.....I hope you have a friend that could watch Layla for a few hours.....it would really help. I know taking care of a loved one can take its toll on the caregiver, so take good care of yourself also.

[XcessiveAngel]

I have read through this whole thread! My heart goes out to you! She is in our prayers and thoughts! I hope you keep updating us as you so faithfully have been! Yorkies are strong stubborn little dogs! Shes a fighter you can tell! I hope shes gets better! Give her our love and you and your boyfriend stay strong she needs you to be more then ever!

[yorkieusa]

It's wonderful to see such love in the care you give to Layla. I hope she keeps doing better every week. You're a wonderful mommie.

[linz06]

Thank you all so much. I've said it before, but I could not get through this without all of your love, support, and prayers. I come back to this thread as much as possible because it makes me feel a little less alone.

I spoke with someone else from the paralyzed pets website forum and she told me that her dog was in the exact same situation. She didn't have surgery, however, but had chiropractic care, and she is walking again. She had lost "deep pain" as well, but I was told she would pull her leg back as a reflex, just as Layla now does.

Maybe Layla is on the right track.

[yorkieusa]

I saw in this thread where you had done some water therapy. I just wanted to pass on that I had read a story about a vet (this is a long time ago) that someone had brought their german shepherd to and turned over to her because it was partially paralyzed and they couldn't care for it. She took the gs home and would put it in their hot tub for periods of time and also used massage therapy. To make a long story short, that gs was eventually running around on the vet's farm.

[linz06]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I saw in this thread where you had done some water therapy. I just wanted to pass on that I had read a story about a vet (this is a long time ago) that someone had brought their german shepherd to and turned over to her because it was partially paralyzed and they couldn't care for it. She took the gs home and would put it in their hot tub for periods of time and also used massage therapy. To make a long story short, that gs was eventually running around on the vet's farm.

Aww! We're hoping Layla will be running around soon We put her in our bath tub in warm water and turn the jets on. She loves the jets! She walks back and forth in front of them.