Worried about Layla

[linz06]

Originally Posted by kjc

I am so happy for you guys! She, again, sounds like she's improving in leaps and bounds! I forgot to mention yesterday that it's also a very good sign that she can hold her bladder. And, as for the poop, YEAH! And do want to warn you not to push too hard for things to happen too fast. The spinal cord still needs time to heal and regenerate, and that just takes time. Hugs to all... and more prayers!

Your posts mean a lot to me because you've seen this kind of thing before The vet we talked to said if her injury was lower on her spine she'd be having bladder issues, but since it's higher up it's normal for her to be able to hold it, just not express it. This morning it seemed like she KNEW she pooped. I was helping a coworker in his office for a few minutes and when I came back, Layla was trying to pull herself forwards out of the crate. I tried to put her back but she pushed forward again and her tail was straight up. I felt, and there was definitely something hard in her diaper (I made diapers out of pee pads lol). So I'm not sure if she knew she pooped but just couldn't control it, or if she could actually feel the poop under her butt, or if maybe it just put her off balance in her front legs.

[scentlady]

Linz so glad to hear Layla responded so well to the acupuncture. What a blessing. She really does sound like she's recovering and making strides.
One day at a time girl. Just get through today. How's things with Scott? Better I hope.

You 3 are in my prayers day and night~ Cheri

[WinstonMom]

Lindsey,
Sounds like frequent acupuncture might just be the thing for Layla. I can't say enough about the benefits of acupuncture, it was the only thing that worked for me to get my mobility back when I broke my shoulder a few years ago. I really do think it sounds like Layla is making progress, slowly, but surely and it sounds like the vet this morning seems to think that there is reason for hope. I think of you often and remember you in my prayers.

[linz06]

For some reason, I broke down after work today. I was struggling to get Layla's crate into my car and I thought, why did this happen to ME? Why to my dog? Why when she is so young? We went to pick up Scott from his work and I couldn't drive home. I know it stresses him out when I'm like that, but he told me I just need to accept that it happened and I need to love her for who she is now, even if it's not exactly who she was before.

When we got home, I called my parents hoping I'd get some encouragement and support but they were hard on me too. My mom told me maybe I should spend more time with Scott so he doesn't get upset and leave me! And my dad said the words "Maybe you should just think about letting her go" I said NO WAY. She still has life. He said it's taking a toll on MY life but I thought, why is my life more important than hers? He also said the same thing could have happened to a real son or daughter and I said "That's exactly what she is to me" ." When I got off the phone I marched upstairs where Scott was sitting with Layla in her crate beside him, and I sat on the floor and looked face to face at Layla and told her I will never give up on her What my dad said came across as mean but it's what I needed... either buck up and deal with it, or let her go. I need to deal with it.

She slept in her crate while Scott and I did some computer stuff, and all of a sudden she jumped up on her front feet and started dragging herself out of the crate. I tried to put her back in but she clasped on to my arm, and struggled to keep pulling herself out. She got onto my lap, collapsed, and put her head on my chest and just looked up at me until she fell asleep. She just needed some mommy cuddle time. And I really needed some Layla cuddle time.

Scott is taking her off my hands for the next couple of hours so I can go to sleep. She'll probably be sleeping in her crate beside him. I have to wake up at midnight to give her medication so it's tough to sleep after that if she's awake. Some extra sleep before that will really do me good. My eyes are so puffy I'm amazed they still open.

[Theodore]

Aww, Linz. I've had all those feelings with my own daughter and her struggles. You're all going to be okay some how, some way. Nothing lit a fire under my arse than someone telling me, "so just give up." A wee look with their soulful eyes or a tiny attempt to show their strength fills you right back up. Hang tough. All three of you have come so far already. You'll be in my prayers. xoxo

[linz06]

Thank you so much. She cried all night again. We are leaving her at the university for therapy today so I won't have to worry about her all day at work.

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by linz06

Thank you so much. She cried all night again. We are leaving her at the university for therapy today so I won't have to worry about her all day at work.

Lindsey
hopefully she will get some pain relief. If she's crying, does that mean feeling is returning to areas she didn't have feeling before? Maybe its a good sign? I don't know much about these things.

You, scott and Layla are still in my prayers.....

[BonBon]

Lindsey, I've been following this thread but not posting because I didn't know what to say. My prayers are with you, Scott and Layla. I think you are doing a wonderful job with her!! She is very lucky to have you as her mommy. Big hugs to you all.

[linz06]

Thank you, we need all the prayers we can get.

I'm not sure if feeling is returning, I think she just wants to be on the bed instead of the floor. She keeps trying to jump on the bed and she cries because she can't. I have her little bed beside me on the floor, but she has ALWAYS slept with us. Scott moves around a lot in his sleep and we don't want her getting pushed or hurt at all if she was with us, because she can't move out of the way anymore.

[Theodore]

When Ted was having his nose issues before his surgery (sounded like whining vacuum 24 hours a day and 4 vets couldn't diagnose the problem), I was so exhausted (he couldn't sleep, I couldn't sleep) that by the time I made it to the specialty hospital I begged them to keep him, even though they could not do the CT scan and rhinoscopy for another day (cause he had already been put under anesthesia at the prior vet and they didn't want to subject it to him two days in a row). I must have looked like a nutcase crying and saying, "Can you please keep him tonight. I just can't do this. I'm so tired." Lack of sleep makes it 100 times harder to deal with what you're going through. Just a little rest will refuel you; so don't be afraid to ask friends or family or even the hospital to keep him so you can recharge your batteries (the overnight fee was minimal). Hope you get good news from the Unviversity today. Everything's going to be okay. xox

[AddieandMiaMom]

Does she have a tiny kennel/crate? Like the little hard plastic ones? If so, why not put that sideways above your head on the bed, just scoot down a little. My three pups sleep on a king size pillow above my head. I'm kinda short, so my feet don't hang off the bed. This way she's close to you, the crate door will keep her from getting out and the crate itself will keep her from being rolled on. Plus, when it's above your head, you and Scott won't be bumping into it in the night.

[linz06]

We do have a travel crate for her but it's a bit too small and she can't lay down in it very well. She also tries to bite the cage front to get out. That worries me because last year we tried keeping her in the laundry room for a few hours out of the day with a wooden gate, and she chewed so hard through it that she lost a tooth and was still chewing.

[linz06]

Originally Posted by Theodore

When Ted was having his nose issues before his surgery (sounded like whining vacuum 24 hours a day and 4 vets couldn't diagnose the problem), I was so exhausted (he couldn't sleep, I couldn't sleep) that by the time I made it to the specialty hospital I begged them to keep him, even though they could not do the CT scan and rhinoscopy for another day (cause he had already been put under anesthesia at the prior vet and they didn't want to subject it to him two days in a row). I must have looked like a nutcase crying and saying, "Can you please keep him tonight. I just can't do this. I'm so tired." Lack of sleep makes it 100 times harder to deal with what you're going through. Just a little rest will refuel you; so don't be afraid to ask friends or family or even the hospital to keep him so you can recharge your batteries (the overnight fee was minimal). Hope you get good news from the Unviversity today. Everything's going to be okay. xox

I know I don't sleep very well when she's whining beside me, but I think I sleep even worse when she's not there, because we are really attached to each other and she doesn't sleep well when I'm not around and I don't sleep well when she's not around. I can't even have a relaxing sleep when I'm away on VACATION because she's not there with me

[AddieandMiaMom]

Originally Posted by linz06

We do have a travel crate for her but it's a bit too small and she can't lay down in it very well. She also tries to bite the cage front to get out. That worries me because last year we tried keeping her in the laundry room for a few hours out of the day with a wooden gate, and she chewed so hard through it that she lost a tooth and was still chewing.

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.

[linz06]

Thank you, maybe I will try to find one. I am just worried about her twisting her back at all. I wish I could tell Scott to sleep in another bed. In fact, some more things just came to light in our relationship that I can't handle right now so I may have to request that anyway.