I agree with Karen. It is good to gain knowledge, but sometimes we can scare ourselves needlessly. Being a nurse, I know how it is to think ahead and worry about things.
Best right now to wait until you have been to the specialist and know exactly what you are facing with your sweet Kobi.

no thanks necessary. please don't be afraid. you're at one of the top 3 Veterinary Schools in the United States. they will do whatever they can to help Kobi and help to explain everything to you. I will say a prayer tonight for a good visit and hope Pamela gets the opportunity to meet you and Kobi.

Alldogboots and Ladyjane
That advice sits well with me...I am jumping ahead. I need to slow down and see what the experts say. I'm glad I read the information so that I am informed but I need confirmation on a diagnosis.
I am so glad I have you guys to lean on. It is hard to be objective when there is ALL of this emotion. Thank you for helping me stay focused.
Will post tomorrow.
The prayers, thoughts and suggestions truely help.
Abby

I'm sorry I'm just seeing this thread now. My Layla has disc disease and also had the same surgery your Kobi had, although by that point she had completely lost use of her back legs and she has not regained it. I just want to tell you not to rule out another disc flare-up because disc problems are a life-long disease and just because one has been fixed, it doesn't mean another won't compress or rupture. Many dogs with disc diseases will continue to have flare-ups throughout their lives. Whatever it may be, it is probably best to keep Kobi as still as possible and not let him on stairs or have him jump up or down on anything until you see the neurologist, just so if it IS another disc flare-up, he won't do more damage. I would just like to be on the safe side. I'm sorry you're going through this and I know how tough it is! Good luck with the neurologist and keep us updated.

Looking for an update on the neuro appt.

YT members
Here is the summary from the trip to the neurologist at U Penn. Appt was scheduled for 11:30, I arrived at 10. Just the worrying, traffic issues, poor nights sleep, and thoughts of being lost in center Philadelphia...I was determined not to be late. So Kobi and I waited in the waiting room beside the friendship tree of past pets. I kept repeating the suggestions from Alldogboots and ladyjane...don't jump to conclusions until you have facts. So I refused looking at the plaques and focused on loving and talking to my Kobi. It was now 11:15 and I was called to a room. The hospital was VERY busy, It was overwhelming. Then in pops Pamela, daughter of yorkiemalt. She was like an angel, her timing was perfect!!! That cold room was brightened with her friendliness. I suddenly felt very special...I knew someone who was a medical professional at the school. The door opened, in walked the neurologist Dr. Cross, and he said, "Do you know her?" Pamela's response was yes, she is a friend of my Moms. Yorkiemalt...Thank you so much for suggesting your daughter peek in. I felt like I had connections in a HUGH hospital.
He was very nice, spent an hour examining Kobi. I felt he did a thorough exam.
Here are the results:
1. He is certain that it is NOT DM!!! (A positive)
2. He thinks it could be residual issues from his laminectomy last Dec. When they operate on the disc, there could still be tissue from those injured discs that cause continued neuro problems. Also sometimes fluid can replace the space that the disc once occupied...this fluid can cause neuro issues.
3. He also said that other discs could be involved, though his cervical exam was good. (A positive)
4. His treatment was to continue to swim Kobi, start physical therapy, get a set of BOOTS!!!! (which I interrupted him by saying, they are already on the way).
5. When I asked him if Kobi's front legs would be effected, he said No. Since the cervical exam was OK...I was not to think negative that his front legs would go paralyzed. (A positive)
6. He said that there could be problems down the road with incontinence. Not an issue at this time. (A positive)
7. He said that Kobi looked like a VERY happy dog...He was bright, but was clinging to me...or was I clinging to him. He told me that dogs live a FULL life with spinal cord disease. (A super dooper POSITIVE)
8. Right at the end of the meeting...the tears started. I LOVE this little baby so much.
9. I left the hospital with a smile on my face...yes he has spinal cord disease...yes his walking is greatly compromised but his words echoed in my HEART...Dogs live a FULL life with spinal cord disease.
10. Did not get lost driving home...Did not drive around center city Philly.
11. Kobi slept the entire ride home on a pillow at my side. I kept looking at him...he is my baby.

Thank you ALL for your prayers, words of support, and concerns. They say if one person prays it is powerful...if two pray even better...but ALL of YOU praying is why I had this wonderful outcome. I can't tell you how much your words have affected me.

The cart and BOOTS come Wednesday. Will post on how Kobi does.

Love you all
Abby

I think this all sounds great! I told you to be positive! I'm not even sure what to say. I'm going to reread your post. How awesome is it that Pamela "knew" you? I thank God it's not DM, but I'm not really familiar with any of the other issues.
(i think you'll get the boots Thursday, sorry).

Thank you for the update! Yes, dogs do live full lives with all sorts of disorders! My Layla is incontinent... I need to express her bladder for her. It's so easy to do and takes no time. She can't walk like a normal dog but she scoots and rolls in her cart and lives life to the fullest. She can do anything any other dog can do, except climb stairs and scratch herself, but that's what we're for! I'm so glad you see that Kobi can live a full life with this disease, no matter what! Thanks for being such a good mom to your little boy!

Alldogboot and ladyjane
Thank you for your kindness. Your words of support not only focused on Kobi, they focused on ME!!!! Your suggestion of waiting until I had the facts was perfect. I was moving ahead tooooo fast. You both had the intuition to see what was happening to me.
Alldogboots...I wish you could have seen my face when the neurologist suggested the boots. I almost yelled...they are coming in a proud way. (Thanks to you).
Will let you know how he does in his new RED BOOTS.
Love you so very much
Abby

I am glad you had so many positives. That was so sweet of Yorkiemalt to have her daughter stop in. YT prayers and people are the best.

Relax, they are just boots:rolleyes: I was in a situation about 4 months ago where I thought my puppy was dying based on his symptoms. I went to a university hospital (LSU) and ran every test possible on him to find out he has idiopathic epilepsy. I was so relieved and felt foolish for thinking the worst. My negative thoughts really got the best of me.

linz06 - Bless your heart for being such a great yorkie mom too.

YT is truly amazing. Sometimes I just don't know what I'd do without it.

Oh gosh, I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. What a wonderful day this is!!!! I am SO happy things went well for Kobi. Yorkiemalt is a doll for sending her daughter and Alldogboots is a doll for sending boots. JUST ALL AROUND WONDERFUL!!! This just made my day complete!!

Oh YES, Layla is so lucky to have such a wonderful mom!! ... and a dad, too! :)

linz06
Thank you for your post. This post puts everything in perpective...that Kobi can and will live a FULL life just like YOUR baby. Your avatar shows a happy, healthy Yorkie. This gives me TONS of encouragement. I'll try not to flood you with questions...BUT here are a few.
1. How old is your baby? At what age did this start?
2. When did you know that the cart was necessary? (I have one coming this week)
3. Do you use the cart inside and out?
4. How do I get Kobi used to the cart? What did you do?
5. Any suggestions for this disease? Things that have worked for you.
Your timing is PERFECT.
Thank you.
Abby

You are ALL wonderful!

As for your questions...

Layla just turned 5 last month. This all started for us in April of this year.

We got a cart because Layla lost complete use of her back legs. She was on crate rest for about 10 weeks after her surgery (longer because of an issue with some vet techs that may have caused more damage, so we wanted to be safe). She had been using a cart in rehab and really took to it well, so we researched a lot of companies and ordered the one we liked best.

We actually don't use the cart a whole lot. Layla has been able to scoot around the house quite well lately. We will use the cart when we're outside in the yard, and it's enabled us to go for walks again. If she's going to be on concrete or asphalt where she can hurt herself, she is in her cart. But otherwise she is just as happy to scoot around and be able to lay down when she gets tired!

Layla took to the cart really well, but she also has no feeling in her back end so I don't think she really understood what was going on other than she could run a lot easier! The yoke part that goes over her shoulders can make her sore, so when we were first getting her used to it we'd just ease her in with 5 minutes a day... then 10 minutes a day... just small walks around to get used to it.

I think we have tried EVERYTHING possible with Layla. Rehab has been great, although we have cut back on it now. She does the underwater treadmill and lots of strength training exercises. We also have been getting electro-acupuncture to stimulate her nerves. We tried laser light therapy but didn't see much of a difference to be worth the money we were paying for it, but a lot of people swear by it! We even tried Reiki! But in the end it all adds up, and a lot of things can be done at home.

When Layla went down I could barely find any information on IVDD and just today I've seen two posts here on two different yorkies with this disease! It's kind of sad that we're not alone in it, because I don't think any dog should have to go through it. In fact, it seems like Layla may be going through another flare-up tonight. But I'm glad we are able to help.

If you ever have a LOT of time to spare, my whole ordeal with Layla can be seen here:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...out-layla.html