degenerative myelopathy of the rear legs?? - Page 4 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

yorkiemalt · 11-16-2010, 06:38 AM

such encouraging news! I'm so happy for Kobi and you. now you know what you're dealing with and can do everything possible to make him comfortable. I can only imagine all the things that were going through your mind. Like you, I would have been there hours early! lol Philadelphia is not a good place to get lost in.

I'm also thrilled Dr. M got called into surgery and you got the best of the best....Dr. Cross. I can see by your post that he took a lot of time with Kobi and explained everything to you in full detail.

Pamela was more than happy to stop by and meet you and Kobi. It's always nice to know somebody/anybody in such a large intimidating setting. She felt bad that she was so busy in Orthopaedics but you can see how busy that hospital is and especially on a Monday. I didn't hear anything more from her yesterday....she got called into a 7 hour surgery right after she saw you.

Please keep in touch and let us know how he's doing.

Ybba · 11-16-2010, 05:16 PM

linz06
Your post was very informative and I will read your info about Layla. When you spoke about a flare up...is there pain with that? Did she initially have pain? Kobi did not have pain but did have neuro deficits.
Did the bladder problems occur immediately or has that been a gradual issue?

Kobi's cart comes Wed...I plan on doing what you do...use the cart outside...encourage him to move about on his own inside.
Did Layla seem frustrated? Kobi seems frustrated that he can not move like he used to.
Thanks for the information.
I pray that Layla does well.
Abby

Lizzie07 · 11-16-2010, 06:08 PM

Abby, I am so glad to hear your good news. Sounds like Kobi will be hanging in there for a long time, especially with all the love he gets.

linz06 · 11-16-2010, 06:15 PM

Yes, there is pain. We took her to emergency today and they are sure it's another disc bulging in her neck, so we're doing what we can to prevent it from moving and possibly rupturing like the one in her back did. We can't have another surgery.

Layla was on crate rest for a long time after she went down, so she was mostly frustrated about being locked up. She adapted really well when she was finally out. Her front end has gotten massive with muscle, and she has adapted really well to the situation. She lost her bladder control immediately with the loss of her motor function. Her brain can not communicate with the back of her body at all.

Ybba · 11-17-2010, 06:12 PM

Lindsey
I read some of your posts, I am so very sorry. You and Layla have been through so very much. Thank you for answering my questions. I didn't realize what your were experiencing with your baby, my questions came at a bad time for you. The questions that I asked were already written in your posts...I am sorry I repeated those same questions. My thoughts and prayers go to you, Layla, and your family.
Abby

Ybba · 11-17-2010, 06:22 PM

YT members
Just to update you...Kobi's cart arrived today. I am slowly introducing him to it but haven't tried him in it. He is a bit of a nervous little guy and I don't want to tramatize him. I have it sitting by his bed, I have been pushing it around the room. (I look like a fool) but will do anything to make it a better experience for him.
The cart is actually pretty...bright red...like a sports car!! But I don't think he looks at it that way. I am anxious to get started...will go over the directions tomorrow.
Alldogboots...his red boots will MATCH his cart!!!!
Will keep everyone updated. Thank you for ALL of the prayers and posts. The support really helps.
Abby

linz06 · 11-17-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ybba

Lindsey
I read some of your posts, I am so very sorry. You and Layla have been through so very much. Thank you for answering my questions. I didn't realize what your were experiencing with your baby, my questions came at a bad time for you. The questions that I asked were already written in your posts...I am sorry I repeated those same questions. My thoughts and prayers go to you, Layla, and your family.
Abby

Oh don't worry about it! I am so glad to help. I know what it's like to go through this and how worried you must be. You and Kobi will get through this!

Ybba · 11-20-2010, 05:38 PM

YT members
Wanted to update you on Kobi and the cart. Today was his 3rd time in the cart; he is doing OK. I still need to encourage him to move forward; he is unsure of what to expect. Little pieces of cheese works wonders. The cart is a MAJOR support for him, it keeps him from falling down. He is still able to walk without the cart...but falls so very easily. You definitely have to monitor him when in the cart...if he is going slightly up hill, I could see that he could topple backwards.
I continue to swim him in the tub every third day, 3 minutes. He tires easily...but I would also tire if I swam for 3 minutes!!! Passive ROM daily. My living room has turned into a physical therapy department. But I don't mind...doing everything I can to help him. Has anyone seen or had experiences with the Dogger? It is a stoller for older dogs. Looks like a good quality piece of equipment. Before all this disc stuff happened to Kobi, I would mountain bike in the woods and Kobi would run along. He could outbike me easily (all 8 lbs of him)...my biking skills are not the greatest. Kobi loves the woods...we even saw a bear once. You should have seen my biking skills that day...I grabbed Kobi and peddled faster than Lance Armstrong!!! When I saw the Dogger...I thought I could still take Kobi in the woods. Not as fast as biking...but still enjoy the scenery and smell of the pine trees. Even using his doggie cart, Kobi is not strong enough to go on a walk. I need something that I could push along. I want to keep his mind happy...both of us need to be thinking positively.
If anyone thinks of suggestions to help the spirit or body of my Kobi...please post. I WELCOME everyone's comments.
Thanks everyone for listening.
Abby

linz06 · 11-22-2010, 06:39 AM

Hi Abby!
I just want to tell you that if Kobi is still wobbly walking, there is probably a disc that is pushing on his spinal cord. The more he moves, the more the disc will push. If you let him keep pushing it, it will most likely rupture and cause him a lot of pain and probably paralysis. You CAN prevent that if you put him on crate rest. He will not like it, but it is worth it in the end if it will help. Layla is now on 8 weeks of crate rest, and another yorkie from this forum is also on 8 weeks with the same problem. A site with a ton of good advice and knowledge of this disease is Dodgerslist Home Page. They have a mailing list as well that I am a part of and the other member here is also a part of now, and there are hundreds of people there who have gone through the same thing with their dogs and are willing to answer any questions about the disease, pain, drugs, therapy, etc! I would really urge you to join there because they can give you so much more support and advice specific to this disease than I can!

Ybba · 11-22-2010, 04:22 PM

Lindsey
Thank you very much for writing back. Sadly to say, you are one of the experts on this topic. You can write from experience which after reading your posts...you have had a lot of. I did get on that web site that you suggested...Thank you. It does give useful information. This web site will be VERY helpful.
Kobi's dx is similar but a bit different. The orthopedic surgeon and neurologist know that Kobi's condition is due to flattening of the spinal cord. This was the result of the MRI. They did a laminectomy (which removed an extruded nucleus T12-13) but said that improvement was not guaranteed. It depended upon how much damage had occurred. I am sad to say that improvement did not occur. He never had pain or discomfort which differed from your baby.
Neurologist and Orthopedic surgeon want controlled physical therapy. ROM, swimming and the cart are approved. In the beginning after surgery, he was on crate rest for 6 weeks. He was then allowed only supervised walks in the house. I started him on the physical therapy which was recommended. I just wish he would have had more improvement.
Since improvement is questionable (I keep hoping), I am just trying to keep Kobi happy. He is ... but I am ALWAYS looking for new suggestions. I want to try the Dogger...to let Kobi go back into the woods. Just riding instead of running.
Please keep posting me suggestions that have worked for you and Layla. My heart goes out to you and Layla. You are a wonderful mom. Just reading your posts about the pain and restlessness sounds VERY overwhelming. It is so hard just to watch the stumbling...putting pain on top of that...sounds almost too much to handle. You both are in my prayers.
Thank you again for helping me and Kobi.
Abby

Ybba · 11-25-2010, 03:24 PM

Kobi wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Since it is Thanksgiving, Kobi will get a physical therapy break today. NO EXERCISE!!!! Yea!!!! Thanksgiving is meant to lay around, relax, eat, and give Thanks to all the wonderful members of YT. Thanks everyone for all of your concerns.
Kobi and Abby

yorkiemalt · 11-25-2010, 06:40 PM

Happy Thanksgiving Kobi! Hope you enjoyed every moment of the day!

AllDogBoots · 11-25-2010, 07:35 PM

Hope you both have full bellies and getting some much needed rest & relaxation!

ladyjane · 11-25-2010, 09:29 PM

I am so happy that things have gone as they have and you and Kobi are together on this Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Ybba · 11-27-2010, 03:49 PM

What a good day today!!! I received Kobi's orthopedic dog boots from AllDogBoots. I put the boots on his back feet, Kobi was very patient. What happened next seemed like a miracle...Kobi walked better. He stumbled less, he did not cross his legs in the back, and he did not knuckle. Those boots made a difference. I kept staring at him...was I imagining this??? Well, NO I was not, he moved better.
Thank you Karen and all the YT members for your suggestions and support. I would have NEVER thought of the boots. This forum has HELPED my Kobi live a better life.
Today, I am crying for joy.
Abby and Kobi

11-16-2010, 06:38 AM	#46
yorkiemalt Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 3,468	such encouraging news! I'm so happy for Kobi and you. now you know what you're dealing with and can do everything possible to make him comfortable. I can only imagine all the things that were going through your mind. Like you, I would have been there hours early! lol Philadelphia is not a good place to get lost in. I'm also thrilled Dr. M got called into surgery and you got the best of the best....Dr. Cross. I can see by your post that he took a lot of time with Kobi and explained everything to you in full detail. Pamela was more than happy to stop by and meet you and Kobi. It's always nice to know somebody/anybody in such a large intimidating setting. She felt bad that she was so busy in Orthopaedics but you can see how busy that hospital is and especially on a Monday. I didn't hear anything more from her yesterday....she got called into a 7 hour surgery right after she saw you. Please keep in touch and let us know how he's doing. __________________ KimPhoebiChandler

11-16-2010, 06:08 PM	#48
Lizzie07 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ball Ground, GA Posts: 1,262	Abby, I am so glad to hear your good news. Sounds like Kobi will be hanging in there for a long time, especially with all the love he gets. __________________ Kristan Lizzy's mom

11-16-2010, 06:15 PM	#49
linz06 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,154	Yes, there is pain. We took her to emergency today and they are sure it's another disc bulging in her neck, so we're doing what we can to prevent it from moving and possibly rupturing like the one in her back did. We can't have another surgery. Layla was on crate rest for a long time after she went down, so she was mostly frustrated about being locked up. She adapted really well when she was finally out. Her front end has gotten massive with muscle, and she has adapted really well to the situation. She lost her bladder control immediately with the loss of her motor function. Her brain can not communicate with the back of her body at all. __________________ Lindsey and Layla, Lucy, and Kash

11-22-2010, 06:39 AM	#54
linz06 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,154	Hi Abby! I just want to tell you that if Kobi is still wobbly walking, there is probably a disc that is pushing on his spinal cord. The more he moves, the more the disc will push. If you let him keep pushing it, it will most likely rupture and cause him a lot of pain and probably paralysis. You CAN prevent that if you put him on crate rest. He will not like it, but it is worth it in the end if it will help. Layla is now on 8 weeks of crate rest, and another yorkie from this forum is also on 8 weeks with the same problem. A site with a ton of good advice and knowledge of this disease is Dodgerslist Home Page. They have a mailing list as well that I am a part of and the other member here is also a part of now, and there are hundreds of people there who have gone through the same thing with their dogs and are willing to answer any questions about the disease, pain, drugs, therapy, etc! I would really urge you to join there because they can give you so much more support and advice specific to this disease than I can! __________________ Lindsey and Layla, Lucy, and Kash

11-25-2010, 06:40 PM	#57
yorkiemalt Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 3,468	Happy Thanksgiving Kobi! Hope you enjoyed every moment of the day! __________________ KimPhoebiChandler

11-16-2010, 05:16 PM	#47
Ybba Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa. and wherever my furkids are. Posts: 61	linz06 Your post was very informative and I will read your info about Layla. When you spoke about a flare up...is there pain with that? Did she initially have pain? Kobi did not have pain but did have neuro deficits. Did the bladder problems occur immediately or has that been a gradual issue? Kobi's cart comes Wed...I plan on doing what you do...use the cart outside...encourage him to move about on his own inside. Did Layla seem frustrated? Kobi seems frustrated that he can not move like he used to. Thanks for the information. I pray that Layla does well. Abby

11-17-2010, 06:12 PM	#50
Ybba Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa. and wherever my furkids are. Posts: 61	Lindsey I read some of your posts, I am so very sorry. You and Layla have been through so very much. Thank you for answering my questions. I didn't realize what your were experiencing with your baby, my questions came at a bad time for you. The questions that I asked were already written in your posts...I am sorry I repeated those same questions. My thoughts and prayers go to you, Layla, and your family. Abby

11-17-2010, 06:22 PM	#51
Ybba Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa. and wherever my furkids are. Posts: 61	YT members Just to update you...Kobi's cart arrived today. I am slowly introducing him to it but haven't tried him in it. He is a bit of a nervous little guy and I don't want to tramatize him. I have it sitting by his bed, I have been pushing it around the room. (I look like a fool) but will do anything to make it a better experience for him. The cart is actually pretty...bright red...like a sports car!! But I don't think he looks at it that way. I am anxious to get started...will go over the directions tomorrow. Alldogboots...his red boots will MATCH his cart!!!! Will keep everyone updated. Thank you for ALL of the prayers and posts. The support really helps. Abby

11-20-2010, 05:38 PM	#53
Ybba Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa. and wherever my furkids are. Posts: 61	YT members Wanted to update you on Kobi and the cart. Today was his 3rd time in the cart; he is doing OK. I still need to encourage him to move forward; he is unsure of what to expect. Little pieces of cheese works wonders. The cart is a MAJOR support for him, it keeps him from falling down. He is still able to walk without the cart...but falls so very easily. You definitely have to monitor him when in the cart...if he is going slightly up hill, I could see that he could topple backwards. I continue to swim him in the tub every third day, 3 minutes. He tires easily...but I would also tire if I swam for 3 minutes!!! Passive ROM daily. My living room has turned into a physical therapy department. But I don't mind...doing everything I can to help him. Has anyone seen or had experiences with the Dogger? It is a stoller for older dogs. Looks like a good quality piece of equipment. Before all this disc stuff happened to Kobi, I would mountain bike in the woods and Kobi would run along. He could outbike me easily (all 8 lbs of him)...my biking skills are not the greatest. Kobi loves the woods...we even saw a bear once. You should have seen my biking skills that day...I grabbed Kobi and peddled faster than Lance Armstrong!!! When I saw the Dogger...I thought I could still take Kobi in the woods. Not as fast as biking...but still enjoy the scenery and smell of the pine trees. Even using his doggie cart, Kobi is not strong enough to go on a walk. I need something that I could push along. I want to keep his mind happy...both of us need to be thinking positively. If anyone thinks of suggestions to help the spirit or body of my Kobi...please post. I WELCOME everyone's comments. Thanks everyone for listening. Abby

11-22-2010, 04:22 PM	#55
Ybba Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa. and wherever my furkids are. Posts: 61	Lindsey Thank you very much for writing back. Sadly to say, you are one of the experts on this topic. You can write from experience which after reading your posts...you have had a lot of. I did get on that web site that you suggested...Thank you. It does give useful information. This web site will be VERY helpful. Kobi's dx is similar but a bit different. The orthopedic surgeon and neurologist know that Kobi's condition is due to flattening of the spinal cord. This was the result of the MRI. They did a laminectomy (which removed an extruded nucleus T12-13) but said that improvement was not guaranteed. It depended upon how much damage had occurred. I am sad to say that improvement did not occur. He never had pain or discomfort which differed from your baby. Neurologist and Orthopedic surgeon want controlled physical therapy. ROM, swimming and the cart are approved. In the beginning after surgery, he was on crate rest for 6 weeks. He was then allowed only supervised walks in the house. I started him on the physical therapy which was recommended. I just wish he would have had more improvement. Since improvement is questionable (I keep hoping), I am just trying to keep Kobi happy. He is ... but I am ALWAYS looking for new suggestions. I want to try the Dogger...to let Kobi go back into the woods. Just riding instead of running. Please keep posting me suggestions that have worked for you and Layla. My heart goes out to you and Layla. You are a wonderful mom. Just reading your posts about the pain and restlessness sounds VERY overwhelming. It is so hard just to watch the stumbling...putting pain on top of that...sounds almost too much to handle. You both are in my prayers. Thank you again for helping me and Kobi. Abby

11-25-2010, 03:24 PM	#56
Ybba Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa. and wherever my furkids are. Posts: 61	Kobi wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Since it is Thanksgiving, Kobi will get a physical therapy break today. NO EXERCISE!!!! Yea!!!! Thanksgiving is meant to lay around, relax, eat, and give Thanks to all the wonderful members of YT. Thanks everyone for all of your concerns. Kobi and Abby

11-25-2010, 07:35 PM	#58
AllDogBoots Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 7,984	Hope you both have full bellies and getting some much needed rest & relaxation! __________________ I'm Karen - Devoted Mama to the Drama Boyz - Cooper & Max www.alldogboots.com

11-25-2010, 09:29 PM	#59
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	I am so happy that things have gone as they have and you and Kobi are together on this Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to you! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

11-27-2010, 03:49 PM	#60
Ybba Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa. and wherever my furkids are. Posts: 61	What a good day today!!! I received Kobi's orthopedic dog boots from AllDogBoots. I put the boots on his back feet, Kobi was very patient. What happened next seemed like a miracle...Kobi walked better. He stumbled less, he did not cross his legs in the back, and he did not knuckle. Those boots made a difference. I kept staring at him...was I imagining this??? Well, NO I was not, he moved better. Thank you Karen and all the YT members for your suggestions and support. I would have NEVER thought of the boots. This forum has HELPED my Kobi live a better life. Today, I am crying for joy. Abby and Kobi