Good luck!

Are you still expressing Cobi? The dribbling may be a result of bladder overflow, as opposed to just a weak bladder. If it is due to a weak bladder and he is not full, there is a pill that Layla was on for awhile to help keep bladder tone while we were learning to express. I can't remember what it's called right now but I'm sure your vet would know!

Wonderful news!! :)

Belly bands don't normally cause issues on the pups' skin if changed frequently. I have two fosters right now that wear them without any problems. I use baby wipes to wipe them with each change.

If you do use them, be sure to use incontinence pads with them as opposed to feminine hygeine pads. They are much more absorbent. You can usually cut them in 1/2 or 1/3 s .

Thanks for the input. The doc told us to go ahead and use diapers so i went and bought him a pack. He is dribbling alot...and when we express his bladder it seems like we dont get a whole lot out. We are going to research and make sure 100 percent that we are doing it right. He and daddy are still on their way home! Im ready to see my Cobi poo!!!:animal-pa

I am sure he will be happy to be home with you! :)

So glad Cobi and Dad are on their way home... wishing you all the best of luck with his rehabilitation... keeping you all in my prayers...

He's home!!!!
 

He's home!! They put him on Carafate to coat his stomach from all that Prednisone! Took him off the steriod and put him on an antibiotic for a little Uti!! We have to followup for blood work next week and start rehab! :) Hes resting right now but as soon as he came home he wanted to play! He is happy and glad to be home. We are so relieved that it was not something more!! Its still going to be a struggle but it will be totally worth it. He will have to wear diapers and we will express his bladder. Hopefully he can teetee on his own eventually but we will worry with that next. His actual penis hangs out a little past his skin..the doc said to keep it lubed so it wont dry out! Does anyone have any experience with this???

Bladder Expressing
 

We took Cobi to the vet today just to check in. We asked about something to put on his sore little penis. Vasoline is ok...and it looks SO much better:) BUT he has been dribbling alot...and as soon as the vet and tech showed us how to correctly express,he had a TON of urine come out:( We had no idea he has so much in there! They showed us over and over...when we got home to try it...we cant seem to get him to go:confused: Any tips!? He didnt dribble any urine when we got home until just a little bit ago..so we tried to express...and nothing! HELP US!!!!!

Are you finding his bladder okay? Can you feel exactly where it is when it's full? My biggest problem when I first started expressing (and even now sometimes!) is that the bladder slips out of my hands, and then you have to find it again. It might seem like it's empty because nothing's coming out, but it's just moved and you're not pressing on it anymore. If I get frustrated, I take a break and try again in 30 seconds or a minute... it also gives the bladder time to reform and go back to its regular position.

Here's a website with videos and hints for expressing. Expressing the bladderDon't worry, you'll get it! Is Cobi on any medication to keep his bladder from stretching too much while you're learning?

When the vet was showing you, did he or she place your hands and show you what to feel for? Or let you try doing it yourself? If it's not too much of a hassle, you might want to try going in and expressing him in front of the vet and see if they can find what you're doing wrong, or if you feel you have him empty, have the vet check when you're done to make sure he's empty.

Check this out....

Way to go Cobi!! He is doing well getting around!

Bless his little heart. What an angel he is.

Awww, what a little trooper! He is totally precious! What a darling face. :)

Doing better
 

I think we figured out the bladder expressing...finally!! I hope yall enjoy the video. He did better than that when we took him outside right before this video was shot. He is definatley trying to use those legs..more on the left. He is SO FAST! We are so proud of him. He is still extremely happy,willing to play,great appetite and sweet as ever! We have a good feeling about him walking,it may not be 100 percent but with his progress so far,i think he will gain more mobility. We take him outside everyday and let him walk..no harness or anything. Keep in your prayers :) Thanks everyone for following up:animal-pa

I'm so glad you're doing better with the expressing! Thank you for continuing to update. Dogs with these kinds of problems need us to be their voice, to tell other pet owners they can and will still be happy dogs even if they don't look or act "normal" in other ways. Thanks for putting Cobi's message out :) You may just be saving another dog's life. I hope he continues to improve with every day!

So glad to see all your good news! Cobi, you are a sweetie and I pray that you will be back to 100% soon! What good parents you have been blessed with!

I just read your thread and watched Cobi's video. Such a sweetie! I hope his recovery is full and swift.

I agree, the expressing requires finesse. We learned from our vet, who guided us while our Yorkie, Peach, was paralyzed in the hind legs. You need to feel for the bladder, then provide firm (not hard) pressure, and wait. The urine will shoot out at once (not dribble). In between times, we used disposable bed pads under her to catch any dribble. Glad to hear things are going better.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Cobi. I saw your video, Wow, he is looking wonderful. Keep up the Great work Cobi. You can and will do it!!!
Kobi:aimeeyork and Abby

update on Cobi
 

Just checking in with everyone. Cobi is starting to use both legs to walk!! We are thrilled:D He is really progressing faster than we thought. He still has some troubles..and we are still battling the bladder issue,but we are so proud of how far he has come. He still sleeps in his pin...with ME! Im small enough to curl up with him...but we are wondering if anyone has any opinions or ideas on how to get him back in bed with us without him jumping off in the middle of the night, We are thinking of just putting the top mattress on the floor and somehow either building a ramp or getting a gate that surrounds us!? I cant keep sleeping on the floor..its killing my back! Cobi is worth it but OUCH. HELP!!!

:animal-pa

I have put harnesses on pups and a leash and tied them to me. :D I also have put a carrier up on the top between the pillows, but that requires keeping them in it.

If you message YT member bonbon and ask her about bed rails, I am sure she has lots of information. She sadly has lost Alex, her sweet baby that she had the same issue with...I know that she had looked into bedrails for him.
For years I slept on a mattress on the floor after my Maxwell had the disc surgery. I slept on the floor many times with sick pups...I SO get it. haha
I am SO happy to hear that Cobi is doing so well! :)

The harness and leash idea is an excellent idea. I sleep on a mattress on the floor with my Kobi (Ouch) I also have a bad back. I will do anything he needs as I know poor you will too.;) Thinking of you and my prayers are with Cobi, you and your family.:)

I just read your thread on Cobi from start to here -- what a roller coaster of emotions -- tension, fear, hope and cautious joy! I can only imagine what you have been going through! So glad to hear Cobi is regaining so much use of his legs. I am praying for a full recovery and for rest and peaceful relief for you and hubby. Bless you two for all you have done to ensure Cobi had the very best chances of regaining his full abilities. Owners like you so bring back hope and belief in people! All I can offer are my prayers and good wishes since I have no experience with something like this but it appears you have had many provide ideas and input along your journey. That is what is great about YT -- it seems whatever the need, there is always someone who has "been there" to help! Take care of yourself -- might invest in a memory foam topper to lie on the floor with you. They come in 3" styles -- maybe that would not be too high for Cobi, yet provide you with some relief.

Thank you, Linda. Yes I did a LOT of research on bedrails and ramps to help keep Alexander safe on the bed. Before I found these though, I spent a year or more sleeping with him in his harness and his leash wrapped around my wrist - this worked great but the bedrails gave us both more freedom to get comfy and sleep how we wanted.

I'll pm you some info this morning. So happy to hear little Cobi is doing better! :)

I am glad Cobi is doing better and pray for a complete recovery. I use a ramp and a bed rail so they have to go to the top of the ramp and go down. They were jumping down half way so I put the bedrail up to stop it. They all trained easily to the ramp, even Nikki who was 16 when he came to us.

Yeah, I think the bed rails are a good idea.

I'm so happy to hear Cobi is doing so well. I hope he keeps improving quickly.

What a darling little Cobi
 

I'm so pleased he is doing so much better. It's heartbreaking to see those little weak back legs.

Dealing with a little crippled one myself, I know the love and time it takes in the process of keeping them moving.

I will be hoping for a full recovery for Coby:thumbup:

I just now read about your struggles and battles with your little Coby. He is just too precious, the video had me in tears. I am so glad he is making such good progress, I find it so hard to see any animal struggle in life, but apparently he is a fighter. He is very lucky to have two such amazing parents!!!!!

Cobi is a new man!
 

:aimeeyork Its been a while since updating on Cobi. He went Sat for followup labs and a check up. His blood work looks great and the best news is : HE IS WALKING!!! He is using both legs. He gets stiff at times and does some wobbling but he is no longer dragging :D He is now officially off all medications and is using his bladder. We have a miracle baby on our hands. The doc from La said it could take up to 6 months for ANY movement at all...and here we are walking within weeks. His vet in Ocean Springs was shocked at the progress. She shot a video to email over to the La doc. We are so happy. We even took the pin out of the living room yesterday..YAY.For the time being, we put our mattress directly on the floor and surrounded it with pillows and blankets so he can sleep in the bed again. He has had 2 full nights in the bed and couldnt be happier:animal36. We eventually plan on buying thick foam to form our own steps off of the mattress for him to step on. The moral of Cobis story is...never give up or lose hope. We are so thrilled that he is better. THANK YOU ALL for the support and advice. Yorkie Talk has been a huge help with our journey!! We will post some videos soon.

:animal-paCobi
:love:Ashley and Matthew

That is SO true! I am just so happy to hear this wonderful news and am so happy for all of you! :)
Cobi is so lucky to have his loving family!

That is great news!!