HELP! My 7 y/o girl can't use her back legs

[TxVicki]

I know how much your heart hurts having to leave her there. Just know that many prayers still continue for Cali.

[Sammy Mommy]

I'm praying for you and your precious Cali.

[enchilila]

I'm also saying prayers for Cali, as well as you and your husband. It sure sounds like Cali is in the right place to be looked after and pampered. I'm praying they will have a diagnosis this week and then the healing can begin. I'll be looking for more updates this week.

[Pink Dog]

UPDATE: Allison called and said Cali was the same, no changes. However, the ICU staff noted that she was chewing on her bone at one point. I'm so glad my husband & I left her bone & rope with her. I knew she was getting bored...she would whimper during our visits. I think she is realizing that she can't use her back legs and is frustrated. Also, Allison said the she is completely urinating on her own b/c everytime they go to express her bladder, it's empty. Now I'm worried about her skin! I need help with this...is this a good sign, that she can release her urinary sphincter on her own? I feel so confused.

Anyway, how can you love something so small? She truly has my heart.

God bless all of you!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

UPDATE: Allison called and said Cali was the same, no changes. However, the ICU staff noted that she was chewing on her bone at one point. I'm so glad my husband & I left her bone & rope with her. I knew she was getting bored...she would whimper during our visits. I think she is realizing that she can't use her back legs and is frustrated. Also, Allison said the she is completely urinating on her own b/c everytime they go to express her bladder, it's empty. Now I'm worried about her skin! I need help with this...is this a good sign, that she can release her urinary sphincter on her own? I feel so confused.

Anyway, how can you love something so small? She truly has my heart.

God bless all of you!

It's much easier to fix what urine can do to skin than it is to get a bladder working again... so yes, this is a very good thing! Sounds like she's pretty comfy there....

[maggiefromnj]

can they diaper her? they might not want to. I have no experience with that but I think some people do it when their dog is incontinent or in heat. Would that help with the skin problem you are worried about? It has to be a good sign that she is going on her own now. It is amazing what they can do for pets now and it seems like she is in the best possible place. At least she is probably used to the place now, so she shouldn't be too sad being there.

[Anaic]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

I haven't logged in a long time as I now have a toddler and have been super busy! I logged in today to post about my sweet boy Georgie's surgery and a condition that is genetic in small breeds (never even knew about such a condition). As soon as I logged in I came to this part of the forum and saw your post. I posted the link below in Maryland Dog Magazine about Georgie's successful surgery to repair the Atlantoaxial luxation in his spine. He was diagnosed at 6 which is older than most but he has the issues with standing up, slipping and generally looking like he had been drinking. He was much more lethargic, he would still eat but wasn't his usual self. Post surgery he is 100% recovered and is doing amazing! I am not sure this is what is going on with your furbaby but I thank God we took Georgie to a specialist because the vet said arthritis, luxating patella you name it...and none of them were the correct diagnosis. If you are able to and there is a specialist in your area I recommend you go there. Best of luck and please keep us posted!


Dog Orthopedic: The Spine Center at VOSM

Sincerely,

Georgies Mommy

So happy to hear a successful story, please join us on Yahoo we are Atlanto-axial instrability group

[bodisat]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

UPDATE: Allison called and said Cali was the same, no changes. However, the ICU staff noted that she was chewing on her bone at one point. I'm so glad my husband & I left her bone & rope with her. I knew she was getting bored...she would whimper during our visits. I think she is realizing that she can't use her back legs and is frustrated. Also, Allison said the she is completely urinating on her own b/c everytime they go to express her bladder, it's empty. Now I'm worried about her skin! I need help with this...is this a good sign, that she can release her urinary sphincter on her own? I feel so confused.

Anyway, how can you love something so small? She truly has my heart.

God bless all of you!

I lived with a dog who had bladder problems for years. I used baby powder. i never noticed any adverse reactions. It kept her skin dry and she never itched. I always wiped her down with warm water and towel dried her prior. It worked for us. She grew to like it. It lasted for the last 10 years of her life, as she had a chronic bladder problem.Twice a day. otherwise she was a perfectly normal doggie. She was not a yorkie.
Im sure your babies situation will be temporary, but some warm rags and baby powder will do wonders. dogs hate to smell like pee. I truly believe that mindset makes or breaks a dog( us too). Even more so when they feel bad. They clean us when we cannot, and we have to back them up when they are feeling under weather, and cannot clean themselves.

[Pink Dog]

UPDATE: No change per the phone call from Allison this morning. She did say that Cali is chewing her bone alot. I should be hearing from Dr. Beasley (the resident) and Katelyn (Cali's assigned student) later today so I'll post another update. So she is still getting: IV fluids, Valium drip, Penicillin, and Robaxin....from what I know.

Thanks for all the advice. I don't think diapers are a good idea (at least at this point) b/c it will just hold the urine against her with no air to dry it. Moisture (like that) is the enemy of healthy skin. Regarding the baby powder...that sounds like a good idea. Allison told me they use Desitin but only once the dog starts showing signs of really needing it. It contains Zinc Oxide which is poisonous to dogs if licked.

Thanks for sticking with me in all this!

[Perrella]

Oh, I know how worried and sad you and your husband are. But know, Cali is in good hands and they are giving wonderful care to your girl. I pray some answers will be found soon and recovery is in sight. Hugs to the 3 of you and positive thoughts that you all will be home together very soon.

[lillymae]

I personally think it's time for some pics of her spine. I think x-ray is a waste of time & I would want an MRI, but that's me. If this is a spinal problem, the longer you wait to rectify the problem the bigger the chance of permanent nerve damage.

[ladyjane]

Wow, just wow.

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by lillymae

I personally think it's time for some pics of her spine. I think x-ray is a waste of time & I would want an MRI, but that's me. If this is a spinal problem, the longer you wait to rectify the problem the bigger the chance of permanent nerve damage.

I agree...the xrays won't do it. But I have to believe that a Neuro team assessed her spine. I will definitely ask about this again but they seem to think it is muscle related. The problem with doing CT/MRI is they have to put her under anesthesia. This is a concern for them since she was just put under last week and she has a severely collapsing trachea. I was going to wait and see what the muscle results are and then see if that can be pursued. I'm lost though, to be honest.

Furthermore, I haven't heard from them all day and am anxiously awaiting an update.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

I agree...the xrays won't do it. But I have to believe that a Neuro team assessed her spine. I will definitely ask about this again but they seem to think it is muscle related. The problem with doing CT/MRI is they have to put her under anesthesia. This is a concern for them since she was just put under last week and she has a severely collapsing trachea. I was going to wait and see what the muscle results are and then see if that can be pursued. I'm lost though, to be honest.

Furthermore, I haven't heard from them all day and am anxiously awaiting an update.

Did they suggest a MRI??? I thought not. Anesthesia is indeed a concern with CT...I have been through that with pups. Almost lost one after cervical disc surgery because of his CT.

But....I am thinking that if they thought it was needed, they would suggest it no matter what. You have neuro vets examining her and also posting her information on list serve...hard for me to believe they would miss something THAT obvious...a need for MRI. Unless it is just the risk of anesthesia?

[ladyjane]

I hope this evening's update is a good one. You are due for some good news!