Wiener Writings

At 9:00 am Roscoe appeared to be doing worse, but could still move his back feet.  We called a specialist in Cincinnati and were able to get an appointment with the surgeon at 11:30.  By the time we got to the specialist, Roscoe was completely down in the rear.  He did still have some deep pain sensation in his toes when pinched very hard by the vet.

Roscoe had X-rays and a myleogram (sp?) this afternoon and had surgery following the tests.  The vet called after the surgery at about 5:30 this evening.  Roscoe was not quite out of anesthesia yet, but he tends to take awhile to come out of that.

The surgeon said there was a large amount of disk material between the 12th and 13th thoracic vertebrae.  The material was concentrated more heavily on his left side, which corroborated the physical exam where the vet felt he had more feeling on the right side.

The surgeon was able to remove a large amount of the disk material.  After the procedure he said the spinal cord did not appear to be compressed anymore.  He feels the most important thing will be to see if Roscoe has deep pain sensation tomorrow.  We can call after 10:00am to talk to the doc after he has made his morning rounds to check on him.

The surgeon did say not to expect an immediate return of feeling/movement.  That it can take anywhere from 3-4 days to 3-4 weeks or more to start to see improvement.  He did feel that if Roscoe were moving his feet by 2 weeks out that we probably are on our way to a full recovery.

So the surgery went well, but now begins the wait and see how well he will respond.


Now one thing that is really on my mind â€" They say you have the best chance for a full recovery when surgery is completed within 24 hours.  Some sources cite within 24 hours of injury and others cite 24 hours from paralysis onset.  I don’t know when Roscoe was injured.  He began exhibiting pain symptoms on Sunday afternoon.  He was seen by our vet on Monday evening and given a steroid shot.  I gave him a steroid pill early on Tuesday morning, he went down completely in the rear late morning and then he had surgery sometime Tuesday afternoon.  Are we inside this all important window, or not?

Much love to you all.  Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and rays.  I'll keep you posted.

----Note UPDATE further down - 11/9/05, 10:30am est

You are in our thougths Krista! Major healing rays to Roscoe!

Bridget and I send lots of rays and scratchies

Sending lots of RAYZZZZZ!!!  :pray: :pray: :pray:

Thanks for keeping us posted

Jen & the Crew

Paws are crossed and rays flying south for Roscoe P. and family. 

Krista, I'm so sorry you are going thru this.  Poor little Roscoe Man.  Best of luck, and lots of rayz coming from Boulder.  Give the boy a skritch for us when you see him.

Rays and long distance kisses and hugs
roberta

I hope Roscoe recovers quickly and you are able to cope....Our prayers and thoughts are with you and Roscoe.    :pray:  :pray:  :pray:

I would think that since we usually have no idea when the injury actually occurred, that the 24 hour period would refer to loss of mobility. I hope Roscoe pulls through quickly. You have done all you can for now, the hardest part is waiting to see how things will turn out. My thoughts are with you.

I just spoke with the surgeon (16 - 17 hours post surgery).  He said mentally and generally, Roscoe is doing well and is comfortable, though not happy to be there (understandably so).

Roscoe has good sensation in his feet - a light pinch from the surgeon and Roscoe felt it and knew where it was coming from.

Roscoe has no motor function yet and no bladder control yet.  The vet did say that Roscoe's bladder was fairly easy to express, and that he thought I would be able to do it without major obstacle. 

The surgeon wants to keep Roscoe for at least 24 more hours, but if things progress as he expects, Roscoe should be able to come home sometime late on Thursday.  He said that Roscoe will be more comfortable at home and that will aid in his healing, and that they will teach us what needs to be done for him as he recovers.

First I want to send ALL THE RAYS POSSIBLE For Roscoe.....  And A big hug for you.  I know he will be just fine.   :angel4: :angel4: :angel4: :pray: :pray: :pray:

When Penny was in this similar situation her legs her fine until about 12 hours befoer her surgery.
Her legs went out on Thanksgiving night so I had to wait.  But the vet said they had to operate within
24 hours after their legs go out.  He said they can not operate until that happens.... why I am not sure.

I hope this info help ease your mind that you did great getting that appointment.  :ambulance:

Krista - it sounds encouraging - but how hard for you.  Sending major rays and prayers to our sweet Roscoe.  Please update us when you can.  Will you be able to see him today, or do they recommend not?

SO glad to hear that Roscoe is doing better!  It sounds very good that he's able to feel light pinches and is in a relatively good mood.  (I'd not be too happy myself if I was in the same position.)
I think it's actually 24 hours of them going down rather than the injury.  As others have said we don't always know when the injury occurs.  All we can go by is when they go down.  Roscoe was well within that window it sounds like so I woud expect a very good recovery.
{{HUGS}} to you and feel free to call or email me!

Hugs and Rays for you Krista - so sorry to hear Roscoe had surgery.  I know the stress you are under.  Give him smootches from Auntie Sue and we will make sure to keep him in our prayers.

Roscoe sounds like he is doing well.  I know a heavy stone has been lifted from your shoulders with the early report from the surgeon.  We'll keep the rays coming for him.

It took Clifford 8 days before he was able to wobble up on his back legs after lumbar surgery, so don't be discouraged if Roscoe doesn't jump right up.  Expressing the bladder is relatively easy once you find the right spot to press. 

This is so  sad but hopeful.  I think the signs are good for a complete recovery.  The surgeon sounds like a good vet--one who KNOWS our dogs are our children.  Here's hoping for a complete recovery.  And Krista, YOU take care of yourself.  Get some rest, and for goodness sakes, let some family and friends help out. Here's a  :pray: for the whole family--hoomans and furkids alike.

Thanks everyone.  --Mike I really appreciate you letting me know that Clifford took 8 days to walk again.  I think John was expecting Roscoe to be able to stand and wag his tail today.....

We'll be visiting Roscoe around 5:00 tonight.  I'll try to update later.

Thanks for the update Krista I have been worried along with the others. Many prayers and rays coming for you and Roscoe. The vets news today is very encouraging. The waiting is excuciating but it really sounds as though he is going to be just fine. I HATE this problem that plagues our breed...it just drives me over the edge everytime I hear of someone breeding their doxie who has done no research on the health in the lines. We could cut this problem down dramatically if people would breed responsibly. Keep sending us update as you can, the worst is behind you now, he's on the road to recovery!!!

Krista, I'm sorry I hadn't seen this before now. I'm thinking of Roscoe and sending healing rayzzzz his way. We're all keeping our paws crossed down here for a speedy recovery. This back thing does seem to be happening a lot of our WW furkids.

I'm also sorry it took me so long to notice about Roscoe.   Sending mega, mega, mega healing rays to Roscoe!

Glad the surgery is over and went as well as could be expected. Now for the recovery. Patience, I think, will be the operative word. Don't get discouraged with his recovery in the hospital. They begin their REAL recovery once they get home, IMHO. At least, that's what Gretchen did. Once she got home, each day was a little better than the day before. There were some minor set-backs, but she did SO MUCH better at home.

Yikes!  I hadn't seen this until now!  We are sending rayz and :pray: that Roscoe will get well soon.  I know Miss Gretl-Angel was also easy to sxpress after surgery and it took a long time for her to be up with energy and 14 months to get her tail wag back, but she did amazingly well for a senior at age 10 with back surgery.  She did well and her pain response wasn't as quick to show as Roscoe's!   :thinik:He should get well and do well!

I was shocked about this news.  I just got on the board tonight and an electric bolt hit me when I read that Roscoe had surgery.  MAJOR rays coming to him and you.  Praying for a speedy and full recovery.  Thank you for telling us and PLEASE keep us updated.  You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Krista, so sorry about little Roscoe.  Warm hugs to you both  :heart: :heart:
My surgeon explained to me after Simson's surgery that procedure is necessary within 24, at the utmost 48 hours after onset of paralysis.  Simson was'nt injured or anything, he just went down completely within 4 - 5 hours after I noticed his reluctance to move.  He had surgery the next afternoon - just within the 24-hour window and he made a complete recovery.  He could even do his business on his own the next day.  So I'm sure he'll be fine!  Just hang in there!  Hugs to you  :heart:

It sounds like Roscoe's surgery was in the "magic window".  Here's hoping for a complete recovery.  They're tough little guys.  We'll be pulling for him.

Krista-
I'm so sorry to hear about Rosco. We're sending you mega rays and hugs and hope that he makes a speedy recovery.

Many thanks to all of you.  You are such a wonderful family.

I posted an update in response to Barb:

http://www.wienerwritings.com/forum/index.php?topic=811.msg4839#msg4839