Need some prayers

[fabeebabee]

Hi, all!  I found the site while searching dachshund stuff.  My wiener had back surgery today.  It was a complicated surgery, but it sounds like she's going to be ok.  I still haven't seen her yet, but the vet says she has deep pain sensation, so I'm hoping for a good recovery.  I could really use some prayers.  Thanks for being here for me and little Martha!

[Teresa]

You've come to the right place for prayers and support for both you and Martha. Many people here have experienced back surgery with their doxies and know exactly what you are going through. It shouldn't be too long and you will see their responses on here. Get some rest today. She is in good hands and this is the time for you to rest. I'll be saying some prayers for the both of you today.

[Barb]

Prayers and doxie rays on the way for Martha... and you !!!  Many here have been through this surgery and recovery - so you will get lots of good help !!  Welcome !  Please keep us posted -

[Kari]

Super Duper Rays headed your way  ! My husband and I went through back surgery with our Penny about 1 1/2 years ago. Please keep us updated and let us know if you have any questions we can answer for you!

If you haven't already, I would suggest that you check out www.dodgerslist.com. There is a lot of great information and people of the site!

[fabeebabee]

If you haven't already, I would suggest that you check out www.dodgerslist.com. There is a lot of great information and people of the site!

Thank you for that website!  I'll be reading it all day while I wait to hear if Martha can still walk.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Yes please join dodgerslist they have a wealth of info about back problems they are like an encyclopedia.

[Doxherding Karen]

You've come to the right place for prayers and support for both you and Martha. Many people here have experienced back surgery with their doxies and know exactly what you are going through.

Heck, we send rays for doxies down in their back and hoomans down in their back!  We're equal opportunity Ray-Senders!!

Here's a whole bunch from The Herd:

Guinness The Old Man    Merlin The Magician    Dr. Beau Leaky    Miss Ima Dora-Belle

And the Bunny Stalkers - with nasty, big, pointy teeth! :icon_albino: 

And Auntie Karen :temp:

[fabeebabee]

Well, thank you all for your rays and prayers.  It's day two post-op and Martha has no idea she ever had surgery!  She's doing great!  When I brought her home yesterday she couldn't stand on her hind end for more than a few seconds, then she would just fall over.  It was heartbreaking and pathetic.  I wondered if we'd ever see that "dachshund strut" again.  You all know the one.  Well, we woke up today and I couldn't keep her still!  She was almost jogging around the yard with no sign of falling over!  She also doesn't exhibit any signs of pain!  Yesterday you'd have thought we ripped out her spine without anesthesia!  I am so happy (and I imagine Martha is very happy, too).  If you ever need a neurologist/neurosurgeon in the Tacoma area, please look up Dr. Jerry Demuth at the Animal Emergency Clinic on Durango St.  He's a genius, a very nice guy (and good looking, to boot!)  But I digress...

Thanks again for all your wonderful prayers.  I know they helped.

[Teresa]

Now you have the biggest challenge of them all-keeping her still and letting her heal-just ask Leslie, or look at her recent posts about Loki's post-op experience. I'm glad she is doing so well and I know the neurologist is, too. This must be a huge relief for you, especially with the new baby coming soon. Welcome to our board. You are going to quickly find you have a new, international onlne family.

[fabeebabee]

Now you have the biggest challenge of them all-keeping her still and letting her heal-just ask Leslie, or look at her recent posts about Loki's post-op experience.

Where would I look to see Loki's post-op experience?  I'd love to read about it!

[Teresa]

This is the first post after her surgery. If you will click on Leslie's names, it will take you to the page of member information. At the bottom you will see a link for the "last posts of this person". You can scroll through until you get to the one I'm posting and then read forward some. Loki does not like to be crated and was very vocal about it. Leslie has quite a sense of humor, so it does make for some great reading. Just remember in some of the replies you have other doxies replying and not their owners (well, the owners are typing, but you know what I mean). YOu can also send Leslie a personal message from that page if you have any specific questions. In the couple of years Kari, Roberta, and Cheryl have been through this and there are more. My brain just isn't thinking of them right now. Oh yeah, Valerie is another one. She was at the same time as Kari. It seems to run in cycles on this board.
Here's the post for Leslie's message:
http://www.wienerwritings.com/forum/index.php?topic=5315.msg41545#msg41545

[Madderoos Mom]

Sound like little Martha is well on her way!  Just keep that dachshund strut down a little until she heals up.  Good girl Martha!  And way to go, Martha's Mom.  Continued rays coming your way.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

That is great news! Dr. Demuth must be the new guy that took over when Dr. Harrington left? We now see Dr. Sanders in Kirkland who is also very good.
Did Dr. Demuth give you aftercare instructions on crating, how long etc? Things are looking good for martha that's great.

[fabeebabee]

That is great news! Dr. Demuth must be the new guy that took over when Dr. Harrison left? We now see Dr. Sanders in Kirkland who is also very good.
Did Dr. Demuth give you aftercare instructions on crating, how long etc? Things are looking good for martha that's great.

I know he's new to the area.  He used to teach neurology at a university in Florida (but I can't remember which one).  I tried to get in with Dr. Sanders first, but the soonest appointment I could get was 3 weeks out, which is just unacceptable when it comes to spinal injury! 

As for aftercare, yes, I got very specific instructions.  She's supposed to stay quiet, but the strongly advocate mild (low impact) exercise (like walking) 3 times a day for no more than 20 minutes.  Since we don't have stairs in our home and she mostly sleeps all day anyway, I've taken this to mean we don't have to put her in the crate at all.  I do put her in there when I leave, but that's more for potty issues.  He also didn't send her home with much in the way of pain meds, which surprised me.  He gave us 3 days worth of Prednisone and a couple weeks worth of Valium.  He was right, though, she doesn't exhibit any signs of pain today!  So I think it would have been overkill to keep her doped up.  I've also emailed him twice with questions already and he has been great about answering them.  I really like this guy.  Strongly recommended.  Did I mention he's cute, too?  But I digress again...

[cheryl186]

Erin, it is wonderful to hear that Martha is doing so well.  These little babies are so amazing!!  When Zoe had her back surgery, we kept her on strict crate rest for 8 weeks to allow her surgery to heal properly.  She was on tramadol for pain and it worked very well and my Zo-Zo is back to 100%.  Please don't let Martha overdo it too soon.  While on crate rest we only let Zoe out to potty on a leash and then back in the house.  I understand your doctor recommends walking 3 times a day for 20 minutes.  But at this point (so soon after surgery) it sounds to me that this might be overdoing it a bit!!  I certainly am not trying to over-ride what your doctor says but I am speaking from personal experience on what worked and it worked very well.  I would increase her exercise as the weeks tick by, a little at a time.  This helps the back legs not to atrophy.  With Zoe walking on the leash when she pottied and increasing her walking (around our yard), we did not have that problem and her back end remained strong.    When she first came home from the hospital we did use a towel to hold up her back legs to help her with walking while she went out to potty.  I am assuming that Martha has bowel and bladder control? 

Because the surgery site is so delicate right now, the site does need time to heal and time for the post-op swelling to go down.  Again, I would be cautious with too much exercise too soon. 

Continued prayers and rays coming your way for Martha and family.  I know this can be a very stressful time for you, particularly with a new baby on the way and having hubby gone for weeks.  Hang in there....we will be here for you always!

Cheryl

[Roberta]

Hi I'm Roberta, it is nearly a year since Amy had her surgery. We live in Australia. The surgeon who performed surgery on Amy is a believer in physiotherapy, she was started 2-3 days post surgery, admittedly we got to her fast so she was not completely down. But I had to take her for hydrotherapy twice weekly, and I had exercises I had to do with her to keep the muscles from weakening. They did not have her crated, she was in a 6ftx 6ft play pen so she could move a little but not a lot. We had anti skid matting in the bottom of it plus her bed. The rest of the tiles in the house we now have a run of antiskid matting so she does not slip, we also had the ramp we had to the back door upgraded. After I think it was a week we were allowed to take her for a walk, one house block, we did that for a week then added another and gradually every week we added a block and only let her do what she felt happy doing.
It is a long process, and patience is a must, and make the time for the physio and the small walks. I found a length of polar tech to support when she went wee wee's was better than a lead the vet suggested,the hardest was watching her do poo's.  We know the surgeon who we saw is a bit more radical than most but it made sense, you don't do back surgery on a human and get them to sit for a month and then try to build them up again.
We still worry when you see her running full bore to the front door, and on walks and playing with other dogs, but we have put in place checks and balances and decided to let her do what she wants other than jumps and leaps, and she is a happy little munchkin now with a slight hoppy run.
Lots of Rays as thats what really helps.

Roberta

[fabeebabee]

It sounds like our docs are similar-minded about the PT.  I assure you Martha isn't walking much.  Seems like she sleeps all day, only to wake for food and potty.  Since she's 11 years old, she spends even her waking hours resting in front of the window.  Even still, I really appreciate everyone's concern.  And I'm taking it to heart.  She tried to run today (day 3 post-op) in the back yard, so it's on the leash for her!  Thanks for all the rays and prayers.  By the way, I'm new to the site, so what exactly is a ray?

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I'm glad Martha is feeling so well. Is this her first back problem...it's unusual to have their first at 11. Usually it's roughly between 4-7 yrs.

That is good to know about Dr. Demuth. I had to wait a bit to get into Sanders too as he had just taken on many of Dr. Harringtons patients too. If Dr. Demuth is new, hopefully he wil be evening out the load. Penny Schaefer does acupuncter at the Tacoma clinic too she did some on my last doxie. I have been considering it with Hallie but I don't know yet.

Keep up the good work with Martha! Keep keeping a close eye on her and walking her with a harness (maybe you are!), not a leash (collars can do damage on the doxie necks) they can move so fast and surprise us especially when a cat or squirrel shows up unexpectedly. One good run can undo all you've gained so far. Oh and a "ray" is just good vibes we say our doxies send out and for people who aren't into the prayer thing...

[SNKSMOMSUE]

Please don't get discouraged if Martha is unable to walk.  I'm sure they didn't make any promises - and its very scary and trying.  When Sol had his surgery 6 yrs ago (age 4) they wouldn't let him go home until he could pee on his own.  He was there about 7 days.  You'd never think seeing your dog pee could make you so happy!!  It was about 4 weeks before he could walk.  He looked like a drunken sailor for about 3 months, bless his heart. 
You may want to consider investing in one of those support harness things that will hold her back end up when you take her outside.  We tried to just hold Sol so he could walk and potty and it is hell on your back.
Wishing you the best, from someone who's been there.  Sending prayers too.

[fabeebabee]

Please don't get discouraged if Martha is unable to walk. 

Martha is walking almost perfectly normal now.  The first day after surgery was a pathetic site, but by the second morning she surprised the socks off me when I set her down in the back yard and she took off like nothing had ever happened!  The real trick is keeping her from running.  I'm doing a good job at it so far... and we've completely ruled out the couch (she's still pretty mad about that).

Thanks for all the rays and prayers!

[THOMARA]

Hi, all!  I found the site while searching dachshund stuff.  My wiener had back surgery today.  It was a complicated surgery, but it sounds like she's going to be ok.  I still haven't seen her yet, but the vet says she has deep pain sensation, so I'm hoping for a good recovery.  I could really use some prayers.  Thanks for being here for me and little Martha!

Very pleased to read that dear Martha is up and about and able to walk. I have gone through this process with my youngest a few years back.She had surgery at my local orthropeadic veterinary hospital.She even spent her 7th birthday in hospital.Once she was able to go home I was told to love and care for her, but don't expect her to walk again. Well after a lot of prayers,daily hydro therapy, daily physio and accupuncture once a week Daphne is now mobile.She proved them all wrong. Regaining her mobility took a while, but she was so determined and she was given so  much help along the way that thank the Lord she is enjoying life once again.She lives with five other Dachshund and I firmly believe that they to have helped and encouraged her in their own doggy way. The motto is never give up and always think poitive there is always a reason as to why these things happen,though we can't see it at the time, but it's not the end of the world. Dachshunds have a strong will and character, they are tough little dogs, though you wouldn't think that to look at them. As time goes by you will see Martha improve month by month. The spine is a very delicate thing along with all the nerves etc, which need time to heal and rejuvinate. I pray she continues to improve each day.Naturally now that Martha has back trouble she will have a weakness, so extra loving care is essential. Be ware of any dangers like steep steps, staircase and jumping on and off the chairs etc. I have dog gates around the house, but I look at it as best to be safe than sorry. Take care.

[JetEd73]

Your courting trouble if you don't crate or at least x-pen her. These are Dachshunds, they don't understand a doctors instructions and your going to kick yourself if you don't follow your vets instructions and she hurts herself.