Newly paralyzed dog

[taraz]

Hi everyone-
My 6 year old mini dachshund, Charlie, had his 2nd disc surgery in 6 weeks a little under 3 weeks ago.  It was the same disc that ruptured both times.  After the first surgery he was able to walk and looked like he was on the road to a full recovery.  After 6 weeks, his walking got worse, and at a check-up, the surgeon realized he was in pain when they pressed on his back.  They took him in for testing, and immediately did another surgery.  He hasn't gained back the use of his back legs, and I'm losing hope that he will.  So, I'm turning my attention to caring for a paralyzed dog.  After 6 weeks, the surgeon said we can order a cart.  She wants to wait that long in case something comes back in his legs.  What I really need help with is the messes he's making.  I express his bladder and have gotten on a pretty good routine with that, but it's the poop messes that are driving me crazy.  He poops on his own, and it's usually 3-4 hours after he eats.  However, I work, so I can't be there all the time to take him out.  So when he has to go, and he's in his cage, he poops and then sits in it and walks in it, and generally makes a huge mess.  I'm at my wit's end cleaning up poop.  Anyone dealt with this that has some tips?

[BonniesMom]

Hello Taraz and sweet Charlie!  Welcome to Wiener Writings.  My name is Sandi and I'm owned by this one:
Miss Bonnie.  She is our little rescue girl.  She is 12 years old and we've had her for 2 years. 

I don't know much of anything about paralyzed dachsies, but I know we have lots of knowledgeable folks here who, I'm sure, will pop in with some encouragement and advice.

Poor Charlie.  He doesn't like the poop stuff any more than you do.  He is probably mortified that he poops in his crate and then sits in it.  Poor little guy.   You are very dedicated and loyal to your dachshund, caring for him with love.  What a good hooparent you are.

We'd love to hear more about Charlie! 

Sandi

[Roberta]

I have not had any contact with paralzed dachies buit I have had one what has had surgery, have you tried a physio with him. I'm in Australia and Amy (I) was given exercises to retrain and strenghten her muscles plus she went to water tank for twice  a week for a while. She has had a few scares since but rest has helped. Theother thing she goes to is bowen therapy.
One of the other guys on the board has history and had one in a cart. so hold tight  he     will probably set you on the right track.
Roberta

[taraz]

I wanted to add that I have tried doggie diapers and he gets those off in about 5 minutes.

This really has been such a stressful time, but I keep trying to tell myself that at some point this will all be habit and I just won't know any different. I have Charlie's litter mate also, Lucy, and they are so close. They had never spent any time apart their entire lives until these surgeries and Lucy was so upset while he was gone. I sent her to stay with my dad, just so she could be with other dogs. So I'm really just looking for a way to make everything a little easier. Every time I look at his little face I know I'm doing the right thing by keeping him, I just need some reinforcement!

[papbouv]

There is a person on this forum that rescues paralyzed Dachshunds h has two or three i think I'm sure he can give lots of advice sorry cannot think of his name I have been sick have a terrible headache goog luck with your little boy.Papbouv

[Spanish Teckels]

We are so sorry to hear poor Charlie is having to go through this and you too.  He is sure to feel humiliated by his lack of control as you are too, it must be rotten for you to have to leave him to work, he must really appreciate you cleaning him up again on your return.  Paul Coover is a member of this board and has loads of experience with dachsies and paralysis and has done a tremendous job of promoting understanding of the pleasure a dachshund can still get from life - and give too - despite disability.
I am afraid we are in Spain and don't have a direct contact for him, We hope you can contact him through this board.
Give Brave little Charlie a good snuggle from all of us and please let us know how he -and you - are doing.

[Barb]

Welcome !!!  I am so sorry for Charlie - but bless you for wanting to do the very best for your boy !!!!  Look forward to hearing more about all of you - and the sharing of knowledge will only help us all !

I am afraid with his surgery, that it is not possible for him to hold it any longer than he does....but that is a good thing that he is able to go on his own! 

I have not had to deal with this type problem, but a couple things come to mind.....  Would he be able to stay in an ex-pen - where he could poop, and then get away from it?    Any chance that someone could come by and let him out mid-day?

Also, have you been to the Dodger's List website?  From what I hear - it is a wealth of information for doxies with back troubles..... you may pick up some tips there also.
http://www.dodgerslist.com/


Please keep us posted as to how he does !

[Teresa]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this, but thrilled that Charlie has you to love and take care of him. Go to the members list at the top of this section and then look for Paul Coover. You can personal message him or email him. He is the one who has several of the dogs use the carts and can give you some great advice. You may find him on facebook, too. I can't remember, but I think he is on there.
Best of luck with Charlie. The x-pen idea may be a great one, too.
Teresa, owned by Schatzi

[papbouv]

Thanks to the members who remember Paul Carver s name & passed it on.

[JetEd73]

Welcome !!!  I am so sorry for Charlie - but bless you for wanting to do the very best for your boy !!!!  Look forward to hearing more about all of you - and the sharing of knowledge will only help us all !

I am afraid with his surgery, that it is not possible for him to hold it any longer than he does....but that is a good thing that he is able to go on his own! 

I have not had to deal with this type problem, but a couple things come to mind.....  Would he be able to stay in an ex-pen - where he could poop, and then get away from it?    Any chance that someone could come by and let him out mid-day?

Also, have you been to the Dodger's List website?  From what I hear - it is a wealth of information for doxies with back troubles..... you may pick up some tips there also.
http://www.dodgerslist.com/


Please keep us posted as to how he does !

I'd go straight to Dodger's List.

[dachsville]

So sorry about your pupper but wonderful that you are so caring.  I have gone through many back surgeries and luckily mine got use of their back legs back.  I agree with the playpen idea so Charlie can move away from the pee and poop when he needs to.  That's what I did when mine had to rest during recovery.  Go to Poochpads.com - they are wonderful and wick away most of the liquid to the underneath layer.  Then you just throw them in the wash.  Good luck and I hope the other contacts mentioned can be more help.  Please know that we are all with you!!

[vferraro99]

I'm so sorry to hear about Charlie, but I'm also surprised that the vets did not tell you that crate rest after surgery is a must, and the pup should not be moving around too much or it risked injuring itself again, which seems to be what happened.  I'm really, really sorry.

I have two Dachshunds that had IVDD, one that had surgery, but never recovered control over bowel and bladder, another that did not have surgery, because it would not have done any good, and also has no feeling in the back legs or control over bowel and bladder.  I express both of them three times a day, and neither one wears a diaper, Pixie only wears a diaper to bed, but it is rarely needed.  They both walk, it is called spinal walking.  Nobody can really pinpoint why they don't have feeling but still are able to walk.

Jewels went through plenty of acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments, and Pixie had a few of those done too.  It helps.  I noticed significant improvement on Jewels over time, but Pixie showed no improvement.  It works for some, but not for others.  You should try, though, you never know when it will help.  It does in the majority of cases.

[paddipenni]

Dear Paralyzed Dog Caretaker: I am Paddipenni's caretaker, and not too long ago, I posted a letter, stating that Paddi jumped off my bed, as she always did, but landed in a twist, which really hurt her back.  That was on Mother's Day.  My friend rushed Paddi and I to the Animal Hospital, and by then she had stopped screaming. Exrays were taken, and meds given. She was paralyzed! She didn't seem in pain, and slept alot, to heal. Anyway, no operation, was done. I bought a cart, she ran around in it, happy as can be, hopefully building up those muscles.  In July,  she attemped to use the back legs, and now, stagers around then sits down. Now, as to the incontinent issues, diapers caught the urine, but the other just drop out. I have no solution, other than, I have resorted to holding her over the toilet, when she gets nervous, or goes to the door. Sometimes, I take her, when she barks, and that works.  How anyone is able to leave for more than three hours, I sure don't know. Paddi is very Happy and Healthy, otherwise, and she has no pain, now. Sorry I can't help you, it's a 24/7 job, I haven't found anyone willing to take her, just a little while, so either I stay home, or I take her with me.
My heart goes out to you, they are so unhappy when they have an accident, poor little dogs.
Thank goodness I am retired. Sincerely,  Beryl Thomas

[Sanibelbreeze]

Hi,
Our little long-haired female, Greta, has been paralyzed for almost 6 years. She is doing great and travels with us all the time! She has a cart but really doesn't like to use it.
We gate Greta in the laundry/bathroom when we leave so if she poops she can move away from it and not trample in it! Also, when you are expressing your dachsies   bladder, many times you can manipulate the area so she will poop, also. Otherwise we just pick it up as she goes :-) If you could confine her to a little larger space maybe she wouldn't be full of it all the time
It is not easy having a disabled pup and is very time consuming and keeps us at home a lot more than would be perfect but we love our little Greta so very much and she is such a tough, courageous &brave little gal!!
Good luck, your pup is lucky to have you!!

[papbouv]

Doggerslist.com   is a good place to go as others have said you can buy cloth diapers and put pads in they might not get torn up also might spray them with Bitter Apple or something until he get use to wearing them. Pro-line self rinse plus works well to clean them without using water & shampoo.  I used the cloth diapers on my 13 year old Papillon she was in diapers about 1 1/2 years she had Alzheimer the dog kind I also used aloe baby type wipes from the Dollar store unscented ones she quit eating so had to put her to sleep as long as she was happy and eating I let her go do what ever she wanted. Good Luck with your baby. Papbouv