Brekke is at All Care in Fountain Valley

[Brekkesmom]

She's about 139 miles away.  She wasn't wanting to move without scooting or a half hopping motion, so we went to the vet this morning.  When Gretl's went out in 1999, she did the seal walk after coming in from a potty break.  Brekke refused to take a pill - and then just sat there.  There is no longer a van that takes animals down south, so we came home, gave the other three half the day's kibble, and headed down.  I do not like driving in the LA area, but... We left here at 11:15, and due to traffic (and some high trucks) I didn't see some highway signs, so we got off the 405, and with some finagling, and a nice lady at the second trip off the freeway, we got back on and finally arrived at 3:15.  She got checked in, and I left after hearing that she has deep pain reflexes in one back leg, so that was better than she did with Dr. Betts, so she is getting an MRI, surgery, hyperbaric oxygen to aide in recovery.  She'll be there at least 3 days.   We'd love some rays/prayers/positive thoughts - whatever you can send us!   :xfinger:

[papbouv]

Sorry to hear that sending Rays & Hugs to you both give her the lite hug next time you see her keep us up dated.

[Mike]

Rays coming full force for Miss Brekke (and Mom too).

[Roberta]

rays and hugs, no mum needs to go through it.
Roberta Nick and Oliver

[Brekkesmom]

She did well and is out of surgery, recovering in the hyperbaric chamber and getting pain meds.  Her surgeon thought some growths on her kidneys - maybe from birth -  could have pressed on the disc to rupture.  I will get more-than-daily updates, and thanks so much for all the prayers and well wishes!

[Rich]

Glad to hear that so far things are going well. Rays on the way for a quick recovery.

[papbouv]

Patches sending Rays Buddy also sending rays get well soon Rays & Hugs from us here in OK.

[Spanish Teckels]

Julia I am sorry not to see this till now and am relieved to hear the surgery has gone well and that you have such an excellent facility relatively close to you ( even though the trip is considerable).  All pawsies and fingers crossed for Brekke and for all of you, war,est spring spanish rays too.  Please let us know how everything progresses.  It is great you will get more than daily updates when evry minute worrying and waiting is agony.  Wish human doctors were always so considerate...all our love.

[Brekkesmom]

I forgot to post this last night - Dr. Gallegos, who watched over her yesterday and did therapy while Dr. B. was at his regular practice, said she has deep pain sensation in BOTH hind legs!  Monday, locally, she had none, Tuesday morning she had it in one leg, so now, after surgery, she has it in both legs.  I am hoping today to be a whole lot closer to picking up my baby and bringing her back home.  Thanks for the rays and prayers and please keep them coming!

[Spanish Teckels]

Sounding good. We are keeping the rays and prayers coming for more good news on the way.

[papbouv]

More Ray's from us remember swelling after surgery can also keep them from feeling pain but is usually temporary when the swelling goes down the pain signs may return. I'm sure they already told you this hope the recovery is fairly quick know you want her back home, more rays again. Patches,Buddy & Papbouv

[Brekkesmom]

She'll be extending her stay - she still isn't able (or won't!) potty on her own, so she'll be getting 6 warm rock therapy treatments - 1/2 hour each day, 6 cold laser treatments to aid in healing and regeneration of nerve endings, and 6 physical therapy days - I believe those are 2 - 20 minute sessions a day.  If she still can't/won't potty on her own, they'll give me more lessons on expressing her bladder before I pick her up.  (Maybe I'll even learn how to express anal glands!  )  She does eat and drink normally, but apparently gives them "the look" when they take her outside on grass or concrete.  They have both, since they get dogs trained to go on either one.  I sent them an email yesterday - which Shannon in reception printed out, saying that her signal is chanting "Go potty!" Apparently a lot of staff stop by, look at the note on her cage, and giggle... 

[papbouv]

She maybe feeling numb from the surgery still yet.,the swelling  may also be a factor in not potting you just never know with these guys sending more Rays for potty periods also if on pain medications they can sometimes mess with a dog's brain dogs have been known to be out of it sometimes. Know Buddy does not potty anywhere except his back yard.Good luck on the potty. thinking of you both. Rays & Hugs Patches,Buddy & Papbouv. Old Nurses aide maybe if they were to pour a little warm water over her a Fleets enema bottle would work ?

[Mike]

What news from our little patient?

[Brekkesmom]

She has been doing very well with her therapies - one I thought was a sort of hot rock, actually was a magnetic bed for half an hour a day.  My natural healing book for Dogs and Cats indicates this is a good plan for back recovery.  She had a catheter put in Monday, so her bladder would drain - otherwise, there was a possibility that when she recovers, she would constantly leak.  It was to come out this afternoon, and I called at 7:30 to see if she had been able to potty on her own, but the receptionist told me they'd just had two emergencies come in, so they will call me - hopefully soon!  If she went potty, she finishes day 6 of therapy tomorrow, gets evaluated Friday morning, and hopefully released as soon as I could get there...

[Mike]

Sounds like progress is being made.  I had to express Clifford's bladder for a week after his lumbar blowout surgery.  Crossed paws for a reunion on Friday.

[Brekkesmom]

I have tried to post with a photo four times - maybe the fifth time is a charm?  Anyhow, we got home at 4:45, I gave the Denamarin to three for their liver functions, dinner was an hour later - Brekke ate hers with relish - you know what they say about hospital food!  She had her Solid Gold with a spoonful of chicken, and a sliced stalk of asparagus.  I got the med, warm compress, and expressing schedule worked out - yes, the hands on with the physical therapy gals was much better than the internet directions!  I have an ex-pen set up in the bedroom, but will crate her when I am gone, since she is due for suture removal in two weeks, and will be on very limited movements for 8 weeks.  AllCare now provides a wonderful home package - a bath towel folded in fourths lengthwise, with large grommets on the four corners, and braided nylon rope to make two handles!  It is so much easier to "walk" a dachsie with that.  I use it instead of the leash when we go outside for her prescribed activity.  I may just try adding a separate photo, since my entire posts disappear when I try to include the link to her photo...

[Brekkesmom]

<a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Brekkesmom/media/Photo-0130.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/Brekkesmom/Photo-0130.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Photo-0130.jpg"/></a>

[Norman]

Rays to Brekke from Simon and Benji.And from Jane and I.

Rays from all the Dragons too!

[papbouv]

Wow she really got shaved down after stitches are out if she gets itchy when the hair starts growing back in and if the vet says it is OK might put a tiny bit of coconut oil on your hands then rub it on her back only takes a very tiny bit. Glad you got some PT lessons boost your confidence I'm sure sending more Rays & lite Hugs your way.

[Brekkesmom]

She got her sutures removed yesterday, and today, I gave all four baths, and have begun 1 of 3 loads of dog laundry - 2 of dog beds and 1 of towels. I think that'll do it for today.

[Roberta]

Keeping fingers crossed still, when Amy had her op, we called the shave a "reverse mohawk" I made her a coat for a while..

Roberta and Oliver

[papbouv]

Just sending more Rays & lite Hugs can't hurt.

[Brekkesmom]

We definitely appreciate all the rays.  I used her sling and we walked to and from the mailbox yesterday - the longest walk so far.  I took everyone out for the last pottybreak at about 11 last night, and thinking back, I realize she didn't potty.  This morning, she went out at 7 and pooped, and then a couple of hours later, she scratched on the towel she was laying on, so we went outside again, and she peed the largest puddle I have ever seen her make!  (It probably takes a dachsie parent to appreciate that!  )   She has been doing well with her unfettered times, and has even scooted over to crawl back into the half crate I try to keep in the room we are in at the time.

[papbouv]

Glad to hear she is doing better more Rays coming.