The pain of losing a loved one can be beyond difficult. It deserves your attention and time to process.
Nail trimming for health means safer traction for wheelchair dogs. Walking dogs can avoid painful overgrown nails, arthritis and encourage a normal gait.
We can all take actions which may help prevent or prolong the next disc episode by reducing the stress on the discs in between the vetertebrae of the spine. Some ways of doing that are to limit jumping, and avoid stairs, and training them NOT to fly.
Dog back pain (IVDD). With dwarfed breeds a prevalent cause of back pain is intervertebral disc disease. Often it is not until the dog is 3-7 old, and with first signs of pain, the owner and the vet first learn the dog has this disease.
IVDD is all about time. It is a lifeTIME disease. TIME is of the essence for treatment. 6-8 week strict rest TIME. Recovery of nerve function only happens over TIME.
There is good hope for IVDD warriors. Even paralyzed dogs can look forward to many years of play, chasing balls, looking for critters, and going for walks.
Disc herniation/rupture is when the wall of the disc weakens allowing disc material to move into the spinal cord area. Pressure on the cord causes pain and loss of neuro functions such as leg use and bladder control.
IVDD is a disease and not an injury. The trauma to the spinal cord results from hardening of the discs due to the disease.
Time is the spinal cord’s enemy. Hours matter. Crate immediately. Limit the vertebrae and spine from moving. Too much movement could cause paralyzed legs.
There are two treatment options for a disc herniation
Nerves are the slowest part of the body to heal. It is better to think in terms of months rather than days/weeks.
At the end of crate rest, you and your vet can better assess if a wheelchair is needed.
The best fun thing for your IVDD dog is nose work. Great tips on nose work around your home. Are you adventurous? Check out some advanced nose work for your dog!
You can help your dog learn to use a ramp. Ramps avoid impact to the back. Learn the tricks to training from two pro trainers!
Ideas, tips, demonstrations to make your home back friendly and re-training your dog to be safe with his back.
4 DIY garments to protect scooters. Garments can protect skin and limbs from rug burns. For some female dogs a garment can provide a barrier from floor and ground bacteria reaching the bladder to contribute to urinary tract infection (UTI).
A neuropathic phantom type of pain. The mind “feels” pain from paralyzed legs no longer having nerve connection— no longer able to send pain messages to the brain.
Bladder bugs, the good and the bad. Why some UTI’s keep returning and what to do.
Tips and ideas for incontinent dogs: garments, exercise, expressing and fluids, recurrent UTI.
Two must-have design points for IVDD dogs using a wheelchair. Give your dog a new lease on life!
Calcified or mineralized discs: what they are and what they mean when your vet shows you an X-ray. Types of advanced imaging, a comparison
A starter list of question to ask your vet or surgeon on discharge day.
Surgery dogs can start water therapy for paralyzed legs as soon as the surgeon directs.
One of the benefits of surgery is active PT can be started as soon as the surgeon directs.
Conservative (medicines + STRICT rest + time) treated dogs with paralyzed legs, wait til off of all meds and no pain is surfacing before starting very, very light massage and ROM
After graduation from post-op or conservative STRICT rest, strollers can be used outdoors for pets who tire easily or have weak legs still.
For a surgery, an MRI confirms the herniated disc location as a planning tool for the procedure.
A dog needs to have proper total nutrition for the body to rebuild, for the discs and spinal cord to heal and nerves to regenerate. Healing continues on for many weeks and months. See if your dog’s food can be improved by having the ability to read those tricky dog …
A picture is worth a 1,000 words. Take a look at how you CAN live many happy years ahead with your IVDD dog.
Lift your dog correctly to support his back. Easy – Peasy to remember “Back horizontal to the ground“
Collars for IVDD dogs are only used as a necklace to hold tags. Tip in fitting your dog for a harness.
A pet strollers can be very useful during the recovery period of a disc episode or after a surgery.
Options for recovery suites. Lots of tried and true tips and supplies to make the RESTING phase go much smoother for you and your pup.
Dr. Isaacs, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology) answers a wide range of questions about surgery for the IVDD Community.
Strategies and tips for finding an IVDD knowledgeable vet whether as the family veterinarian or a board certified surgeon.
What it means when your vet provides you with awareness information about Myelomalacia
There are multiple factors involved in causing extra stomach acids that will typically happen during a disc episode.
The extra things you can do at home to help with neck disc.
Videos and tips to get more out of your vet’s hands-on expressing lesson. How to express for poop, too!
Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electro-acupuncture can be very beneficial to assist with re-establishment of nerve connections in the body.
4 Phases of healing —The body has ability to heal disc damage with time and little movement
IVDD dogs are not the same as a person with a bad disc. Risk with chiro on an IVDD dog is an adjustment could cause more disc damage including potential for permanent spinal cord damage.
What the veteriarians say.
6 things to know about using anti inflammatory drugs your vet may not have enough time to go over with you.
It IS in the cards for your dog to get back to enjoying family activities after a disc episode for many happy years ahead!
Buyer Be Aware — Buyer be informed for your IVDD dog
Be prepared! Know the two treatments for a disc episode ahead of time. Owner knowledge is key!
Make check payable to: Linda Stowe