Travis went from being fully paralyzed from the neck down post-op, only able to move his head, to righting himself when laying on his side, to taking his first steps, to finally being able to walk – then run.. If Travis has taught me anything, it’s whatever life throws at you, don’t give up! Take baby steps to get through it.
I never realized how totally unprepared I would be for a cervical disc injury. Until I got Rocky on a pain medication, a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory in sufficient quantity and dosing, he was not getting any better and in fact seemed worse. Treating a cervical neck disc seems to be challenging in that every time the dog moves its head it aggravates the injury.
Over the past year, Rusty’s loving personality has returned. As a family, we have learned a new normal. We have learned to genuinely value everyday with him as a true gift. He is always so happy when he wakes up each morning. Even though he has not regained the use of his back legs, he does have a good quality life. He loves the park, car rides, boat rides, swimming (yes, he can swim!), belly rubs, his family and treats!! Rusty just celebrated his 14th birthday.
(5 yr old smooth red “tweenie” weenie -17 lbs)
My 5 year old Cubbie’s legs would not work!. His regular vet recommended surgery at the University of Florida for a 95% recovery chance, sounded great to me, let’s go!…until he explained it would cost about $5000. It just was not in our budget.
I was sent home with prednisone and pain meds along with the recommendation to give an acid reducer. He was given a 50% chance of walking at that point. They gave me no further instructions or advice. One week later and he had lost more control and deep pain sensation, bladder control was gone. Now, they only gave him a 25% chance of a partial recovery. Talk about guilt!!! I cried my eyes out for 3 days straight.
Then I found DodgersList online. I read EVERYTHING I could find on the site. I found encouragement from the success stories, advice for his potty needs and lots of HOPE. I then committed to give Cubbie my best efforts for 8 weeks of crate rest.
I followed all the advice from the moderators on DodgersList. At the time I don’t think I ever really believed he would recover, but I was going to give it all I could to try. We were very strict about limited movement, he stayed in his crate and preferred to be there.
He was “served” breakfast in bed. I carried him to his usual potty spots outside and became a “professional” bladder expresser.
Cubbie graduated from his 8 weeks of conservative treatment and crate rest.
I am so blessed to say that he not only walks (like a drunken sailor sometimes) but he runs (well actually hops forward like a bunny now).
No more high places to jump from, no steps and he is put in his crate when we are not home and at bedtime. He is back to his old curious, happy little self. I wonder if he even realizes his back end is a bit slower than the front end.
Today he found his toy box we had hidden in a corner when he first went down. He pulled out his favorite toy and looked at me, I saw that playful sparkle in his eyes that says “chase me!” and off he went….”Go Cubbie Go!”
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