Well there wasn't much improvement over the last 24 hours. Dr. Brad said that he still retained some anal tension which was a good sign and said that Oliver's bladder will most likely get the sensation back that he has to pee. He whimpered close to home and so I thought he would go, but I tried expressing the bladder but wasn't really shown how. they said he was a marvelous 'peeing for distance' dog when they just lightly rubbed his belly. Time will tell.
We have a series of things to do while we are home:
1. ICE! Ice his back for 5-10 minutes every 2-3 hours.
2. Traction. This entails the grooming table and arm or a second person. They hold the neck and front and I stand his hind legs to a 'standing position' and pull slightly on the pelvis area to stretch him out a bit. Nothing drastic.
3. Crate/X-pen rest. Mandatory. They did say he could be on the couch with me or on the bed but not to leave him unattended. Also to be prepared if he does soil himself, me or the couch.
4. Take him to familiar places. I.e. back yard, Grandma's/Grandpa's house, etc and sit with him in a quiet area. This has more to do with keeping depression at bay, instead of doing potty as he isn't to that stage yet.
5. pinching toes to see if there is any reaction. This can be done daily.
We have an acupuncture appointment next week. Doc said the next few weeks of crate rest and nurse care are very critical. I've done it with Sadie, I can do it with Oliver. If in a few weeks/months we are seeing some progress we'll be adding other exercises and techniques to the daily regimen.
Paws and Fingers crossed....
10 comments:
Good to hear that your boy is home with you. Another person that you may wish to consult for advice/emotional support is Kathy Schwabe of Xtacee. Her George went down a while back (sometime in 2008). However, he was moving like the champion that he is in G'burg last week. Still sending good thoughts for you and O.
Glad that he is home. Praying that he is on the road to recovery.
To express the bladder, stand Oliver up if possible, though you can do it with him lying down if needed. Put a hand on each of his sides behind the last ribs and when you push pretty hard, you should feel something that feels like an expanded water balloon (really). With your hands flat along his sides, push with your fingers on both sides and he should release a stream.
Keep trying at first, or try it on one of the other dogs, and you'll know what you're feeling and be able to do it pretty quickly.
so glad your boy is home with you. i hope he will keep improving every day and be well soon!!
Glad he's home, and praying for continued improvement.
Good to hear that he is home!
Here's a video on expressing.
http://www.scoutshouse.com/videos/video_bladder.html
I like standing too but it will probably be easier with him lying down for now. Remember how mama dog stimulates the puppies so she can clean them up? That's probably how they got him to pee in the hospital so I'd try that first. Just be prepared to make a mess at first!
I'm so glad he is home and will keep you both in mind and prayer.
Oh, and Clean Run has some ice bags made to fasten on various parts of the dogs- you might check those out- I don't know if any hit the area you are supposed to ice.
http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display
Everything sounds encouraging Garrett. And Oliver certainly sounds like a champ. I will be holding you both in my thoughts.
I shall be keeping everything crossed that Oliver is back on his feet really soon. Sending loads of positive vibes it must be tough on you both.
I'm so glad to hear Oliver is home and showing some improvement. Sending healing thoughts for you both.
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