There is a support group which I belong to and it's called Dodgerslist. I belong to this group for the education in case my dachshund gets IVDD. The email address is dodgerslist@yahoogroups.com There is so much information there and they will help you with all the issues your dachshund has. Barbara
--- On Sun, 5/29/11, Linda Zuniga <l.zuniga@verizon.net> wrote:
From: Linda Zuniga <l.zuniga@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: <Dachsie World> disc disease
To: Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011, 12:30 AM
Yes we have been doing through the same thing for almost a year now. The surgery is around $5000 so that is not an option. She also had 3 areas on her spine that showed some damage and she did have the deep muscle feeling still. So he was hopeful. He said with special care and a very long rehab, she might walk. So we caged her and keep her very calm for the first month. I used calming drops from Holisticpooch.com. I also got drops that help joints. She couldn't use her back legs at all and I had to press her bladder to get her to pee. She didn't lose her bodily functions which was another plus. She also wasn't in pain after the original injury when she jumped off the couch. We didn't use any muscle relaxers because the doctor said she needed to be able to use her muscles. We also put her in the bathtub so she could move around. Yes it has been very, very hard to be constantly cleaning up after her. She only likes the wire kennel not a travel kennel. She likes to see us. We also hooked her to a very short leash to the desk leg in our office and a closet post in our bedroom. We put a pillow and blanket for her which she loves. I finally got waterproof pillow covers so all I have to do is wash the cover and not the pillow. I change the cover and pillow case every couple of days. She walks on 3 legs and sometimes uses her back right leg. But she wants to run and if she goes to fast her back legs can't keep up with her so then she drags herself. So we have to watch her on the patio and not let her run. But she loves to be outside in the sunshine and fresh air. So if I am with her she will walk slowly. If she drags the skin on her legs splits open and bleeds. So she is like a baby and does need a lot of care. During the day she is very happy in her kennel when we go to work. I have a water and food dish that attaches to the inside of the wire kennel. Just recently I got a flat rolling dolly that I put the kennel on so I can wheel her around the house. That way she can be with me and I don't have to move her around as much. She can be right next to me. If I leave the room without her she cries and drives us crazy. She is like a baby that cries when the mom leaves the baby.
So if you are willing to take care of him like a baby then it is worth it. But I do know that if she has any complications or is in pain, that I will not make her suffer. She can't feel her back legs so when she scraps her leg she can;t feel it which is a problem because she will drag and make it worse. So we just don't let her alone at all. I worry about bladder infections if she doesn't empty her bladder completely so I still help her out. But other than that she doesn't know she is handicapped. She thinks she is a little princess that gets her own pillow and blanket and all our attention. We also have 2 other minis but they have no problem except being spoiled. I hope this helps you out.
The wire kennel on the dolly has worked the best. It doesn't have the bottom tray but just a pillow. Now when she poops it falls out the bottom at the side so it is so much easier to clean up.
So we have had to adapt. My biggest problem is what to do with her in August when I have to go see my daughter graduate from BYU in Provo. I am about the only one who can take care of her besides my younger daughter and husband. But we are all going. She is fear aggressive and doesn't let people touch her. But she might be different with a dog sitter if we aren't there. So we have to figure out what to do.
Linda Zuniga
On 05/28/11, Grace M<gracemdn@yahoo.com> wrote: Our 5 year old dachshund Jakob, who has disc disease and has been getting treatment, caged, not allowed to jump etc., was walking thru the living room when his legs gave out. We rushed him to the vet - and he is now paralyzed with no feeling - but he has some deep pain. Looking at the xrays - he has at least 3 places in his spine that show damage. Without more he will never walk again. They are recommending surgery - which has no guarantees and is very expensive.
My question - have any of you had this situation - had surgery and had a dog with a good quality of life?
My husband and I are torn. Doing the surgery will deplete are savings. And we have been told by other vets that they did not recommend this surgery. We need some kind of other words.
Grace
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