Just a quick update! More soon! Look how cute Waldi is with his kitty.
Sorry it’s been so long since I posted an update, but I have some good news: at Waldi’s four-week post-op visit to the neurologist on Monday, we were given the OK to start weaning him off crate rest and let him walk around the house a bit! YAY! This video is from Friday, just showing how he currently walks, although he’s already improved from this. As opposed to here where he basically stumbles every three steps, now he can probably do a wobbly ten steps before he falls down. Progress! The doctor says his back is basically healed, we just need to build up his muscle tone again. His rear right leg is weaker than his left because that’s the side that had the rupture and where they did the surgery. We are doing physical therapy with him daily (though I can’t say we’ve been very diligent with the hydrotherapy since he hates it) and he will have his second electro-acupuncture session this Friday. Just a reminder that we are still raising funds; his total bill for the surgery ended up being just shy of $6,000.
This is my long-haired chocolate rescue Dachshund Waldi about three days before he suddenly lost use of his back legs. He has since had surgery to repair a slipped disc in his spine and is now recovering at home. We have started a fundraiser for his medical expenses here.
Reblogging because I don’t think I have posted this photo here yet. Waldi had his staples removed yesterday and the neurosurgeon said he is looking very good, though we are going to start doing more passive range-of-motion exercises on his legs to keep his muscles from going stiff. He also has an electro-acupuncture appointment with our regular vet tomorrow; I’ve heard that it can work wonders on IVDD dogs. His legs are getting stronger every day and he now moves them easily when lying on his side and can stand unsupported for short amounts of time. If all goes well, function should continue to return and we should have him up and walking on his own (albeit unsteadily) within the next two weeks!
Source: handsomedogs
Waldi’s Neuro Checklist
Checklist of neurological recovery following back surgery:
poop on his ownpee on his ownwag his tail- walk unassisted
Yup! Waldi just wagged his tail for the first time since surgery, and it was unmistakably voluntary!!! Yaaaaay! Tomorrow he’s going in to have his staples removed and have his progress assessed by the neurologist. We will also find out if he’s regained deep pain sensation (something we can’t test at home on our own). When lying on his side we have noticed a lot of movement of his back legs, but he still isn’t trying to support himself when standing or walking. Still, this is great progress! A very happy day for us! :)
Waldi is an expert crate-rester.
Waldi is not so sure about this hydrotherapy business.
Waldi and me on our way home from the hospital, Saturday 2/4. Thanks VSCT!
This is our new cat Bowie. He’s very affectionate.
POP THE CHAMPAGNE
WALDI JUST PEED ALL ON HIS OWN
WALDI POOPED!!!
I know it’s a gross thing to get excited about, but this afternoon Waldi pooped for the first time since his surgery. And he waited for me to take him outside to do it. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? It means that he can control when he poops, which means he has at least SOME feeling and control in his back end. Can’t walk yet but his leg reflexes feel stronger, and his tail has also wagged, but those aren’t necessarily voluntary movements. But the pooping was definitely voluntary! :)
Now if we could just convince him to pee on his own so we can stop catheterizing him… :\
We also made the appointment to get the staples taken out of his back next Monday. No more Frankendog!
