Back surgery recovery - how long??

[starcat999]

Hi all,

My 9-year-old rottie, Molly, had a ruptured disk removed a couple of months ago. By the time it was diagnosed and removed, the pressure on her cord had caused her to lost the use of her rear legs and she was incontinent (urine and bowels). We were told that with the (very expensive) surgery, she should walk again, but it could be a few weeks or a few months. We decided the $ would be worth it to have her walk again, so we had the surgery done. The surgeon said it was a success and that he saw no permanent damage. He said she experiences "deep pain" and that's a good sign. However, she's shown no improvement so far (8 weeks since the surgery).

I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced having a dog recover from this type of paralysis. We are losing hope, and poor Molly is tired of not being able to control her functions (we clean her and change her bedding constantly) and not being able to walk with us and roam as she used to. Her incontinence has also caused her to have chronic urinary tract and yeast infections and diaper rash. She's been on antibiotics since November. We've been doing PT exercises on her back legs, also, in hopes that it will keep her leg muscles from atropying.

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Tracey
Please do not post email addresses

[mmgy]

I'm sorry this happened, and I feel for you, but unfortunately have no experience like yours to share.

I did have a mixed shepherd that was paralyzed from the waist down the last year of his life....completely different reasons, and when he died (of something else) he was almost 15. We acquired a cart for him, but I don't believe you need that at this point. The most helpful thing we had was this:
http://www.jbpet.com/Shopping/produc...egory_name=%20

http://www.jbpet.com/shopping/images/1370106.jpg

This just freed our world! The one for bigger dogs has two handles, supports the hips better, and you carry it like a pocketbook. The expense isn't too much for a short term period. Maybe $50. compared with $500. carts. It might help everyone's morale, including Molly, if you can get her in and out of the house more easily.

Plus, we were on a very strict elimination and feeding schedule. We learned how to express his bladder, and did it at the very same times every day. I think that was as important to him as anything, because his bed stayed clean. Also, put a lightweight (not so crackly sounding) trash bag over the bed, and then cover it with a beach towel or something lighter. Then you don't have as much heavy laundry.

I hope this clears up for you soon. Perhaps some of this will help you in the meantime.

Mary Mac

[Judi W]

What does the surgeon say???? It appears the surgeon made representations and that the poor dog is no better off than before the surgery. You made the best decision you could based on the surgeons advice. Did he set you up for physical therapy post surgery? See if you can find a water therapist in your area. That can sometimes break up the blockages some of which might have been formed by physical, mental and pain habit.

[rottlove]

I take my dog for maintenance hydrotherapy for something different, but I've seen two dogs there that couldn't walk from back problems, a fat corgi and an old dalmatian mix that had back surgery. According to the therapist, they are getting around better every week. I highly recommend it, my heart goes out to you!!!!!! How sad. I hope it is something that will improve.

[JeanT]

My sister's dog was paralyzed immediately after a jump for a Frisbee. Don't know why since she's very active, in great condition. Surgery for the ruptured discs was very prompt. The urinary incontinence did take a while to resolve, and it was at least 6 months before she was walking adequately. She still drags one foot. That will be a permanent loss, not that she cares. When my sister is back from vacation, I will get more specifics about the time periods. However, I believe that the prompt surgery made a big difference in reducing the permanency of the neurological damage.

I would go back to the surgeon and ask for a current opinion since the incontinence continues. As others suggest, hydrotherapy can only be a benefit. I'm sorry for you and Molly. Very difficult for both of you to continue this way.

[starcat999]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. I appreciate all of the information. Jean, that would be great if you could get more information from your sister.

I will ask my vet about the hydrotherapy. Maybe she knows a place we can go. We don't have a pool, and with Molly's incontinence, I don't think our friends would care to let us use theirs. ;) Our surgeon did recommend hydrotherapy as the best therapy for her. He also offered PT services, but the location of the surgery center (Florida Vet Specialists) is an hour away and is VERY expensive. I think we can find something more local and less expensive. FVS is very pricey. Meanwhile, their PT did show us a series of exercises to perform on her legs twice a day, which we've been doing, but we can see no improvement, really. She does twitch her tail now and then when I stroke her back, and lately her left legs twitches a bit, but not very often.

The surgeon told us that without the surgery she would never walk again and the longer we waited, the more permanent the damage could become. He didn't exactly PROMISE that she would walk again, but he said he had had a lot of success with dogs with her type of problem, and he said she definitely would not walk without the surgery, so we decided to have it right away.

He initially told us the surgery went very well and was quite optimistic that she would eventually walk again. However, a couple of days after the surgery, she lost what little use she still had of her left before the surgery. When I called and told him, the surgeon was quite dismayed, and started talking about more tests, etc., some of which Molly had already had. I told him that after $10,000 (yes, $10,000 - 3,000 in diagnostics to find out what's wrong with her, 3,000 for the surgery, 3,000 to treat a post-surgery bladder infection, skin infection in the surgery area, and pneumonia that almost killed her, and $1,000 in misc. meds), we'd couldn't afford anything further and that we'd have to take our chances with getting her well on our own, with the help of our local vet. After $10,000, Molly should be able to roller blade, let alone walk! ;) My husband and I are inclined to believe we've been had by the surgeon - anyone know of a good attorney in the Tampa area??

I haven't talked to the surgeon in a few weeks, and I left a message for him last Monday to call me so I could give him Molly's status and get a current opinion from him, and he never returned my call. It's as if he knows he screwed up and is avoiding us.

We've been using a sling to get Molly around the house and outside, but I don't think it's very comfortable for her. Mary Mac, the harness you recommended looks like it would be much better, so I think we will order one.

Thanks for your feedback, and sorry about this LONG post!!! Have a great weekend.

[mmgy]

I'm sorry y'all have had such a hard time! Slings are great for short periods, but these harnesses offer better support for the entire back end. They are cut so that the dog can go to the bathroom easily, and they're washable. And much easier on your back. Read the directions or you'll put it on backwards! :) I can't tell you how much difference it made for us.

Keep your spirits up, for Molly's sake and your own!