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Incontinence and paralysis

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Dotty's Mum

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Hi all,
On Sunday (19/1/20) my little Doxie x JRT came running to me in pain. Withing ten minutes of coming to me limping she had suffered complete paralysis of her back legs. We immediately took her to the out if hours vet who kept her overnight. She had some deep pain feeling. She was then referred to another animal hospital where they found the paralysis had worsened, she can no longer feel a thing. She has lost control of her bladder and her bowels. She's receiving daily physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. We were able to visit her yesterday and considering what she's been through she seem incredibly happy and comfortable! She just seems her normal self. She is coming home on Monday. Does anyone have any experience of looking after a dog with special needs? I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks
 
No experience but I didn't want to read and run. I'm sure your physiotherapist will give you lots of tips like supporting her with a folded sheet or how to source a trolley for her rear end.
 
I spent 3 years helping one of my Border Terriers to learn to walk again.
 
JoanneF said:
No experience but I didn't want to read and run. I'm sure your physiotherapist will give you lots of tips like supporting her with a folded sheet or how to source a trolley for her rear end.
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Thank you for your reply, I think I'm just panicking about it all. She's only 4, bless her.
 
I think you will find out that dogs are very adaptable to new situations, and so are humans. You did a great job getting her back to a stable state, I am sure that was all very stressful. Managing going forward will probably be easier than it seems. Anyway, I sure hope so.
 
Please keep us updated on her progress?
 
Dotty's Mum said:
She'll be having physio and hydrotherapy at least 3x a week so hopefully she'll show some signs of improvement.
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With my boy it was swimming that was the key. Put a life jacket on him and the woman who's pool it was got in with him and worked her magic on him. We worked on him for 3 years in and out of the pool until he got to a level where he stopped improving. He walked like he'd had a few pints of beer and when he got a trot on looked like a trotting pony. The main thing was he led a independent life with some help from me. He was 2 years old when all this happened to him, he lived to the age of 16.
Top dog he was, Top dog.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies and experiences. Dotty has been home a week tomorrow. She's not doing great to be honest and struggling with the crate rest. Shes a very sensitive little lady and struggles with the messing. My partner doesn't think this is fair on her. She's very reluctant to have her bladder expressed and have her physio. She's having weekly hydrotherapy and had the first one on Thursday. Shes also not drinking as much as she usually does. It's heartbreak watching her struggle as she looks so sad. Hopefully she'll adapt soon.
 
Can you boil some chicken and offer her the cooled water to tempt her to drink? Or even the water you have boiled veg in?
 
We made the heartbreaking decision to let our girl go last Thursday. She was struggling and looked like she was panicking constantly. She would just lie in her bed shaking and her muscles had began to waste away which was getting more and more noticeable every day. She was not a happy puppy
 
It’s a heart rending and very tough decision to make, and, in time, you’ll occasionally look back and wonder how you had the strength to make it, but you had the strength because it was the correct decision to make. My thoughts are with you. <3
 
I'm so sorry. When you feel able, if it would help you to share stories and photos I know we would love to see them.
 
I'm so sorry to hear this, Dotty's Mum. But she was loved till the last.
 
I think I am still in shock really. I cant believe how quickly it all happened. But I feel relieved that she wknt have to live her life in discomfort. I just wish there was more we could have done for Hermes the house is empty without her even with a 6 year old and a 5month old baby! I will upload some photos of her when I work out how to do it. Thank you all for your kind words
 
So sorry to hear, I am sure this was the right decision and the most difficult one. We pay the heavy price on the tail end of their lives. I wish more folks would realize this when complaining about unruly puppies... there will be time when the puppy is gone, and the heartbreak.
Having lost my own beloved boy not so long ago - I believe that the heartbreak at the end is a reflection of great love and devotion over however many years there were. Time is the best healer, but works slowly. Meanwhile, post pictures, tell stories about the girl.... helped me to some extend. Hugs to you all.
 
So very sad for you, and to lose her at such a young age too is particularly heartbreaking.We lost our girl 7 months ago at 9years old and felt this was too young for her to leave us but we have to let them go when the quality of life isn’t there anymore, sending you lots of love and be proud that you were strong enough to make the right decision for your lovely girl xx
 
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