Need vibes badly....

[AngryOldDem]

I don't often ask.

Our 3-year-old Dachshund is off to the emergency vet clinic because she is losing the ability to walk with her hind legs. She was diagnosed about two weeks ago with a disc problem and has been on anti-inflammatories, steroids, and pain meds. This week she was pretty much back to her old, playful self, but today something happened and she has progressively gotten worse. We were told by her vet that any issue like this tonight should be treated as an emergency...so here we are.

Please, if you can, send healing vibes to Heidi. If something happens...well, I can't go there right now.

Thanks.

[NYC_SKP]

1. You got 'em.

Vibes...

[LiberalEsto]

2. Hoping for the best outcome for you and Heidi

[oregonjen]

3. Ruptured disc?

My parents' dog suffered from a ruptured disc and had spinal surgery. He is in the process of recovering, slowly regaining the use of his hind legs. Not been easy for them, but they are seeing baby steps every day of progress. They were referred to a neurologist to diagnose and treat him.

Sending healing thoughts to you and your pup.

[AngryOldDem]

5. If I had to guess, probably.

But won't know until she's looked at. Surgery, believe it or not, came up while we were talking to the emergency vet on the phone. This happened so suddenly...as I said, she responded very well to her meds and was back to her normal self this week. We've taken care not to let her go upstairs, or jump on things -- we even have a jury-rigged ramp that we set up from our back door to the patio so that she doesn't have to worry about that step. But today, something happened.

I feel sick to my stomach.

Thanks, everyone, for the thoughts.

[oregonjen]

7. From the reading up on it that I know,

If it is a ruptured disc, surgery needs to be done within a 24 hour period to have the best outcome.
I wish you all well, this is a difficult thing to go through. Your poor pup.

My parents' dog had the same symptoms, went on steroids, limited mobility and after a couple of weeks, was back to normal. Until, a few months later, hind legs wouldn't work, panting, in distress. Took him to the vets, referred to the neurologist and was in surgery within hours of the event. Now, it is the physical therapy and oodles of love that are getting him to walk again.

[AngryOldDem]

8. Thing is...we're not sure if we want to do that.

If we want to put her through that.




I hope there is time that we can make the best decision. Dammit...this so hard.

[oregonjen]

10. I sure understand

Their decision was based on his age, being so young and what the neurologist thought about the outcome.

Hugs to you!

[sarge43]

4. Be well, Heidi

Hugs Dem.

[elleng]

6. Sending vibes.

Hope things are OK.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[a la izquierda]

9. Oh, I hope your little sweetie is okay! Nt

[AngryOldDem]

11. UPDATE: She needs surgery.

The vet is making arrangements now for it. I don't know if it will be yet tonight, or tomorrow...or even where it will be a this point. It may be a different disc than the one that she's been having problems with.

As I said...she was just fine as of YESTERDAY. I feel numb right now.

ON EDIT: Thanks everyone, for the replies...the Lounge is full of great people.

[RebelOne]

18. Sending vibes and hoping for a good outcome from the surgery,

and a quick recovery for your little doggy. Keep us posted.

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. ...

[graywarrior]

13. Of course!

[2theleft]

14. Good vibes coming straight to you.

My friend at work just went through this with her Dachshund last year. He was 10 at the time. The decided to do the surgery. It was a long recovery process...maybe several months, but he was back good as new after that. The hardest part for them was keeping him contained for those two months - he was not allowed to do much of anything but rest. Hang in there - if the docs think surgery will help, from what I undertand is it has a high success rate.

Kiss the little girlie for me, and give her a good snuggle from my pups. Please keep us updated and take care of yourself.

[AngryOldDem]

15. Things are still up in the air.

And we've already been told that postsurgery she will not be allowed to do much of anything, (other than going out to do her business) and that we will have to carry her and not let her walk. Not a problem. Just as long as she recovers.

Thanks for the encouragement.

[murielm99]

16. I am so sorry.

We hurt when they hurt.

Good vibes to your dog. I hope the surgery goes well.

[MiddleFingerMom]

17. Healing and coping vibes on their way for Heidi and everyone involved.

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It's tough to watch a pet with pain and discomfort, but you seem to be doing the best you can.
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Carrying her will be a breeze as it gives you an opportunity to give her the extra attention she needs.
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And you'll like that, too.
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[Brigid]

19. (((((Vibes))))) for Heidi.

And for you.

[riderinthestorm]

20. Oh no!! ((vibes)) coming your way.... nt

[Mojorabbit]

21. Sending you the healing mojo

I love doxys. I hope your baby will be fine.

[alittlelark]

22. (((hugs))) and good wishes....

[Hell Hath No Fury]

23. Keeping Heidi and you -

in my thoughts. I hope she pulls through like a champ.

[GoCubsGo]

24. Good vibes on the way...

Get better soon, Heidi.

[AngryOldDem]

25. Sunday morning update

First, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support and good wishes. It helps more than you know.

We just talked to the clinic. She's still about the same. She can't support herself by her hind legs, after she's helped up on all fours. The "good" news is that she apparently can still feel pain, which means as of now there is no paralysis. The surgeon is due in in about an hour to do triage. There is a possibility that he can decide not to wait until Monday and do the surgery today. I hope it is done today. The sooner, the quicker she heals. Or at least we come to some kind of resolution.

Our family is pretty much in a fog right now. You never fully realize how much a pet means to your life, and how much you love them, until something like this happens. People may scoff -- but they **are**one of your children.

Thanks again -- you are all awesome!

[hedgehog]

26. Good vibes for today!

[bigwillq]

27. Sending out my best.

Hope everything works out.

[Scuba]

28. Ooooooohhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[snagglepuss]

29. Healing vibes on the way.

[OldEurope]

30. I send good vibes from

the very home of dachshunds, Munich.
We had them as mascots for the Olympic Games in 1972: http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:XX._Olympiade_M%C3%BCnchen_1972_%E2%80%93_Maskottchen_Waldi.jpg&filetimestamp=20120810101449&

I really hope poor Heidi is recovering soon!

[AngryOldDem]

31. UPDATE: Sunday night -- successful surgery

Heidi got out of surgery about an hour ago. She had a totally ruptured disc, the one that had been causing the initial problem that we had been treating her for. The surgeon removed some bone and cleaned up the debris in order to take the pressure off the nerve. She came through with flying colors.

The surgeon said that Heidi won't fully recover use of her hind legs for awhile, but has a 85% to 95% chance of making a full recovery. A downside is that they discovered calcification in other discs, so chances are high that she'll go through this sometime in the future. She'll be in the hospital for most of the week, until they're sure she's fully on the mend. All of this is par for the course for Dachshunds.

So...that's it. It's been an extremely stressful 24 hours, and with me it's beginning to show. But again I thank you all for your good thoughts and being there. It means a lot.

[oregonjen]

32. Good to hear!

She will need to be confined when she gets home and I have a suggestion. I lent my parents our old play yard, like a play pen for babies. It's easier for them to see you and you can lift them in and out easier than a crate.

Sending Healing vibes to Heidi!

Edited to add this inspiring video.

[orleans]

38. great video. n/t

[AngryOldDem]

40. Aww...thanks!

GREAT idea about the play yard, too...

[RebelOne]

33. I am glad she came out of the surgery OK.

I am wishing her a speedy recovery.

[GreenPartyVoter]

34. Glad she will be ok! *hugs*

[orleans]

39. i'm very happy for both of you.

and when she gets home i'm wishing both of you some wonderful cozy, quiet time together, watching some tv, chewing on a toy, having a few good snacks.

[Flaxbee]

35. Vibes to sweet Heidi-girl for 100% post surgery recovery!

Sweet doggie; I hope she feels better soon. Ruptured disc must really have hurt.

[AngryOldDem]

41. Yeah...it did.

Sometimes the look she'd get in her eyes told the whole story. That, plus she'd shiver. Sometimes she would cry, but not often.

[Xyzse]

36. Sending...

[MiddleFingerMom]

37. Post-op Dance of Joy!!!

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