Update on my Dachshund, Heidi....

[AngryOldDem]

We saw her tonight for the first time since her surgery for the ruptured disc. She still cannot use her hind legs, but she can feel pain, and poop and pee as normal. She's eating, and has developed a fondness for the kibble they serve there. All are good signs. They started her on physical therapy today, including a water treadmill, and the staff said she took to that like gangbusters. We hope to know soon when we can take her home.

She was thrilled to see us -- the spark was back in her eyes for the first time in weeks, so that tells us that despite all her "normal" activity, she must have been in some discomfort. We noticed the difference in her right away.

It may be another week or so before we know if she'll make a full recovery. If she does, great; if not...well, she'll be heck on wheels.

[LoveMyCali]

1. That's great news!

Continued wishes for a speedy recovery by Heidi!

[Boomerproud]

2. (((Heidi)))

Healing light to all of you.

[frogmarch]

3. What encouraging news!

I'm very happy to hear that your dear Heidi is showing improvement! Hugs to Heidi!

[RebelOne]

4. Good luck to your doggy. I hope she recovers completely soon. n/t

[TrogL]

5. My doxy had the surgery - he's fine

Lots of crate rest and no crazy homeopathic cures.

[AngryOldDem]

7. How long did it take him to recover?

In addition to the pool, they have her in a sling that supports her hind legs as they get her to walk. We noticed last night that she is starting to **try** to move her hind legs -- the brain is working, but the message isn't getting through to the rear end. We've already been told that crate rest is going to be mandatory for a few weeks.

It was just good to see the life in her eyes -- it had been gone due in part to pain, and the heavy-duty drugs we had her on for the pain.

[TrogL]

13. A couple of months IIRC

Leo hadn't entirely lost his rear end 'cause I spotted it early and rushed him to the vet who rushed him into surgery.

He was walking in the first week, but we kept him crated or in the small pen to restrict his movements so it was hard to tell.

[sarge43]

6. DU vides work.

Hugs for Heidi and her people.

[AngryOldDem]

8. Yes, they do...can always count on them.

Thanks again, all!

[a la izquierda]

9. Yay!

Good news! And hugs to you guys, her fur-less parents. We went through hell with one of our dogs this summer (ate something he shouldn't have and had to have about a foot of intestines removed). It scared the crap out of us (no puns, please )

[AngryOldDem]

10. Wow...hope he's totally on the mend!

[LiberalEsto]

11. Wonderful!

Hope she heals quickly and feels good as new.

[magical thyme]

12. great news! thanks for the update...

keep them coming

[AngryOldDem]

14. We have her home for the weekend.

She's resting in her crate right now. We are beginning to detect some slight (very slight) movement with some of the PT.

She will go back to the hospital on Monday, so she can continue with the more-intensive PT, such as the treadmill and pool therapy. Like Trog's dog...it's going to be a long road, but I'm glad we caught this as early as possible.

[redwitch]

15. I am so happy to read this!

Atta girl Heidi!

[UTUSN]

16. I *LOVE* how you love your dog, thankyo=u.n/t

[AngryOldDem]

18. She is literally our fifth child.

We also have a cat and the cat's gotten her all stirred up so she's upstairs so she can get some rest.

[a kennedy]

17. Yeah, here's to a full recovery.....

I remember our wiener dog Weezee having her back surgery......she was like 2 years old and we thought wow 1900 dollars, but we had to do it, she was so young. She came through like a super hero, and lived a great life for 13 years......the money was well worth it. I miss her terribly. She's been gone for two years now. Here's wishing little Heidi the best.

[AngryOldDem]

19. Cost is no object.

As long as she is still the same happy, carefree pup with or without her hind legs, we're good.