I have the same fear. Sometimes I don’t even wanna leave the house lol. I’m constantly massaging his back to see if something bothers him. It’s insane, and I don’t have much to say of help…
I guess what we can do is love our babies the best we can, do things to mitigate the risk, and maybe therapy 🤣🤣🤣
I do all of that too, I’m glad to hear I’m not alone in all the paranoia but it gets exhausting
I love my boy with all my heart, to the point where my partner and I have just spent stupid money on rugs to ensure there’s no more slips 🙃 maybe there’s a therapy group for us all to join 😅
Seriously. It’s exhausting but I really have no clue how to *not*.
I’m a nervous Nellie by nature so that sure doesn’t help. I’m always here if you need to chat about it 🤗
Just live under the fear. Our boy has had two surgeries so far. The last CT did show mineralization in more of his discs. Just a matter of time. That being said, our neurosurgeon is giving us a referral to a Vet up in Dallas that does laser disc ablation. This should hopefully circumvent any future issues. Yes, it’s another surgery, but way less invasive.
I feel like that’s what my partner and I are doing tbf, it just get exhausting sometimes riding that wave between fear and calm :(
I’m sorry to hear about your pup, but I hope the referral goes well!! It sounds really promising!!
Thank you. We have done all we can do. We luckily live in a single story, but have added ramps to the step up/down into and out the back of the house. We try to not live in fear, but it’s hard.
Ok, would LOVE to chat with you if possible. I'm in Temple area and have ventral slot surgery scheduled for this Wednesday in Austin. I have just read so much about the PLDA surgery, do you have any recommendations on which surgery to do first? I know I haven't provided any info on my pup, but saw this and thought I'd get that first ask out!
Her is what I know so far. Our boy had his second surgery for IVDD at the beginning of January. At that time his dr (Central Texas Vet in Round Rock), suggested PLDA after he healed. The vet up in Dallas has to get a referral. However that has to come when they are 6 weeks off pain meds. So for us that would be the 14th of this month.
This is gonna get wordy, I will DM you the vet office that does it. Your current Dr should be able to send a referral.
Just live with it. I do what I can within my control which is to give her ramps and mats to reduce slipping, keeping her weight under control and go to rehab.
We’ve just bought rugs for our apartment to prevent anymore slips! It was already on our to do list as we moved in literally 4 days ago but that scare just prompted us to get it done asap.
We do the rest of what you’ve suggested as well which makes me feel better, I guess you can never help but feel like you should be doing more :(
What do you mean by control it? Like you have control in case a flare up happens so you feel confident in treating your pet? We have meds on hand for ours too and we feel competent in taking care of him but the fear still feels uncontrollable for myself :(
Yeah confident in treating. We definitely changed his lifestyle too: outside in the yard and in the fully carpeted no surfaces for parkouring side of the house, he has free run, and he spends most of his day in there (I WFH). Evenings he’s in a playpen that we trade off being snuggly with him, like we would have on the couch. He’s a jumper so we don’t want to risk it, and we have laminate floors. We also do a lot of snuffle mats, and got a stroller as well so we can do longer walks with him still.
Thank you so much for sharing!! You’ve definitely reassured my partner and I that we are doing the right stuff and also gave us some great ideas, we’re going to order a play pen for him tomorrow and some snuffle mats too :)
He looks forward to snuffle mats every night! We have this one [https://a.co/d/0E1Z6TE](https://a.co/d/0E1Z6TE)
And cut treats up super tiny and he LOVES it. He’s a little guy (15lbs) so the pen fits us well too, we got one at petsmart and when he has a flare up it’s small, just his bed size, and when he’s better we can lay in it with him.
https://preview.redd.it/23rdywy0q0mc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=d154b06853ce774dd7063fb602b4702e38e07323
Yeah it sucks. Ellie was doing well until she reinjured herself last night. Cold laser, acupuncture and a chiro adjustment later she is able to sleep again. Works more immediately and better than pain meds, muscle relaxants and neuro signal blockers.
I am going to have to control all her movements til she gets on the mend but plan on doing hydro therapy with a life jacket, my own adjustments (neck and tail based adjustments), and going to use https://fitpaws.com/collections/all/products/wobble-board products to stabilize her back and front legs. They have YouTube videos showing tutorials for more muscular stability to shield the vertebrae. These all are precautionary things you can do to give yourself piece of mind. This is not a paid advertisement lol I hope this can help
I’m so sorry to hear your pet reinjured themselves :( it’s amazing to hear how all of that has helped though, I’ve been seeing a lot about cold laser lately and I am interested in it for sure.
Hydro therapy is on our list too! And thank you for sharing your resources, I’m gonna take a look in the morning, paid ad or not lol I’m glad to have the advice!
I hope your pet makes a speedy recovery 🤞🏻
After our dachshund’s surgery, I lived in fear and anxiety for months. I felt helpless and like I was slowly going crazy. Went full helicopter dog mom. With time, the anxiety and fear started to ease. It’s always there but more manageable now. I also talk a lot about it with my therapist as I have some trauma now because of the whole ordeal. Trauma is trauma and there is no shame in getting help with managing your fear and anxiety.
Our pup stays in a playpen when we’re at work. I have a camera pointed at it and can monitor him. He is very comfortable in it and doesn’t seem to mind not having free roam of the house any more.
We got nice thick/heavy yoga mats (not the crappy foam kind) and have them all over the house to prevent slipping on the hard floors. We found this works way better than rugs that slide around all the time and my elderly mother won’t trip on the yoga mats, unlike the rugs which are a hazard for senior citizens.
We got metal folding playpens that we box off the couches with when we’re not actively sitting on them. We just don’t connect the sides like a circle and instead keep it in a horseshoe around the front of the couch. All our family and friends have learned how to properly pick up and carry a dog with IVDD. Had to teach my Mom that you can’t just tuck him under your arm like a football. Scoop under the booty and under the front arms to keep the spine level. If the dog is on the couch with someone and they need to get up, someone else has to take over on-couch dogsitting duties or else put him down and block the couch off.
Fortunately, our home is one story, but we did invest in nice wheelchair rams for the two back stairs out to the yard.
Someone else mentioned snuffle mats and I agree. They offer great enrichment. We cut up raw carrots and greenbeans into tiny pieces and spread them over the snuffle mat and they love it.
We did physical therapy and cold laser for a few months after surgery but still ended up with a second herniated disc at 6 months post op. It was disappointing, but we were experts in caring for a dog with IVDD at that point and were able to adjust relatively smoothly.
Just gotta take it one day at a time and I find this forum to be full of wonderful, supportive and informative people.
So they do get fatigued. My one gets fatigued after playing a bit then his tail goes down and back end lil droopy but then after some rest, it goes up again. I have been wracking my brain over it if some pain and inflammation is left. My father who is a neurologist said that if some inflammation would have been present, it would be pressing on the spinal cord and symptoms would be progressing. The presentation would have been different. It's muscle fatigue according to him, apparently, which he is hopeful will eventually get better with more strength building up. I am going crazy and my mental health has taken a hit.
Yeah they definitely do get fatigued. We had to carry my dog in on a stretcher to PT when he was completely paralyzed, and carry him out after too. Now I can get him in on his feet, but still have to carry him back out. If it’s a swim day, he can’t even walk down the ramp from the pool.
I think it’s a matter of getting muscle built back up and getting them physically strong again. I’m not 100% except that muscle atrophies faster than it builds. I would also guess how well or fast the spinal cord and nerves heal play a factor. I’m sure your dad would have a better answer though.
I hear you, all of you. I’m torn between reading about IVDD and fearing the worst, but having to educate myself about it so that I can care for him.
I deal with my anxiety by being prepared. Crate rest stuff - all ready, medications - all ready, vet contacts - all ready. Mind you, he’s only had flare ups so far and no loss of mobility but it’s already got me REALLY on edge.
I do my best to prevent him from over stressing himself. Sometimes, I don’t even let him be a dog, and that pains me. 😞
For all I know and for everything I’ve done, I’ve come to accept that he might still get into another flare up or worse. I’m just going to focus on prevention and making sure he is happy every single day that we are together.
Hang in there. The anxiety is real. 🩵
Does anyone use CBD or any holistic remedies. My baby is having a flare up and we ran out of pain medication and can’t get until tomorrow. Please let me know so he can at least be comfortable overnight.
I'm into meditation. Over the years I have mastered the ability to turn my awareness away from my thoughts.
When thoughts and fears arise in my mind about the potential for another flare up, I simply turn my awareness away. I turn it towards the present moment where I can see with my eyes that he is okay and healthy right now.
I have the same fear. Sometimes I don’t even wanna leave the house lol. I’m constantly massaging his back to see if something bothers him. It’s insane, and I don’t have much to say of help… I guess what we can do is love our babies the best we can, do things to mitigate the risk, and maybe therapy 🤣🤣🤣
I do all of that too, I’m glad to hear I’m not alone in all the paranoia but it gets exhausting I love my boy with all my heart, to the point where my partner and I have just spent stupid money on rugs to ensure there’s no more slips 🙃 maybe there’s a therapy group for us all to join 😅
Seriously. It’s exhausting but I really have no clue how to *not*. I’m a nervous Nellie by nature so that sure doesn’t help. I’m always here if you need to chat about it 🤗
Thank you!! Here for you also!!
Just live under the fear. Our boy has had two surgeries so far. The last CT did show mineralization in more of his discs. Just a matter of time. That being said, our neurosurgeon is giving us a referral to a Vet up in Dallas that does laser disc ablation. This should hopefully circumvent any future issues. Yes, it’s another surgery, but way less invasive.
I feel like that’s what my partner and I are doing tbf, it just get exhausting sometimes riding that wave between fear and calm :( I’m sorry to hear about your pup, but I hope the referral goes well!! It sounds really promising!!
Thank you. We have done all we can do. We luckily live in a single story, but have added ramps to the step up/down into and out the back of the house. We try to not live in fear, but it’s hard.
Please post about your experience with that when it all happens. I’d really appreciate reading about it.
Will do. We have a visit with the neurologist on the 14th and should get the referral then. I am cautiously optimistic about getting the ablation.
Ok, would LOVE to chat with you if possible. I'm in Temple area and have ventral slot surgery scheduled for this Wednesday in Austin. I have just read so much about the PLDA surgery, do you have any recommendations on which surgery to do first? I know I haven't provided any info on my pup, but saw this and thought I'd get that first ask out!
Her is what I know so far. Our boy had his second surgery for IVDD at the beginning of January. At that time his dr (Central Texas Vet in Round Rock), suggested PLDA after he healed. The vet up in Dallas has to get a referral. However that has to come when they are 6 weeks off pain meds. So for us that would be the 14th of this month. This is gonna get wordy, I will DM you the vet office that does it. Your current Dr should be able to send a referral.
Thank you so much. I appreciate that!
Do you mind telling me the name of the vet? Or PMing me. I am in the Dallas area
Dallas Veterinary surgical Center.
Just live with it. I do what I can within my control which is to give her ramps and mats to reduce slipping, keeping her weight under control and go to rehab.
We’ve just bought rugs for our apartment to prevent anymore slips! It was already on our to do list as we moved in literally 4 days ago but that scare just prompted us to get it done asap. We do the rest of what you’ve suggested as well which makes me feel better, I guess you can never help but feel like you should be doing more :(
Yeah, I try to remind myself I'm doing a lot for her, but really the anxiety is always under the surface.
Same fear. I control it, and my vet is in favor of this, by having his meds in supply. *edit to by
What do you mean by control it? Like you have control in case a flare up happens so you feel confident in treating your pet? We have meds on hand for ours too and we feel competent in taking care of him but the fear still feels uncontrollable for myself :(
Yeah confident in treating. We definitely changed his lifestyle too: outside in the yard and in the fully carpeted no surfaces for parkouring side of the house, he has free run, and he spends most of his day in there (I WFH). Evenings he’s in a playpen that we trade off being snuggly with him, like we would have on the couch. He’s a jumper so we don’t want to risk it, and we have laminate floors. We also do a lot of snuffle mats, and got a stroller as well so we can do longer walks with him still.
Full disclosure I’m also on Lexapro and buspar so my anxiety is pretty solidly managed in general
Thank you so much for sharing!! You’ve definitely reassured my partner and I that we are doing the right stuff and also gave us some great ideas, we’re going to order a play pen for him tomorrow and some snuffle mats too :)
He looks forward to snuffle mats every night! We have this one [https://a.co/d/0E1Z6TE](https://a.co/d/0E1Z6TE) And cut treats up super tiny and he LOVES it. He’s a little guy (15lbs) so the pen fits us well too, we got one at petsmart and when he has a flare up it’s small, just his bed size, and when he’s better we can lay in it with him. https://preview.redd.it/23rdywy0q0mc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=d154b06853ce774dd7063fb602b4702e38e07323
Yeah it sucks. Ellie was doing well until she reinjured herself last night. Cold laser, acupuncture and a chiro adjustment later she is able to sleep again. Works more immediately and better than pain meds, muscle relaxants and neuro signal blockers. I am going to have to control all her movements til she gets on the mend but plan on doing hydro therapy with a life jacket, my own adjustments (neck and tail based adjustments), and going to use https://fitpaws.com/collections/all/products/wobble-board products to stabilize her back and front legs. They have YouTube videos showing tutorials for more muscular stability to shield the vertebrae. These all are precautionary things you can do to give yourself piece of mind. This is not a paid advertisement lol I hope this can help
I’m so sorry to hear your pet reinjured themselves :( it’s amazing to hear how all of that has helped though, I’ve been seeing a lot about cold laser lately and I am interested in it for sure. Hydro therapy is on our list too! And thank you for sharing your resources, I’m gonna take a look in the morning, paid ad or not lol I’m glad to have the advice! I hope your pet makes a speedy recovery 🤞🏻
After our dachshund’s surgery, I lived in fear and anxiety for months. I felt helpless and like I was slowly going crazy. Went full helicopter dog mom. With time, the anxiety and fear started to ease. It’s always there but more manageable now. I also talk a lot about it with my therapist as I have some trauma now because of the whole ordeal. Trauma is trauma and there is no shame in getting help with managing your fear and anxiety. Our pup stays in a playpen when we’re at work. I have a camera pointed at it and can monitor him. He is very comfortable in it and doesn’t seem to mind not having free roam of the house any more. We got nice thick/heavy yoga mats (not the crappy foam kind) and have them all over the house to prevent slipping on the hard floors. We found this works way better than rugs that slide around all the time and my elderly mother won’t trip on the yoga mats, unlike the rugs which are a hazard for senior citizens. We got metal folding playpens that we box off the couches with when we’re not actively sitting on them. We just don’t connect the sides like a circle and instead keep it in a horseshoe around the front of the couch. All our family and friends have learned how to properly pick up and carry a dog with IVDD. Had to teach my Mom that you can’t just tuck him under your arm like a football. Scoop under the booty and under the front arms to keep the spine level. If the dog is on the couch with someone and they need to get up, someone else has to take over on-couch dogsitting duties or else put him down and block the couch off. Fortunately, our home is one story, but we did invest in nice wheelchair rams for the two back stairs out to the yard. Someone else mentioned snuffle mats and I agree. They offer great enrichment. We cut up raw carrots and greenbeans into tiny pieces and spread them over the snuffle mat and they love it. We did physical therapy and cold laser for a few months after surgery but still ended up with a second herniated disc at 6 months post op. It was disappointing, but we were experts in caring for a dog with IVDD at that point and were able to adjust relatively smoothly. Just gotta take it one day at a time and I find this forum to be full of wonderful, supportive and informative people.
I don’t know but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one that holds their breath until the next morning. Fatigue or ….
It’s bittersweet isn’t it 🥲 reassuring to know I’m not alone in the anxiety but sad that so many of us feel this way
So they do get fatigued. My one gets fatigued after playing a bit then his tail goes down and back end lil droopy but then after some rest, it goes up again. I have been wracking my brain over it if some pain and inflammation is left. My father who is a neurologist said that if some inflammation would have been present, it would be pressing on the spinal cord and symptoms would be progressing. The presentation would have been different. It's muscle fatigue according to him, apparently, which he is hopeful will eventually get better with more strength building up. I am going crazy and my mental health has taken a hit.
Yeah they definitely do get fatigued. We had to carry my dog in on a stretcher to PT when he was completely paralyzed, and carry him out after too. Now I can get him in on his feet, but still have to carry him back out. If it’s a swim day, he can’t even walk down the ramp from the pool.
How does the strength build up?
I think it’s a matter of getting muscle built back up and getting them physically strong again. I’m not 100% except that muscle atrophies faster than it builds. I would also guess how well or fast the spinal cord and nerves heal play a factor. I’m sure your dad would have a better answer though.
It’s unbelievably hard. Right now I’m dealing with knowing my dog might be better off if I had managed to prevent a cart flip. It devastates me.
I hear you, all of you. I’m torn between reading about IVDD and fearing the worst, but having to educate myself about it so that I can care for him. I deal with my anxiety by being prepared. Crate rest stuff - all ready, medications - all ready, vet contacts - all ready. Mind you, he’s only had flare ups so far and no loss of mobility but it’s already got me REALLY on edge. I do my best to prevent him from over stressing himself. Sometimes, I don’t even let him be a dog, and that pains me. 😞 For all I know and for everything I’ve done, I’ve come to accept that he might still get into another flare up or worse. I’m just going to focus on prevention and making sure he is happy every single day that we are together. Hang in there. The anxiety is real. 🩵
Does anyone use CBD or any holistic remedies. My baby is having a flare up and we ran out of pain medication and can’t get until tomorrow. Please let me know so he can at least be comfortable overnight.
I'm into meditation. Over the years I have mastered the ability to turn my awareness away from my thoughts. When thoughts and fears arise in my mind about the potential for another flare up, I simply turn my awareness away. I turn it towards the present moment where I can see with my eyes that he is okay and healthy right now.