You would think that after 3 months of our new normal I would be settling into a better emotional state as well, but no, I'm not.
So many ups and downs.
Up: my BFF bought Penny a Lil Back Bracer from the US, and organised some of our other friends to pick it up and carry it home in their luggage, saving postage. It fits her perfect! This was something I had looked at and researched for Penny, but just could not afford. So grateful for such a thoughtful BFF!
Dodgerslist has a long review of back braces in general and do not endorse their use unless prescribed and fitted by a specialist. I think their concern is that people will use them incorrectly, and expect them to prevent injury, which they wont. They can only provide support. That being said, a lot of experienced IVDD dog owners are using back braces on their dogs and do recommend them. I took it to Dr. Neil, he had never seen one. He is going to do some research to see if he can find some medical reviews on it. He did say it looked like it would give her side to side support but not up/down support and to not leave it on her 24/7 or un supervised. Sharon from K9 therapy loved it, and though it was brilliant and would keep Pennys spine straight. So I guess, like everything, you have to weigh up the pros and cons and do the right thing for you and your dog with the information you have. Penny doesn't like it much, but I am going to use it on her give her back some support.
Up: I posted a profile of Lady Penelope on the Village Vets Australia page, in the hope to raise IVDD awareness. We can't win the $5000 because we are not Foxtel subscribers, but I linked in the fb support page and dodgerslist and this blog and set up a go-fund me to raise money for Pennys wheelchair.
Down: Finances are so tight we can't remember the last time we were this broke. With Pennys on-going treatments adding up to a weekly $110 it leaves our household budget short for other things like Kanes car rego and business insurance and fun. I hated putting up the fundraiser for her wheelchair! I can't tell you how many of our friends, neighbours and strangers gave to us in the beginning. It seems so wrong to ask for more... but I can't see anyway of getting her wheels with out some assistance- we could do it, but it would take about 2 months and she needs wheels now. In the middle of winter now and Kanes work is not as consistent as it has been- I know this situation is temporary but it sure does add a lot of stress to an already intense situation. Our kitty had a urinary tract infection and had to go to the vet, and we couldn't even pay the bill.
Down: Penny had a pretty bad week. She was quiet and often made no attempt to get up and walk, I had never seen her this despondent. She would just wait for you to pick her up with those big brown eyes. She wouldn't even come for dinner.... I don't know if her back was sore, or what. Seeing her like that really took the wind out of my sails too.... all those same questions about have we done the right thing keep coming up. Kane was saying he didn't think he could live with a special needs dog- nearly broke my heart. Although he did go onto say how he was not giving up yet. But even the thought was a blow. Saying things like "shes going backwards" just flattens me- I don't believe she is going backwards, recovery is not a steady upwards curve, but a series of small gains and losses gradually increasing.... I keep wondering if the wheel chair will help. It's the loss of what *used to be* and adapting to the now.
Enough self pity!!! Onwards!
Not much really changes very quickly now.... we continue to see hope of improvement in the tiniest signs- but it is only in watching videos we have made that we can see the differences. This is a link to her Hansel and Gretel stick exercise at week 13. (apologies, I can not seem to imbed the video)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202665917586436&l=8947564007427137114
I was really excited at week 12, when it looked like Penny used the pee pad in her penthouse for the 1st time.. I was so proud of my little fur ball, I wanted to frame it! I completely refuse to think it was accidental, but after another 3 weeks, the incident has not been repeated.... still, it gave us hope for a few days.
After discussing the wheelchair issue with Dr.Neil Barnsley, (Pennys acupuncturist/Holistic health vet) at first he was like, well, it's a bit early to say she is not going to improve any more at this point, and putting her in a wheelchair could maybe be a bit premature... then the next week he was all well, I've been thinking about it, and it may be a good idea.
To wheelchair or not to wheelchair, this is the question.
There seems to be 2 schools of thought on this...
One side thinks that once you put a dog into a wheelchair/trolley that the back legs then become lazy and loose muscle tone and there is little chance then of getting them out of it.
The other side thinks that using wheels encourages leg use and can support the spine during the recovery period.
In any case they need to be properly fitted and adjustable in height so you can lower the wheels as the legs get more strength, and of course the dog can not be in them unsupervised, or 24/7.
The wheelchair my physio recommended is called "Walkin Wheels" they are fully adjustable, and through her they cost $550 plus a full consult fee $120 to fit them. If you buy the same wheels direct from the USA from Handicapped Pets they are US$249+ US$95.30 shipping. It comes with a how to dvd.
There are many other wheel chairs available, including some really nice custom built ones here in Australia. The best ones I've seen so far are from "Wheels and Paws" AU $350 + shipping.
Kane thinks he may be able to make a set, and has started to build some, so hopefully he will be successful, and we can trial them on her to see if they help and if she likes them. If they work, that would be great and save us heaps, if not, at least we maybe able to see how she goes and if we should spend the money on a custom set.
Her poor little paws are rubbed raw from dragging on the floor and concrete pavers outside, and I can not seem to keep any-type of sock/bootie on her feet. I've tried dog socks, dog booties, dog booties that look like balloons, medical tape, elastic bandage that I got from the vet, bandaids, gaff (with cotton pads on 1st). She either can not walk in them at all, or they just slip off... frustrating.
As were were sort of discouraged by our physio, Dr.Neil suggested we may spend our money instead on hydrotherapy, and to keep doing her PT exercises daily at home . I turned to the resources page on the Dachshund IVDD support fb site,and found a hydrotherapist nearish to us (about 1:20 mins away) in Londonderry. She had her 1st swim at 13 weeks. It was really great.
So K9 Swim is an old greyhound exercise pool, with heated water and everything. Sharon and her team are really nice, and very experienced. Sharon said they do see a lot of dachys there, some even worse than Penny and she has had good results. They fitted Penny with a little life jacket and got into the pool with her. On one long side of the pool is a ramp which start shallow and goes deeper. Penny loves to swim, so her little front legs immediately started dog paddling about 1000 miles per hour. She was only a little concerned at 1st, and was a bit frantic, but settled into a nice steady pace... One lady held Pennys front lifejacket and steered her, while Sharon worked the back legs and did various water exercises with her. It was great to see Penny moving and getting some exercise after being limited for so long, and doing something she loves! I cried of course. Afterwards, a nice warm rinse off and lovely conditioner.
Emotionally its still tough going.... I still find myself crying for "no reason" and very sensitive on so many levels. I am finding it really hard to enjoy life and to relax. I suppose this will pass, and we have to just keep soldering on.
