4 Tough Weeks With Cody

[Guest Che_mar_Cody]

Well I didn't get the news that I wanted on Saturday. Cody's right side did not heal the whole way, but on the other hand the vet DOES NOT want to do surgery since he is flexible (enough to lick his scratch raw on his back legs and clean his genitals)

 

He's off meds and now we just have to change our life style. My boy can no longer sleep with me upstairs

I have to keep him from whipping his neck and avoid most steps, running, rough playing with toys, no collars etc. Walks must be short and slow, and very limited car rides...which are his favorite!! Just watch his neck pretty good to avoid it getting worse. If he shows signs of clumsiness in his rear legs, loses coordination of them or starts to cry again, we go back and continue treatment.

 

There is a chance he might recover about 5 - 10 % more but that's it. I'm thankful that he has healed that he doesn't need surgery, just afraid. My boy handles pain extremely well, and I'm just watching his eyes and face to see if he looks happy. So far we've had really good days, and other times I was in doubt, just hoping it's because he can't go with me everywhere like he did before.

 

I'm still feeding raw 5 x's per week, but wonder if that might be too hard on his neck twisting to eat some of it. He never thrashes his food but I'm paranoid. I've been holding it and let him gnaw it off bits at a time. He still really enjoys it and I hate to take that away from him on top of most other things. Now his quality of life is still good, we're just so used to being extremely active together this is a major upset for us both.

 

I'm also looking into further treatment with out surgery. We do have an acupuncture vet (pros & cons on it working) and I heard lots about laser?

 

How does that work and if you have experience with it please let me know. I'm in this for the long fight...

 

Thanks for all those who have been praying for us!! I really appreciate it.

 

 

 

 

 

[Houndtime]

Oh, I have just seen this now.

I took John E for acupuncture, many times, for his painful neck and after each session, he seemed to be better. The stairs were really a problem. Sometimes he would even cry out after bounding down the stairs. What are you going to do? You can't keep him in a bubble.

[Burpdog]

Acupuncture works. It cannot cure some things, but can others and make life easier.

 

The right vet coupled with the right patient can be amazing

[Remolacha]

another vote for acupuncture, especially for this type of injury!

 

as for the raw, can you give him smaller rmbs that maybe don't require as much chewing? like, duck necks instead of turkey, or smaller turkey necks cut into 3"-4" sections (pvc pipe cutters work great for cutting turkey necks!)

 

 

[ahicks51]

When Minerva was hurting before her neck surgery (completely recovered and her fur has regrown- I can't even see her zipperneck scar anymore), I would chop up her raw food and then hold the bowl up to her face so she wouldn't have to lean over at all. It was a bittersweet thing, seeing her gobble food, letting out tiny whines of pain- her appetite was never impacted, but to think of her hurting while eating was pretty rough.

[queenwinniesmom]

Oh, Pam. I don't have any advice, but just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that you and Cody are going through this. I know how much you did together, and how it must be breaking your heart to have to limit him so. I would vote for giving acupuncture a try too.

Sending continued prayers and white light.

[Guest 3greysinPA]

Just wanted to send hugs to you and Cody and tell you how sorry i am that it is not healing correctly...

and i hope you try the acupuncture.

[Guest Energy11]

Hugs to you and Cody! He is a trooper for sure.

 

I don't feed raw, or understand it, but could you cut it up for him, so he doesn't have to "thrash" his little neck? If he likes that type of food, the sweetie should get it, if possible :-))

 

Love, hugs and sooo many prayers from us here.

[brandimom]

Glad to hear that Cody is doing better! Acupuncture on my grey has certainly worked for her slouching in the hind legs. We do it every 6 weeks now (since 2004). Sending hugs.....I know this is difficult for you.

[RobinM]

Acupunture helped Teddy and his disc issues. Big time. It's easy on the dog. Bring a nice comfy comforter and plan on sitting on the floor with him. Bring some treats too and a book for you. Eventually he will sit down and relax.

 

Nothing bad will happen, however it could take up to 5 or 6 times before you see anything, although it's usually sooner. It can APPEAR worse before it gets better.

 

I don't like chiro as the manipulation can cause issues but acupunture is just fine.

 

I recommend it.

Edited October 27, 2009 by RobinM

[galgrey]

I've had good experiences with acupuncture too. Sending good thoughts to you and Cody.

[Guest Annie]

Pam, I'm so sorry the vet visit didn't bring more positive news.

 

Is your vet a neurosurgeon? If not, I would definitely get a referral to one. The neurosurgeon Canyon saw was great and I wouldn't have trusted anyone less qualified to accurately assess his condition.

 

Surgery was tough for my sensitive boy, but most dogs heal much more quickly than he did. The laser treatments post surgery were miraculous... much more effective than accupuncture, in his case.

 

Canyon has had a complete recovery!

 

Veterinary laser treatments should be available at some Veterinary Specialist and Critical Care Hospitals or Holistic Veterinary Hospitals. You might have to phone around a bit.

 

All the best to you and Cody! Please keep us posted!

 

[EllenEveBaz]

Sending hugs and best wishes.

[gryhnd_adoptee]

Our Willie Bean had neck issues too which also changed our lifestyles. She always did the stairs with grace, so we didn't stop her from going up and down, but we did put down the thick bully bed mats at the bottom of all the stair landings. These helped to cushion her landings at the bottom. We also switched from a collar to a harness, and her favorite hard pressed rawhides had to be eliminated. She loved them like no tomorrow, but the chewing stressed her neck. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but after she chewed for any length of time, she got really stiff and yipped whenever she moved about.

 

She had good, and bad days, and received Deramaxx for pain and swelling on really difficult days. Getting up on the couch was no longer allowed because she would extend her neck to get up and it stressed her. Bed however, was still ok. When we first moved in here, we didn't have bed frames...just mattresses on the floor. Once we got the houndies we figured we didn't need the frames anyway because we didn't want any of them getting stuck under the beds, so the beds are only two mattresses high.

 

Before you know it the new routines will be old hat, and you'll never even think twice about any of it.

 

I hope Cody continues to manage well with his disk issues.

[seeh2o]

Oh, Pam, this is so rough. I'm a big fan of acupuncture, I did it for Sheila some time ago. Gentle hugs and healing thoughts for Cody and you.