BLADDER CARE. No pics for this one. Its an urgent blog to raise awareness QUICKLY! Please share this blog or similar to help people going through this journey!
Largely for the Grade 5's the most severely affected.
When a dachshund goes off its legs, everyone's first thoughts go to the dogs legs, and yes obviously its an issue, but the bigger concern for the more seriously affected is whether or not they have had a wee! Bladder care is a priority and it seems to be the lesser discussed or known about topic.
Obviously, I am not a vet, and you REALLY MUST see a vet to support you on your recovery journey to help you monitor their recovery especially if this is your first IVDD experience. They can help you with more than pain management, they can monitor wellbeing, check for contact sores or ulcers, weight monitoring, more subtle discomfort. We need them!
Bladder care seems to be discussed as an afterthought in conversations around IVDD care, or perhaps not emphasised enough, or explained clearly, let me be exceptionally clear - it is a priority and its non-negotiable!
Please please please make sure they have had a wee, and do so regularly. You may need to do this yourself by "expressing" the bladder. Waiting it out, relying on overflow (some will trickle) is not enough, the bladder needs to be emptied regularly if they cannot do it themselves. You will need to do this until they start releasing themselves, this may be days or months and for some it may be a regular feature. It gets easier the more you do it. My son, was able to express when he was 8 years old, my parents at 70 years plus, everyone can do it! Initially its a faff I won't lie, but you'll get it. Be patient. But please please do it!
When you take your warrior to the vets, please ask them to check the bladder and show you how to do it. There are some medications that can make it easier to do for the more challenging ones, and initially it can be quite challenging to 'get the knack.' But please keep trying.
Not doing this if they are not emptying fully themselves can lead to:
Overdistension of the bladder (aside from other things this can impact future continence)
Urine infections
Bladder stones.
Obstructions in urethra
Kidney damage
Bladder damage
It will impact their recovery and could have pretty devastating consequences, it is a priority!
When?
You should aim to express every 4 hours during the day. I tend to do first and last thing at night and several times in between.
Try to encourage fluids (discuss how much with your vets) to help you locate the bladder and to keep things healthy.
Its important to make sure they have a poo too but this generally works its way out in its own time. If not, PLEASE go to your vet and tell them. Blockages are also a problem! Keep a toilet diary so you can recall exactly when they went.
In terms of pee - I'd make a note of the smell and colour too. IVDD warriors are prone to infections.
How?
Start on a pad first so you can see whether you've got it.
You may notice a flick or twitch of the tail.
They may object as its uncomfortable initially and new to them and you.
This link by Marianne Dorn - The Rehab Vet shows you a video of how to express: IVDD bladder expression – The Rehab Vet
Boys and girls differ - the boys can be messy until you learn to aim them! I've had it fly across the room, fill my slippers and then mastered the targeting eventually. You'll get it. There are lots of videos online too, but I'd really recommend getting your vet to help you and monitor whilst you get the hang of it.
Get this book, the IVDD Handbook. Should be called the IVDD Bible, everything you need to know is in it! Included in it is how to express alongside physiotherapy tips and guidance on each approach you take,The IVDD Handbook: Helping your dog through back and neck problems: Amazon.co.uk: Dorn, Dr Marianne: 9798351305097: Books
Your treatment options in brief - for more information please visit www.dachshund-ivdd.uk.
Surgery - IVDD cannot be diagnosed by X Ray. They will need to be seen by a specialist. For those considering surgery you will need a MRI or CT scan. The prices vary for this but are generally around £3k. Surgery seems to be around £4-8k. Try to remember they are unlikely to 'walk' out of surgery and will still need to be on rest.
Surgery too expensive? Cambridge Research Trial - I believe its about £400 Currently Cambridge have a trial running: https://www.hospital.vet.cam.ac.uk/small-animal-services/neurology-and-neurosurgery/ivde-chondroitinase-trial. So far results appear to be promising.
The conservative approach of rest. Rest, pain management and bladder care. Dachshund IVDD - Conservative treatment (dachshund-ivdd.uk). Cambridge saw great success from their trial. We keenly await the published findings.
But ALL the approaches need to ensure their bladders are carefully looked after.
The wonderful charity Dedicated To Dachshunds are unique to our wonderful community, and will provide you with the necessary equipment. They've all experienced the journey you are on, and work closely with professionals to ensure they are providing the best to support you: Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD – Equipment loan for dachshunds with IVDD
My top priorities with IVDD
Bladder care
Pain management
Rest
Skin care
Calm mental stimulation when they need it.
IVDD sucks, but you can get through it! Dachshund Health UK are trying their best to raise awareness and support research, but as a community we have a loud voice so share the up to date knowledge. There has never been so much research and so many options available to us.
Finally, a copy and paste from the awesome Dachshund IVDD UK Facebook page (run by Dachshund Health UK and Dedicated to Dachshunds) with a billion helpful links:
My Dachshund has IVDD ... WHAT NOW? https://www.facebook.com/117995813412445/posts/365484338663590/
THE IVDD HANDBOOK
The IVDD Handbook: Helping your dog through back and neck problems https://amzn.eu/d/56uBRHf
SUPPORT & ADVICE group for owners
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VITALDachshundIVDD/?ref=Dachshund IVDD UK removes the request)
For owners in USA
For owners in Australia
EQUIPMENT LOAN
D2d with ivdd loan equipment to recovering and disabled dachshunds
This link will explain how the loans works and what equipment D2D can provide .
Please contact us here to discuss equipment
REFERRALS
Ivdd diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis and grading scale
Questions to ask your vet
Decision making
Non surgical treatment
A trial for those who can't afford surgery, paralysed within last 2 days and dogs weight under 15kg...
Myelomalacia
SLING WALKING
SLING WALKING - IMPORTANT - ALWAYS USE A HARNESS AND LEAD AT ALL TIMES DURING RECOVERY FOR CONTROL.... With and without the support sling .
WALKING - IMPORTANT- AVOID CONCRETE IF PAWS ARE DRAGGING ttps://therehabvet.com/2017/05/walking-with-your-recovering-dog/
HARNESS
HOMECARE AND NURSING - POST DIAGNOSIS SURGERY / CONSERVATIVE CARE
Choosing a recovery crate or pen
Pen set up - ONLY USE 4 PANELS FOR FIRST FEW WKS ...(Please see pic )
Home care
Crate rest
Daily routine
Home care
Staying positive
Calm and content
Toilet Breaks
Bladder expression
Sacral nerve implant procedure
PHYSIOTHERAPY TECHNIQUES & MASSAGE
RECOVERY EXCERSISE- BELLA GRADE 5 (LICKIMATT)
PHYSIOTHERAPY TECHNIQUES - MARNIE
MARNIE PART 2
MARNIE PART 3
Cambridge trial....
MASSAGE - CAMBRIDGE IVDD RESEARCH GROUP
PROM - PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION - CAMBRIDGE IVDD RESEARCH GROUP
CRATE REST IS DONE, WHAT NOW? ...take your time ....
A few top tips for ivdd dogs from Marianne Dorn https://therehabvet.com/2020/09/about-marianne-dorn/
Avoid slick flooring for any exercises or walking attempts.
Don't expect too much too soon. Practice makes perfect.
Reward often: A kind word always goes down well, as does a little titbit of food.
Take breaks often. IVDD dogs fatigue really quickly.
Use a harness and lead to slow your dog down.
It's best to learn to stand before you try to walk.
It's best to learn to walk before you try to trot or run.
Marriane holds online rehabilitation consultations: https://therehabvet.com/2020/08/video-consultations/
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