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As you are aware, your
pet may be permanently paralyzed for life. However, in most instances this
paralysis is only temporary and your pet may gradually regain the ability to
walk and control its urine and bowel movements over a period of time.
Naturally, the larger your pet, the more difficult its nursing care will be
for you. You have an important responsibility during
this convalescent period to see to the needs of your
paralyzed pet and try to avoid significant health
complications (e.g. pneumonia, urinary tract infections,
bedsores, etc.). The following is a list of helpful
hints that may ease the burden of this care.
Food and Water:
Your pet will probably be more thirsty than usual due
to the steroid medication (Prednisone, Prednisolone).
Have a water bowl within reach at all times! Naturally,
the more your pet drinks, the more it will need to
urinate, so you will have to clean your pet and bedding
often. Your pet will also be very hungry as a result
of the steroids. Do not overfeed! Any name brand diet
is adequate.
Decubital Ulcers (Bedsores):
Ulcerations may develop on the skin over pressure points.
These ulcers heal very slowly and may lead to severe
generalized infection. It is best to prevent them by
keeping the skin dry and free of urine and feces. This
may require daily bathing. Desitin ointment (over the
counter-pharmacy) may be applied to areas of irritation
or redness that develop. A soft padded surface should
be provided for a bed. Clean blankets over a foam rubber
pad or egg-crate mattress provides adequate bedding.
Blankets may need to be changed daily. Confinement in
a small area is mandatory for the joint, two weeks following surgery only, after
that your pet can be confined to one room in the house until walking. And should
be kept away from long flights, stairs or porchs until walking very strongly. A playpen is ideal for this
purpose, as is an airline flight cage or a portable fence
for show dogs. (Try pet stores, R.C. Steel or hunting
dog catalogs, etc.).
Urination: Severe
bladder infection (cystitis) often occurs due to your
pet's inability to fully empty its bladder. It is best
to prevent this problem, since cystitis is difficult
to cure in the paralyzed pet. The best way to prevent
infection is to fully empty the bladder at least 3 or 4
times daily. To accomplish this, apply gentle steady
pressure with both hands on the abdomen with your pet
in a standing position. If your pet is urinating on its
own it is not necessary to do this. The good news is that
your pet's ability to control urine function (continence)
usually returns before limb function. Placing diapers on
your female pet works well if your pet seems to be
constantly leaking urine. Just cut a hole out of it for
the tail and wrap it around the waist. Depends
absorbant pads sometimes work better than diapers for
male dogs. If your pet drags itself out of the diapers, a neck collar or harness
with garter belts attached to the diaper will prevent your pet from dragging the
diaper off their rear end.
Defecation: This
is not usually a problem. Your pet should have 1 to 2
unassisted bowel movements daily. If constipation occurs,
mix ¼ teaspoon of Metamucil (obtain over the counter at
your local pharmacy) per 15 pounds of body weight into
the food twice daily. In rare instances, enemas may
be necessary.
Medication: Give
all medication as directed and until finished. Antibiotics
are used to prevent cystitis and steroids are used to
minimize swelling of the spinal cord. The steroids will
cause an increase in appetite, thirst, and frequency
of urination. These side effects will go away as the
dose of these drugs decreases to once daily. Stenoids also cause some pets to
pant a lot and to act anxious or stressed.
Sutures: Sutures
should be removed in 10-14 days following surgery. This
can be done by your local veterinarian or by Veterinary
Surgical Specialists, whichever is most convenient. We
need to re-examine your pet four weeks following surgery
to assess its neurologic status and give you an accurate
assessment regarding your pet's chance for recovery and
the degree of recovery your pet should attain. Typically,
by one month following surgery we would expect to see
a significant improvement in your pets neurologic status.
As a general rule, the more rapidly function returns, the
better your pets ultimate function becomes.
Hydrotherapy: A daily
10-15 minute swim in lukewarm water may speed recovery
time by encouraging the patient to use the paralyzed
limbs. This also stimulates urination and defecation,
gives the pet some exercise, and helps keep the coat
clean. This should not be done until all sutures are
removed. Remember, your pet is paralyzed and cannot
swim by itself! You must support it in the water.
Jacuzzis or spas are ideal!
Professional Physical Therapy or Hydrotherapy is
also available. Please see the
Links Section of our website for
available professionals in your area.
Towel Sling: With
your pet in a standing position, place a towel under and
across the abdomen close to the hind legs and support
the weight of your pet's hindquarters by holding the ends
of the towel above its back. With the toes barely touching
the ground, walk your pet around for 10-15 minutes 2-3
times daily. This is a form of physical therapy for the
hind legs and may stimulate your pet to urinate. This is
also an effective way to move your pet around the house,
as they are fully capable of walking with their front
legs if someone supports the hind limbs. Alternatively,
cut two holes in a large beach towel and drop the hind
legs through them, holding the towel above your pet's back.
Physical Therapy:
The paralyzed pet tends to always sit with their hips
flexed. This results in a contracture of the hip muscles,
which may prolong or prevent recovery. Hip extension
exercises are beneficial. Bicycling exercises and massage
of the hind limb musculature also enhance blood flow
to the paralyzed limbs. Please ask for a demonstration
on how to perform these exercises. Typically, these are
begun following suture removal two weeks postoperatively.
Professional Physical
Therapy or Hydrotherapy is also available. Please see the
Links Section of our website for available
professionals in your area.
K9 Karts
Professionally made carts are available to support
your pet's rear legs and allow them to walk with the front legs. We generally do
not recommend you using them unless your pet is paralyzed. 12 weeks or more
following surgery. See the Links
Section of our website for more information on these options.
If you notice any problems such
as blood in the urine or bowel movement, problems with
the suture line, vomiting, decreased appetite, depression,
etc., please call. We are available to answer questions
on evenings and weekends as well as via our voice mail
system. Please leave a message and a member of our staff
will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you for
trusting us with the care of your pet.
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