One Year Later - My Dog Recovering from IVDD Surgery

[@nancyjean6177]

My basset hound had the same surgery 6 months ago. After a lot of blood, sweat and tears, not to mention $$$, he’s walking again - even running - and I must say it’s all been worth it to see him on his feet again. Sadly, though, we can’t allow him to do stairs, and unfortunately he’s too heavy to carry up and down 13 steps. My husband and I are in our 80s. Having him confined to our downstairs is a major lifestyle change. Barnaby is 10, and until his IVDD, he was with us 24/7. We don’t want him to feel isolated, so we take turns spending time with him. I’m grateful we still have our boy and that he’s well and happy. So glad your little man has recovered and is also doing well. Thanks for the update. I just want to encourage anyone else dealing with this not to give up. God bless!

[@SelfLoveU]

Very sweet pup! I appreciate this video.

[@englishmuffinstevie]

Thanks for the update on his progress. We are bringing home our dog from the hospital today. Your videos are really reassuring and give us hope for a full recovery. I hope your little guy continues to get stronger everyday

[@kimhawkins4727]

This makes me smile. My pup just had a hemilaminectomy 2days ago. We are at the beginning of all this 😢. This gives me hope

[@nkostie]

I just had to take my dog into surgery for this 2 days ago. I haven’t been able to bring him home yet. It’s been a very stressful couple of days. Your video helps bring light into some of the lifestyle changes I’m going to have with my dog. Thank you.

[@Folktopia]

hope your little dog has a speedy recovery! stay hopeful

[@natasha83196]

Thank you for your video. Our Frenchie is 10 days from surgery and is just starting to put weight on the back legs, but she can’t stand on her own yet. It’s great to see what her life might be like in a year. Every day with her is a gift.

[@Folktopia]

Glad to hear your pup is on the mend! Our dogs give us so much love 🐶✨

[@nauidiver4649]

I am very happy for your dog's nice recovery from IVDD. Your video encourages me. Thank you.

[@Folktopia]

Hope your pup is doing okay!

[@Guitarchic541]

So Great to see your dog looking so much better! Really happy for you! Thank you for the follow up. Gives us a lot of hope for our dog. He looks super cute on the sheep skin. Looks a lot happier than the previous video! Made my day. :)

[@ArikaSenecal]

Our dog had the surgery yesterday, your story gives me hope.

[@Folktopia]

It’s so hard to see our friends in pain. Hang in there. I hope your buddy has a full recovery. ❤️‍🩹

[@excuseme2770]

Very reassuring to see this video. My pup just went into surgery tonight. They said he did really good. He's young and healthy and I'm hopeful for recovery. I was really lost for a little while. Thank you ❤️

[@Folktopia]

I hope your little buddy has a speedy recovery. Hang in there!

[@outerspacegl0]

thank you so much for this video , it truly gives me so much hope for my little buddy , im glad your dog is happy and healthy !

[@Folktopia]

I hope your doggy is okay ❤️‍🩹

[@osminallmighty3396]

Thank you so much for sharing. You guys are lucky to have fun each other.

[@darlenetalbott6325]

Thank you so much for this video my little Shih tzu is at the Hospital now recovering from IVDD surgery and I was looking for some video's to help me deal with when he comes home. This helped alot .

[@stephguillermo5994]

Im so happy to see how great he's doing! It gives me hope for my fur baby ! We're currently on the 5th week post IVDD surgery & it has been one of the toughest battles we've ever been thru but i stay hopeful that she'll get back to walking ❤ thank you for sharing your story!

[@Folktopia]

Thank you and take care of yourselves. Wishing you strength and a complete recovery!

[@stickmanismyhero5316]

Im glad to see he is better my dog just had his surgery and it is the hardest thing emotionally i ever had to go through and i just pray he will get better

[@Folktopia]

It’s really scary to see a good friend in pain. I hope the surgery goes well!

[@stickmanismyhero5316]

@@Folktopia thank you me and my wife have no kids he is all we got. But your video and others like it have helped us get through this tough time.

[@DyadicG]

I'm very happy for Charlie, our little dog named Koko, sadly didn't had that much luck 😭 it's hard too see your pet suffer those few days before & after surgery -- wish other dogs & owners luck & strength ❤️

[@Folktopia]

So sorry. It hurts to lose a friend.

[@sgeunes]

Thank you VERY much for posting this. This just happened to our 3 y.o. frenchie last wed. she had the surgery Thursday. so she is 3-4 days post operation and very wobbly. This gives me hope for her recovery.

[@Folktopia]

Sending positive vibes to your frenchie!

[@petarnovak1728]

@@Folktopia Hey man, how is Charlie? Just came to send more vibes here! And to ask @Shane Geunes how is everything with frenchie? I have frenchie mix. 3.6yo and we r going to the surgery tomarrow. Wish us best! Cheers from Croatia!

[@Folktopia]

Petar Novak Charlie is still doing well. He’s sitting by my feet right now :) Good luck with the surgery and recovery!

[@petarnovak1728]

@@Folktopia thank you! So so much! Tomorrow is the day, damn 3am here still I am scared of everything. Thanks, I wish my Arka will be able to do sitting with me and little walk like Charlie does! I heart would be full again. Thank you again for videos :)

[@JamesDonovan-p5r]

Just starting she just had the operation

[@Folktopia]

Speedy recovery to your special pup! Hope you have plenty of rest and cozy time during this period of healing. ❤️‍🩹

[@jennifermorse4757]

I am so happy Charlie is doing great. This just happened to my baby Marlee last Thursday. She had surgery on Friday and is coming home today. The doctor said she is doing fantastic. Your video really gave me hope for her recovery.

[@Folktopia]

Oh, I'm glad Marlee is doing well! Thanks for your comment and speedy recovery to you buddy!

[@pauldietz4813]

Thanks for sharing this. It helped us understand the situation with OUR Charlie (also a FB)

[@yialor8164]

Thank you for sharing your story! Our dog Taco went for a run through Taco-land doing his Taco thing and came back with a limp that got worse within a few days. He has a slipped disc in his neck so none of his legs work, unfortunately. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, and we are crossing our fingers and toes that everything goes smoothly. Your story gives us hope. :)

[@yialor8164]

Our Taco came home yesterday, and unfortunately, he has been crying out frequently and at random times. Did your pup do this upon returning home? And if so, how long before it stopped? We will consult with our vet too, but we wanted to see if you went through the same thing.

[@Folktopia]

Poor little pup! We didn’t experience that, but some pain is only natural after a major surgery. Hopefully you can ask your vet about pain management. And make a nice cozy place to heal. I’m wishing you all the best during a difficult time 🎈

[@yialor8164]

@@Folktopia Thank you for responding! We will hang in there then until we hear from our vet. We're really hoping the crying is not because of pain. He's on so many pain meds already. He's also not going to the bathroom much, like once a day only. And when he does, he cries! Hoping for better days soon. 🙂

[@Folktopia]

One thing to think about asking your vet about is CBD for dogs. We used a dog specific formulation and I think it helped with inflammation and pain.

[@yialor8164]

@@Folktopia Thank you for that suggestion! We haven't thought about that yet. The vet suggested er monitor the next 24 hours and run report back before they will make any changes. Crossing our fingers and toes!

[@ladyhawke858]

Thank you so much for your insights and this video. I am very encouraged for my little guy. My dog's situation isn't as severe as your case, but with him, his disc issues also appeared overnight with no warning, but we are going through his first rounds of acupuncture and laser treatments to see how all of that goes first before the surgery option. For us all we want is to remove his pain, these little guys are like children for us. So appreciated that you posted your journey . Blessings to you and your buddy.

[@marcfrucci9242]

Thanks for sharing this! My wife and I woke up two weeks ago to find our corgi unable to move her back legs. After frantically getting her to the vet and in for surgery, we got her back home about 3 or 4 days post op. The first week was pretty hard with all the medications, lack of bladder control etc. However, we're more or less at the end of week 2 and we are at roughly where your pup was in the video prior to this one. She now is standing with support and full bladder control and it does seem like there is effort to rotate the hind legs while our brief visits outside. This does give me hope though that with patience and effort that we are on a road to recovery.

[@Folktopia]

Happy to hear you’re making progress! Thankful to have our friends feeling better 🐶🐶❤️

[@angelinatesta3918]

I just put my boy down yesterday he was wobbly at first and in pain but by morning he was paralyzed they wanted 10k plus my baby was only 5 years old and when they moved him at the vet he screamed so load and we were both so scared I’ve watched a lot of videos on Frenchie back trouble but knowing that his life wouldn’t be the same I decided he should rest a rescue dog beaten and starved almost two when I got him he only had 3 years with us but I’m devastated and miss him so bad

[@Folktopia]

I’m so sorry! It’s unbearably sad and so difficult to lose a friend. Hang in there.

[@angelinatesta3918]

@@Folktopia this was very hard for me to do but I am so happy that there is some hope

[@eotheleo83]

Thank you for the wonderful vidoes and updates. Our 6 year old dachshund just had this surgery yesterday. We know recovery will be long, but I had a question: Did Charlie have the "deep pain" response before his surgery (depp pain = where the doctor squeezes a toes on each foot tonsee if the pup has a reaction)? Our Frank did not, and they put him in a Category 5 (with a 50/50 chance of the surgery helping him) He had a herniated disk between T11 and T12. Thanks in advance. Glad Charlie is healthy!

[@Folktopia]

I don’t think Charlie responded to the toe test either. But his body was very tense and contorted and his expression was one of pain and confusion-so he had pain, but I’m not sure from where exactly. Luckily Charlie’s surgery was successful. He’s getting to be an old man. I hope your little buddy heals well and quickly!

[@fivehuskys]

My dog is having similar issues. I am glad your dog is doing good. How old is he?

[@Folktopia]

Sorry to hear your pup is going through this. Charlie is 6 now. His back is doing good.

[@fivehuskys]

@@Folktopia so happy to hear that.

[@tonymedeiros5599]

This video is from 2 years ago. How is he doing now? My Frenchie Stella had same surgery yesterday. 🙏🏻

[@Folktopia]

It’s been four years since his surgery and he’s still walking and healthy. I have to lift him up and down and watch how hard he plays with our other dog, but he’s living a good life. I hope your frenchie has a speedy recovery!

[@isabelaleman1313]

Hi thank you for the video, my french bulldog had an IVDD surgery last week and your video just gave us hope. Do you have any recommendations about the kind of therapy that will help dogs to walk again ? I mean, did you give physiotherapy to yours ? Thank you

[@Folktopia]

Hi hi. hope your little buddy is healing well. You might talk to your veterinarian about CBD for dogs. I think it helped my doggy with pain and inflammation during the period of time he had to be restricted to his crate.

[@PATRICIAANNPAULK1945]

How old was Charlie when his surgery was done?

[@Folktopia]

He was 4 1/2 years old

[@jaypeelozada3754]

hello, what stage of IVDD does your buddy have? is he totally paralyzed when got his surgery!

[@Folktopia]

He had partial paralysis and pain. He couldn’t functionally move his back legs, and he had a really tight belly and looked very uncomfortable. He couldn’t control his bladder. So I think he was technically stage 2.

[@GDannnn]

Hey, when i woke up to my dogs rear legs paralyzed with no deep pain sensation 5 months ago i saw your video and did the surgery that day. Now i can say he walks 70%-75% like his old self but like your dog, my dog also favors his front legs and often sits in what i think are uncomfortable positions with his rear legs. Did your dog ever sit with his rear legs in weird positions? And has he started to gain muscle in his rear legs again? Thanks for the update video im hoping in a year he will improve!

[@Folktopia]

I can relate for sure. French Bulldogs sit weird sometimes even without IVDD. It’s a good question for your veterinarian. Regarding strength, my dog has made some small incremental gains, but we still take it easy. Good luck and hope your buddy continues to improve.

[@pagiebrecht2193]

update, please?

[@Folktopia]

Hi hi. Charlie is now 10 and getting to be an older dog and facing new and different challenges. He had a malignant tumor removed this year and the outlook is good. He has not had any recurring problems with IVDD, thankfully. We’ve kept him at a healthy weight and keep his activities low impact, which I believe has helped. We’re grateful to take him on his life journey and he’s a happy guy. 🙏🏾🐶✨

[@nicolejansen9441]

This happened to my Chihuahua last Wednesday. She is scheduled to go in this Thursday for surgery. I'm scared to death . She is urinating involuntary right now and her hind legs are partially paralyzed.. it's so sad and breaking my heart.. what other symptoms did your doggy have?

[@Folktopia]

So sorry to hear you’re going through this. It’s sad to see them suffering with loosing their old self. Pre-surgery was the most difficult because our guy was having more pain at that stage. Hopefully your buddy will be feeling much better real soon, though.

[@ChismeTea]

How long did it take for him to walk again :( they said mine isn’t going to walk again after 6 weeks :(

[@Folktopia]

I’m so sorry to hear that! I think there are hind leg carts that are an option. I started looking into that, but got lucky. My dog started standing at around 2 weeks. He could take a few steps at three weeks and got stronger as the weeks went by. He got cleared to take short walks at 3 months. I hope you are doing okay and hope your pup is not in any pain.

[@ChismeTea]

@@Folktopia I guess I don’t want to accept my reality :(

[@Folktopia]

Definitely! That’s only natural. Go easy on yourself. It’s a difficult time you’re going through.

[@Gmaw1958]

How long did it take him before he could walk?

[@Folktopia]

Hi. Charlie could stand up and take a few steps within four or five weeks. He was cleared by his vet to take short walks about 3 months after his surgery.

[@letygilbert3091]

My dog had surgery 4 days ago .. she’s not peeing,

[@Folktopia]

I remember being surprised how difficult it was to express Charlie’s bladder after surgery. You can get some help from your vet.

[@letygilbert3091]

@@Folktopia we’ll have to ask Vet. I must be doing something wrong

[@chio486]

Hi, thank you so much for making these videos. My dog had the surgery 6 days ago. She had horrible muscle spasms, lost bladder control and couldn't walk at that time, but now she's pain-free and she can pee and poo on her own :) She is dragging her left hind leg still so I put some bandaids on her knuckle to prevent abrasion. When did your baby start walking on his paws normally? Mine can stand up like for a minute but her back paw still curls under.

[@Folktopia]

Oh I’m glad your doggy is feeling better and not in pain. I want to say that it was a good 10 days, maybe even two weeks, before his hind legs were working more normally. Even now he’s still a little off, but we take it easy on walks and stuff. Good luck to you!