Mindi's Back Surgery

Mindi had emergency back surgery on Friday, March 27, 2009, at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Veterinary Clinic. After she was anesthetized, an MRI and other tests were done. We still don't know what the tests showed or exactly where her spinal cord was injured. The surgeon would have answered these questions after the surgery but we didn't think to ask.

There is a chronic progressive disk herniation, very common in the chondrodystrophoid breeds, such as dachshunds, Pekingese and Shih Tzus. Although Mindi probably had this disease, she also had additional trauma to her back when Molli attacked her the night of March 24. Unfortunately, we didn't know how badly she was hurt until the next day when she was in extreme pain. Our vet gave her pain meds and said she would need surgery if she wasn't improved in 48 hours.

March 27: Surgery was late afternoon and she made it through. We don't know the precise surgical procedure that was done. We think the surgeon removed a piece of the disc.

March 28: In ICU with a catheter; on pain meds; alert; not eating.

March 29: Don't know about ICU or catheter; drinking water & "showing interest" in baby food; some improvement in hind legs; rehab starts this afternoon. - Molli, Mindi's sister, has been tense, possibly related to Mindi's absence. She was in great pain tonight and acted like she did when she had a back injury. Gave her some of Mindi's pain meds and she went to sleep.

March 30: Mindi essentially the same as yesterday; not eating and still has catheter. Molli, at home, walking gingerly but ate and peed. Vet said to give her one half of a Rimadyl if she is in pain. Hopefully, she will improve.

March 31: Mindi shows superficial pain sensation; standing with assist; ate baby food meat; not drinking. Catheter remains until movement in hind legs. We visited Mindi: wagging tail; urine appears clear; vet student said they will produce urine even if not drinking. Odd that it was so clear after 4 days. - We gave her water and she drank it; also ate Beneful. Still panting, so very stressed. - Meanwhile, Molli is somber with flat affect....

April 1: Mindi eating & drinking; hind legs not moving but responses getting better. Vet student said catheter could have come out and they could manually express urine but Mindi's obesity is an issue and catheter will remain until she can urinate on her own. She said Mindi is moving in the right direction. Will work on standing to sitting today. Once the catheter is out she will go to the PT for swimming. Husband visited today at 4 p.m.




April 2: No change as of this morning. Surgeon is optimistic but can't say for certain if she will ever walk. Level of spinal cord injury prevents urinary sphincter from releasing urine; bowel movements are voluntary, according to surgeon. "Daddy" visited after work.

April 3: Vet student reports "doing well" but no significant change. "Possibly" encouraging is that Mindi is wiggling her behind in a way that might suggest motor improvement. "Daddy" visited after work.

April 4: Visited Mindi between 8 & 9 this morning. Leaking around her urinary catheter so the surgeon had the vet student take it out. They are going to commence expressing the urine from her bladder 5-6 times a day. Mindi's obesity makes this more difficult and we will have to learn to do it. (I had done it on people-patients with spinal cord injuries, but never a dog.) She has a strong medicinal odor and is very dirty after her ordeal. Now that the catheter is out, she will have a bath. On Monday, she might start swimming for Physical Therapy. She will probably be discharged early in the week, but if it is recommended, we will take her back a few days a week for PT. - She is still on Rimadyl for pain but that will be discontinued soon. She seems comfortable and wants to walk. She just drags her fat body along and it is heartbreaking. She will be on a strict diet when she comes home - which she should have been on long ago.

April 5: We dreaded visiting Mindi this morning. She did not seem to be progressing as quickly as we hoped, and we thought we would have to learn to express her urine today. Taking care of an invalid dog seemed overwhelming and we didn't feel very hopeful. But we got a big surprise: Mindi can urinate on her own! This is huge because now she can go swimming tomorrow and then come home in the afternoon. After that, she will go three times a week to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for Physical Therapy. - We are greatly relieved that she can urinate and defecate on her own! She seems very stressed and we know she will thrive once we get her home.

April 6: Got the call this morning that Mindi can come home this afternoon. Will do swimming in PT and will be discharged at 4 p.m. Our vet student/clinician said she thinks Mindi is using her right hind leg. - Meanwhile, Molli is either in pain or she is extremely depressed. She won't eat and she looks despondent.