admin said:

…Perhaps she was growing dependent upon your assistance and when your support was not there 100%, she would fall.

---

I worried about that.  It's just that she fell enough when I was trying to prevent it, and would often cause herself a small injury in the process.  Right now, she has a small abrasion on one of her toes (of her remaining rear leg), two large-ish (quarter sized) abrasions on the skin over her ischial table (from when she's gone down hard…and then keeps re-abrading them in subsequent falls, although they're relatively minor "raspberries"), and even a small laceration of her anus.  …Yes…her anus.  (It's small, and seems to be healing okay.)  (My vet. asked if it was an anal fissure, but it's not.  I believe it happened during one of her trips to the ground, since I noticed it after it first happened, and was bleeding, which was right after she took a tumble onto her tuchis.)  :-o  Plus, she still has those sutures.  I don't want a hard fall to tear that open. 

I would be waaaaay more comfortable letting her fall down (so she can learn not to) if she had all her hair (which would prevent skin abrasions, for the most part), and if her stump was healed.

I've always been aware that she has to fall and learn to catch herself, in order to become proficient.  I would've started letting her do that sooner, if only she wanted to walk, or even could.  Now that she can, I am giving her the opportunity to fail, and thus succeed.

On a happier note, she walked unaided for the longest she ever has, this afternoon.  It's day 8.  She got up; walked to me; then did a little tour of one side of the yard; fell down hard (I helped her back up, just because…); did another big loop; took herself back to one of her outdoor beds; and laid down.  That's the most unbelievably encouraging things to happen, to date.  For most of that, I was at least 20-30 feet away.  About two hours earlier, she wanted to get up from her bed, so I encouraged her verbally (but didn't assist).  She went to one of her favorite sunny spots, and did a little sunbathing.  But that was too hot, and she wanted to make a change.  A little more verbal encouragement, and she got up unaided; walked to where I was; I told her to go drink some water…and she did…not falling at all; and then she went to her shady bed.  Two very promising incidents in one afternoon!  I'm so glad to see she's not only figuring it all out, but can support herself with that arthritic stifle.  (Her stifles were not a big problem before OSA, although they looked bad on rad's.  Luckily, her left was worse than her right, and the left was the one amputated.)

I'm still waiting on her first unaided urination and defecation, though. 

When she can get up, move around, and relieve herself without needing us (and without falling down hard all the time), then I will truly be able to exhale.  I would dearly love to be able to walk her to her future chemotherapy appointments…which can't start soon enough, as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks again, so much, for the support, encouragement, and wisdom.  I'm not an online forum/community kind of gal, and I'm a bit surprised by how helpful it has been to both share my concerns and victories, but also to receive such support and reasoned information. :-)  :-)  :-)

Zeus said:

…We'll say lots of prayers – please keep us posted.

Love

Heather and Zeus

Thank you so much for your kind words, as well as the information.  I'm glad to hear it's normal to question the wisdom of the surgery during the brutal recovery period.  That's basically how I've been feeling, especially still having not read any accounts where it took five days for the dog to take its first independent steps.  (It's day 8 and she still hasn't urinated or defecated unaided…but I think today might be the day…) ;-)

tazziedog said:

I would be concerned with the knuckling over.  When she is laying down, will she move that leg if you pinch a toe?  The urine could be due to a full bladder that is leaking or that could also be neurological.  At any rate she is at risk for a bladder infection if she is retaining urine.  Still being dopey on the few drugs that she is on is also not right.  I know it is a pain but I think you should take her in for some blood testing or at least an exam so that your vet can test her spinal reflexes.

Since she is a small Dane you could try getting her on a large blanket or comforter and then drag/slide her to the car. If she has to go over bumpy ground just make sure that she is well padded!

Good luck!  This could still be slow recovery but I would check it out.

Pam and Tazzie

Dr. Pam… ;-)  Thanks so much for offering your input.  It is GREATLY appreciated.  I did a kind of blanket update which addresses some of your concerns or suggestions.  In short, she's doing well, is no longer incontinent, and only did the knuckling-over thing when we were supporting her.  On her own, she's good.  And I specifically watched during her two, lengthier “walking” sessions today, and noticed she never knuckles-over when she's operating under her own power. (phew)

Oh, I discussed the incontinence issue with my veterinarian, over the phone, and she suggested to wait a bit longer, to see if it continued.  By the next afternoon, she'd had her last “accident”…so far. (knock wood)

She's pretty bright and alert, if not rather tired after her walking attempts.  She's still sleeping more than normal, but I understand that's to be expected.  Based on the relative delay in her walking, maybe I should expect all benchmaks to be delayed, too.  If most dogs are sleepy during the first two weeks, maybe she'll be sleepier-than-normal for the first 3 or 4?  Who knows?  I'm just bolstered that she's finally walking.

In any event, I wanted to thank you, for taking the time to offer support and information.  It is really appreciated.

Maxs Mom said:

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your way. Hopefully the vet will give good news!

Oops!  Thanks.  Good thoughts received…just in time.  :-)