My Dane LEOLA needs your thoughts and prayers

[TroyaCantrell]

While on the beach out of town today or beautiful Great Dane Leola injured her back. While playing her back legs stopped working and she collapsed. Some strangers help us use a sling under her stomach to walk her back to the car, about AMC 150 yards. She is about 130 lbs and will not let you pick her up


Saw an emergency vet in Mendocino who took X-rays, inconclusive. Drove the 4 hours home to take her to UC Davis vet hospital where she is now.

Preliminary diagnosis is either a stroke on her spine or ruptured disk, they want to wait overnight to see if she improves. If it is a stroke she should improve on her own with therapy. Could get a call at anytime if she gets worse they will MRI Spine and possibly do surgery if they see that not is the disk.

She still has movement in her legs but not much, can't really stand and her paws fold under. The fact that she came move them some the doc said was a good sign.

No pain at all and good feeling in her toes still.

So kind thought and prayers please.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Her at breakfast this morning.

Helping me in the yard

 

[gr8dain]

I feel for you. We have had many Danes in my family (hence the screen name). They are wonderful dogs. My thoughts are with you and your family. Good luck.

 

[Purple77CJ7]

Good luck.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

At the hospital all day, MRI shows a herniated disc. Because she is otherwise is great health she is headed for surgery.

She broke our hearts this morning they had to bring her out on a flatbed cart like at Home Depot. She wanted off that thing so bad and was so excited to see us but couldn't raise herself up off it.

Hopefully everything goes well today.

 

[BusaDave9]

Oh wow I wish Leola the best of luck. This sounds like my recent thread about Koda but the closest MRI was in Albuquerque and the doctor didn't think it would have good news for Koda. It sounds like Leola has access to very good doctors and facilities.
Good luck.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Thanks guys, appreciate it.

Hey Dave, it broke my heart hearing about Koda. They become such a big part of us. That helpless feeling when you just can't fix it for them is so hard.

She is at the university of CA @ Davis, the veterinary teaching hospital and one of the finest places with all the equipment at their disposal.

Now we wait.

 

[jdulmer]

Best of luck! I'll keep y'all in my prayers.

 

[Petescj]

Best of luck. Leola is in our prayers

 

[BusaDave9]

How about an update? I'd like to hear some good news about Leola

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Actually just talked to the DR. Leola is recovering well, they saw some improvement in her left leg during the neurological exam this morning. Yeah!

We were able to go see her last night for the first time, she was so excited to see us, they made us stay away at first because they were afraid she would make things worse if she got too excited.

She would not eat for them so hey had us try, she scarfed every bite, licked the bowl even, which made us all happy.

She still can't move hind legs much but DR said that was normal. It can even get worse following surgery. Some movement in both, little more on the left, good pain response and lots of tail wagging.

She has a 13" scar down the middle of her back, most of her back is shaved. Shaved her ears too, good access to veins there I found out. IV in left front forearm, catheter in, cone of shame on, poor girl looks a wreck but was super happy to see us.

So now we get to visit every night and handle the evening feeding and spend some time with her. They are very optimistic that she will have a full recovery but it broke my heart seeing her try to get up when she saw us. You could tell she was trying to stand but her back end would not cooperate. She would look over her shoulder at her butt like "come on stand up" then just gave up as we got in the kennel with her.

At least a week still in recovery at the hospital and still no guarantees but we are optimistic she will have a good recovery.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Petescj]

Wishing and hoping for the best just like all our other Dog lovers here.

 

[gr8dain]

That is optimistic news. Thanks for sharing. Good luck for a full and speedy recovery.

 

[jdulmer]

That is good news, I'll keep praying.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

We had a good visit with Leola last night after work. We had a bit more than an hour with her. About the same status, still happy to see us, no improvement but still doing well. Less pain Meds and starting on anti inflammatory meds today.

Facebook link to video
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4723926433296&id=1748670723

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Pooch is doing pretty good, more movement in the legs and doing some paw placement, maybe home by Friday, maybe.

 

[Petescj]

Good news. Vicki and I hope she keeps progressing. Best of luck

 

[gr8dain]

That is really hood news. Still hoping for a speedy recovery.

 

[Hedgehog]

After your post in the CJ thread I dug around to find this thread. I an so sorry, but hopeful for your dogs recovery. You are very loyal dog owners, I solute you for your efforts.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

After your post in the CJ thread I dug around to find this thread. I an so sorry, but hopeful for your dogs recovery. You are very loyal dog owners, I solute you for your efforts.

Thanks, not sure how I posted it there!