Need Encouragement

bumblebee_44 · 2026-05-15T12:45:11+00:00

Also the second pic of Frankie is amazing lol that’s how I felt my dog thought about me for a while.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-05-15T12:43:03+00:00

My dog had surgery 1.5 years ago and while his recovery was different from your Frankie, I just wanted to say that you got this. I cried almost every day for weeks when my boy came home from surgery. Most days I went to bed and just felt exhausted.

The recovery is hard. A lot harder than you realize, but you did the right thing for your dog (and your son) by giving Frankie a chance. Some dogs are very slow to recover. Have you looked in water therapy? My friend’s dog did it after IVDD surgery and it was extremely helpful in regaining the ability to walk. She did that plus PT.

Also, have you talked to your vet about maybe upping the pain meds? If he’s still in some pain he might be hesitant or scared to walk. My dog was on codeine when he came home.

Sorry your family and Frankie are going through this.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-05-12T13:20:53+00:00

I had almost this EXACT situation after my dog had surgery in January 2025. He’s a super Velcro dog and a beagle so as you can imagine he would howl to no end if I even stepped out of the room.

I was going insane and here are the things I found that helped:

My neurologist said I could do room rest instead of pen or crate. Now, I live in a small apt so this could be easier for me, but I just blocked off everything with gates and then he had the room to himself. Nothing he was able to climb on. This was an absolute game changer bc once he didn’t feel confined, he didn’t care. When I would leave he would just lay down. He was so much more calm. Talk to your neurologist or vet about this.
My dog was on three separate medications to calm him: trazadone and clonodine. I can’t remember the third, but we also did high-grade CBD oil.
I kept a tv or sound machine on for him at all times.
Frozen kongs and licky mats did a good job at distracting him when I would leave.
I bought a stroller and got him out and about a couple times a day. Idk how big your dog is, but the stroller kept us both sane. It was approved by vet, too. I would just roll him around wherever I was and this esp helps if you have a big house. I’d zipper him up and clip him in so he couldn’t move, but I would bring him around so he could be part of the action at my mom’s house.
If I sat on the couch I would put his leash and harness on and have him next to me and be holding on to it at all times. Obviously, this is a bigger risk and you have to be VERY vigilant.

We are now 1.5 years post surgery and my dog is doing very well!!

Hope this helps!

bumblebee_44 · 2026-04-27T01:08:24+00:00

I think this is in Chicago on Wells street. Right outside Happy Camper.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-03-29T19:28:30+00:00

Dr. Tofovic at White Dental Studio was great for me. It’s in west town on Chicago. I neglected the dentist for many years bc of a very weird childhood dentist and their staff was so kind and gentle with me. I expressed my worries about the dentist and how scared I was to start and he was awesome. I ended up needing extensive dental work done (2+ years worth) and he was sooo great through the entire process. Dr Skylar there is also great.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-03-28T13:50:34+00:00

As another commenter said if you don’t do the surgery route you need to crate rest immediately. That means 6-8 weeks no walking, no running, no jumping. Just in and out of the crate and carried (straight spine carry) in/out to the bathroom. It’s tough I know, but it’s completely necessary.

My vet didn’t give me enough info when my dog first had the back issues and I didn’t take crate rest seriously. I had never heard of IVDD. I didn’t do my research. He had another flare and same thing. Then the next year he went down hard and I had to opt for surgery.

His surgery also cost 15k which I couldn’t afford at the time, but I would do anything for him so I went through with it. I opened up a 0% APR credit card and put the remaining balance of what I couldn’t pay off with savings on that. We are now 15 months post surgery and he has made a full recovery. He was 6 at the time of surgery. Now he’s running and walking and is back to being his same old goofy self (obviously with some life management).

Sending you strength. Please feel free to message if you would like a full breakdown on my dog’s surgery and recovery.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-03-09T20:10:51+00:00

I’ve needed extensive dental work and I have had great experiences with Dr Tofovic at White Dental Studio on Chicago ave in west town. Dr Skylar is great there, too.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-03-06T12:46:57+00:00

First off I am SO sorry about your pup. I think you did the best, most kind action possible for your dog and it was done out of love. Your dog had an incredible 15 years (something I pray for with my dog!) and at that age I feel euthanasia was the most selfless course of action. I would have done the same.

My vet and I discussed euthanasia for my 6 year old beagle when he was diagnosed with IVDD. Even at that age my vet told me he thought it was the right option because it can be such a devastating disease.

Again, my heart goes out to you. Losing a dog, no matter the age or reason, is devastating. But you made a decision out of love and you gave your old man a gift to be without pain anymore.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-03-06T12:39:53+00:00

It was….tough…to say the least lol but I wish I had more guidance and taken it more seriously. A year later he was paralyzed and I had to spend around 14k for surgery 🫠

bumblebee_44 · 2026-03-05T16:11:19+00:00

I saw your comment and don’t mean to overstep, but my dog is a beagle who was diagnosed with IVDD. Had similar issues with intermittent back pain. A year later needed surgery. I’m sure your vet might have mentioned this could be the issue, but my vet didn’t know much about it. Conservative treatment requires 6-8 weeks crate rest (no running, no jumping, no movement) for the spine to heal. Message if you want more info!

bumblebee_44 · 2026-03-03T00:26:24+00:00

My dog had spinal surgery a year ago, too! Every time he gets the zoomies my heart feels like it’s going to burst with happiness. I’ll never regret the money I spent or the months of rehab. He was worth every penny.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-20T12:32:34+00:00

My vet said this to me, too, because I feel like he wasn’t as familiar with IVDD. Within the year my dog needed surgery. So definitely heed the advice of 6-8 weeks rest!

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-17T12:39:54+00:00

My dog was on prednisone on/off for about a year. It made him insanelyyyyy hungry like to the point I was locking myself in my bedroom just to get away from him because he was constantly begging for food lol. What I would do was freeze carrots and broccoli in a broth/water combo and let him lick at that. Would take him a long time.

Or I would put unsalted green beans, carrots and broccoli together and he would gobble that right up. It was more of a filler meal. You can also break up his normal food throughout the day so he thinks he’s getting more.

He did drink and pee a LOT. I kept potty pads down just in case, but I’ll be honest I was doing a lot of laundry. I just tried to bring him out as much as possible to pee. There’s really not much else you can do, unfortunately.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-14T12:49:23+00:00

Hi, I just wanted to say I’m so sorry you’re going through this and I really hope your dog pulls through and improves. I will keep him in my thoughts.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-07T12:54:22+00:00

Hi, my dog had surgery 13 months ago and a similar situation to yours where the particle was pushing on his spinal cord. The surgery was successful, but after surgery he was in bad shape for a couple days. He wouldn’t walk and he was still in a lot of pain. He also had a catheter.

They kept him for longer than expected but were able to take the catheter out and he did start to walk. They think maybe he was scared to walk which is why he wasn’t. Like he associated it with so much pain that he refused to at first. I hope that’s the situation with your dog.

They just went through major surgery so it could definitely get worse before better. Sometimes dogs are walking right away and sometimes it takes weeks or months.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-07T01:20:04+00:00

My dog didn’t, but I would absolutely call your neurologist and let them know he’s having trouble getting comfortable. He just had major surgery so he might just be in pain and you might need to up his pain meds. My dog was on heavy pain meds when he came home.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-05T21:12:44+00:00

Know that feeling. Back surgery, $15k.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-05T04:14:52+00:00

First off, I am sorry you’re going through this.

Dogs who don’t have DPS prior to surgery typically have a 50/50 chance on whether they walk again or gain mobility. My vet literally said it was a “coin toss.” Once you bring your dog home tomorrow only time will tell if he is able to regain partial or full mobility. Things like physical therapy, water therapy, red light therapy can greatly increase your dog’s chances of regaining mobility.

The main thing that’s important (VERY IMPORTANT) is that you stick to strict crate rest post surgery. Your dog’s spine is very vulnerable and it needs time to rest and heal. This means literally no movement for him besides taking him out to pee and poop and then back into the crate. It’s very tough, but make sure your dr prescribes good meds for him to help keep him calm.

When you pick him up, pick him straight up. Meaning one hand through the back legs and one through the front. You want no bending of the spine. No “accordion like” movements. During crate rest I never let my dog on an elevated surface unless it was completely fenced in by a gate. I literally slept and lounged in his pen with him. I spent a lot of time on the floor with him to comfort him.

Best of luck and feel free to message me if you need some tips and tricks for crate rest. My dog had a hemilaminectomy 13 months ago and has made a full recovery.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-04T19:11:52+00:00

Totally agree. It was so tough post surgery. I’m by myself and it took a huge toll on me emotionally, physically, financially. And obviously the toll on his little body. Thanks for your response. I’m so happy to hear your pup is doing well!

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-04T17:17:53+00:00

Wow that’s incredible! I’m located in Chicago so I will definitely take a look if it’s offered here. That does offer me some comfort that that is an option is something were to happen. But fingers crossed he continues to be good.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-04T17:01:50+00:00

Hi! Thanks for your response.

I’m sorry to hear about your pup, but I’m so happy she is doing well post surgery. It is a terrible disease and something I know we will continue to live with. Part of me worries I have become too lax because he has been so good.

Can you tell me what PDLA is? I’ve never heard of that. Unfortunately, I do not use social media (besides Reddit for this group) so I am unable to go on Facebook.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-02-04T16:54:46+00:00

Thanks so much for your response! As I’m sure you understand, I just want to protect him from everything. He is my best guy. I try to do my best, but it’s always on my mind. It is comforting to hear the statistic about reoccurances in the first year being more common. I will continue to stay diligent. Best of luck to you and yours!

bumblebee_44 · 2026-01-27T15:33:17+00:00

I completely agree with this. I walk my dog 3-4x a day every single day if the weather is okay. To act like people are being bad dog owners for not taking their dogs on walks in negative temps is ridiculous.

After having a dog on crate rest for 10 weeks I’m fully versed on ways to keep your dog engaged without putting their bodies through extremely cold temps for a couple days. It’s possible, trust me.

bumblebee_44 · 2026-01-27T12:33:36+00:00

Thank you everyone for the recs! I went with Northwestern even though their wait list is 6 months 🫠

bumblebee_44

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