Layla

[Lindsey]

Thank you Marilyn! I can't wait to get her out walking around the neighborhood in her cart and I know she will be the most popular little girl in town! I think that we have a great opportunity to show people how happy she is and educate on this disease so anyone will know that they don't have to be put to sleep even though some vets will encourage it.

Today I was printing out a big set of plans and when I went to the printer to grab them and put them in order, I took Layla with me and set her on the ground. A coworker came to talk to me and Layla dragged herself a few feet to see him. Another coworker came down the hall and Layla greeted her too. Before I knew it, she had zoomed off down the hall and around the corner! I could barely catch her! I think she realized she was on carpet and she could actually grip it with her front paws! She's going to be a little speed demon when she gets her wheels!

[Janet]

Lindsey...I'm so sorry I haven't been here for you. Layla looks so wonderful in the videos....she looks happy. You and Scott are doing everything right so don't ever doubt that. Layla will adjust and be just fine. Only hold her back if she may hurt herself...otherwise...let her experiment and learn her limits with her cart. You are such a great Momma!

[judy]

Ahhh Lindsey, I am sorry you had to hear that news from the vet! It is one thing to think something, and another to actually hear it out loud.

Now that you know what is to be, you and Scott will quickly get over your disappointment, and between you, him, and Layla, will figure out how to make life as wonderful as always!

You are a loving, happy caring family, and the three of you will always be that way. (When you add to the family, it will add more happiness and caring!)

I like the spray paint idea! Maybe some decals or bows for special days?

[Lindsey]

Thanks everyone. All of your support means so much to me. No matter what the vet thinks, I am still not giving up hope. I have spoken with owners whose dogs have regained sensation almost a year later. Anything is possible.

[Lindsey]

I just got a call from Massechusetts confirming my order for Layla's cart :) It is going to be $345 for the cart with stirrups for her back legs, and up to $85 for shipping, plus whatever duty and other taxes might be. And it will be worth EVERY PENNY!!!! It will take 2 weeks to build and approximately 6 days to ship. Layla can still spend a couple of months running around outside before it snows :) I am so excited for this!

Marilyn, you are so right about children learning a valuable lesson with a paralyzed pet. I hope that when we have children, they will learn that disabilities don't hinder personality :)

[Lindsey]

Oh my gosh!

Scott's parents, sister, and baby nephew were passing through today and stopped at my office. Little Tare turns 1 in two weeks and he was being helped to walk back to my desk. I pulled Layla out of her crate, she got one look at Tare, and ran (dragged) straight for him! HER TAIL WAS GOING A MILE A MINUTE! Her tail was DEFINITELY wagging in response to exciting stimulus! That means there is nerve connection! YAY! Not only that, but she was following Tare around on the floor, running all over the place, and I couldn't take my eyes off her back legs. It was like they were paddling. They weren't just dragging behind her. Her right one for sure kept trying to get underneath and then pushed her forward. Scott's mom asked if she was using her legs and I said it really looks like it, and I've never seen that before!

Scott's sister came in from outside and Layla ran over to her. She asked the same thing, if she was using her legs. She knelt down to pet Layla, and Layla STOOD UP. She may have just put her weight forward like a cantilever, because she does that a lot, but it seemed different to me. I don't know, but I do know I'm so excited I could cry!

Layla's rehab vet, who was just very grim on her outlook, is going to be very surprised when she gets back from holidays! I have Layla with me this whole week and you can bet we're going to be working on this walking thing!

I am so proud of my baby girl!

[gja1000]

WOW Lindsay!! That really IS EXCITING! I'm wondering if when the cart comes you can set it so that her back legs just barely touch the ground so that if she is really trying to run/walk, she can do that in the crate and it will hold her up and she can practice and get stronger without having to hold up her entire weight. She has lost all her muscle tone in those legs because they have not been working, so even if the nerves begin to work, she'll need to increase the muscle tone and strength to actually be able to walk.

I'm so happy for you and Layla!

[Lindsey]

Gayle, the cart has optional stirrups for dragging feet, but is set at the right height for walking if she can start using her legs. Lots of people use them as rehab tools because they can get the walking motion down without bearing weight!

Layla has gained back a lot of muscle mass in the past weeks, but I guess it is the "smooth" muscle, which is used in reflex. If other muscles are coming back, it will take awhile to strengthen them and a long time for her nerves to fine-tune walking again.

[paula1961]

Oh my gosh Lynsey!!!!!!!!!!How exciting!! Layla is amazing! :):)

[JJJ]

I am so excited for Layla :D

So happy to hear the great news.

[judy]

She is the most amazing little girl!!! What a wonderful dog!

[Lindsey]

Thanks everyone! She would be just as amazing to me even if she wasn't improving, but I am just ecstatic that she is! I was holding back tears when she was moving her legs yesterday!

[DianaB]

What great news!!!! Layla is such a special girl!!!! She's not going to give up until she's back to almost her old self!!!! She'll be an inspiration to everyone!!!!!

[Lindsey]

I had sent Layla's rehab videos in an email to our small town vet, the first one who diagnosed her with a possible slipped disc before she completely went down. She just replied to me yesterday and said it is so wonderful to see her moving so well in those videos and they made her cry!

[gja1000]

Lindsay, how is Layla doing with her wheels!

[Lindsey]

Layla is doing WONDERFULLY with her wheels! We went for our first real walk on the weekend as a family :) She got so excited as soon as she heard the word "walk"! We went pretty far (with lots of rests) and she passed right out when we got home for a couple of hours :)

She hasn't really run in the cart yet, which I was disappointed about. That is, until this morning. I put her cart on the ground outside the car with my foot in front of the wheels, and then I grabbed all my stuff. I let her go and she ran right to the front doors of the office (I didn't put a leash on her, thinking she'd go right in). But nobody was there to open the door (I was a few steps behind!) and she had energy from that ride into town, so she turned and went flying down the sidewalk! I ran as fast as I could in my heels, and only caught her by diving and grabbing the back of her cart when she got into some grass and slowed down! When we did get inside, she cruised around the office for awhile to burn off some more energy :) Not sure where all the energy came from!

For the past two days at rehab, Layla's reflexes have been the best they've ever been. They are so strong, she is kicking and moving her legs with barely a touch. Her vet thinks it might be from cart use, but I am really sure it has something to do with the B12 shots she started getting with acupuncture. The shots are supposed to help regenerate nerves, and lots of people with downed dogs swear by them. I had to push the vet to give them to her though, because she didn't think it would do anything. I think it is doing something!

[DianaB]

I just knew that she'd do well with her little cart!!! I can't wait to see a video of her going!!!! It would be sooo wonderful to have her get back most of the use of her legs, if not a full recovery!!!! I'm sure that a B12 shot probably gave her lots of energy because I know what it does for me!!!!

[paula1961]

Layla never ceases to amaze me Lynsey!! I'm soooo glad she is doing well with her cart!:thumbup:

[Janet]

I know I haven't post much about Layla, but I have been following her progress. I'm so thrilled for her and for you. Sounds like everything will be fine...it will just take time. What a little fighter she is and what a great Mommy you are Lindsey!

[Lindsey]

Thanks everyone. She has changed my life, that's for sure. She is my world :heart:

[gja1000]

Thanks so much for the update, Lindsay. I'm so happy to hear that she is doing so well with her wheels. My mom's doxy really didn't like them very much and would only "go" when HE wanted to get somewhere, which wasn't very often. It is interesting though, he began to get back his movement after he started using the cart - so maybe there is something to that idea.

I'm SURE the B12 shots are giving her more energy - I sure hope they help with nerve regeneration!!!

Thanks again for the update. I've been thinking about her AND YOU!

[lynne b]

I am so happy to hear that Layla is doing so well with her cart and sounds like she is making wonderful progress at rehab.
I love reading your updates on her.

[judy]

She is the best!!! How cute that she took off! What a trooper!

[Lindsey]

Thanks everyone!

Unfortunately, after paying bills last night, it looks like we will have to do some major cutbacks on Layla's rehab. We take her three times a week plus she gets acupuncture once a week for an extra cost... basically it's costing about $1000 per month for all of this. It breaks my heart to cut back because she is showing she is STILL improving every day, but I was shocked to see my bank account last night and realized we only have enough in our fund to do this for another month. I know that she's happy either way, but I just want to give her the best chance I can. A lot of stuff I can do at home, but the underwater treadmill, the thing that helps her the most, I obviously can't do at home.

I hate to complain about money because I am lucky to have a good job and a good house and everything, and I can still pay bills and eat, but I love Layla so much and I wish it didn't have to cost so much to keep trying. I have given up paying other things off so that I could pay for her surgery and recovery and Scott said to me last night "Where does it stop?" He will not let me take money out of what I'm saving for Europe or what I'm saving for our wedding some day in the future... he won't let me make those sacrifices. And he's right.

Anyways, I guess Layla is happy as long as we're happy so I can't put us in the poorhouse for her. It won't do any of us good. She's just an amazing little girl and I know she doesn't have complex thoughts but I'm worried she'll think we're giving up on her. Or maybe it just feels that way to me.

[judy]

You have to know in your own heart Linds. Nobody can tell you what to do.

She is a happy little dog, either way!

[DianaB]

You have to know in your own heart Linds. Nobody can tell you what to do.

She is a happy little dog, either way!

That's true. You've already gone over and above what I would have done.

If you put Layla in the water does she try to swim using all of her legs? Maybe you could fill the bathtub really full and let her exercise in the tub. She may not really need the treadmill.

[Lindsey]

She won't use all of her legs except if she's on the treadmill - we have tried. If she's in the tub she just walks around with her front legs and lets the back ones float and drag around.

We talked with the vet yesterday and I think we've got it down to just two days a week... once for acupuncture (plus keeping her there for the day is free) and once for rehab.

Yesterday we took her to our small town vet for her shots. She did a little check-up and when she put the rectal thermometer in, Layla's back end started running away! Her front end didn't know what was happening, but her back legs were moving in a perfect walking motion. It was so crazy to see!

[gja1000]

I know this is a financial burden for you and I think you have done as much as possible for her. I think she will improve some more though! You are a good mom!

[Lindsey]

Something very weird happened one night before the weekend (I can't remember if it was Thursday or Friday). We took Layla upstairs and put her on the bed to wait for us to come and snuggle before going to sleep :) It's what we usually do and she just lays down and waits or sucks on the corner of a pillow. Well, we put her on the bed and went to brush our teeth and get ready for bed. But she would not stop crying and barking! I was in the middle of washing my face but I went to check on her and she was pacing around and sometimes she'd quickly turn her head back and jump forwards, like she was scared of something behind her. One time she whipped her head around and bit her back foot! She has NOTHING to do with her back feet. I thought she may have been feeling something! But a few minutes later she was back to normal, no more pacing, nothing. And she still had no deep pain sensation or any feeling down her back. Strange!

[gja1000]

I wonder if she was getting that "tingly" or "prickly" feeling that happens when nerves awaken??? It sure is strange! I realize she still didn't have any deep pain sensation, yet, it seems like she must have been having some sort of sensation.

[Marilyn]

Lindsey, so wonderful to hear of her progress!!!! This is such encouraging news!!!!

[JJJ]

I'm happy to hear she's progressing even if it's a little at a time. I'm sorry to hear you have a small burden financially but I'm sure things will work out. Best wishes :)

[Lindsey]

Thank you :)

I talked with the vet about it and she wants us to keep watching out for that kind of behaviour. She still didn't have deep pain, so we're not really sure. But if it does happen again we need to put an e-collar or at least wrap a towel around her neck to discourage her from biting her back paws. The mailing list I'm on said it could very well be neuropathy which means there are some errant messages firing from the nerves and it can be VERY painful. And with lack of deep pain, some dogs have bitten their feet so far as to mangle or bite them right off... they can't feel it. :( But I want to stay positive and hope that it's something good starting.

[gja1000]

Oh Dear, I never thought of something like that!! I sure hope it is a good sign and not what you described from the other forum! :(

[Lindsey]

Can I ask for more prayers for Layla? She has been acting weird today, not wanting to move, and tonight she is trembling and won't move her head to either side. She is not eating or drinking. I am terrified that she is having a cervical disc issue. We will try to take her in to her specialist at the hospital tomorrow. I am so worried about her I can't stop crying.

[Janet]

Sending prayers for Layla and you Lindsey.

[paula1961]

Praying for Layla!

[Blueyes]

Oh NO Lindsey! Poor little Layla, she's been through so much. I pray it's nothing too serious. Love you kiddo.:love-hug3:

[Lindsey]

It is a bulging disc. My poor baby. We are doing crate rest and medication. She can't eat solid food, shake, play with toys, anything until it resolves. It may resolve on its own with rest, and if not, she would require another surgery. We can't afford another surgery. My world is crashing.

[Blueyes]

Just hang on tight Lindsey. Deal with things 5 minutes at a time if you need to. Do not feel bad that you can't afford another surgery, sweetheart! You have done everything humanly possible to help her, but sometimes it's just out of our hands. Heck Lindz, she may just feel lots better in a few days. I know your heart is broken to see her in pain, and I'm so very sorry for the 3 of you. I wish I was closer so I could hold you while you cry...

[Shada]

Prayers sent for Layla. She is such a strong spirit. What a fighter she is.. and I pray she will continue to fight. {HUGS}

[gja1000]

Oh, I am so sorry Lindsay! Poor baby. I feel so sorry for her and for you! It must be so hard to see her hurting!

[Janet]

Lindsey I'm so sorry for Layla and you. Praying she is able to overcome this also.

[Lindsey]

We are doing better today. I was so depressed yesterday and I cried constantly. Scott was really sick with the flu and I felt feverish all night and woke up with the same headache I had last night, probably due to all the crying. It's the whole front of my head down to my sinuses. I decided to stay home from work again. I just took some Ibuprofen for the headache so I hope it eases soon.

This morning I got up early to give Layla her food and medicine and we all went back to bed. We slept until 11! When I got up, Layla was relaxed on the floor, laying on her side for the first time since she started showing neck problems. She was completely relaxed and not trembling anymore. I'm trying to stay positive for her because we will do anything possible to get her better.

[JJJ]

We are doing better today. I was so depressed yesterday and I cried constantly. Scott was really sick with the flu and I felt feverish all night and woke up with the same headache I had last night, probably due to all the crying. It's the whole front of my head down to my sinuses. I decided to stay home from work again. I just took some Ibuprofen for the headache so I hope it eases soon.

This morning I got up early to give Layla her food and medicine and we all went back to bed. We slept until 11! When I got up, Layla was relaxed on the floor, laying on her side for the first time since she started showing neck problems. She was completely relaxed and not trembling anymore. I'm trying to stay positive for her because we will do anything possible to get her better.

That is great news. I do hope she sets herself back to normal.

[gja1000]

I'm glad to hear that she is better today. I know you are so relieved. I'm so sorry that you and Scott are not feeling well - I hope everyone feels much better soon.

[Lindsey]

We are better today. I'm being strong for my baby girl!

We drove in to work and she got a little excited but we were tense too because conditions are terrible. It's been snowing all night and it's still snowing and blowing across the highways, and there was almost zero visibility. We're supposed to get 6 inches today so hopefully we will be able to get home. I'm kicking myself for not bringing Layla's medication, just in case. I guess we could always make our way to the vet hospital to get more if we can't leave the city tonight.

For now she is asleep in her stroller right beside me at my desk. My coworkers know not to excite her. I hope the day goes well.

[gja1000]

I've been thinking about Layla. I hope you all were able to get home and that she is doing better!

[judy]

Sweet little Layla! I am praying so hard for her, you and Scott!

[Lindsey]

Thank you guys! I know she's feeling a lot better now because she is getting frustrated with being cooped up. 2 days down, 54 to go! :rolleyes:

She can now move her head easily to both sides and it doesn't seem to bother her. I've still been feeding her soft food just in case. She really seems to like her kibble soggy anyway! It's tough to keep a dog still when she is feeling fine. She cried for awhile in her crate yesterday evening but calmed down and fell asleep. She cried in her stroller at work for an hour straight this morning, but now she's fast asleep. Thank goodness it's me watching her and not Scott because he is not able to ignore her cries (unless he's sleeping!). Last night it was me who couldn't ignore them at 3:30 am when she didn't want to be in her crate anymore. Needless to say, I am tired today.

[Janet]

You are such a great Mommy to Layla Lindsey.

[judy]

Awwww! I feel such love for Layla, although I have not met her in person. Janet is so right! You are a great Mommy!

[Blueyes]

How is Miss Layla feeling today?

[Lindsey]

Good news! This morning, out of nowhere, Layla got her bark back! I thought it was some other dog barking, but nope, it was miss Layla!

Other than that, she is feeling completely better! We're still keeping her on crate rest until January 11th though. That's when her 8 weeks are up. She's getting so much more used to the crate now, thank goodness! She didn't cry at all last night.

[judy]

Thank goodness!!! You must be so relieved!

[Lindsey]

I am! She's just like the old Layla again! This morning she was barking at me as I was looking out the window for Scott (he was shovelling the driveway). I turned back and knelt down in front of her and she got down on her front legs in her carrier and jumped backwards like she wanted to play lol! I am so glad she's not feeling pain anymore and is making the best of her situation!

[gja1000]

I'm so glad to hear that Layla is feeling better. I think I mentioned that my mom's doxy had problems with the vertebrae in his neck, after he had the back problems, was paralyzed for a while, and then had surgery. Like Layla, rest fixed his next problems.

I'm just so happy to hear that Layla is better!

[Janet]

Wonderful news that Layla is feeling better. These doggies sure keep us on edge sometimes don't they?

[Shada]

Layla is such a strong soul.. Bless you for taking such good care of her. :)
I pray for her continued improvement!!! You go Layla!!!