Layla

[Lindsey]

Judy, when Layla walks underwater, she is doing what is called spinal walking. This movement isn't controlled by the brain, but the muscles in charge of reflex remembering that when the front legs move in a walking motion, they used to move in a walking motion too, so it's a jerky kind of motion based on muscle memory. It's basically reflexive walking. She doesn't have the strength yet to hold her weight long while moving on ground, but the water is great because she stays afloat with her life jacket and they can work on just the movements of her legs instead of also holding her weight. I'm sure that eventually she can do it out of water too

Here is a video of another dog named Cricket, who is a yorkie cross owned by a lady I met on another forum for handicapped pets. She was told Cricket would never walk again, but he now spinal walks, and does very well at it!

You Tube

[judy]

That's amazing! I hope Layla does get her full responses back, but if not, and she can do this spinal walking, she will be just fine! She can still run around and play.
I would imagine you would still have to express her urine, but that's not the end of the world either.

[DianaB]

I hope Layla is back to herself soon but, you know, this dog in the video looks very happy and playful.....and definitely not in pain. Not exactly what you want but definitely something that you could live with!!

[Lindsey]

Layla is happy and not in pain, so we are glad about that! On Monday, she was put on the underwater treadmill, and started walking on all 4 legs with no help! It was the best day she's had yet! Usually she has her feet placed for her for about 3 minutes before she takes over. This time she started and walked for 7 minutes!

Today while she's at the hospital getting rehab, she will also have a couple of lumps aspirated. Please say an extra little prayer for her today. I hope the lumps are nothing but we want to make sure anyway! The rehab vet actually brought it up and thought it was something we should do.

Before we pick her up today we will stop at Petsmart and buy a little plastic pool for her. She likes being able to walk around on her own and the water gives her that freedom, so the vet thought it would be great to have at home

[paula1961]

I will say an extra prayer for Layla today. I hope the lumps are nothing. Are they going to test them? Did they say what they "think" it could be?
I'm so very happy that Layla is able to walk on her own even if it is for a few minutes. She sure is an inspiration to us all! I hope she enjoys her pool Lynsey! You will have to post pix of her in it.

[Lindsey]

I will for sure! Maybe I can even get some video

They haven't said anything about the lumps, just that they would like to aspirate and test them. I did bring them up to our vet in our town and she said they're probably just cysts that all dogs get. I'm glad the other vet thought we should look at them more closely though. The one on her neck has gotten quite big.

[judy]

I will pray for her. Did you get the results of your tests back yet?