Layla

[Lindsey]

I am so happy I could cry! Talk about a roller coaster day!

When we picked up Layla after work it took about an hour, and we didn't get to see her vet because she was in surgery. We were told she did about the same as last time, and the vet would call us later when she was done surgery.

Well, I just got that phone call. She said she tried assessing her deep pain sensation again and there was no response. However, she felt that her left leg has toned up quite a bit, and while she was massaging and stretching her back legs, Layla did seem to notice that she was being massaged. It's not definitive, but it seemed like she knew. And, the biggest thing, is that she confirmed what Scott and I thought we noticed in the past few days - she seems to be able to hold her own weight for a split second after holding her back end up. We can pull her up and she stiffens her legs and if we pull our hands away there's a tiny fraction of a second that she can hold it before her legs give out.

I can't even explain how overwhelmed with emotion I am right now. All I wanted was a sign, just a tiny glimpse of progress, and here it is.

I joined a yahoo group today called Dodgers List full of pet owners with dogs who have IVDD. There is a wealth of information with these people and I learned the things I am doing wrong and have committed myself and Scott to keeping Layla on STRICT crate rest for the next 8-10 weeks. We've decided until at least the end of June, she is only coming out for potty breaks, range of motion exercises, and her other treatments and therapy. No laying on the bed, no sitting on the couch, no sitting in the grass. Nothing but laying in the crate. It's the best thing we can do for her right now.