[pwncakesauce]

Although it didn't exactly come to me as a surprise, I found out for sure today that I'll be having spinal surgery late June. I've had scoliosis for most of my life, but it was confirmed at my annual x-ray today that it's progressive - this means that if my spine isn't fused where it is now, it'll continue to curve for the rest of my life. And that's not really okay... so, my surgeon wants to fuse it near the end of June.

I cannot do any sort of lifting for 6 weeks post-op, and I can't do much at all for the first 2 weeks.

I don't know if I can really risk being an obstacle during a zoomie lap or even the target of Dober-snuggles during this time. I'm not really sure what to do with Kaiser. I think we may be able to board him for the first two weeks, but we can't afford to board him (nor do we really want to) for 6 weeks.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what I might be able to do?

 

[eegreen]

So sorry to hear you need surgery. Is doggie daycare a possibility or do you have family he can stay with? Greenlin Kennel in our area has a great daycare with reasonable rates and it may wear him out enough that he will be too tired in the evening to try and play with you. Indy has been there many times and it's really a nice place. If Kaiser likes to swim, they have a pool. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Elzajpn]

I'm sorry to hear that you'll have an operation and sorry that I don't have answers, however the similar case would happen to anyone so I want to hear other DT members' suggestions or experiences, too.
You have 3 months to prepare. Let's find good solutions.

BTW, do you live with your family? Is there anyone staying at home?

 

[pwncakesauce]

I live with my mother. She will probably only be able to take a couple of days off near the beginning.

 

[Murreydobe]

What about the breeder-can they take him for awhile?

 

[Patches Mom]

When I had my Total Knee I had a big Bouvier he seemed to know to be careful around me so your dog may be the same. Sorry to hear you have to have surgery best of luck to you hoping for a speedy recovery.

 

[Q734]

So sorry you're in this position. I hope someone/something comes thru for you and hope you have a speedy recovery.
This is a quandry that could happen to anyone.

Can you gate off part of the house?

 

[Sherryh]

My mom had back surgery and I had my doberman she was a gentle giant laying at her feet.........she never once pushed or poked her. Dogs are smart they know when you're not well....

My prayers are with you ................

 

[Toby'shuman]

I wonder if someone in your area might be able to take your boy in as a foster, (not for rehoming, but to help you out over this difficult time) I am sure there will be someone out there who will be able to give you more options but I can understand you are worried.

Good luck with the surgery and I hope you find a solution with regards your boy very soon.

 

[ShelianDobe]

My husband had a total hip replacement when Wheeler was 11 months. He used a walker for quite sometime, not because he needed it, but to keep Wheeler from "taking him out". Worked so well, that when I had an Achilles tendon graft last year, I also used a walker, until I was really steady. We had no issues. The walker provided protection from being bumped or knocked down and stability.

I even took Wheeler out in the yard, using the walker, and played fetch for him several times a day to insure he got exercise. Again, the walker provided the protection needed.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[brw1982]

I would probably start some serious training with Kaiser on how he's allowed to approach you. Obviously you don't want to restrict him from playing ever again but it can't hurt to start teaching him now he needs to slow down and maybe even sit every time he comes to you. A walker like Avainantics mentioned is a good idea. Also, I would be concerned for your back for far longer than the 6-week recovery time frame when it comes to rough Dobe play.

My intentions are not to make anyone paranoid but my cousin had steel rods inserted and some areas of her spine fused about a year ago. She also has scoliosis and it was estimated if she didn't have surgery now (at 22 yrs old) to prevent further curvature that she could face paralysis by the time she's 40. Her surgery involved about 1/3 of her back and her recovery was a battle but not as hard on her as I thought it would be. However she did permanently lose some flexibility in that part of her back.

She was recently (about a month ago) bumped into a wall in a store by a large man and the impact caused her to lose feeling in one entire arm and part of one leg. She was rushed to the hospital and met with her specialist who did x-rays and evaluated her. Luckily no permanent damage seems to have been done and the feeling is slowly returning to her arm (her leg has resumed all feeling already).

Long story short (too late), my dogs are not allowed to zoomie around her or jump on/into or climb up her. They can stand/sit/lay politely next to her for pets or they can lay on her lap but they have to do so gently. None of the kamikaze cuddles that Fiona, in particular, is so fond of (kamikaze cuddles: plowing into someone sitting on the sofa and collapsing all 75-lbs of yourself directly on top of them).

My cousin said the guy that bumped her didn't do so with a lot of force. He just took a step back and didn't see her standing behind him. It was enough to knock her off balance into a wall.

If a man bumping my cousin into a wall can cause her to lose feeling in her arm and part of a leg, my dogs zooming into her would probably decimate her back. This is why I say I'd start working with Kaiser a lot on slowing down and being gentle with you.

 

[KCFilley]

I'm sorry you are having to have surgery. Ugh. These things can be so darn interruptive and inconvenient.

I agree with BRW about some training now and involve your mom as well. Also gate off part of the house for those times you need to be alone and maybe you just don't trust yourself or Kaiser that day. Is there a neighborhood teen who could come and help by taking Kaiser out to play with maybe a ball launcher? I have a ball launcher that wears my three out.

I suspect Kaiser will also sense he needs to be easy.

 

[Adara]

What about the breeder-can they take him for awhile?

This is the route I would go also. Maybe she/he has some connections also that might work out.

I do dog boarding (not in you area so not an ad ) and I'm watching 2 long-term 30-40 day clients this year and I've reduced the fees quite a bit. It's still quite expensive though overall.

 

[pwncakesauce]

Thanks for your suggestions, everybody! I will take them all into account and discuss them with my mother, begin some serious training, and look into finding someone for help.

Again, thanks, and also thanks for all your kind thoughts!

 

[Okie-dobie]

I just had back surgery in October, posterior bilateral L3-L5 spinal decompression with L4 laminectomy and L4-L5 discectomy and L5-S1 discectomy. Basically removal of herniated disc material and widening of my spinal canal in one area. It was a 3.5 hour surgery and I was home in 48 hours.

The first week I spent up at my mothers but was totally able to move around. I was very surprised at how mobile I was, however I was a good girl and did not over do it.

By the end of day 5 I was back home to the dogs, my mother came with me. I was very guarded around them and carried a cane around with me..lol! The dogs knew something was up and were very good, did not jump up once!

By the end of the second week I was raking the leaves although not bending down to pick them up. I have been cleared to go back to work this month and have been on a work hardening program. 3 days a week at physio. and also using a portable acupuncture machine.

Anyways I think if your Mom is there and you can keep your guard up and the dog crated for a good portion of the day you might be fine. Can you have a friend come over and run the dog for you? Or at the very least have your Mom throw the ball around in the backyard?

I do wish you the best of luck.

 

[Axel's Mom]

When I left the country for 6 months, I had friends that "adopted" my Weim during that time. When I came back home, my boy came back home to me. My friends were interested in testing out if a dog would fit their lifestyle. Maybe you have some friends who will take him in temporarily, too?

 

[robinb]

My 95 year old Mother lives with me. And while she is in fairly decent health for her age, she is frail and could easily be knocked down. Rex and Tara are trained to be very careful around her, they have to sit or down nicely before any attention or treat from her, with no compromise ever. I also have baby gates so they can play in the house and not get to her. Your dog can learn to be gentle and respectful, start the training now. He will need a couple of good outdoor romps per day to burn the energy off. They really can learn the difference between outside play and being respectful in the house. For instance, I play fairly aggressive outside tug games with both of mine and Tara has done some Schutzhund work.

Best of luck with the surgery.

 

[Wylde]

Your getting some Good advice here.

I too have had back surgery L2-L5 fusion ( the first time ) My sister in law was able to take my RIP girl for about a week, But after that I took her. I had a bit of nerve damage so I had a walker for the first couple weeks. That actually came in handy and I kind of used it like a cage around me. If I was you I would do some training NOW to prepare. I also trained my RIP girl and my now current girl to bring me whatever I point at or say CANE, PURSE, etc etc. Believe me it comes in handy.

Last summer I had another back surgery, my folks watched my current girl, but I had also trained her to bring me things, like my shoes, shirt, pants ( if they are within her reach ) I cant tell you how much this helped. But I also have a sound ( kinda like Cesaers SSHHHHTTTT ) that lets them know, stop what they are doing ! So that stops the zoomies.

ALSO NON DOG RELATED, but I will tell you some handy things to have while healing, it will be much easier. One of those " Grab it" extenstion pole thingies lol. So you dont have to bend down to get clothes outta washer or things outta cupboard, etc etc. A back scrubber for the shower as well as a chair incase its uncomfortable to stand long enough for a shower ( no baths at all after back surgery ) Slip on shoes so you dont have to tie any laces. and dont laugh, but my um, leg hairs were getting wild and I was unable to bend down to run the razor over them so I taped a razor to one of my mothers knitting needles so I could shave my legs without bending I am sure if I sat here for a bit I could think of some more stuff to help you get along better LOL Good luck !