The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Yay Walker! I've been thinking about you and your family non-stop. You've been in my prayers so I'm so very happy to see this new update.

Agree. He will walk again!

Oh, those bring tears to my eyes. What a little sweetheart he is - and what wonderful parents to be working with him so diligently. Thank you for keeping us updated. I think about y'all a lot.

Aw, he's definitely trying hard and he is making progress! I'm no expert, but I'd put money on him walking again! I have tears in my eyes watching those!

What a trooper!! We are keeping the prayers going and the positive thoughts -
he is definitely receptive to all the love

We're still progressing daily! Walker is such a champ. He is so happy and his spirits are so high you wouldn't even know he was gimpy (if you couldn't see his legs ).

I've attached a video of him from this morning. You can see he's really getting his legs up and underneath him. He's starting to simulate walking. It looks a little strange at first, but he's getting closer!

We're thrilled with his improvements. If I updated you guys every time he had an improvement or showed something new, I'd have to update every day!! (not complaining, at all! )


http://youtu.be/UW9nBygqNXc

Look at Walker go! Go Walker Go!
This really warms my heart, he looks so happy!
Isn't it amazing how resilient these little guys are!
Gentle hugs to Walker, baby boy!

Happy Happy tears here! How wonderful!!!!!! Bless his heart! I foresee a full recovery! Hugs all around!!!!

I, for one, could watch a daily video of him. So, don't be shy about posting often!

I am so happy he is making such good progress. Dogs are amazing how they just adapt to whatever, don't complain and keep on going.

Aw, he's getting there! If only his front legs would just wait for his back legs to catch up!

OMG! We are doing the happy dance and happy run here with Walker's improvements

Second to Brenda's comments, we could watch a daily video of Walker here too

Good for Walker! Although, kind of hard to watch, poor guy. Did the vet say that it was ok for him to do that or should someone be supporting him by maybe putting a towel around his flank to hold him up? I would think the support might help strengthen the weak muscles in his back legs.

keep it up guy!

Not trying to be negative but I would think the vet would want to rest the injured back until it heals. It makes me teary to see him struggling as I perceive pain. Is that some sort of physical therapy?

I am glad he is doing better. I do have a concern from a therapist point of view. As well as terry t I think is ok to have him exercise but definitively he will be better with a support on his belly. My reasoning is that he can hurt his legs by dragging it, he can over stretched the already atrophied muscles and by supporting him you will help with the propioception he need in his joints as well as facilitate the movement in an assistive way. Have you tried a treadmill with the support under his belly at a very slow speed. you guys are doing a wonderful job. As well as walker my Holly suffered a back injury about 3 years ago but was not severe. I did use a support for a few weeks. She still has numbness in her legs, atrophy and a lot of involuntary ataxia(shakiness) of her hind legs once in a while. Good luck, keep the good job, Walker is a lucky guy to have you.

About 90% of the time he's supported with a towel, fleece throw or our hands. Occasionally we let him do his own thing to see how he does.

We're careful and try to be smart with what's right for him. I know the videos can be hard to watch but he's not in pain. I only post them so you can see how far he's come.

ETA:

The following video is the one I meant to post earlier.

http://youtu.be/9MttfNF4-bU

He takes real steps. Please note before you watch: my husband took this video, and he was so shocked to see Walker take REAL steps, that he curses. Probably NSFW, so make sure your volume is muted.



ps. thanks for everyone's concern about him, and for your helpful tips.

Hey Kaci I thought to give you a tip about what to use as a support. Get a fabric or leather belt that is at least 2 inches wide and strapped it around him then use the end of the belt to hold him. I used with Holly one of the gait belts I use with my patients in that way I did not have to lean or bend down to support her. Keep the good work.

How about one of those light PVC wheel chairs they adjust, I got one for muffin

Are you not using the wheelchair you got for him? Just curious. I still think letting him do his thing could cause more damage but I am not a vet or therapist.

Oh that second video is great, those are definitely real steps. I thought you were probably supporting him most of the time, otherwise I'd have worried about letting him drag the legs too much. But I'm sure you're taking veterinary advice and doing the right thing by him. He's doing great!

So amazing to see our fur-kids resiliency and determination. And I too wouldn't mind if you updated everyday. My husband asks me daily about Walker's progress, so I will be more than happy to share this with him. Thank you Kaci and of course continued prayers and good wishes for Walker. Way to go buddy!

What a beautiful video - these little ones always surprise us at their drive. Keep up the good work!!

I also think about Walker frequently, glad he is making progress.