10 Best Products for Dogs Recovering from IVDD Surgery
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a diagnosis that all dog owners dread. We (Mike and Steph) unfortunately saw our long-haired dachshund Django go through IVDD surgery earlier this year after suffering a serious back injury.
The path to recovery after an IVDD diagnosis is never easy. Dogs with IVDD always need strict crate rest, and many also need complicated and expensive back surgery like our dog Django. While recovering, your dog's movement must be restricted to a crate or pen, and he or she may not be able to walk without support. Your pup may also experience incontinence for several weeks and need help going to the bathroom via bladder expression. In other words, the recovery process can be difficult and daunting for us loving dog parents.
Fortunately, there are dog products on the market that help make your dog's IVDD journey and recovery easier. Here are 10 products that we found helpful and essential throughout Django's IVDD recovery.
The Best Dog Walking Fanny Pack, the Nolita Belt Bag, is Here!
DJANGO's Nolita Belt Bag is a modern, functional, and thoughtfully-crafted dog walking fanny pack. With a nod to trendy dog parents, the Nolita Belt Bag has numerous features that upgrade dog walking and outdoor adventures with four-legged family. From sustainably sourced fabrics to premium hardware to meticulous design details, everything about the Nolita Belt Bag is an upgrade from your standard accessory.
Learn more about DJANGO's Nolita Belt Bag here.
We Feed Raw Dog Food Review: Our Experience with the Minimally Processed Raw Pet Food Subscription Service
The popularity of raw dog food has exploded in recent years. More than ever, experienced dog owners are showing preference for the biologically appropriate, minimally processed, and nutrition-dense dog food. Many point to the health benefits of the diet. To name just a few, raw-fed dogs often have smaller and firmer stools, healthier skin and coats, better digestion, and fewer allergy symptoms.
We've always been incredibly picky when it comes to Django's diet. We only feed our hairy little sausage dog high quality and often organic foods. We tend to favor fresh dog foods and never hesitate to top his dinner bowl with wild alaskan salmon, boiled organic chicken, half an egg, or even fresh organic strawberries (his personal favorite!).
Recently, we decided to try We Feed Raw. This company is one of the more reputable ones in the raw dog food industry. It cuts out mystery ingredients and unpronounceable additives and replaces them with easily digestible, human-grade meat. Unlike other dog food brands whose recipes have endless and often unrecognizable ingredients, you can easily count and identify all We Feed Raw recipe components.
Here is an honest and in-depth review of We Feed Raw dog food. All opinions expressed are solely our own and are based on our personal experience feeding We Feed Raw to Django.
What is the Cost of IVDD Surgery for Dogs?
Earlier this year, our long-haired dachshund, Django, had back surgery for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Within 48 hours after his back legs became paralyzed, Django underwent spinal surgery, and a canine neurologist successfully removed herniated disc material from Django's spinal canal. You can read all about Django's IVDD experience here and learn what to immediately do if you suspect your dog is suffering from IVDD.
For the first time, we (Mike and Steph) became very familiar with the true costs surrounding dog back surgery. While the price of IVDD surgery varies greatly, we learned that the total bill is far bigger than just the operation cost; it also includes exams, boarding, medication, anesthesia, etc.
In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we examine the “all in” cost of IVDD surgery for dogs. We also compare the success rate of IVDD surgery to non-surgical IVDD treatment options. And finally, we discuss which IVDD treatments are typically covered by pet insurance.
10 of the Best Calming Aids and Anti-Anxiety Products to Help Reduce Your Dog’s Stress
Dogs can have anxiety, just like humans do. In fact, nearly 75% of dogs show some type of anxious behavior. Some walk around subway grates or dart behind furniture during thunderstorms. Others tuck their tails between their legs in unfamiliar locations. Many also have indoor "accidents" when they are left alone. Symptoms vary widely and can include barking, destructive behavior, excessive panting, or pacing. To make matters worse, more than 30% of dogs have “out of the blue”, generalized anxiety that does not have a cause or trigger.
While your dog’s living environment can cause canine anxiety, some breeds are just more likely to suffer from emotional problems. Do you have a dog that is generally anxious, fearful, or snaps out of nervousness? If yes, this article is for you!
In this DJANGO Dog Blog post, we round up 10 of our favorite dog calming aids and anti-anxiety dog products.
Interview: Dexter, the Brittany Spaniel, Learned How to Walk on his Back Legs After a Tragic Accident
Dexter is an adventurous and strong Brittany spaniel dog from Ouray, Colorado with an incredible story. When he was not even a year old, Dexter was hit by a van and had to have his front right leg amputated. While going through rehabilitation, Dexter taught himself to walk on his back legs, just like a human! Although Dexter's three remaining legs are healthy and strong, to this day Dexter prefers getting around on his back legs.
Dexter's incredible talent and unique gait has made him a doggy celebrity on social media, and he has helped teach the world about the resilience and positive spirit of disabled dogs. Followers are inspired by Dexter's story, amazed by his two-legged skills, and uplifted by his happy and friendly disposition.
We had the pleasure of catching up with Dexter and his loving dog mom, Kentee Pasek, to learn more about Dexter's injury, rehabilitation, and special story.
My Wiener Dog Is Suddenly Shaking and Can't Move His Front or Back Legs. What's Wrong?
We (Steph and Mike) recently experienced what most dachshund owners dread happening. Our long-haired "tweenie" dachshund, Django, underwent spinal surgery for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
Django had IVDD surgery on January 10th, approximately 48 hours after he lost function in his back legs, to remove all of the disc material in his spinal canal which was causing him pain and partial paralysis. As of writing (March 2022), Django is thankfully recovering nicely, albeit slowly. He finally started getting more feeling and function in his back legs about 3-4 weeks after surgery and is now starting to use them again! His back legs remain wobbly and weak, but we and Django's neurologist continue to expect Django to see a full recovery over time.
In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we address what to do if you suspect your dog is suffering from IVDD. We cover what steps you should immediately take if your dog has symptoms of IVDD, explain what IVDD is, and also address additional frequently asked questions about Intervertebral Disc Disease in dogs.
Dog Nutritional Requirements and Tips for A Balanced Diet and Healthy Life
The Best 17 Small and Medium Dog Breeds for Families With Kids
Looking for a small or medium-sized dog for you and your family? You may have been told that smaller dogs and youngsters do not mix—that tiny dogs can be fragile, yappy, or snappy. Truth is, there are plenty of small and medium dog breeds that make amazing, loving companions for families with babies, small children, and older kids.
In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we round up the top small and medium dog breeds for families. We hope this helps you find the perfect pup for your family!
Raised Right Fresh Dog Food Review | Our Experience With The Low-Carb and Home Cooked-Style Dog Food Subscription Service
While searching for high-quality, nutrient-rich dog food for our 14 lb long-haired dachshund Django, we (Mike and Steph) have tried almost every fresh dog food delivery service on the market. We prefer dog food brands that do not have artificial flavors, fillers, or preservatives. They also should be made with high-quality animal proteins and vitamin-packed fruits and veggies.
After discovering Raised Right earlier this year, we have been layering it on top of his small breed adult dry dog food. We feel great about feeding Django Raised Right because it is made with single-source animal protein, omega 3-rich oils, non-GMO herbs, and superfoods. Raised Right has also teamed up with carbonfund.org to combat climate change by reducing its carbon footprint. That is a cause we can support because our dog accessories and apparel small business, DJANGO, was built to give back to the environment.
Here is an unbiased and comprehensive review of Raised Right’s homestyle, human-grade fresh dog food. All opinions are based on our personal experience feeding Raised Right to our celebrity wiener dog Django.
CBD Dog Chews and Treats: 15 All-Natural Mouthwatering Hemp Products That Will Help Soothe Your Dog's Anxiety and Pain
CBD oil is a popular natural remedy used to treat common canine health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis, in humans. Because your dog has an endocannabinoid system, CBD dog treats can help him with health issues like anxiety, inflammation, nausea, and joint pain.
CBD dog treats, also called hemp dog treats and dog relaxants, are specially designed with your pup’s size and weight in mind. Smaller dog breeds like French bulldogs or Welsh Pembroke corgis will need a lower dose of CBD than larger dog breeds like collies and Labrador retrievers.
In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we list 15 of our favorite CBD dog treats and chews on Amazon. They not only come in dog-approved flavors but are also packed with powerhouse ingredients that are scientifically proven to reduce pain and anxiety.
Doggy Daycare: What To Expect, How Much It Costs, and Which Type of Dog Boarding Is Best for Your Pup
There are a lot of reasons you might want to put your dog in daycare. If you have an unpredictable schedule or work long hours, you may have to leave your dog at home for large chunks of time. Maybe your puppy is hyperactive and needs more hands-on attention and stimulation throughout the day. Perhaps you have a dog that has separation anxiety, and he needs more opportunities to socialize with other pups and learn to play without you around. Doggy daycare can provide dogs with exercise, playtime, mental stimulation, and, if applicable, special care.
But what exactly is doggy daycare, and what type of doggy daycare is best? Do doggy daycare centers have health and vaccination requirements? How do you find a reputable doggy daycare in your area, and how much does it cost? Will your dog thrive in daycare?
Here is what you need to know before you enroll your dog in daycare.
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