The FCE Starter Kit: What to Get in the First 24–72 Hours

You don’t need everything at once. You need the right things immediately. This page is organized by urgency — what to get today, what to order tonight, and what can wait until the first week. Everything here has been used with Max or recommended consistently by the FCE community.

Get these today — before you go to sleep

These are the items you need in the next few hours. Most are available at a pharmacy, grocery store, or Amazon same-day.

Puppy pads (large pack) Your dog may not be able to hold or void urine voluntarily. Puppy pads go under their hindquarters — change every 2–3 hours. Buy the largest size available. You will go through more than you think. Amazon | Chewy | any grocery store

Disposable gloves (box of 50+) You’ll be expressing the bladder multiple times a day. Non-negotiable from day one. Any pharmacy or Amazon

Waterproof mattress pad or cover Urine-soaked bedding causes skin breakdown within hours. Buy two so one is always clean while the other is washing. Amazon | Walmart

Barrier cream (zinc-free) Applied after every cleaning to protect skin from urine contact. Do NOT use standard diaper cream — zinc oxide is toxic if licked. Use Medline Remedy Phytoplex or a pet-safe alternative. [Medline Remedy Phytoplex — Amazon]

Yoga mat or non-slip rug An FCE dog with compromised proprioception cannot navigate hardwood or tile safely. Lay down a yoga mat or rubber-backed rug along their primary route tonight. Any store with housewares

Order tonight — arrives in 1–2 days

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Help ‘Em Up Harness The most consistently recommended support harness in the FCE community. Covers both front and rear, allows you to assist with toileting and repositioning without bending awkwardly, and can be worn most of the day. Order directly from helpemup.com for sizing guidance. [Help ‘Em Up Harness — helpemup.com] | [Amazon]

Orthopedic foam dog bed (4+ inch) Standard dog beds compress completely under a dog’s weight. High-density orthopedic foam distributes pressure and dramatically reduces pressure sore risk. Big Barker is the community standard. [Big Barker — Amazon] | [bigbarker.com]

Vetericyn Wound and Skin Care Spray For cleaning any skin that develops redness or early irritation. Safe if licked, no prescription needed, veterinary recommended. [Vetericyn — Amazon] | [Chewy]

Baby wipes (unscented, fragrance-free) For quick cleaning between full expression sessions. Gentle enough for sensitive skin. Any pharmacy or Amazon

Omega-3 fish oil (high EPA/DHA) Start this immediately. The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects begin within days. Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet or Zesty Paws are both good options. [Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet — Amazon] | [Chewy]

Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) Directly supports nerve regeneration. Critical in the first weeks. Methylcobalamin form specifically — not cyanocobalamin. [Methylcobalamin B12 — Amazon]

Order this week — arrives within a few days

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MYOS Canine Muscle Formula (Fortetropin) Clinically studied for preventing muscle atrophy in dogs. FCE causes rapid muscle wasting in affected limbs — this supplement directly combats that. The sooner you start, the less muscle you lose. Available through Amazon or myospet.com. [MYOS Canine Muscle Formula — Amazon] | [myospet.com]

Assisi Loop (PEMF device) The most evidence-backed home rehabilitation device for spinal cord injury. Delivers pulsed electromagnetic field therapy to the injury site. Used at ARC Rehab Michigan during Max’s sessions and at home between visits. $250 but worth every cent. [Assisi Loop — assisianimalhealth.com] | [Amazon]

ToeGrips (Dr. Buzby’s) Rubber rings that fit over the nails and provide traction on hard floors. Dramatically improve confidence and gait for dogs who knuckle or slip. Size by nail diameter. [Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips — toegrips.com] | [Amazon]

Pee diapers or belly bands For managing incontinence more actively than pads alone. Wegreeco washable diapers are the community favorite for long-term use — economical and wash well. [Wegreeco washable dog diapers — Amazon]

Ramp (for car or furniture) Your dog should not be jumping up or down during recovery. A ramp prevents spinal impact and the fall risk that comes with compromised coordination. [Solvit telescoping ramp — Amazon]

For the rehab program — discuss with your vet first

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Wheelchair/mobility cart Not needed immediately for most dogs — they typically aren’t ready for one in the first week. But if your dog has significant bilateral hind limb involvement, start the research now. Fitting takes time. Walkin’ Wheels and Eddie’s Wheels are the two most recommended. See the Mobility Aids guide for the full comparison.

B-Cure Laser or similar home cold laser A home-grade photobiomodulation device for between-session stimulation. Discuss with your rehabilitation vet before purchasing — they’ll advise on frequency and protocol. See At-Home Rehab Tech for options.

Vibration plate (linear/vertical type) For proprioceptive retraining once your dog can bear some weight. Not for the first week. See the Vibration Plate guide for the type distinction that matters.

What you don’t need right now

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Don’t buy a crate. Crate rest is for IVDD — it is contraindicated for FCE. Movement is therapy. If someone tells you to crate rest your dog, show them the FCE vs IVDD page.

Don’t stockpile supplements yet. Start with omega-3, B12, and MYOS. Add others once the acute phase stabilizes. The full 19-supplement protocol is a months-long process, not a day-one purchase.

Don’t buy a wheelchair immediately unless your dog is large and you physically cannot support them without one. Most small to medium dogs do better with a harness in the first weeks.

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The items that made the biggest difference for Max in the first week: the Help ‘Em Up Harness (impossible to manage bladder expression without it), yoga mats everywhere (he stopped sliding and started trying to move), orthopedic bed (no pressure sores despite full paralysis), and the Assisi Loop (started night one).

The biggest mistake: I didn’t have barrier cream on hand and mild urine scald developed on day two before I could order it. Get the barrier cream today.

Not veterinary advice. Product links are affiliate links — see our affiliate disclosure. All supplement and device recommendations should be discussed with your veterinarian.