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Post by Jill&Izzy on Jan 19, 2014 16:21:38 GMT -7
This is my first time posting as my 5 year old dachshund, Izzy, first developed a disc issue on 1/10, and the disc ruptured into her spine on 1/13, causing her to lose movement in both of her back legs. She stayed with our vet from 1/13 until 1/17 when we brought her home for continued conservative treatment. While at the vet, izzy was on increased levels of prednisone, injectable pain meds, then tramadol when getting ready to come home. I cannot reach my vet at this time so am posting here for guidance. Hopefully they will be open tomorrow for MLK Day so I can take her in for help.
While at the vet and since home, izzy has been on strict 24/7 crate rest. She cannot move/drag herself so there is nothing else for her to do but lay in her crate. She has been on
▼prednisone 5mg every other day since 1/17
methacarbamol 1/4 of a 500mg pill every 12 hrs
tramadol 1/2 of a 50mg pill every 12 hrs (can give 1 more for breakthrough pain if needed, which we have needed), and
sulfacrate for stomach protection 5mL every 12 hrs.
She has deteriorated over the weekend, from being able to stand/bear weight on front legs to now having no feeling in front legs (via pinching between toes and on legs). She cannot bear weight on front legs- just lays head on ground when we attempt it. She was eating and drinking this weekend (hand fed) but is no longer accepting food or water- any type of food. We cannot open her jaws to force meds either. We are expressing her bladder- she is not doing this on her own. She is still trembling and yelps occasionally, but at this point just lays in her crate unable to move, trembling.
Is there anything that we can do right now, before we are able to see the vet, to help our sweet girl, or does it seem like she can no longer come back to us? Thanks in advance for any advice.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,548
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 19, 2014 17:34:42 GMT -7
You have an emergency today, now. Pred is on the taper, so that pred is no longer up at the anti-inflammatory level where it needs to be. Sounds like a neck disc which are very painful. If Izzy is 13 lbs or more then her pain meds are undermedicated for a disc episode. Tramadol should be Rx at 3x a day and methocarbamol the same. Ask also for gabapentin as this work very well as vets are finding out with tough to control pain. Trembling is pain. My concern is if this is a disc somewhere in the back and now the neuro functions loss is moving upwards towards the head, this can be an another disease on top of a disc episode. You REALLY need vet at the emergency room now to verify what is going on. I hesitate giving you this list of symptoms for Myelomalacia because I don't want to scare you. Education with any disease is important in making decisions. Print this out so you can discuss with ER vet and be relieved Izzy does not have myelomalacia. The cause of M or how it progresses is still unknown. Myelomalacia can be easily confirmed by your DVM with the following: * about 3-4 days into recovery, they become painful. Within the first week, they are in a LOT of pain. * development of excruciating pain (more than just pain from the original disc herniation) • even the strongest pain meds do not help * acute disc extrusion with no deep pain sensation * loss of anal tone, the anus hangs open, (anal flaccidity) and areflexia (below normal or no reflexes) * loss of cutaneous trunci reflex at a level more cranial to a previous evaluation over a period of hours to days with or w/o surgery * development of fever (normal rectal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit) * sudden twitching or jerking of the neck and/or head * loss of voice, horse bark * can't hold body up, can't hold head up * increased respiration/ labored breathing • hyper-esthesia (over-reaction to any touch sensation on body) When time permits after the ER visit do keep us updated on some specifics:
-- What are the exact names of meds most currently Rx, their doses in mg's and frequencies?
-- Is the pain now fully in control dose to dose of the pain meds?
Hugs, we'll be waiting anxiously about the ER visit.
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Post by Jill&Izzy on Jan 19, 2014 18:32:12 GMT -7
I have a 16 day old child at home, so my husband is on his way to the ER vet with Izzy right now. I will update as I know more this evening. I have 2 other dachshunds at home. My dogs are my babies as well and this is killing me. I have been researching this website every day since I learned of Izzy's condition last Monday. Due to her rapid deterioration, I am so worried that this is the point that nothing can be done to help her. I would think that the percentage of chance for improvement with surgery at this point would be very low.
I cannot thank you enough for all of the helpful information, as heartbreaking as all of this is. I am so very thankful for your prompt response. I wanted to wait to see our regular vet until tomorrow since he knows our case and our family. We have never been to the ER vet, but it seems this is the only thing to do. I am so scared of what I am going to hear. I do appreciate your information and prompt assistance.
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Post by Pauliana on Jan 19, 2014 20:01:58 GMT -7
Jill, thinking of you and sending big hugs your way as well as a lot of prayers for Izzy and for you and your family.. Will be with you in spirit as you wait..
Hugs!
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Post by Michelle & Boomer on Jan 19, 2014 20:12:00 GMT -7
Jill,
I will pray for Izzy. I hope Izzy will make a full recovery despite what you are going through tonight. My Boomer is still currently at the vet. I rushed him there after his hind legs stopped working on 1/16. I hope to pick him up tomorrow. Boomer just turned 7yrs last month and this is his very 1st disc episode.
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Post by Jill&Izzy on Jan 19, 2014 22:05:41 GMT -7
Thank you all so much for your care, concern and prayers. I too prayed earlier today that Izzy's pain be eased quickly in the way that was best for her. Our prayers have been answered, though not in the way that I would prefer. Heaven has gained a sweet, furry angel this evening, our Izzy.
The ER vet said that Izzy had no sensation in any of her legs, low heart rate, low temperature and tiny pupils. I'm not sure of the specifics because my husband was with her and I think he was equally distraught with the situation, but he said that it was a neurologic disease, on top of the disc rupture that the X-ray showed last week. He said that it quickly takes over the entire body, and was beginning to take over Izzy's brain. He said that surgery would not correct or help and would not have when izzy first showed symptoms last week. He said that by the time dogs show symptoms that it is too late to help and alter what is already happening. Owners and vets do not catch this disease until it is too late because there are no symptoms and it will not show up on a xray, only MRI.
We had to make the decision to euthanize Izzy, and the vet said there was no other option, that the disease would take her over shortly if we didn't euthanize. We decided to take her away from all of the pain. This is the first time I have lost a pet in my adult life. Our other two dachshunds are 8 and 7 and Izzy was our youngest at 5 years old. While I am thankful that she is no longer hurting, I will continue to hurt knowing that I can't see her happy self each and every day. Loving your pets as family and as we all do is so very tough.
Again, thank you all for your support. I hope I can pay it forward to others who are equally concerned about their loved ones' conditions.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 20, 2014 6:00:06 GMT -7
I'm so very sorry to hear this, Jill. Please know that there was nothing that you or the vets could have done to save Izzy. Myelomalacia is a dreadful disease and cannot be treated. There is no catching it early. There is nothing that can be done to prevent it after a disc injury and there is nothing that can be done once it sets in. You did exactly the right thing by releasing Izzy from it. My prayers are with you and your family as you mourn the loss of your Izzy.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jan 20, 2014 6:20:16 GMT -7
Jill, I am so so sorry for your loss. You took all the right steps but Marjorie is right, there is absolutely nothing that can be done with this disease. Sending her to the rainbow bridge where she is pain free, running like the wind with ears flapping was the most loving caring choice you could make. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jean
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,548
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 20, 2014 12:13:42 GMT -7
Jill, my heart aches for you. I am so sorry you lost your dear Izzy. Find comfort that you did everything you could to care for her. She knew that and could feel the how much you loved her. You gave the most difficult but the kindest parting gift because there is no cure for M. It is not something anyone did to cause it. In cases after the spinal cord has been injured by a disc herniation, the chemical changes that happen after injury lead to a progressive ascending and descending death of the spinal cord. As the spinal cord dies moving up to the lungs it leads to death from respiratory paralysis. Take care and thank you for thinking about paying forward, it will be Izzy's legacy. While alive her wonderful qualities and love existed within her. Now she lives in your memory and heart and in the minds of those she touched and may touch in the future. When the time is right and you feel up to it ask Linda to send you some of our literature to help educate about disc disease, it is free: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmThere is a new Facebook page for those who have lost dogs to myelomalacia www.facebook.com/groups/381150025318109/ if you feel like checking it out. There is a lovely website called the Dachshund Memorial Garden where you can pay tribute and even place a photo. Many touching poems to help in this time of grief: www.dachshundmemorialgarden.comWarmest of ((hugs)) to you and your husband. Godspeed to Izzy. |
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Post by Jill&Izzy on Jan 21, 2014 18:38:18 GMT -7
Thank you all so much for your kind words and concern for us during this time. Today is just about as difficult as Sunday evening and yesterday were. I still can't believe that Izzy was happy, healthy and running around just 2 weeks ago. I want her here with us so badly. My dad actually ordered one of the literature DVDs last week as soon as we learned about Izzy's condition and it arrived today.  thank you Linda! We have another dachshund with IVDD so this will help further educate us. Ginger, our other with IVDD has been much more fortunate than Izzy. I did request to join the Facebook page for Myelomalacia. It's nice to have a support group but so sad that many families have had to experience this vicious disease. I also have been reading posts on the memorial site. It is comforting, but I cry my eyes out with each poem or story read. I want Izzy back so so bad. I have two other dachshunds, so will focus energy and attention on them and enjoying every day to the fullest with them because I never know when it will be their last. Again, my apologies for the somber posts. It's a tough time for me. I am so appreciative to have found this group of genuinely caring people who understand our situations. Can't thank you enough for your support over the past couple of days. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,548
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 21, 2014 20:04:50 GMT -7
Jill, don't hesitate to post anytime you need a shoulder. So many of us have lost a dear friend over the years to old age or some disease. There is never a good time for them to leave as they spend all to short a time with us.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jan 22, 2014 10:47:14 GMT -7
I am so so sorry, we are here to listen, a shoulder to lean on. They are parts of our families, and their loss is felt deeply.
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thank you Linda! We have another dachshund with IVDD so this will help further educate us. Ginger, our other with IVDD has been much more fortunate than Izzy. 