|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Oct 3, 2014 15:51:50 GMT -7
Baxter Boo has an appointment for November 3rd with a place north of town that does canine water therapy to discuss whether he would benefit.
He is continuing to do well on the tampering and will take his last predisone on October 10th and if all continues to go well, his 8 weeks will be October 22nd.
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Oct 3, 2014 20:03:02 GMT -7
Hi Shari, I am so glad Baxter Boo is continuing to do well with his taper. I hope the evaluation at the canine water therapy facility works out that he is able to do water therapy. Fingers crossed for continuing progress for Baxter Boo..
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Oct 21, 2014 4:54:13 GMT -7
Baxter Boo's graduation day is tomorrow, October 22nd, he is doing great and off the predninose. We still have the appointment on November 3rd to see about water therapy.
|
|
|
Post by Debbie Blackwelder on Oct 21, 2014 5:40:33 GMT -7
Congratulations early Baxter Boo!!!! We all knew you could do it. Wishing you many, many years of health and happiness, and no more IVDD.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Oct 21, 2014 6:56:42 GMT -7
Yay!!! What a long journey you have been on. So very excited for you, not to mention proud of you both!!
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Oct 22, 2014 2:32:36 GMT -7
It is graduation day!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Oct 22, 2014 6:20:44 GMT -7
Congratulations!! *Balloons and streamers and confetti* Well done!!
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Oct 23, 2014 2:58:22 GMT -7
Thank you everyone, it has been a year of ups and downs.
First day of graduation went well. Baxter Boo now goes for his water therapy consult this coming Saturday, they had a cancellation and we were able to move his appointment up from November 3rd.
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Oct 25, 2014 16:26:19 GMT -7
Baxter Boo's first water therapy appointment went great. He has another appointment on November 1st. He wasn't sure want to think at first, but then he relaxed. He responded real well, he has deep pain sensation and some ability to move his back legs, so it looks very promising.
Baxter Boo's appointment for water therapy is this morning. He is doing great, he has been sitting on the couch with us watching television and we have let him out to visit with his sisters in the evening, gradually re-introducing him to normal activites.
|
|
Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
|
Post by Sabrina on Oct 27, 2014 10:31:34 GMT -7
Hi Shari! Great news on your Baxter Boo's graduation and that his water therapy is off to a good start! ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Nov 1, 2014 9:42:15 GMT -7
Thank you everyone, Baxter Boo is doing great. He had his second water therapy appointment this morning and did real well. He is able to use his back right leg when in the water. He did some actual swimming with the therapists help and she only had to manually work his back left leg, he was able to use his back right leg all on his own.
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Nov 24, 2014 14:07:57 GMT -7
Baxter Boo is responding well to the water therapy. He is able to use his back right leg in the water without assistance. Then tonight when i took him out of his pen after work, he stood on three legs without assistance from me to poop. His back left leg is improving but nearly as fast as his back right leg.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Nov 25, 2014 5:56:37 GMT -7
Great update, Shari! It's wonderful to hear of the signs of nerve healing that you're seeing. Keep up the good work, both of you, and keep us updated.
|
|
Vita & Emmie
Helpful Member
Currently graduated for the 3rd time; walking and running!
Posts: 189
|
Post by Vita & Emmie on Nov 25, 2014 20:41:45 GMT -7
Hi Shari! Nice to see a familiar name in here - I'm glad Baxter Boo made it through his last episode. It looks like Emmie is hot on his heels to repeat these episodes. She had been doing amazing before this last set back. I'm excited to hear about your water therapy experience. Does Baxter Boo like water usually? Did he swim before the IVDD?
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Nov 26, 2014 10:45:10 GMT -7
Thank you Marjorie and Vita. Except for baths, Baxter Boo had never been in water before his water therapy. And he did not care much for baths. But he has adapted well to being in the water, he doesn't love it but doesn't hate it.
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Dec 1, 2014 14:31:27 GMT -7
Although Baxter Boo is doing great, it has been a little over a month since he graduated from crate rest, I still get paranoid over every little thing. If he acts even slightly different, I panic. For example, this weekend his water therapy went great and he even wagged his tail ever so slightly, this morning he acted (to me at least) slightly different and I about had a panic attack. He is fine now, it was just me being paranoid but after 5 episodes, 3 being this year, I worry.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
|
Post by PaulaM on Dec 2, 2014 16:17:44 GMT -7
Sounds like Baxter is finding some enjoyment while working his legs with his water therapy. You will find a happy medium of being alert to correctly identify signs and weeding out false panic causing signs with time. Glad to hear Baxter is doing just fine!
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Dec 6, 2014 15:07:29 GMT -7
Thanks Paula!
Baxter Boo at water therapy
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
|
Post by PaulaM on Dec 6, 2014 19:06:46 GMT -7
Go Boo!
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Jan 1, 2015 9:17:54 GMT -7
Happy New Year Everyone!
After a difficult 2014, three episodes with Baxter Boo, 2015 is looking good. He is making wonderful progress with the weekly water therapy. He has regained almost 100% use of his back right leg and his back left leg is making progress. He can stand on three legs and at his water therapy he only needs assistance with the back left leg, he fully uses his other three legs.
He is beginning to wag his tail, it has now more of a very slow wag as suppose to just a twitch.
He has no accidents when in his crate while we are at work, and he lets us know when he has to go to the bathroom. We still need to express him some but he is starting to go on his own.
The water therapy has been the best thing for him, especially with most of the past year on crate rest, he is able to work those muscles and regain muscle strength.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 1, 2015 14:40:14 GMT -7
Shari, thank you for your update... very good news to start the New Year out with! Go Baxter!!!! So glad to hear bladder control is coming back!!!
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Jan 12, 2015 5:53:22 GMT -7
Baxter Boo is on the following medications: Rimaydl (1/2 of a 25 mg tablet, 2X a day) and 4ml of Gabapentin, once a day.
As the nerve damage begins to and sensation returns, he has begun chewing on his tail and has a sore spot now.
The vet increased his gabapentin to 4ml twice a day and it stopped the chewing but gave him diarrhea. So we had to go back to 4ml of Gabapentin once a day.
What else can we do to stop the chewing?
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 12, 2015 7:51:21 GMT -7
Shari, sorry to hear about the abnormal pain sensations to cause chewing. There are rare reports that Gabapentin could have side effects of loose stools but we've not heard of it here on the Forum. The med that most certainly does have very frequent side effects of danger to the gastro-intestinal tract is Rimadyl. Do you have Pepcid AC on board 2x/day? Does Baxter Boo still weigh 21.4 pounds?
See if you can get Pepcid AC on board and try the gabapentin again unless the gabapentin 1x/day is now stopping the chewing. Gabapentin IS the med that deals with neuropathic pain there are some similar meds to gabapentin your vet can look into into as options.
Did you check with the pharmacy that prepared the gabapentin to verify no XYLITOL was used as a sweetner. The bottle won't indicated xylitol, you must ask the preparer of the gabapentin compound. If it was compounded by a veterinary pharmacy they would know to not use the toxic-to-canines Xylitol.
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Jan 12, 2015 10:31:58 GMT -7
Baxter Boo is now 16.8 pounds. There is no Xylitol in the Gabapentin, it is not a veterinary pharmacy officially but does a lot of veterinary based prescriptions and they guarantee in writing it is made with Xyitol. We have not been doing the Pepcid AC with the Rimadyl, we will try that. The gabapentin at 1X a day is definitely not stopping the chewing.
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Jan 12, 2015 21:02:41 GMT -7
Hi Shari, I doubt it's the Gabapentin causing the diarrhea. Rimadyl is very irritating to the stomach and GI tract and causes excess acids.. Diarrhea is a red flag warning of GI tract damage that Baxter Boo needs Pepcid AC. It's available at the pharmacy or grocery store. I always keep it here for Tyler in case he has a disc episode and needs to take an anti inflammatory. Since Baxter Boo is having diarrhea I would contact your Vet and let him know and ask for Sucralfate, it's an RX item and should be taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes prior to the Pepcid AC.. Give the Rimadyl 30 minutes after the Pepcid AC and always give Rimadyl with a meal. The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert also warns about serious GI tract damage including bleeding and life threatening perforation of the stomach and intestines. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not to take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID. Pepcid is generally considered a safe-over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for a healthy dog and good insurance. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order:http://www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm Rimadyl can cause a lot of gastric problems despite what many vets tell you. Here is some info from the manufacturer's website on the bottom of the front
page:
" Important Safety Information: RIMADYL is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication available only by prescription through your veterinarian. As with other NSAID-class medications, signs of RIMADYL intolerance may include appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, which could indicate side effects involving the digestive tract, liver or kidneys. Some of these side effects may occur without warning and, in rare situations may be serious, resulting in hospitalization or even death. If these signs occur, discontinue RIMADYL therapy and consult your veterinarian." www.rimadyl.com/default.aspx
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Jan 13, 2015 4:03:52 GMT -7
We always give the Rimadyl with a meal. We started the pepcid yesterday and his diarrhea is clearing up. We gave the pepcid with the rimadyl, tonight will give it 30 minutes before his 2nd rimadyl dose. Once the diarrhea is cleared up, will re-introduce the 2nd dose of Gabapentin.
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Jan 16, 2015 12:31:40 GMT -7
The diarrhea is all cleared up, the pepcid is doing the trick. He is back on the Gabapentin 2X a day with no issues.
Most exciting news is he is wagging his tail again, what started out as a twitch has turned into a slow wag!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 16, 2015 14:14:52 GMT -7
Since has issues with Rimadyl, do see if it can be stopped by discussing with the vet. It is the gabapentin that works to address nerve sensations that can be painful. So happy to hear the exciting news..... tail wagging is back!!!!
|
|
|
Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Feb 5, 2015 4:05:51 GMT -7
One year ago today everything changed. Baxter Boo suffered his 3rd episode and this time loss the use of his back legs and during the past year suffered two more episodes.
A year later he is still not walking but has made wonderful progress. He can now wag his tail (it is a slow wag but he is now wagging his tail).
He does weekly water therapy and can move both back legs in his water therapy. He can almost stand on his own.
After three episodes and three series of 8 weeks of crate rest, he has been off crate rest since October 22nd with no problems.
He is sleeping with us once again, and in the evening either in his cart or his drag bag and playing with his brother and sister.
It has been a very long year but Baxter Boo and my husband and I stuck with it and he is now a happy and pain free puppy.
He may or may not walk again but as long as he his pain free and remains pain free, I am happy.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Feb 5, 2015 7:34:54 GMT -7
Thanks so much for the update, Shari. So glad to hear how happy little Baxter Boo is and that he's moving his legs during water therapy. He certainly has been through a rough year but he's pulled through. As you know, nerves can take such a very long time to heal. So hang in there and stay strong and positive. You have a great attitude and are able to find happiness through Baxter Boo's happiness. These dogs just don't let it get them down that they can't walk. We can learn so much from their resilience. Keep in touch!
|
|