Brenda's Fancy 7/26 surgery — Maltese, Grad: 10 weeks

Welcome to Dodgerslist, Brenda! We are really glad you have joined us. I can tell you one of the most important things you can do for your dog is just what you are doing:  self education about the disease your dog was born with. Knowledge is to make sure the right things are being done for best recovery. And for yourself, knowledge lets you step out of a very scary place…"the unknown" and the toll it can take on emotions.

Here is our page on expressing, so you can get more out of your hands on your hands lesson at the Vet's office.

In order get a better idea where your dog is post-op, could you please answer these questions?

▷ What is your dog's name?
▷ If she is home now ae you doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty and for surgeon directed PT? …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No chiro (aka VOM)? What did your surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest?
▷ Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?
▷ How much does your dog weigh? What are the Rimadyl and Tramadol  doses in mg's and times per day given? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not 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 anti-inflammatory.


▷ Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark or bright red blood?
▷ If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.

Get ready to fight this disease with this current episode and in the future by knowing how you can help now and after crate rest is over. There is no better place to start than on our main web page covering "All Things IVDD" at this link www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm

So the whole family knows what things are emergencies tape this flyer to your fridge : www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdf

This is a comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to add to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm

Hoping her first day home has gone well.. I know how overwhelming IVDD can be, went through my Tyler's surgery and recovery last year.. He was paralyzed in his rear legs..He can walk, run and play now
and we wish the same for your Fancy.

Hi Brenda!

It is stressful, I much agree but it will get better.  It is a matter of getting into a routine of caring for her and adjusting to what has happened and going forward as best you can for your dear Fancy.

It is not unusual for dogs to be constipated on the medications.  Pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with a teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon pumpkin to kibble and no extra water 1x a day. Note alternatives: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potato.

Glad to hear Fancy doesn't seem to be in pain. Do be watchful for signs of pain such as shivering, reluctance to move, tight tense tummy, yelping..  She is on a very low dose of the Tramadol and it will be going lower very soon, that is the time to be very observant.  If she does show any signs, call the Vet.. Any pain at all slows down her healing.

Did she release urine after sniffing a favorite spot or did she overflow??  Sniffing and peeing shows she has bladder control.. Overflowing means she has lost bladder control and would mean needing to express her. Urine sitting in the bladder can breed bacteria and cause a UTI.   www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

Is she now taking Pepcid AC 30 minutes prior to the Metacam and then again another Pepcid AC 12 hours later to protect her stomach?


Healing thoughts and prayers..

Brenda, try 5mg Pepcid AC every 12 hours to see if that will help for 4-7 days after the Metacam is stopped and fully out of her system.

Last drink of the night should be about 8 pm. Last potty time at 10 when you go to bed. She should be able to stay dry til 6-7am in the morning.

Most dogs LOVE hamburger. Defat it by boiling a burger patty in a cup of water. Cool and remove disk layer of fat. Crumble 1-2 teaspoons of burger on top of kibble that has been soaked over night in equal part of burger broth as kibble amount.

What did the surgeon direct for crate rest and for PT? Often if the dog can wobbly walk, the surgeon will say the dog can walk to and from the potty place as PT. Let us know what he wants.

Sounds like Fancy is going in a fine direction of healing!!!

Hi Brenda,

I would keep a very close eye on her and continue to keep the Vet informed.  Was her surgery in the area where the current pain is?  Avoid touching her in that area for now and it would be a good idea to have her Tramadol adjusted so she is pain free from dose to dose.. My dog is 13 pounds and has IVDD and he has always been prescribed 25mg 3 times a day during an episode. He had surgery as well.  Your Fancy is 3 pounds lighter but should get more Tramadol than she is getting. It's a light dose..  Have you reduced the dose? That could be the reason for an increase in pain..  Is she still getting the Metacam once daily?

Are you lifting her this way?  

Brenda, extreme sensitivity to being touched at the foot or the butt is not what we normally have reported post-op. It normally takes about 2 weeks for all of the post op swelling to resolve the pain at the surgical sites, where the operation was.

How is she doing about being able to move up to a sitting position today? Does she hold her head up ok to eat, etc.?   Still able to wobbly walk and pee on her own outside after sniffing?

Did you ever get Pepcid AC on board to protect the stomach from NSAIDs... not eating is a big red flag sign to us that NSAIDs are causing problems. Did you ask in this particular way: is there any health reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC (famotidine)?

 Some dogs do find that tramadol has the side effect of making them nauseous. PHone the surgeon and report the not eating ask about Pepcid AC. And ask if another pain med can be used instead of Tramadol. Maybe gabapentin plus another general pain type reliever?

Is this the correct med list now?
She weighs 10.44.
Tramadol 12.5 3X
One dose of Metacam daily.
Prazoin .5mg every 12 hours

What is the name of the Hospital where the surgery was done?  Usually it is 6 weeks of post op crate rest and doing the PT the surgeon directs.  It is also normal to incorporate a slow gradual re-introduction back to physical activity over the course of weeks.  We have a sample schedule that you can see how that might work.  Let us know what your surgeon specifically wants.  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm 

Hi Brenda,

You asked on the Fear of IVDD topic how to make your home safer for Fancy and we have just the article for you:  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm

Fancy seems to be feeling better. She is still a picky eater, but I think now that some of that is to hold off to see if she can get the chicken, etc. She will stand up to come out of the crate, although it appears she is dragging one leg until she stand up. Then she seems to be able to get it in the right position. When she is in the crate, she does not stand up to move around, she seems to spin on her butt. I worry about sores, especially since they want her to stay in the crate for 4 more weeks after her 6 weeks are up. She will be starting her 4th week in the crate tomorrow. I have her on a thick egg crate pillow with a cover on it. I think she feels she is being punished as she sees her mother running freely throughout the house. I know she cannot have a bath, so what do you do when she has an accident in the crate? What is the best way to clean her up? Eventually she will need to be groomed. What in the world do I do then?

Is it the norm for the surgical center not to have her back for an evaluation after surgery?

Well, my husband had a long conversation with the surgeon's associate this morning. We are totally frustrated that this surgical center does not offer any post op care, unless your dog is having some type of problem. They do offer "one free" visit with their physical therapist. So basically, Fancy had her surgery and once she is discharged, we are basically on our own with her progress. Quite disturbing! We are not trained professionals, how do we determine if her progress is as good as it gets? How do we tell if there is a problem, unless she is crying out?? How do we determine when it is okay for her to have more mobility. Other than the guidelines on this wonderful, informative site, we are totally in the dark.
I want to get a second opinion from another surgeon, not particularily regareding the surgery, but the post op care and some support from a surgeon would be nice! My husband does not want too. He thinks they will want to re-do all the tests, etc. I have read the client reviews on another surgeon in Mansfield, Texas at Veterinary Neurology Neurosurgery Center of Texas, Dr. Bowens. I have talked to his tech and he will do a consultation. How do I check him out. Of course, I still have my husband to deal with.

Fancy is doing great on her outside poop and pee pee. She has only had one accident in the crate and that was out fault because we didn't anticipate her needing to go out at that particular time.

I am to keep her on the Metacam indefinitely and drop the Tramadol down to once a day and see how she does.

Thanks for your help!

Brenda, I am in Frisco. Would you mind tell me where Fancy had her surgery. Most do transfer after the consultation if everything is going well, but as Debbie says, you still should be able to call. Do you have faith in your general vet? I would go to the free consult with the physical therapist. Even if you don't go to them for P.T. they can give you some good exercises etc. to do at home.

As for the vet in Mansfield, he is not board certified, but I have heard some good things about him. He has had good training and maybe just does not choose to get boarded. Some don't. He may be a good person for a consult.

I would check with your vet or call the surgeon about the Metacam. No need to give it any longer then necessary. You should be given some direction about when to stop this. Also, as Debbie said, she should be giving some stomach protection. Check with the surgeon or your regular vet about this.

If she is taking an anti-inflammatory, such as Metacam, then she needs to be on stomach protection.

Stomach protector. Ask your vet if there is a medical reason your dog may not take Pepcid AC. If there is no reason, we give doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID/ Steroid.  So thats 5mg before the morning medication is given and 12 hours later you give 5mg Pepcid 30 minutes before evening doseages.   Pepcid is generally considered a safe over-the-counter anti-acid for a healthy dog and good insurance. Dogs don't speak up at the first signs of stomach problems like people do. By the time we notice symptoms the problem has headed in a dangerous direction.

I would speak with your local vet again and insist on adding this medication to the list. We have to stand up for our babys and be their voice. Let us know how this goes.

We all have learned we must take an active roll in our dog’s health care. We no longer just blindly follow instructions. Our own knowledge is how to fight the IVDD enemy and win. How to protect our dogs from those who may offer harmful treatments.

PEPCID AC The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not 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 and every 12 hours thereafter. Pepcid is generally considered a safe-over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for a healthy dog and good insurance. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. 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:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/stomachProtection.htm
www.petplace.com/drug-library/famotidine-pepcid/page1.aspx

You mentioned that you do not feel as if your Fancy is in pain. There is no one recipe for how long dogs stay on meds. Each of the meds serves a different purpose. It is good to know what the pain meds are supposed to do and how fast they should act: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm

Pain meds are used until you have proof there is no more swelling.

Rule of thumb
pain = swelling = more time on anti-inflammatory, pain meds and Pepcid AC needed.

How long does it take surgery on muscle tissues to mend? The soft tissue dissection associated with surgery typically takes 4-6 weeks to mend. 6 weeks of crate rest after surgery is just a norm and it will be up to you and your vet if this time needs to be extended.


You asked about a larger recovery suite after six weeks. It is imperative to keep the dog quiet 24/7 during the recovery period of 6 weeks post surgery. Follow your surgeon's or veterinarian's instructions. Size of the recovery suite should only be big enough to stand up, turn around and when lying down to fully stretch out legs. Pad out extra room with a rolled up blanket or towel.

www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

I sure hope this helps. Deb