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Post by Cheryl & Tucker on Apr 21, 2015 7:13:19 GMT -7
A little update. Tucker is doing great. Pain meds (tramadol) were stopped. His last dose was Sunday at 11:30 pm. He did excellent yesterday, does not show any signs of pain. Happy tail wagging, full of kisses and luv. Seems content in crate, most of the time. Just curls up and sleeps. Only whines a little when the other guys get some Mommy luving. Excited and wanting to interact with my sister, visitors he knows when they come by. I see the vet Thursday morning about stopping Metacam. He walks well when out to potty, not wobbly, seems to have control of it all. Has full control of bladder and bowels. Very little signs of neuro defecit,if any. No knuckling, returns knuckled foot to proper position, when I check it. (I do support his back end when checking, just to be safe). He is a great little guy, and I try to give him as much positive encouragement and loving as possible.
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Post by Debbie Blackwelder on Apr 21, 2015 7:33:53 GMT -7
Cheryl, this is such great news to hear. It has been 12 days since starting crate rest and I would say Tucker is doing awesome for that length of time. Just remember to not give in on the crate rest time since he is doing so good. Trust me I know how tempting it is to let the little buggers out because we love them so much but you have to resist. It takes the 8 full weeks to be completely sure the disc has healed and will not retear. Great news!
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Post by Cheryl & Tucker on Apr 23, 2015 7:53:26 GMT -7
So Tucker was at the vet for recheck this morning. My vet told me she does not believe that Tucker has a ruptured disk. She said even from the initial exam, there was not enough neuro signs to say this was the cause. She examined him really well today, because he was not painful like he was upon his initial exam, and said his spine is a little out of alignment, and there is still some inflamation on his left side. She watched him walk around, which he does very well, and said he would not be where he was at in two weeks if it was a ruptured disk. We all know without an MRI, or a myelogram, it's imposible to be 100% positive. She wants me to let him move a little more, onleash, and securely so that he can get better blood flow and some movement to help healing. No stairs, no jumping, just a space in my kitchen, with a carpet, blocked from couches, chairs,etc, no interaction with the other dogs, or the cats. She says she has delt with many Dachshunds with ruptured disk, and is sure this is not what is going on with Tucker. She has kept him on Pepsid AC and Metacam for the time being. We also did another laser treatment, and he has another scheduled in a weeks time, and recheck with her in two. She is a DVM as well as Animal Chiropractic (CAC), Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA) and Veterinary Herbalist (CVH).
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,590
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 23, 2015 10:37:56 GMT -7
Cheryl I agree with your vet that Tucker's disc likely did not rupture (herniate) as the symptoms were mild of pain only. What more likely happened is that the disc beginning to have tiny cracks on the exterior began to bulge out of shape and bulge somewhat into the spinal cord canal. Nerves do not like any pressure. They react by becoming inflammed which is painful. The disc developing tiny little tears (cracks) is also painful when then happens. Big rupture or tiny little cracks all need healing time. The only way the disc can heal is with limited movement: 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks. When at potty time the very, very few footsteps to get the job done WILL keep his joints flexible and circulation up in the muscles. However more movement than just the very, very few footsteps will set up to deter healing of the early healing disc with still very weak scar tissue. Something is causing the inflammation that the vet still has Tucker on Metacam. When there is pain making a vet suspicion a disc episode then one must carry on as if this is a disc episode until it is known there is something else going on to cause inflammation.
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Post by Cheryl & Tucker on Apr 23, 2015 11:49:06 GMT -7
From feeling/examing his spine, and checking his neuro reflexes, and watching him walk, she says there is a vertabra out of alingment. She said he needs to move to help blood flow for healing and for things to realign. She says Tucker is too hyper/active, for accupuncture. Said he probably would not be relaxed enough or still enough to let her do this. She has not in any way pushed chiro adjustment on me, but said it could be an option once this has passed. I asked about herbal supplements and she gave me a chineese herb that promotes blood flow and healing.(Course & Quicken formula) I as well have trepidations, but she is the vet I see after seeing many, and I do trust her. She is gentle, kind, and always concerned, and always listening when you talk. I also understand your concern, but if you were to see Tucker today, you would never know that anything had happened. She is not saying let him go, she is saying slow intro to fully monitored movement, kind of like what you suggest after crate rest. I am very conflicted as to what to do here. I am home all day, and he would only be in the kitchen when I was with him, watching him, and there is a barrier. Otherwise he is in his crate. When out with him, I do not let him make any quick movements, or unnecessary movements, but believe me, he wants to go. So so torn right now!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,590
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 23, 2015 12:28:07 GMT -7
Your call. If it is believe the problem is disc related then no chiro, no walking around. If the suspicioned disk would further tear then Tucker is looking at a lot of pain, neuro diminshment and if bad may be looking at surgery. You would only have more vet bills and maybe some guilt to deal with. Since no MRI has been taken to prove exactly which disc, how bad or even if it is a disc problem, seems like the prudent course is to act like this is a disc episode until you have proof otherwise. Are you willing to throw caution to the wind and if the suspicioned disc worsens to have to begin crate rest all over again. You can read more about chiro and IVDD here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm
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Post by Cheryl & Tucker on May 2, 2015 9:53:00 GMT -7
A little update on my "Little Man", Tucker. He is doing great! Has been moving around the kitchen and livingroom, when someone is always watching. No stairs, no jumping, no rough housing, couches are blocked off. He was in to see the vet on Thursday April 30th, and she said things are loosening up well, and that his imflamation has pretty much resolved. She said he can begin to go up the steps to bed at night, and come down them in the morning. I have a 4 level back split, so there are only 7 steps per level, and they are carpeted, and not steep. He has been outside in the back yard, again with supervision, and aloud to move around, but no running. My yard is not huge, because there is a pool, so he just basically does his business, eats some grass, and lays in the sun. I am almost positive now, because of how he is doing, that it was not a disk. I am grateful for your help thru this episode, and I have made changes to my Dachshunds lifestyle, for their wellfare, from the resources I have found on your site. Many Thanks..
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,590
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Post by PaulaM on May 2, 2015 11:59:55 GMT -7
Cheryl, promising then that this was maybe not a disc episode of a bulging disc. No way to really know until or if there is a relapse before the June 4 day. I would recommend seeing if you can put a ramp over on one side of the the steps and teach Tucker that is the acceptable path. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/ramptrain.htmOne of our members here who is also a canine rehab therapist explained why no steps/stairs: My feelings (based on being a human PT) are that stairs are designed for the average adult (basis for stair height and width). They are not the best design for the elderly humans that can't lift their legs that height and they aren't the best design for toddlers and children who have short legs. Animals are no where in the equation for stair design or safely. Dogs in the wild never had to deal with "stairs", they dealt with uneven terrains. While some dogs with longer legs could easily climb stairs in their youth, the effects can be seen in their older years. Smaller breed dogs like dachshunds, endure tremendous amounts of stress and impact on their spines, limb joints and disks climbing up and particularly descending down stairs.
Check out our ramp thread for ideas in making/getting a ramp where needed. Here is the thread located on the "Graduated" board: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/867/ramps
Do we have Tucker represented in the Dodgerslist Photo Gallery? If not, please do upload. It is great inspiration to those just starting the journey to see life goes on and life can be happy again! How to: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/put-dodgerslist-photo-gallery-calendar
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Post by Cheryl & Tucker on Jul 30, 2015 6:11:08 GMT -7
Just giving you all an update on Tucker. He has not had any issues at all since his episode. He is back to himself, tail in the air, looking for whatever comes his way. Ha ha He is no longer aloud to jump on or off beds, all jumping is pretty much limited for him. I allow him to play with his brother, but if it becomes to rough or boisterous, I shut it down. I engage play outside only, and try my best to ensure he doesn't over do it. Tucker has a tendancy to run full blast, try and stop on a dime, things I am sure could injure him again. Not really sure if it was a disk issue, but your support helped me to help him, and has given me knowledge to help prevent future injury to my little buddies. I have two dachshunds. Thanks again. [Cheryl's update on Sep 7, 2016]:Been over a year since I have been on or posted here. Tucker has had no issues since graduating. On days when it is not too hot he will walk over 2km with me and his dachshund brother Oscar. He is a happy, full blast dachshund. Whenever I am on a social feed where someone has posted about there dachshund having back issue, I always give them a link to your page. Wishing everyone luck with their dogs' recovery.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,590
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 30, 2015 9:15:40 GMT -7
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,590
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 7, 2016 11:18:45 GMT -7
Cheryl, what a very nice update (Sep 7, 2016) to hear Tucker is doing so well and really enjoying life! We LOVE to get updates. They help new members see that IVDD doesn't stop dogs from getting back to enjoying family life.
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