Hi and welcome to Dodgerslist. It IS in the cards for Freddy to get back to enjoying life whether immediately walking or waiting on more nerve repair. There are many things you can do to become the IVDD pet savvy parent your dog will depend on to play an instrumental role in recovery and by teaming up with your vet. As you have time this is where to quickly get up to speed in the next days:
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm☐ What is your name, Holly?
☐ Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc? Is the vet a general DVM or a specialist (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?
☐ What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest
24/7 for 8 weeks & only out at potty times for this current disc episode? …. STRICT means no laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM)
You say Freddy appears to be in much less pain - Dogs are stoic by instinct and don't show pain until it is really bad. Take action as if it were you who had that much pain, you'd see medical help right away. Your vet needs to know ASAP to adjust meds and get the pain in control. We anxiously await hearing back that pain is under control with adjustments to meds.
☐ How is Freddy exhibiting pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move, tight tense tummy, can't find a comfortable position. Arched back. Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight, head held high or nose to the ground. Not their normal perky selves? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way dose to dose.
☐ How much does your dog weigh? Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg’s and times per day given? What was the start dose if a steroid, date of taper?
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 against not eating, vomit, diarrhea, bleeding ulcers by giving doxie weight dogs 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory.
☐ Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
☐ Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
☐ 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 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.
www.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/ Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs
Re the paw sucking - this could possible be neuropathic pain of biting/chewing. Everyone has experienced numbness or pins and needles tingling in your legs when sitting in a bad position for too long a time. Your dog can be feeling abnormal nerve sensations that are mild pins and needles to quite painful burning, on-fire feeling that makes them bite to stop the pain. These are abnormal signals explaining why a paralyzed dog can feel this neuropathic pain.
You would need to stay on top of observing for any more signs of chewing on body parts as this can lead to death. Immediately put a e-collar on or a lengthwise folded towel and secured closed with duct tape.
More on neuropathic pain:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/neuropathy.pdf 
