|
|
Post by janzysis4 on May 26, 2013 8:37:27 GMT -7
Hi,
I was hoping to not have to post again about either of my dachshunds but here we go again. Toby is almost 11, had surgery in January and recovered pretty well. Still some stiffness walking but was getting around pretty good.
Thurs I noticed he just didn't seem to be himself. He was walking fine, eating, peeing and pooping normally. I got out the x-pen and confined him just in case. I was going to take him to the vet in the morning to just check him out. When I put him in his crate that night I heard some crying so I went down to see what was going on. He was in a lot of pain. I had some Metacam and Robaxin from his previous injury so I gave him some and he did settle down for the night.
I got him to the Neurologist in the morning and she felt it was his neck area that was the problem. He had movement in all his extremities but was weak on his front right leg. We were planning on having another surgery but after the MRI the vet called me and said that he did have a ruptured disc but instead of it rupturing through the spinal column it went laterally and the disc material was against a nerve. At this point she felt the best course of action was trying to use pain management and a steroid for inflammation as well as strict confinement.
He is on 2.5 mg Prednisone for 5 days twice a day, then 5 days once a day, then 10 days of every other day.
Gabapentin 50 mg 1 capsule 3 times a day
Tramadol 50 mg 1/2 tablet 3 times a day for 5 days
I have been giving him a quarter tablet of pepcid 15 mins before the meds.
He seems to be tolerating the medications and doesn't seem to be in pain for the most part. He has cried out a few times when he is adjusting himself. He is able to limp around for potty times. I am carrying him out and he has been peeing. He hasn't pooped since Friday.
He is eating and drinking normally.
Has anyone else had this happen? The vet really felt the surgery would be a last ditch effort if we can't get this under control with medication and strict confinement. She said there is a big blood vessel there and it would be a very tricky surgery.
I'm assuming I am treating this like any other back injury and that he will need confinement for 8 weeks. I was also going to check to see if acupuncture would be a good option for nerve issues.
I've already had to make adjustments to his x-pen since he escaped from it yesterday so I put a bottom on it attached with zip-ties.
Thanks for your help. I've had my other dachshund Rusty go through surgery almost 4 years ago and thought we were doing everything right. No jumping no stairs. So frustrating.
Janet and Toby
|
|
|
|
Post by Bodydenny&Buddy on May 26, 2013 8:59:02 GMT -7
Buddy had a similar issue in December (surgeon said that he was not a good surgical candidate due to his age and attitude). The neck issue was very hard to control ; once bud had pain under control and finished his crate rest he has done OK. He has not been perfect,but he is mobile and pain free. Hope Toby bounces back quickly.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,567
|
Post by PaulaM on May 26, 2013 10:05:40 GMT -7
Janet, sorry to hear another disc episode for Toby. He has a disease, a degenerative disease, and there is no predicting if he would just have one or multiple episodes. We do all we can in an attempt to ward off an episode or perhaps just extend the time til one will happen. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for a full eight weeks is what allows the disc itself to heal. Your vet does have more options of increasing dose of pain meds (gabapentin and tramadol) plus to add in a third. Methocarbamol is for addressing the pain with muscles so often associated with a disc episode. So give communiation/feedback to the vet so they know pain control is not yet perfected. Accupuncture or laser light therapy can help with pain, too. Because you gave a NSAID, Metacam, and the vet wanted the other class of anti-flammatory, steroids and 4-7 days of washout was not given, Toby's GI tract is at double jeopardy risk. I would strongly advocate for getting a 2nd stomach protector on board: sucralfate As usual read up on all of Toby's meds. www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.htmlOften it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. Neck disks can be more of a challenge. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain. Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on Pred needed. These are extra things for a neck disc that you can do to help Toby: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm Since you were last here, we have added a very good review of meds, healing, etc… all the things it would be good to refresh your mind on: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmDo let us know that his meds have been adjusted to give full pain relief and that a 2nd stomach protector is on board, too. |
|
|
|
Post by janzysis4 on May 26, 2013 10:25:31 GMT -7
I'll call his vet tomorrow since they will be open on the holiday to check about adding the sucralfate.
He seems to be pain free today. I got him out a little while ago for a potty break and he did poop. Didn't have any issues putting on his harness and he seems to be limping less.
Thanks for your quick reply and I'll let you know what the vet says tomorrow.
|
|
