Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on Apr 25, 2017 9:41:27 GMT -7
They said they don't see any signs of any kind of spinal concern, legs are somewhat stiff and they think he just overdid it. They gave me rimadyl and after one dose he does seem to be slightly better. Tail is still down, but he wagged a little more this morning and tried to writhe around in bed (he does that in the AM sometimes.) They said his legs do seem stiff, and as we know after crate rest this long are weaker.
If any concern they said follow up with his other vet who performed surgery. I made a tentative appt. this Sat just to have something down in case I need it.
He's back in his crate. I spoke with the vet tech at his surgery hospital, she said that's good but still keep him on his little walks to get legs working again. Sounds like perhaps just a small thing, will rest and massage him.
[22 lbs Rimadyl as of 4/24]
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 25, 2017 10:46:56 GMT -7
Serena, it would make sense that if there is swelling that was caused by "something," that Rimadyl (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug) would start working on it and Wolfie would have some relief. Hope the cause is overdoing and just some muscle inflammation. Got my fingers crossed it is not anything involved with a disc. My concern is that there have been cases where the down tail is was an early warning of pain from a disc problem. Just don't want you to rule that out and have Wolfie moving, going on walks until you have a the correct diagnosis. Glad you have a neuro appt to get a 2nd opinion. So hoping just sore muscles. Have you thought about stomach protection whenever any anti-inflammatory drug (steroid or NSAID) is used? NSAID manufacturer pkg inserts warns about gastrointestinal problems, NSAIDs work to relieve inflammation but often come with some serious side effects of preventing the body’s COX enzyme from doing its job. COX protects the stomach lining from harsh acids and digestive chemicals. COX also maintains kidney function. Red flag signs of GI upset of not eating, vomit, red or black bloody diarrhea can quickly lead to bleeding ulcers or life threatening holes in the stomach or intestine. Pepcid AC has a very limited potential for side effects. DO Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC (famotidine)?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving Pepcid AC. Knowledge about each med your dog takes is the added layer of protection. Good link to bookmark and read about Pepcid AC: www.marvistavet.com/pharmacy-center.pmlThe usual dose during a disc episode is Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. Give the anti-inflammatory with a meal as added protection. www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html
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Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on Apr 25, 2017 15:15:05 GMT -7
Thank you for that input. Yes it is worrisome about a possible disc episode. I am definitely thinking about that. I spoke to the vet tech and she did tell me to keep him going on his little walks so I'm doing that for peeing. But pretty short walks. The tail down is a mystery, I really hope it's just soreness. He did wag at me and at the neighbors a little but he's definitely still down. Also when stretching the tail went up nicely, more than yesterday. Lots of diligent watching and doing the right thing for him.
Got the +pepcid AC, thanks.
[22 lbs Rimadyl as of 4/24 +Pepcid AC 5 mgs 2x/day ]
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,555
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 25, 2017 17:47:13 GMT -7
The potty time should be in footsteps not short walks. Everytime the vertebrae move they push on a disc. IF this would be a disc episode, then short walks ARE pushing on a weakened disc. So prudent til you know it is not a disc episode, is to act like it may be one.
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Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on Apr 26, 2017 6:47:24 GMT -7
I'm going to try and get him back to his surgery vet today. I haven't seen any worsening symptoms but he didn't improve much overnight. I know there is no specific time period for improving but I want to be cautious. He did do a little writhing on bed again and stetching front and back legs in down dog yoga pose. So that's good but still I don't know what's going on. And the down tail keeps worrying me. It only goes up when he sees our neighbor who he loves so much.
Previously I was out of town right up until he went into emergency vet so I didn't see his symptoms. My husband says this is nothing like that, before he didn't want to walk, lay down, and the legs were wobbly and then moving wrong. But still you never know now what's happening.
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Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on Apr 26, 2017 10:55:24 GMT -7
Pepcid AC, 5 MG twice a day.
Had a maybe good sign. Wolfie was play biting my husband this morning after breakfast. He hasn't been doing that the last few days. When he came out for potty break he actually wagged his tail quite a bit more then I've seen. And lately hasn't been wagging unless at one of the neighbors. That may be a good sign, hopefully. Still on for his appt. saturday, but hopefully this is good sign that rimadyl may be helping soreness.
I spoke to the vet today, he said if there is pain please bring in for emergency. But I am not seeing any whining or pain symptoms besides the tail, and that possibly seems to be improving. So I'll wait until Saturday and keep calling to see if there are any openings before that time.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Apr 26, 2017 13:26:14 GMT -7
If Wolfie is acting more like his normal self and wagging more those are good signs of progress.
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Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on Apr 26, 2017 14:45:24 GMT -7
Much more wagging this afternoon and kissed me on the mouth when he got a chance! I guess I let my guard down, never let him do that before.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Apr 26, 2017 14:54:28 GMT -7
So glad to hear this. They do like to sneak kisses!
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Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on Apr 27, 2017 6:45:34 GMT -7
Wolfie is doing much better today. He did his writhing in bed again and was pretty happy this morning. Tail is not down anymore. He looks overall happier and is moving around nicely. I'll just keep taking it easy. Probably will not go to his other vet appt on Saturday. It looks to be that he is recovering so probably had some kind of soreness which is improving. So glad to see him feeling better.
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Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on Apr 29, 2017 7:27:16 GMT -7
Wolfie is still doing well, I think we're out of the woods on that last one. I would tell other people make sure to take it very easy after being released from crate rest. We did increase slowly but maybe it was still too much. It's hard having a dog who is super active with a high chase drive. I have been giving him little food treat puzzles to keep him occupied during the day. I also would like to train him to do more on the floor tricks just to occupy his mind. He really wants to be roaming around the backyard but it is not allowed.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,555
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 29, 2017 8:44:30 GMT -7
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Serena & Luna
New Member
FEMALE - Spaniel mix- conservative treatment
Posts: 37
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Post by Serena & Luna on May 1, 2017 20:30:22 GMT -7
Wolfie is great at loose leash walking, we had done a lot of training before and he loves to learn. Thanks for the video. He is doing so well today, he started playing with his squeaky toys again just squeaking them over and over, so cute!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,555
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Post by PaulaM on May 2, 2017 7:27:14 GMT -7
Serena, thanks for another good update of feeling good enough enjoy his squeaky toy!!
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Post by James & Brie on May 18, 2017 23:44:35 GMT -7
Congratulations on your dog Wolfie's quick recovery. Sounds like he's lucky to have you. Good story!
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