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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 5, 2017 21:32:46 GMT -7
Hi, I'm Amber and my sweet Wheaton mini dachshund, Winston, was diagnosed with IVDD on May 31. He rested on gabepentin and metacam for 2 weeks, not in a crate, as it wasn't even mentioned "if he feels better, he can return to normal activity." On July 2, around 1030 P.M. Winston tried jumping on my son's low bed with a toy in his mouth. He slipped and fell on his side, yelped, righted himself with loss of movement in his back legs. Afraid and unable to get to the vet until morning, I gave him a dose of each meds from May. Gave again in the morning and took him in around 8 A.M. Without imaging, he was diagnosed by a DMV after consulting with a neuro, with a ruptured disk. Unable to afford surgery, we opted for conservative treatment, using the same meds. I wasn't given much instruction as to what conservative crate rest meant, all I've learned has been via Google and this forum, and messages with Linda. I'm having to express his bladder, and feel like I'm getting more successful. He doesn't like me doing it, so I believe he has sensation. He wags his tail , and has all along. He scratches at his side with his right leg, and appears to use it, if not both to adjust himself in his crate. I'm overwhelmed and exhausted. Luckily, I'm a teacher and don't return until 8/21. I'm hoping for nothing less than a miracle in the next 7 weeks! [Moderators notes, please do not modify13 lbsMetacam as of 7/2: 0.5mg/15mL: 13lbs dose 1x/day for 14 days BEFORE test-for-pain stop Gabapentin 100mg 3x/dayPumpkin with extra water?] [7/6 3:46pm update from DL FaceBook:]Upon waking this morning, Winston was able to pee on his own. It was a great deal, the bed was wet, a large puddle on the pad, and a fairly wet towel. He had moved himself off of it. He bore slight weight on his legs when I tried to express his bladder (this was before I saw the pee. I took my mom to the airport, and left him resting in my son's room in his crate. He was so excited to see me that he actually stood up for a moment. I had to lay on the floor near him to calm him. I've seen him use both feet purposefully, kicking his feet below his bum to adjust himself. He's used his right foot to scratch his side since the day after his injury, but I just now saw him do it with his left! Not as strong as his right, but still! I've asked the vet for a sedative prescription again as he's ridiculously anxious normally, and. Is that he is feeling better and becoming more mobile, I don't want him trashing about in the crate.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 5, 2017 22:20:29 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Amber! First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for your Winston to get back to enjoying life whether immediately walking during the short 8 weeks of conservative treatment it will take a disc to heal or waiting on more nerve repair - IVDD is not a death sentence. Find out why that is true: www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmIn order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? ☐ Is there still currently 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, restless, can't find a comfortable position. Ears pinned back, 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 of correctly Rx/d pain meds. If you see pain between doses, let the Vet know so the medications can be adjusted..It often takes more than one pain medication on board as there are 3 sources of pain with a disc episode.. Gabapentin is for nerve pain, Tramadol is a general pain reliever and Methocarbamol would be for Muscle constractions. More info on pain control here: dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm🔴 "There is medicine and there is healing. Healing requires rest and comfort, and all patients should be kept as comfortable as possible. Studies have shown a correlation between less pain and faster recovery from illness, surgery, or injury." Barak Benaryeh, DVM, DABVP. Identifying Pain in Geriatric Patients. Veterinary Team Brief. NOV/Dec 2015. 🔴 ☐ Let us know you are on the same page about crate rest. The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the crate rest part. With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. That 6 weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form. Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmSTRICT means: *no laps *no couches *no baths *no sleeping with you *no chiro therapy *no dragging or meandering at potty times. Can you confirm Winston now has bladder control with the sniff and pee test? Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog's back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot. Can he sniff an old pee spot in the grass and then choose to mark/release urine on that spot? That is proof of bladder control returning. You should do a quick express check until you are satisfied he fully voids every time. Let us know what you observe! An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on! ☐ Why Chiropractic is not recommended for pain for an IVDD dog www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm☐ Can you fill in the missing information in pink about Winston's med list? Winston's weight? Metacam as of 7/2: ?mgs 2x/day for how many days?, BEFORE test-for-pain stop Gabapentin ?mg ?x/dayPlease include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical or 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? ☐ Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark or bright red blood? The unknown is simply too scary a place to stay in. Are your ready to get up to speed on all things IVDD and fight the IVDD enemy? Excellent page to start with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Are you ready? Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmWe'll teach you how to take care of Winston so you can have many more happy years with him.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 9, 2017 19:49:33 GMT -7
Winston is on gabepentin 100mg 3x day, Metacam 0.5 mg daily, .25mg ✚ trazodone every 12 hours(added yesterday). He was having very promising movement on Thursday, but Friday and Saturday he was very still and no sign of movement from his back leg, no more joyful tail wagging His personality appears to have returned more today, but there's still no move movement of the hind end. He's incontinent, wetting his bed several times a day and I express him when I change the pad and clean him. I can't tell if he's moving his feet when he lays down. They appear to twitch some, but I don't know if it's reflex when he settles down and lays on his side with all 4 feet sticking out in front. He curves his tail around when he lays like that, but I haven't witnessed him moving it or if it just goes on it's own...he's eating and drinking normally. He isn't successful with the sniff test, but maybe he will be. We are on day 7. I read on the site that it can take 7-30 days for the swelling to go down. He's been in the crate except when i bring him out to try to potty, or the multiple bed changes a day. He gets excited and moves about (that's why he's now on trazodone). Im scared that we went backward. I was so happy he wagged his tail up until Friday after he had so many promising movements on Thursday. Maybe he injured himself further (he's not in additional pain). I'm feeling very discouraged and scared. Is all hope of regaining his legs lost? Moderators notes, please do not modify [ 13 lbs Metacam as of 7/2: 0.5 mg daily for how many days, BEFORE test-for-pain stop Gabapentin 100mg 3x/day ✚Trazadone .25mg 2x/day Pumpkin with extra water? ]
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 9, 2017 22:09:35 GMT -7
Amber, all hope is not lost, nerve healing doesn't happen overnight as nerves are the slowest part of the body to heal. Think months not days.. and if it happens sooner that is a great bonus. Dogs don't care how they get from point A to point B..They don't have to drive a car, or go to work.. They don't think about what they can't do.. Love and and family, is what is important to Winston and I can tell he has lots of love.. We never give up hope around here. Let your Vet know of the change in his neuro functions if he isn't already aware.. He may want to change to a steroid, the stronger anti inflammatory to get the swelling down.. If they decide to switch make sure the Pepcid AC and Sucralfate are on board to double protect his stomach.. A switch can be made without a washout if his stomach is double protected.. Sucralfate is a prescription so discuss with Vet. Pepcid AC is available at the grocery store and should be on board already since he is taking Metacam.. How much does Winston weigh and how many days was the Metacam prescribed for?
Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical or 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. The idea is to prevent stomach damage.. IVDD is more than enough for Winston to deal with.. How often are you expressing Winston? I would try expressing him more often to avoid the wet bedding. It may be a good idea to have his urine tested for a UTI in case an infection has developed. Here is our page on expressing.. It has lots of great tips and videos: dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/index/500neverGIVEup.jpg
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 14, 2017 16:50:42 GMT -7
Update: Winston is bearing some weight, his happy tail wag is BACK! He appears to be aware of his left leg, licking at it this morning. He's so very happy ♡ As much as I discourage movement, he stood up, not perfectly, but he did!! 3 times!!!! And I think his brain is talking better to his waste management system. He is aware it's coming, but can't yet control it. He will not allow me to express him AT ALL. I try every 2-3 hours but he tenses up, looks back at me with a "stop touching me look, and tries to get away. I give him lots of time, different locations, supported standing, sitting.. He just won't let me. He's getting quite active and I'd like to ask the vet to allow me to give his trazodone more often so as to keep him calm all day, and not have the 2-6 p.m. nightmare of too much movement. To answer questions, he's been on gabepentin 100mg 3x day, for 12 days now and as well at the metacam o.5mg. Trazodone for 5 days. He's 13#.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 14, 2017 21:28:07 GMT -7
Winston appears to be making gains quickly. His left foot seems to have some motor control, it's positioned correctly when in a sling. However, his right is still "knucking". All cases are different, I know, but is it common for legs to regain at different rates or times? Without imaging, I do not know the severity of the episode, nor exactly where. Given what I've seen, it would appear he's more affected on the right side.we are on day #12. Blessed to have this forum, Amber
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 14, 2017 22:20:03 GMT -7
Amber, Winston is making some excellent strides in his recovery..The tail wag and standing is great news and just the start of lots more healing to come! Don't worry about the different rates of recovery from one side to the other.. The part that was less injured is recovering first and the other side will catch up in time..
Perhaps he won't let you express him because he is beginning to get bladder control back..They get resistant to expressing when they can go on their own.. Carry him out to his favorite spot in the yard and see if he will sniff and release urine.. You can help him balance but don't touch his tummy area.. If he does go, do a quick express check to make sure he is empty..
Sometimes your dachsie will tense up his stomach muscles, wait until he relaxes so you can feel for the bladder. A warm towel from the dryer on the stomach can help relax the dog when you are just learning. Tapping gently on the tummy to jiggle the muscles will also help relax a tight tummy.
Has he been going on his bedding or leaking? Urine shouldn't sit too long in the bladder or a UTI can develop.. Let your Vet know of your troubles with expressing, they can give you more lessons and there are meds that can help loosen his tight urinary muscles..
Has your Vet said when he wants you to stop giving the Metacam to see if the swelling is gone?
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 15, 2017 7:34:11 GMT -7
I spoke with the vet on Wednesday and he wants him to stay the course with meds for now. He does go in his bedding, but it's becoming predictable, and I'm hoping to catch him at those times. We've tried the sniff tests outside, but he's so distracted by the barn cats that he can't focus on the task at hand. This morning I laid the potty pads out in the living room and supported him with an old tie. He didn't pee..he had wet the bed, just before I woke, I think, but as soon as he sat back down, he pooped. I'm hoping to get him all sorted and successful so he can keep gaining in this area.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 15, 2017 8:24:45 GMT -7
Amber, can you find a place in your yard where there are no distractions of any other animals for the sniff and pee test? When you know he should have to pee (every 4-6 hrs), then take him to that spot. Hopefully that spot has some old urine there where Winston can sniff and his brain can be inspired to send a message to the bladder. If Winton then sniffs and marks/releases urine you have proof of bladder control. If you try the sniff and pee test inside on pee pads, place some old urine on the pad. Make sure you are not using a belly sling as that will press on his tummy area kinda like expressing. The figure 8 sling is more accepted by males as it is not near the penis like a normal sling. The number of days for Metacam prescription is very important information for you and for us. Can you look on the bottle to see for how many days the Rx is for? Some vets will try a 5-7 day course... even a 14 day course. At the end of the prescription is the stop of metacam. This is when you are supposed to be very observant for the test for pain stop of Metacam. Usually the pain-masking-pain med (gabapentin) will also be removed to give you a chance for a prompt and accurate assessment of pain resufacing and then would be a need to try another course of Metacam. No one want to be using Metacam one bit past the point where all painful spinal cord inflammation is gone. The test-for-pain stop of Metacam is how one knows. It may take 7 days or even up to 30 days to resolve the inflammation. Using Metcam when it has nothing to work on, would mean Winston is just subjected to all the adverse side effects.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 15, 2017 12:50:48 GMT -7
Thank you for the link. I was trying to find a way to make that type of sling as the belly sling only compresses his penis, and seemed to be useless. Unfortunately we are a woeking farm, cars, people, animals..many, many distractions. I only try outside when my husband is able to sling and i keep vigilant watch. I feel our environment is too dangerous for an outside pee test. His metacam says "0.5mg/mL/15mL Guve a 13 pound dose by mouth or onto food every 24 hours for 14 days or longer for pain and inflammation." Today is day 13.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jul 15, 2017 13:29:45 GMT -7
If you think outside is too distracting or dangerous try a pee pad indoors. When my Frankie had his disk episode he would not use the pee pad at first even though they have a scent to encourage urination. What finally worked for me was when I got a paper towel with a little bit of urine from my son's dog and put it on the pad.
It seems, according to the directions, that the test for pain will start on Monday since the Metacam ends on Sunday. Usually the pain meds would be stopped also at this time. Watch carefully for any signs of pain emerging, if no pain signs are seen there is no need for further medication, only the remainder of the crate rest. If pain emerges Winston will need to go back on all meds, the Metacam and the pain meds and Pepcid AC.
Let us know how Winston is doing with the peeing.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 15, 2017 18:18:43 GMT -7
I think he's got control, but won't go on command yet (but he never did when he was well, he took forever to stop smelling the world before he went.) I made a figure 8 sling and he's been in it 3 times today. Once outside with my husband and I (He was smelling per spots, his, brother's, sister's, but didn't go.) Inside and back in the crate, freak out and pee... Just now, had him out in the sling, on a per pad in the living room...no per in demand, even smelling old pad. Sat down, calmed down, shook his penis side to side a few time and said, "potty. Nothing. Back in crate...totally wet bed. He's having a delay, but I believe he's aware. There's too much outside the bars that I don't think he can relax but as soon as he's back...he does and voila, pee. He knows when he pooping, he tries to climb the crate walls , and I reach in and lift his hind end up, hopefully in time. But he poop when we are in potty time either. Hopefully we can find our coordination.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 15, 2017 19:17:40 GMT -7
Amber, I do not believe Winston has bladder or bowel control. Most dogs would absolutely abhor releasing urine where they sleep. I think he can maybe feel the sensation of poop starting to exit, but because he has no control to stop the exit, it just comes out and makes him crazy with anxiety to find poop where he sleeps. Climbing the side of the crate is a danger to his healing disc. Can you express for poop, have you tried expressing for poop? Expressing for poop is so that before mother nature would just let it plop out anywhere, you get there first to encourage poop to clear from the digestive tube to plop out where you desire. Most of us express on the toilet: upon awaking in the morning, maybe at 1-2 pm during the day and again before bedtime. First you should make a chart of eating, poop plopping times and try to figure out when you should be expressing. You really do not need anyone to demonstrate how to express for poop. Video and tips here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poopDo you express every 3-4 hours as you are learning how to become proficient at some point. When you are proficient that is you can feel the bladder at its last state of being rather empty. So empty that one hand can almost feel the fingers of the other hand the bladder is so flat www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 16, 2017 7:10:17 GMT -7
Hi. He does abhor that he end up peeing and pooping in his crate. I spent over an hour this morning trying to express him, once before he ate, and again after, when he showed some signs like he does before he poops in the crate. I have tried the calming techniques, the marking spots, outside, inside, one handed, two handed, saying "go potty." Rubbing his tummy to calm, warm towels... I'm keeping a minute by minute (so it seems) of today's events, so as to best catch the times. I am starting to panic a little because I will be returning to work in just 5 short weeks and there is no one to manage him during the day...
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Post by Ann Brittain on Jul 16, 2017 8:27:07 GMT -7
Hang in there Amber. Once you get the expressing technique, things will settle down. It took us a while to be able to express our Buster successfully. I believe part of the problem was that, being a stubborn dachshund, he resisted our efforts. Eventually we all relaxed and it was much easier. Being persistent is the key. Even though you've taken him to "pee" spots, keep doing it. Sniffing where he or other dogs have peed will help his natural instincts kick back in.
It took us a while to understand Buster's pooping schedule, but if Winston's digestive system is normal and he's on feeding schedule with good quality food, you should be able to estimate when he will need to poop. In addition, avoid giving Winston anything that might disrupt his digestion (people food).
Remember you can express his poop, too. Although it sounds unappealing, it can help you eliminate the problem of pooping in his bed which he "abhors". It's also a lifesaver when it would be embarrassing if Winston had an "accident" when guests or others are in your home.
You should study the link you were giving on bladder and bowel expression to get a better understanding of both issues.
Keep up the good work with Winston.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 16, 2017 8:33:59 GMT -7
Amber, you will get the bladder control thing figured out. Go back for another hands-on-top-of-your-hands type of lesson. Express in the clinic and then have the vet tech check your work and give you more pointers. re-viewing the expressing video at this page: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm If being outdoors is too distracting, then by all means, use a pee pad adjacent to the recovery suite. Save a piece of used pee pad in a zip lock bag to place on the potty pee pad as inspiration. Cordon off the adjacent pee pad potty place so that he knows there will be no sniff festing. If you have an ex-pen that would make a good fenced off place. The video below shows how the ex-pen is expanded to make another mattress place when cleaning the main mattress area. For Winston that could be the pee pad potty spot.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 16, 2017 13:14:11 GMT -7
Winnie peed outside in his spot!!!! In had tried expressing again at noon, all the bells and whistles for success and, nothing! It's just not working for him. So against my fears, we went outside again, small sniffing area in a figure 8 sling and VOILA! He stopped and I thought he needed to poop because I saw his anus flexing, but I looked down and he was peeing! A LOT! Steady stream the whole time, ended with dribbles! We are over the moon! Celebrated with apple slices with peanut butter!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 17, 2017 3:20:29 GMT -7
We're over the moon right with you, Amber! What wonderful news to start our day here on Dodgerslist. Fabulous sign of nerve healing.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jul 17, 2017 5:11:54 GMT -7
That is fantastic news! Sounds like he is making great strides in healing!
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 17, 2017 11:10:24 GMT -7
Haven't been able to repeat yesterday's success with pee. This morning though, after he ate, his signals were telling me he needed to poop. As quickly as I could, I got him to his poop place and he went immediately! A very exciting morning. We've been outside to several places this morning to pee, every 2-3 hours, but no success. He tends to per around 12:30-1 in his bed, as well as our success outside yesterday! Fingers crossed for a positive result soon. Spoke with the vet and I am going to stop meds. I gave metacam for today already, but not the gabepentin and he seems pretty comfortable, even with the outside trials. He bears weight on his back legs so long as I position his feet under him. He lifted his left foot from the bed yesterday for several seconds before putting it back down. He's quite interested in his feet, so I'm hopeful that he's regaining the feeling. A very eventful couple of days. 2 weeks in! I'm hoping for an extremely happy end to summer vacation in a few weeks!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 17, 2017 17:19:32 GMT -7
Amber, got fingers crossed on the stop of Metacam and the pain meds, no pain will be seen. That's a good sign of motor nerve repair to the back left foot that he lifted all by himself!!! Bladder control coming back doesn't necessary come fully back all at once. Keep giving him that chance to sniff and pee as he has shown he can do. Now it is a matter of being consistent. The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion (ROM) and leg massage will be necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment once you see there is no pain and he is fully off of all meds. The information highlighted in PINK pertaining to a dog who can't yet walk: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 17, 2017 20:02:54 GMT -7
Thank you Paula. No gabepentin at all today, with no signs of pain. Tomorrow I won't give metacam. Henis staying on the trazodone because he has such difficulty relaxing, and as he continues to feel better, the more physical he gets. Should I avoid ROM exercises until he's off that med too? I hope we come back fully from this. His left leg appears to be stronger than his right. He did attempt an ear scratch today with his left!!! It wasn't smooth, but it happened! He bears weight when we first get in our sling to potty, but he has no balance so I support, but when he stops I lessen my grip and give him the opportunity to stand for a moment. Should I avoid that? Thanks, Amber
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 17, 2017 21:04:09 GMT -7
Trazadone is not a pain masking med, it deals with anxiety so that drug has no relation to when ROM and massage can starr.
Hope to hear no signs of pain on the stop of metacam tomorrow and you can start some very gentle massage and ROM. At potty time when he "stands' with the aid of the sling that weight bearing is good for bone strength. The sling is there to prevent his butt from tipping over and keeing the back aligned.
Another positive with observing attempt to scratch with his leg!
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 18, 2017 9:47:49 GMT -7
Totally off all meds but trazodone. No gabepentin in more than 24 hours, and no metacam this a.m. He seems to be very comfortable. Pooped in the ex pen in the yard this morning. It took him three times around before he would go. No pee...then peed the bed minutes later, and pooped the bed minutes after the pee! In all fairness, he pooped about 30 minutes after he ate, so that was his "normal" (for the oast week). I'll give him more time next trip out. I'm grateful for the trazodone as he's normally high strung. I'm not sure, but it appeared that he was using a tleast his right leg in a walking motion ad unsupported his rump in the pen this morning! In hope I'm not just seeing things Should I start ROM today, or wait to know for sure that he isn't needing metacam? He's only just missed the first dosing by 4 hours.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 18, 2017 11:09:57 GMT -7
Amber, maybe wait til tomorrow's observations to see if you should start ROM and Massage.
At potty times sometimes the legs will move due to reflex. See what you can observe when he is back in his recovery suite: trying to scratch an ear, using back leg(s) to reposition himself, moving up into a stand.
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 18, 2017 17:41:01 GMT -7
Hi Paula, He's been rather quiet today. No other signs of pain. He has been sleeping a lot, but I've also been very still today. I hope it's not a sign of pain. He does move when I get up and move about. He hasn't scratched at himself again today, but He does use his feet to stand up and swing his bum to position. He bears weight when he's up, and earlier he was standing fully on his own (in was right there to support any movement), he also stood up with very limited help in the yard after he sat for a small rest. Maybe he just wore out easier because he doesn't have meds on board? I hate to put him back on if it's not necessary. Im so proud of all he's overcome so far. He's my sweet baby, my best friend, and I'm heartbroken that he's hurt.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 18, 2017 19:25:54 GMT -7
Amber, good neuro report of being able to move up into a stand by himself.
Learning to use the legs again is a very big effort. It can be tiring concentrating and getting weak muscles strong again. That's work!
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 19, 2017 8:08:22 GMT -7
Good morning. Winnie has been off all pain meds for 48 hours and continues to appear comfortable!! YAY! Still working on potty timing. Poop is pretty predictable, food, freak out, poop...so I tend to catch that. Pee, not so much. However, after our outside ex pen fail, I was cleaning his damp feet and I stood him up to wipe down his rump, and he released his bladder, all over my hand. Could have been the cool baby wipe. Could have been my hang under his tummy (though I wasn't providing pressure, only support) or maybe it was just time...I'm hoping for the latter. I will start ROM today after his nap, he's so peaceful. Left foot significantly more mobile than right foot, although he is quite interested in his right foot, no wounds, just sniffing and licking it, possibly has some feeling?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 19, 2017 8:16:49 GMT -7
Amber so good to hear the test stop of Metacam is showing the pain is gone. As long as he is licking because there is some urine still on his right foot, then be aware that he may be showing signs of neuropathic pain. Everyone has experienced numbness or pins and needles tingling in your legs when sitting in a bad position for too long a time. Winston 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 leg can feel this neuropathic pain. You would need to stay on top of observing for any more signs of excessive licking, 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. Phone the vet to alert them and get an e-collar if you don't have one and get back on gabapentin to control these very painful sensations. Directions + picture: forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/220138-create-your-own-surgical-collar/
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Post by Amber & Winston on Jul 19, 2017 14:55:36 GMT -7
Thanks Paula. I will watch for additional symptoms. It does seem to be not long after a potty episode. I'll see ifnincan pinpoint that.
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