Roxie's Wally 2/2 conservative

Roxie, so sorry to hear another of your having a disc episode. Are they genetically related?

We always  follow the vets who are protective and proactive about the GI tract when any anti-inflammatory has been Rx'd.   

How much does Wally weigh?
Mar Vista Vet reports: Pepcid AC has a very limited potential for side effects, the reason of release to over-the-counter status. The dose of famotidine may require reduction in patients with liver or kidney disease as these diseases tend to prolong drug activities. There have been some reports of exacerbating heart rhythm problems in patients who already have heart rhythm problems so it may be prudent to choose another means of stomach acid control in heart patients.
marvistavet.com/famotidine.pml

If vet says Wally has no health issues, then the 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



Is his pain fully managed dose to dose of just one pain med (Tramadol).  If not alert the vet for a m ore aggressive multi-modal pain med approach.  IVDD pain meds have a short half life and if not Rx'd for every 8 hours likely will not give full round the clock relief:  Tramadol, gabapentin and methocarbamol.

Crate rest with conservative treatment is necessarily more strict.  Let us know you are on the same page about crate rest.

The centerpiece of "DISC disease" treatment is the healing of the disc via limited movement of the back via a recovery suite. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong disc scar tissue to form.
     --- Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm
     --- PLUS good summary review on conservative treatment: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm 

STRICT means:
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.

Carry Wally to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very, 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. 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!

Thought I would give an update on Wally. It has been one week today since the onset of his episode. He is showing improvement. He has stood in his crate a few times and stood while urinating outside. He has shown no signs of pain and yesterday morning, we did not give the Tramadol and he acted no different ( my husband was home with him all day).

[Moderator's note: please do not modify
22 lbs
Vetprofen 25mgs tab as of 2/2: 12.5mgs 2x/day for 7 days, 2/9 stop to test for pain/neuro loss
Tramadol 25mgs 2x/day STOPPED]

He has never lost control of his bladder or bowels and the tail has not quit wagging. We support him with a strap (from Rowdy’s surgery) when outside to use bathroom. We only take him out to use bathroom. He has been a good boy about being in the crate. Since Rowdy had his surgery and spent so much time in the crate, he likes to be in his while resting, so he is right beside Wally. We have put them on our bar because it is so much easier to get them out and support the back than if on the floor. He also takes his last Vetprofen today.

What do y’all think?

Oh thank you.  He has shown no signs of pain.  I am going to pick up some more Vetprofen just in case something were to happen over weekend and we have plenty of Tramadol.  Yesterday evening he laid on his side in the crate and was rubbing around.  He did not roll over, but this was the first time he has acted like that. We are so hopeful he will make a full recovery.

Wally has shown no signs of pain at all without medications.  He is showing small signs of improvement like standing occasionally in the crate and standing briefly while urinating outside.  I let the pressure off the strap under his hindquarters when he uses the bathroom so it doesn’t squeeze him there.  I just do it briefly. We are being faithful to the crate.  It has just been a little over a week.  He gets so excited in the morning to go outside, it is a challenge to keep him from walking (we always support him).  I really appreciate this page.  It is good to get input from folks that know!  

Thought I would give a quick update on Wally. It has been a month since the episode. He is still doing well. Still on crate rest. He is on no medication. Wally stands in his crate and stands when we first put him down outside while adjusting the support strap. He walks perfectly with support but still has weakness. We are so thankful he is doing so good!!!!

Thank you.

Another update on Wally. He continues to do well. He is in his crate. He really wants to be out with the other dogs, but is being a good boy. Still no signs of pain. He stands and wags his tail and really moves his legs well while on bathroom break (still with sling). He can’t use his back legs to scratch yet and really enjoys an ear rub!

Thank you for your support.

Wally is starting week 7 of his crate rest. He is still doing very well. He really wants to walk! We are so very thankful he is doing so well. He is on no meds....happy as a clam! Lol. We are so fortunate. Just wanted to give an update.

That's exciting news for Wally! It's always heartwarming to remember there is hope for IVDD dogs. 

Woohoo! I'm doing my Snoopy happy dance for you both. Congratulations 😀

Paula, we have made it another week! And we have internet again as of today! Wally is still doing so well. He is laying on dog bed in kitchen with us, we still have him sleep in his crate at night. We are following all your good instructions and remembering Rowdy post surgery. Walking out in yard on leash and increasing every day slightly. He is always in crate when we are not at home and when he is in the kitchen with us, we do not leave him unattended. I will get a picture of him tomorrow. We are having a terrible storm right now. We are so thankful for him doing so well. And for our Rowdy too. We have taught Rowdy at night to wait until we pick him up and put him on the bed and to wait for us to put him down. I do worry that he gets to “rowdy” sometimes out in the yard running. Will keep you posted and will send a pic of our handsome boy!

Roxie, this is a wonderful update. I love hearing that Wally is back enjoying the company of all his buddies and doing well with outdoors leash walking as you slowly build up his stamina over the course of several weeks.

Never hurts at all when a doxie is able to mind better...Rowdy may need a new name????? LOL

Thanks for the very positive update on Wally, Roxie. So good to hear. And good job on slowly building up his strength.

Yes, a ramp would be best for the bed and to any furniture and also ramps placed over any steps with stairs blocked off. Here's our information on how to train to use a ramp:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/ramptrain.htm

Keep up the good work with Wally and please do continue to keep us updated.

Wally is still doing well. He still has crate time. Rowdy gave me a scare Sunday evening. He was limping in the back. I can’t even tell you which leg. It made my heart stop. He seems to be doing ok, but we are doing some crate rest just to be sure. We have 13 ( I know) barn cats. They have just shown up, but we have trapped all of them and had them neutered. Anyway they love to tease the dogs outside the fence so that leads to running and barking. Wally got hurt doing this activity! So Rowdy was running and barking. I don’t think I have told you all, but I have 8 dachshunds and one big dog. So sometimes it is hard to control them!!!!! Anyway, he is resting in crate and outside on leash. He doesn’t appear to be in any pain and everything works, but I don’t want anything to happen to him. With both him and Wally, looking back, there were small signs that something was not quite right. So I am going to be extra cautious with them.

I wanted to let you know that both Rowdy and Wally doing fine! I don’t know what was going on with Rowdy, but he is ok. We monitor them closely. Rowdy wants to in his crate when they are resting.....Wally not so much. Wally does eat in his crate now and always goes in when we are at work. We are so thankful Wally did not have to have surgery and that he has done so well. He is due for his shots and I am anxious for,the Vet to see how well he is doing. Sorry it took so long for me to answer. I appreciate this site so much.