Joanne, did you vet examine Macy or just speak with you on the phone?
Let us know you have Macy's suspected bad disc protected until you can get in to see your vet in the am.
The things you describe sound very much a possibility of a neck disc episode. Until you are certain you are not dealign with a disc episode, the correct and prudent thing is to crate at once. Crating prevents a mild disc problem from progressing to leg paralysis, then loss of bladder control.
If, this is a disc episode, then getting a REAL anti-inflammatory drug on board is PRONTO is of utmost urgency. The sooner the swelling can be resolved the safer for the spinal cord.
click image to enlarge
SIGNS OF PAIN of a disc episode
◻︎ shivering-trembling ◻︎ yelping when picked up or moved
◻︎ slow to move ◻︎ tight tense tummy
◻︎ arched back, ears pinned back
◻︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
◻︎ slow or reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions
◻︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves
+ pain from neck disc:
◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily.
◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain
◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
This page will help you get up to speed on a disc episode to best discuss and understand treatment if your vet examines and diagnoses IVDD.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm#painThe 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 further guidance on conservative treatment on our "All Things IVDD page:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmSTRICT means:
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no meandering at potty times.
Carry your dog to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very, very few limited footsteps. 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!
If the pain meds are not yet right, please contact your vet ASAP to report your observations so meds can be adjusted. Advocate for any of the pain meds be given 3x/day (every 8 hours) for round the clock coverage.
— Methocarbamol works on the pain of muscle spasms.
— Tramadol is the general pain reliever.
— Gabapentin works on nerve pain.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Look for your dog to be acting their normal, perky self when pain is fully under control round the clock.
Glucosamine/chondrointin may or may not work for arthritis in the knees or other joints but will not work for a disc episode.
