Candace, he needs to be seen by a vet asap, now. The crating is to protect the disc from further damage and then damaging the spinal cord. So very good on getting him crated asap.
Tell the vet you gave aspirin. That's a problem! Now your dog will need TWO (2) stomach protectors to be on board along with the anti-inflammatory of choice by the vet. Pepcid AC (famtoidine) AND Rx of sucralfate. They work differently. Your vet will be switching to a different NSAID thus requiring either a 14 day washout with aspirin (due to 14 days plattlet clotting issues of aspirin) ---not a good deal for your dog. So the vet will likely call it an emergency switch and bring on the NSAID right away to start getting the inflammation down...therefore the need for double GI tract protection at the time the new NSAID goes on board.
Answers here:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingswelingANSWERS.htmWhen you get back from the vet, do fill us in:
It will help us work together with you and avoid offering ideas that could cause harm or lead the discussion in the wrong direction delaying help for your dog — please share a bit more detail with us:
❖1 Is there still currently pain?
❑ shivering, trembling ❑ Arched back
❑ yelping when picked up or moved ❑ can’t find a comfortable position
❑ tight tense tummy ❑ nose to the ground or head held high
❑ reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move
❑ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
❑ Not their normal perky interested in life selves?
❖2 How much does your dog weigh?
…A Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and times per day given.
…B If on a steroid….what was the start date & dose? Date of steroid taper? If on a NSAID, for how many days has it been prescribed for?
…C PEPCID AC: Ask if your dog has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a “no health issues” answer, then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine).
❖3 GI Tract problems?
—Eating and drinking OK? No nausea/not eating, no vomit?
—Poops OK? Normal firmness & color -no dark black or bright red blood indicating bleeding ulcers? No diarrhea?
❖4
The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those 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.
STRICT means:
◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches
◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you
◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times.
◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc
◼︎laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best at home via a mobile vet. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
❖5 Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control – OR- do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted which are indication of an overflowing bladder and loss of bladder control?
DOGs with BLADDER CONTROL: 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. 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!
❖6 Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
❖7 What is your dog’s name?
Neuro Signs to monitor for:
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails/toes scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle under
5. Weak/little leg movement, can't move up into a stand
6. Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down)
7. Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors.
8. Tail wagging with joy is lost
9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal with conservative treatment or after surgery