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Post by Ashley & Jackson on Dec 11, 2018 9:40:06 GMT -7
No visible chaffing or bruising where the harness hits him. Last night when he had it off, I gently ran my hand down his back and down one of his sides...no reaction. But I had given him .5 Gab so maybe that is why. I will try to make a figure -8 harness. Will continue crate rest while he is on meds and report back.
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Post by Ashley & Jackson on Jan 23, 2019 11:57:47 GMT -7
Hi all, wanted to report back on Jackson. In December we made an appointment with a neurology specialist from Cornell Veterinary School (Dr. Dewey, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ACVS, CVA, CVCH) Given the holidays, 1/21 was the earliest appointment we could get. Jackson has been stable for the month leading up to the appointment. Though he is technically graduated from crate rest, we are keeping his activity very controlled and limited--he wants to RUN and JUMP and POUNCE if given the chance and we are trying to encourage slow walking. We crate him when we can't be there to watch him. Anyway, Dr. Dewey examined him and didn't really have much to say. He did not recommend an MRI or surgery based on the fact that Jackson is walking and not in acute pain. He prescribed a pain medicine called ✚ Lyrica for Jackson to take 2x a day to see if we notice any change in behavior and try to determine if he has chronic pain. He did not recommend physical therapy. He said the laser therapy Jackson gets every few weeks was okay to keep doing. I was hoping for a bit more guidance but am at least glad there was no bad news. [Moderator's note: please do not modify 17lbs ✚Lyrica (pregabalin) ?mgs 2x/day] I guess we will just continue doing what we have been doing.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,535
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 23, 2019 12:30:04 GMT -7
Ashley, with the disc now healed since Dec 11, 2018, it is a good idea as you are doing to continue with gradual, incremental increase in activity. To crate when you are not at home. A gradual increase because if there is pain you don't want to be confused with normal muscle soreness with overdoing things vs. something to do with the disc. Eventually the goal would be to be able to run (but no zig zag running) and nice long walks to keep the core muscles supporting the back strong. More ideas for after crate rest what now: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmLyrica is a newer generation med similar to gabapentin. Let us know how it works for Jackson's possible chronic pain. Have you had a chance to review if you can make your home more back friendly? You are right no more jumping on or off furniture and avoid that pouncing to shake and kill the prey with his toys. Ideas for back friendly modifications to your home: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm,
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Post by Ashley & Jackson on Jan 23, 2019 12:49:47 GMT -7
Yes we totally IVDD proofed our home after his surgery in June 2017. Unfortunately, his last disc episode in October was caused simply by him running and getting into his dog bed, which was on a carpet on the floor. Which is why we are so cautious now. I just wish he knew his limits
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Post by Ashley & Jackson on Feb 1, 2019 11:02:19 GMT -7
Hi All, Jackson has been on Lyrica for about a week. I haven't noticed any significant behavioral changes which makes me think that he doesn't have chronic pain (yay). I am going to ask the vet if we can stop using it and see if we notice anything then, and if not, keep him off of it. The extremely cold weather has been tough on him and my other dachsie but they are only outside for about 30-60 seconds at a time. We have started to let him do a bit more walking around the house, which translates to him trying to run and pulling on the leash but we are doing our best to keep him calm and controlled. Thanks again for everyone's help and support.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 1, 2019 15:00:13 GMT -7
I think it is a good idea to stop the Lyrica and see if there is a behavior change. He may not need it anymore.
This cold weather is hard on our dogs (and us). I think it is expected to moderate over the weekend.
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Post by Ashley & Jackson on Oct 8, 2019 11:53:01 GMT -7
Hi all,
Poor Jackson has the worst luck. On 10/5 he was walking around the backyard. When I looked back at him he was holding his back right leg up and limping on his other three legs. I took him inside. He was licking at his foot and seemed stressed. Immediately I thought it was an IVDD flare up. We rushed him to the emergency vet where the vet who treated him for his last IVDD episode (Oct. 2018) examined him. She said he didn't make a sound or show any discomfort when she examined his back but that she felt a partial tear of his ACL and some fluid around his knee. So, it seems he partially tore his ACL.
She put him on 1/4 tablet of Rimadyl 2x/day, 1.3ml Gab 3x/day and told us to do strict crate rest for two weeks, at which point she wants to recheck his knee.
He does not seem to be in pain or discomfort but is very annoyed to be back in the crate full time. I've tried to read up on nonsurgical healing for ACL injuries. It seems the prospects are better for small dogs but I was wondering if anyone else had any experience and how long the crate rest should last. Knee injuries seem to need more physical therapy/walking, but that makes me nervous. He already gets monthly laser treatments on his back so we will be adding his knee to the treatment areas too!
Thank you, Ashley
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,535
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 8, 2019 12:40:28 GMT -7
Ashely, sorry to hear about this ACL issue. We are confident to comment about disc disease, but avoid commenting on other diseases as we would not want to provide uneducated comments that could lead to unintentional harm.
Hope Jackson will be on the mend soon.
Ask if there are any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (5mgs 2x/day for a 17 lbs dog) during the use of Rimadyl.
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Post by Ashley & Jackson on Oct 8, 2019 12:54:25 GMT -7
That is understandable. Thank you for the quick reply.
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