PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 15, 2019 11:48:16 GMT -7
Mahnoor, you reported on Feb 28 no meds, no knuckling, no legs crossing.
Something caused the new neuro diminishment of knuckling and slightly dragging left back leg. Most often diminishment will be accompanied by pain, but not always. So the guess is that there was too much movement of the back (maybe with the jumping thing you were worried about). That movement then disturbed the early healing disc which in turn pushed on the nerves in the spinal cord.
Did you give pred or any other meds after your post of knuckling and dragging legs some 10 hrs ago? If you did please, detail with the date you gave, the dose in mgs and how often you are giving.
Can you clarify exactly what the "precautions" and what date you took so we are exactly up to speed on things?
Can you speak with your vet and discuss getting a prescription sedative on board. it is better to have a slightly drugged dog than one who is rambunctious and jumping around: ACEpromazine, alprazolam or trazodone
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Post by Mahnoor & Shadow on Mar 18, 2019 1:36:53 GMT -7
Hey. I am sorry for the delayed response. Shadow has been on ▲prednisone 5 mg 2x since 16 March and the vet has prescribed ✙diazepam 2 mg 1x to keep her relaxed.
[Moderator's note: please do not modify 12lbs prednisone as of 2/13: 5mgs 2x/day for 10 days; then 2/23 taper to test for pain/neuro issues as of 3/16: 5mgs 2x/day for 7 days, then SAT 3/23 taper to test for surfacing pain/neuro issues ✙diazepam 2mgs 1x/day omeprazole 10 mgs 1x/day]
The precautions i took were keeping a towel on the crate to prevent jumping, tried some natural calmers like chamomile etc. She was doing great.
I didnt mark the exact date i started taking these precautions. Prednisone is prescribed for 7 days then the taper will start. She has no pain whatsoever, so no pain meds started.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 18, 2019 7:48:45 GMT -7
Mahnoor, when there are the first signs of neuro diminishment IF prednisone can be brought on board quickly in a matter of the very fewest of hours, it is quite possible pred can get to work on swelling and turn the early signs of neuro diminishment around. That is before there is actual death of nerve cells happens which would take time to slowly regenerate, the nerve cells with fast action of pred have some degree of relief from the swelling pressure and can recover. Nerves do not like to be compressed or pressured! I have seen how effective prednisone was on my own dog who was starting to knuckle her paw and within one hour pred had turned it around----fast action of me getting to the vet quickly and my vet quickly acting to prescribe Prednisone.
So Shadow is currently only on pred, diazepam and omeprazole?
We've got our fingers crossed for the begin of the pred taper on Saturday March 23, that no pain will surface and there will be no indication of any neuro diminishment! By now you know the drill...have that Plan B of what to do if on Saturday or Sunday when your vet is not open, that you have some extra pills to tide you over til Monday IF you would observe pain or neuro issues on the taper.
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Post by Mahnoor & Shadow on Mar 27, 2019 13:40:03 GMT -7
Hey. Sorry for the later reply. I got caught up in something. Shadow is doing great. Currently on her taper. However, she is severely bloated and also gets constipated without laxatives. What should i do? Its the same food i have been using. I used to feed one big meal, i have broken it into three small but still not working
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 27, 2019 13:47:32 GMT -7
I am happy to hear that Shadow is doing so well.
Often constipation can happen when there is less physical activity like crate rest. Pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. NOTE: alternatives are really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potato.
>>To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal and soak overnight. At mealtime add one teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. <== Try this for Shadow
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Post by Mahnoor & Shadow on Apr 19, 2019 6:07:48 GMT -7
Hey all. I cannot thank you all enough. My shadow is up and about. No symptom of nerve damage at all. I am giving her a few minutes out but she gets super excited and starts jumping around. How can i make sure she doesn't get a relapse?
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Apr 19, 2019 6:41:34 GMT -7
What wonderful news, Mahnoor! I'm so glad to hear there are no signs of nerve damage.
Yes, when a dog starts to feel better, it can be a challenge to keep them from too much movement. Will she go on a pee pad inside the house? You can train her to use a pee pad by adding some dirt with her pee or another dog's pee on it to the pad and praise her when she goes.
Do you have any area outside that's very secluded, no other dogs or people who might get her excitable? Setting up an ex-pen or 6' area made with plastic push-in-the-ground fencing sometimes can help limit their footsteps and it may help keep her calmer since she'll have some boundaries.
It may be necessary for Shadow's vet to prescribe a mild sedative to help her stay calm when outside. It's better to have a mildly sedated dog during conservative care to help them rest and heal rather than have too much movement occur with another relapse.
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