Welcome to Dodgerslist, Tiffany. So glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you.
You have two things that you'll need to immediately contact the hospital about ASAP this morning.
Please call them first thing and advise them of the pain that you're still seeing. A tight tummy is a sign of pain. Panting could be a sign of pain or it could be the meds or anxiety. Tramadol has a short half life and works best when given 3x/day (every 8 hours). Also Methocarbamol and/or Gabapentin can be added to get Titan's pain completely under control. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing.
Please also speak to them ASAP about prescribing stomach protection. Not eating as much could be from pain but it could also be a red flag sign of GI distress caused by the Metacam. 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).
Doxie weight dogs: 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) every 12 hours. NOTE: Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory.
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html canigivemydog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/can-i-give-my-dog-pepcid-ac-300x300.jpgWhen you speak to them this morning, ask them about what type of PT you can do at this time. Possibly they want you to wait until your follow-up visit to start PT. But check with them when you call. As for post-op crate rest, they've said 4-6 weeks so that would mean leaving Titan in a crate except for potty time and any PT that they prescribe.
Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! —> www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmSTRICT for a post-op dog means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy whys:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times.
Post-op dogs will follow surgeon's directives for PT during post-op rest as the offending disc material was surgically removed.
Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps unless surgeon has directed some walking PT. 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!
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/slingwalk.jpgConstipation is common following surgery. Pumpkin can help to loosen stools. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. Give one teaspoon of pumpkin for every 10 pounds of body weight per day. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. Note alternatives for constipation: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potato.
Acupuncture, laser and water therapy are excellent post-op therapies, if within your budget. Check with surgeon prior to starting any PT. Here's our page on post-op PT if you'd like to run any of these by the surgeon.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmTitan is doing very well so soon after surgery, especially since he lost deep pain sensation before the surgery. Nerves can take a very long time to heal, sometimes months, so it's great to see that he's doing this well.
Knowledge is the power to fight the IVDD enemy and win!!The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to get up to speed on IVDD as soon as possible. Begin absorbing the must-have overall sense of meds, care and how the treatment works. Your dog will be depending on your ability to learn:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/theater.htm --- PRINT OUT this link and tape to your fridge:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm --- use the printout as your roadmap to avoid dangerous detours in your dog's care --- make notes/highlight to keep yourself on track
--- follow all the links in the next days to become the IVDD savvy pet parent your dog needs.
Use the “search box” to easily locate topics over at our Main
www.dodgerslist.com website:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/searchBOX.jpgWe encourage you to register and become a member of the Forum so you have full use of the Forum. That way it will be easier for you to reply and make it easier for us to track your dog and give the best of comments and support. Tips on registering: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/406/login-registering-help
Healing prayers for Titan. Please let us know what the vet says after speaking to them this morning.