Joe, welcome to Dodgerslist. When there is any suspicion of a damaged disc, 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out for a very, very few footsteps at potty time is the single most important care in keeping the disc from further damage which in turn could cause damage to the spinal cord.
While on meds, the dog feels better and there is great danger in too much movement of the back. The reason that 100% STRICT rest is so importing in preventing a relaspe/tear of the disc and then damage to the spinal cord.
Let us know you are on the same page about crate rest.
The 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.
We carry our little dogs to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very, very few limited footsteps. You will have to be inventive as to how to limit the number of
footsteps involved in potty time for a 60lbs dog.
A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot.
Being conscientious about crate rest is to prevent a very expensive and invasive surgery! Most times IVDD is diagnosed by the breed, the way the dog acts at the visit. If a vet has a suspicion of possibly another disease, an expensive $1500+ MRI would be taken to proove if IVDD or something else that mimics IVDD.
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 after surgery or with conservative treatment. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy.
Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS. So if surgery is an option for your family get to a neuro or ortho asap.
A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm#surgeryVSconservativeKNOWLEDGE—yours!
Getting an IVDD diagnosis can be very overwhelming leaving you feeling vulnerable and placing hope you have the right vet. Often an owner has not been able to research a professional's skills for this one disease. Dodgerslist's aim is to get you up to speed so you can be an active participant in helping your dog heal.
You will be very amazed how quickly you can learn a lot about just one disease which a vet is not able to know in great detail for every single disease known to cats, dogs, birds, and other species they treat.
With knowledge you'll be able to dialog with your vet in a way that allows understanding a prescribed treatment (meds, rest, etc), and when you do not understand, the ability to ask good, pertinent questions on behalf of your furry loved one.
The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to read and learn. Good place to get a speedy overview of conservative treatment, about surgery, too, if it would be consideration for your family should indications arise:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm thumb conserv button
fulll conserv button
A good review of WHY/HOW crate rest, pain meds, Pepcid AC and an anti-inflammatory are going to help your dog by Dr. Mark Lawson, DVM:
THINGS to print out
Help all of your family recognize emergency signs and action to take. Print this flyer for your fridge:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdfAll anti-inflammatories (steroids or NSAIDs) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset of not eating, vomit, red or black bloody diarrhea which can quickly lead to bleeding ulcers or life threatening holes in the stomach or intestine. Pepcid AC (famotidine) suppresses stomach acid production. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!)
If there are no medical issues, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach Knowledge about each med your dog takes is the added layer of protection. Good link to bookmark and read about Pepcid AC: www.marvistavet.com/pharmacy-center.pml
The usual dose during a disc episode is Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. Give the anti-inflammatory with a meal as added protection. www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html
