Angie, sorry to hear that Lily is in the midst of another disc episode. What is the date of this most current disc episode? Could you fill us in on the details, so the discussion doesn't go in the wrong direction.
I know you are keeping in mind the key word in the name of the disease is DISC. And how important it is that she be able to relax in her recovery suite. Calmers can work for some dogs but may take a couple of days to build up in the system. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. Prescription sedatives (ACE, alprazolam or trazodone) from your vet act within the hour and may be your best bet especially when you must leave the house. Do test it out when you are home to observe how it works on Lilly...different dogs may have different effects.
The calmers below may work well when you are at home.
Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog.
Place a DAP pheromone diffusor at floor level where the recovery suite is:
--DOG Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml
www.adaptil.com/Use diffusor with one oral calmer from below:
Oral calmers:
1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed
www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation
www.bachrescueremedypet.com There are many kinds of recovery suites, but since she is an escape artist sounds like you need the security that a wire crate provides. Pet stollers, baby cribs, Pac N Play, ex-pen have their place if you are at home to supervise. A calmer or if it takes being slightly drugged by an Rx'd sedative can help relieve anxiety and accept the suite better.
any SIGNS OF PAIN currently nearing next dose of meds, when having to move ?
◻︎ shivering-trembling ◻︎ yelping when picked up or moved
◻︎ slow to move ◻︎ tight tense tummy
◻︎ arched back, ears pinned back ◻︎ head held high or nose to the ground.
◻︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
◻︎ slow or reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions
◻︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves
+ pain from neck disc:
◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily.
◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain
◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
If the pain meds are not yet right, as the eyes and ears for your vet, please contact your vet ASAP to report your observations so meds can be adjusted. Advocate for any of the pain meds be given 3x/day (every 8 hours) for round the clock coverage, dose to dose coverage.
— Methocarbamol works on the pain of muscle spasms.
— Tramadol is the general pain reliever.
— Gabapentin works on nerve pain.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Look for your dog to be acting their normal, perky self when pain is fully under control round the clock.
❖2 How much does Lily weigh now adays?
…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).
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❖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?
NEURO ISSUES with this disc episode?
❖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?
Overflowing bladders need to be expressed to avoid UTIs. Review video then get a hands-on-top-of-your-hands expressing lesson.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmDOGs 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 does she wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
