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Post by Suzie & Doc on Mar 17, 2019 13:26:31 GMT -7
Sounds like IVDD but strange anal gland problem
My wee 9 yr old, 16 lb dachshund Doc Holiday is once again mysteriously sick and I’m so friggen worried about him. He almost died twice yrs ago and we never knew why. This time the symptoms are different about 3 weeks ago he suddenly started limping severely on his hind right leg ( there had been no injury) about the same time he started to lick his butt, I mean a lot. Yes he is shaking as well. We took him to the vet in March 5 they checked everything thoroughly yup even his anal glands, there was no infection but he had gas in them both .. sounded like a fart when she squeezed them but basically found nothing. I took a pic of our bed sheets to show her the stains of what looks like watered down blood stains, that I think is coming from his butt. The vet said she had never seen this before The vet assumed it was a sprain and put him on Vetprofin 2 x daily
The next day he started to limp on his front right leg too. A few days later he was limping in his left side. We brought him back to the vet on March 12, as he was basically immobile, he had a fever of 104. He tested negative for lime disease and two other ailments (?) but again there was more gas in his anal glands.
She consulted with a second vet with 30 some years of experience and he has never seen this either. So she packed his anal glands with an antibiotic cream and took him off the Vetprofin and put him on [ no washout days!?] Galliprant 10mg x1 day a non steroid anti inflammatory. She said it cud be IVDD or disco spondylitis (?) some sort of spinal infection. . We also put him on CBD oil 2 x daily for dogs.
The fever is gone and he can now take a few steps but that’s about it. He sleeps 23/7. We carry him outside to do his business and he does it right there, he’s was still eating a wee bit if I hand feed him but now I have to force food & his pill into him he is drinking some but we hv to carry him everywhere. I’m so worried that he might hv cancer or some neurological disorder. Gosh I so wish they cud talk. The vet said next step is an MRI.
Pls if anyone has any idea or experience of what cud be causing this pls send me your thoughts.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 17, 2019 14:16:22 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Paula, what's yours? Welcome to Dodgerslist. The right thing to do if there is suspicion of a disc episode is the crating part so that the damaged disc does not worsen and cause permanent paralysis in the spinal cord.
-- Sleeping all day is not normal for a disc episode.
-- What about pain, no signs at all currently? Galliprant was designed to specifically target the pain receptors related to osteoarthritis.
-- A disc episode also does not cause a fever. Disco Spond. could, as it can be a bacterial infection and treated with antibiotics or caused by a fungus
You really need a clear diagnosis to pinpoint the correct treatment!
When DVM's are stumped and not sure of their diagnosis, then it would be prudent of you to seek out a consultation with a specialist, a neuro (ACVIM). Without the correct diagnosis, there is no surety that the current Rx's, etc are even correct. Can you get to a neuro, there are many in the state of CA to choose from and hopefully near your town.
IF this is a disc episode, we have a lot of information to share with you about the how to carry out the needed 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out for a very, very few footsteps at potty time for 8 weeks.
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Post by Suzie & Doc on Mar 17, 2019 16:45:35 GMT -7
I assume the shaking is due to the pain. Last night I picked him up with one hand under his butt and the other on his back and yes he let out a few loud yelps and the shook for hrs until he calmed down. I’ll be calling the vet first thing tomorrow and asking for a consultation with.a specialist.as per your suggestion. Thank you sooo much for your input. I so greatly appreciate any information.
Sorry I forgot to include my name. It’s Suzie Sweetapple.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 17, 2019 16:52:12 GMT -7
Suzie, that is way too much pain to be in that it takes hrs to settle down! IF the vet diagnosed firstly for a disc episode, then the meds do not match that diagnosis. As mentioned Galliprant is really NOT a pain reliever for a disc episode. It targets a specific pain receptor that is the cause of pain for osteoarthritis. A disc episode pain is due to swelling around the spinal cord (nerves). So basically there is nothing on board to help IF, if this is a disc episode. --- no pain relievers. Usually will take 3 different ones each attacking a different source of pain and Rx'd for every 8 hours to ensure there is round the clock relief, dose to dose coverage with a disc episode: Tramadol, gabapentin, methocarbamol. --- no broad spectrum anti-inflammatory on board to quell the painful swelling surrounding the spinal cord nerve tissue. Two classes. Steroids are the most powerful. Non-steroids (NSAIDs) the lessor class. Know your anti-inflammatories so you can become part of the discussion on which class to use...ask pertinent questions. Nerves do not like pressure from a disc invading the spinal cord area nor inflammed swollen tissue pushing on nerves. Nerves react to pressure by dying. We observe death of nerves as knuckling paws under, weak legs, legs can move, can't push up, can't walk. With a disc episode HOURS matter in getting an anti-inflammatory on board that would work on swelling over the course of 7-30 days. In the meantime pain relievers mentioned above, naturally, need must be on board! Answers here: --- no GI tract protector on board with the NSAID Galliprant. 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 All NSAIDs and all steroids can cause GI tract damage. Being proactive with GI protection is the usual with a disc episode before signs of GI tract damage begin (not eating, loose stool, vomit) will occur. Since change in routine cause a dog stress and acids then an anti-inflammatory on top of that, we follow the vets who use Pepcid AC (famotidine) when any anti-inflammatory is in use. Inquire if your dog has any of the above health issues. If none, then purchase Pepcid AC at the grocery store. 5mgs Pepcid AC every 12 hours. 10 mgs tablets are easy to split down to the needed 5mg dose. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 17, 2019 17:11:10 GMT -7
If pain is too much, then going to ER to get pain relief now would be a prudent thing rather than being in severe pain you've described for 14 more hours til the DVM vet re-opens Monday morn.
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Post by Suzie & Doc on Mar 17, 2019 17:53:29 GMT -7
Thank you once again, I’m going straight to the pharmacy. I hv sever RA and broke my back a few years back. I know all about pain, I am on steroid, Celebrex, methotrexate, humira, Hydro morohine, and the odd perk when required. GI protection for humans. But I also know what’s good for us is not always good for them. I so appreciate your feedback.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 17, 2019 18:06:14 GMT -7
Suszie, right you are. What humans might be prescribed is not always the same for dogs. For instance taking a canine NSAID would be quite dangerous for a dog to also have a steroid at the same time--warnings are on both the manufacturer's NSAID and on the steroid package.
Even for humans, I would think there would be caution to mixing steroids with a NSAID...you may want to check with your Dr about stomach protection with NSAID Celebrex and that steroid together!
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Post by Suzie & Doc on Mar 17, 2019 18:27:08 GMT -7
Ohh I hv, but my rhuehmatolagist said because my RA is so bad there isn’t much choice. But I will raise it again next time I see him as I hv heard this several times before.
The other things I forgot to mention is that Doc’s breathing seems to be a bit laboured, no wheezing Again I think this is a result of pain but I’m no expert.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 18, 2019 7:56:28 GMT -7
Labored breathing is definately something to not wait on addressing with a vet.
Let us know what the vet things, pain meds adjusted?
Were you able to get in with specialist to find out just what is going on, if a different disease, then could be necessary for a different treatment.
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