Welcome to Dodgerslist, Shawn. 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 emergency situations to speak to the surgeon about ASAP this morning. First,
not wanting to eat is a red flag sign of GI distress due to the side effect of Prednisone. Anytime a dog is on an anti-inflammatory, stomach protection must also be given. Ask if Posy 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.jpgDoes Posy yelp when you lift her to take her to potty or when she starts to move to potty? It takes about two weeks for the swelling to resolve and until then there can be pain.
Please let the vet know ASAP this morning so pain meds can be adjusted. The dosage of the Gabapentin may have been too high and might be lowered and not cause as much drowsiness. Not knowing Posy's weight, the dosage of the Tramadol might be able to be increased. Methocarbamol can be added. 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.
If Posy only yelps when you press on her bladder, she may have a urinary tract infection which is common with dogs with no bladder control. You can take in a urine sample to your vet to have it tested.
Neuropathic pain is not common but you should be aware of it. This kind of pain is abnormal, phantom pain sensations with severe spinal cord damage. Signs are obsessive licking of paw, leg, genitals, tail. Escalates to biting, life-threatening chewing off parts. Immediately put on an e-collar (or lengthwise folded towel around neck and duct taped closed) to prevent access to lower body. Contact vet immediately for Gabapentin or stronger Lyrica (pregabalin) for neuropathic pain. More info:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/neuropathy.pdfConstipation is common following surgery. If the sweet potato doesn't help, try some pumpkin. 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.
Nerves are very, very slow to heal and sometimes there can be a worsening of condition following surgery. Deep pain sensation can sometimes be difficult to detect. Don't give up hope. Posy can recover from this. Nerves can take months, even a year or more to heal but they can heal. Even if Posy doesn't walk again, she can still have a wonderful quality of life.
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmIt will help us work together with you and avoid offering ideas that could cause harm or lead the discussion in the wrong direction delaying help for your dog — please share a bit more detail with us:
❖1 How much does Posy weigh?
…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?
❖2 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?
❖3 What was the date of surgery?
Post-op crate rest is to allow the surgical sites to heal.
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.
1. How many weeks did your surgeon direct for post-op rest?
2. What did your surgeon direct for at home PT?
Acupuncture, laser and water therapy are excellent post-op therapies, if within your budget. Check with surgeon prior to starting.
❖4 Currently can Posy move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
❖5 Is the surgeon a general DVM or a specialist surgeon: ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho?
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.jpgHealing prayers for Posy.
She goes in next Monday for staple removal. 
