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Post by Mahnoor & Shadow on Aug 23, 2019 7:12:09 GMT -7
Hello, Dodgerlist has previously helped me alot. I have a miniature dachshund named shadow. She just turned 6 in April. On 4th feb this year she had her first episode of IVDD and today on 23rd August she has stopped walking properly. One of her hind legs is not working. She had picked it up and the knuckle is turned back. I am from pakistan and vets here are not very proficient so surgery is not an option. As of now, she is restricted to a crate. I am devastated right now. What should i do? Should i start her or prednisone again? |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 23, 2019 7:47:11 GMT -7
Mahnoor, so sorry to hear another disc episode.
It is imperative to immediately to crate to prevent worsening of neuro function if the disc would further tear.
Get immediately to the vet for the usually combo of meds.
- Prednisone as the anti-inflammatory drug to start work on getting all swelling down
- Tramadol as the general analgesic
- methocarbamol for the pain from muscle spasms that come with a disc episode. For some dogs Diazepam is not as effective as methocarbamol
- gabapentin to address the nerve pain
- PEPCID AC (famotidine) to suppress the extra stomach acds that pain, change in routine and prednisone all cause.
Let us knwo what the vet Rx's
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 23, 2019 7:52:46 GMT -7
Mahnoor, I see from last time the stomach protector was omeprazole. It is a good one EXCEPT maybe not the best choice during a disc episode as it can take 3-5 days before it reaches peak efficiency. Not good enough! Pepcid AC (famotidine) works in 30 mins to suppress acids...that is a GOOD ThING during a disc episode.
Let us know Shadow's current weight...still 12 lbs?
Let us know you are no longer seeing any signs of pain once vet has Rx'd meds. If the answer would be "yes" then the meds would not be yet correctly Rx'd by dose in mgs and/or how often given.
The pain meds are not yet right. Please contact your vet ASAP to advise of the pain that you're seeing so meds can be adjusted. Advocate that any of the pain meds be given 3x/day (every 8 hours).
—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.
SIGNS OF PAIN:
◻︎ 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
◻︎ 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
◻︎ not their normal perky selves
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 23, 2019 8:07:34 GMT -7
I just checked and it is about 8pm Fri Aug 23 in Pakistan. Do you have ER you can go to now, tonight? Getting pred on board asap is the better idea than waiting 24 hrs til your vet opens Saturday morning 8/24. Hours matter in saving nerve damage. Bookmark Shadow's thread to receive an email alert when someone has replied1. Go to your Profile> Profile Edit > Notifications: checkmark BOOKMARKS + "instant" email
2. Next, go to the CONSERVATIVE Board: checkmark Shadow's thread, then use the ACTIONS button to select "bookmark"
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Post by Mahnoor & Shadow on Aug 23, 2019 10:58:20 GMT -7
[11pm Aug 23]
Hi Paula, Shadow is 13 pounds now, I just checked, Since she only recovered three months ago i have all the medicines in handy (kept them with the prescription in case something like this happened). I also called my vet, he prescribed the same dosages, - Prednisone 5mg x twice a day - tramadol 50mg x thrice a day - Gabapentin 50 mg x thrice a day - omeprazole 10 mg x twice a day (i will talk to him about pepcid AC tomorrow as it is 11 pm here right now) - Methocarbamol is not on board yet, i will talk to him about this as well. However, can you please provide me with the dosages of both pepcid and methocarbamol? She is in pain right now, getting better since i gave her the meds an hour ago. Also she has peed twice on her bed, is that because she lost her bladder control? I took her out for poop and pee and she did both on her own.
[Moderator's note: please do not modify
13lbs/ 5.9kg
prednisone as of 8/23: 5 mgs 2x/day for how many days then taper test for _pain/ _neuro
Tramadol 50mgs 3x/day
Gabapentin 50mg 3x/day
Omeprazole 10 mg 2x/day
Pepcid AC (famotidine) 5mgs 2x/day is the preferred stomach acid reducer while on pred]
Also, I forgot to mention she is drooling a lot. I picked her up and my left arm got drenched in her saliva.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 23, 2019 13:26:43 GMT -7
Her pain should be gone within an hour if the pain meds are right. If she is still showing signs of pain within an hour please speak to the vet and ask about adding the methocarbamol in addition to the gabapentin and tramadol. Shadow should not be in pain. Shadow most likely still has bladder control. Prednisone makes a dog want to drink more and then pee more. A dog on prednisone will need to be taken out more frequently to avoid accidents. You may have to take her out as often as every two or three hours.
For how many days is the prednisone prescribed before a taper dose is started?
The dose of Methocarbamol we most often see prescribed by experienced vet is 125mg every 8 hours. Along with the tramadol and gabapentin, methocarabamol works best when taken 3x daily.
We are not vets and do not know the specifics of each dog's health. We are making this suggestion based on what we've seen qualified vets prescribe in the past and only as a basis for discussion with your vet.
The dosage of Pepcid AC for dachshunds is 5mg 2x daily. The Pepcid should be given 30 minutes before the prednisone and thereafter every 12 hours as long as Shadow is on pred.
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Post by Mahnoor & Shadow on Aug 23, 2019 13:32:29 GMT -7
Thankyou so much for the help. She is still in pain since she hasn't started eating and seems very tense. I will talk to my vet tomorrow.
I still dont understand the excessive drooling.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 23, 2019 13:38:57 GMT -7
Drooling can be caused by nausea along with lack of appetite. Nausea is a side effect of an anti-inflammatory. That is why it is important to get the Pepcid AC on board until the Omeprazole becomes fully effective.
Drooling can also be a sign of pain if her pain meds are not yet right.
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Post by Mahnoor & Shadow on Aug 23, 2019 13:39:56 GMT -7
Understood
Thankyou so much
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