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Post by Michelle & Patches on Aug 31, 2019 17:37:57 GMT -7
Update: they took him off all meds since he has no pain. So the only thing he is on is Pepcid AC 2x a day and Amoxicillin/clav 125mg 1 tablet 2 times a day once every 12 hrs.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 17 lbs crate rest as of 8/24 Carprofen 8/17 25mgs 1x/day for 8 days; 8/25 STOPPED Prednisone 5mg tab as of 8/30: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 2 day STOPPED 8/31 for diarrhea Amoxicillin/clav 125mg 2x/day Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day ]
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Sept 1, 2019 4:31:37 GMT -7
Prednisone is not usually stopped suddenly but it would seem that he was only on in it one day so that should be OK. What did the vet say about prescribing Sucralfate to heal any damaged areas in the GI tract caused by the anti-inflammatories. Patches really needs more than Pepcid AC. Pepcid AC helps with excess acid caused by the anti-inflammatories, while Sucralfate works in a different way to bandaid the damaged mucus lining and also promotes a healing environment.
Now that the anti-inflammatory and pain meds have been stopped, you'll need to be on the lookout for any sign of pain returning. Should any pain return, you'll need to immediately alert the vet so Patches can be returned to all meds for a bit longer. Pain means there's still swelling pressing on the nerves of the spine and still a need for all meds. An anti-inflammatory can be reintroduced with the addition of TWO stomach protectors - both Pepcid AC and Sucralfate. Just because Patches had signs of GI distress doesn't mean he will no longer be able to take an anti-inflammatory - he just needs both Pepcid AC and Sucralfate. Prayers that pain will not return which means the swelling is gone an anti-inflammatory and pain meds are no longer needed.
For your convenience, I'm posting the signs of pain you'll need to be on the alert for: ◻︎ restless, pacing, can’t find a comfortable position ◻︎reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions ◻︎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. ◻︎looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily. ◻︎ not eating due to pain of moving jaw with a neck disc or pain of back disc ◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ◻︎not their normal perky selves
The leaking may have been due to a UTI. Hopefully if it's a UTI and the antibiotic starts to help that in a few days, the leaking will stop. Please keep us updated on that.
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Post by Michelle & Patches on Sept 1, 2019 7:41:39 GMT -7
Thanks. I have tried 2 different vet doctors to give him the added stomach protection and they both said they don’t want to add anything else 😪. They said it’s not enough blood in his stool and they think it’s from his colon. I tried and if things are not going well I will be way more demanding on Tues. I’m trying to be very Cordial with them. I will keep you posted 😊
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 7, 2019 7:24:39 GMT -7
Michelle, we'd love an update. How is Patches doing today?
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Post by Michelle & Patches on Sept 7, 2019 8:32:34 GMT -7
He has been improving a little bit each day. He actually lifted his right leg half way and Peed on a bush. It seems like he has feeling in his legs down to the knees, but toes still curl under when I support him to stand and go to the bathroom. He sniffs and pees a little bit on his own but then I have to express the rest out. We finished up the antibiotic Thurs 9/5 in the morning. He had tons of spunk and energy Thursday and Friday. Now today doesn’t want to drink water or eat much he is laying low and acting very tired. Do you think he should of been on antibiotic longer?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 7, 2019 8:45:34 GMT -7
Did he go back on prednisone or is that still stopped?
Prednisone 5mg tab as of 8/30: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 2 day STOPPED 8/31 for diarrhea
Did you report this change in behavior to the vet today? what did he think?
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Post by Michelle & Patches on Sept 7, 2019 9:06:20 GMT -7
No we stopped all meds except for antibiotic and we kept him on fish oils , a joint vitamin and an anti inflammatory vitamin.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 17 lbs crate rest as of 8/24 Carprofen 8/17 25mgs 1x/day for 8 days; 8/25 STOPPED Prednisone 5mg tab as of 8/30: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 2 day STOPPED 8/31 for diarrhea Amoxicillin/clav 125mg 2x/day —finished Thurs 9/5 ]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 7, 2019 12:20:01 GMT -7
What is the name of the anti inflammatory vitamin.
Were you able to contact the vet this Sat am for his take on "today doesn’t want to drink water or eat much he is laying low and acting very tired."
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Post by Michelle & Patches on Sept 7, 2019 12:30:20 GMT -7
Recover AI and the joint one is Extra Strength Replenex. No they are closed. I did get him to eat a little and then He went poop and perked up a little. He seems to be better this afternoon. 👍
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Sept 7, 2019 13:41:36 GMT -7
Both of these supplements contain a number of herbs. As with any supplement, you might want to google each one of these herbs so you're aware of possible side effects and any contraindications.
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Post by Michelle & Patches on Sept 7, 2019 14:09:35 GMT -7
Ok. Will do 👍
Looked up all ingredients and everything with dogs checked out and lots of dogs vitamins contain same ingredients. I’m giving him the amt for his weight. We also ran these past our vet with our larger dog with hip problems and he said they were good 👍
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Post by Michelle & Patches on Sept 29, 2019 10:27:19 GMT -7
Ok. We are in the final stretches of this journey. Patches can walk but he is wobbly. The biggest concern for us is the bathroom. He pees but very little comes out and then we have to express the rest. He also does not seem to have control over poop. It just happens all on its own🙈. Is this normal?
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Post by Ann Brittain on Sept 29, 2019 10:56:30 GMT -7
I'm glad Patches is improving. We had similar peeing/pooping issues with our Buster. He originally started peeing a little and we still had to express him. As time went on, he peed more and more and eventually we were able to stop expressing.
Since it takes time for nerves to heal and Patches can still regain his bowel control.
Unfortunately Buster never recovered bowel control. At first it was stressful, but over time, we learned how to predict when he needed to poop and how often per day. We also had him on a regular eating schedule and avoided giving him foods that might cause a problem.
Hope Patches continues to improve and gets back to his old routine.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Sept 29, 2019 18:17:18 GMT -7
You can express for poop also. Some dogs don't get bowel control back.
I do that 2x a day with my Nala and there are very few accidents.
There's a link in the Dodgers list search engine and I also looked at YouTube videos.
If you need specific instructions let me know.
I'd be happy to let you know how I do it.
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Post by Ann Brittain on Sept 29, 2019 19:24:18 GMT -7
Expressing poop is not as icky as it sounds so don't be intimidated by it. It's actually easier, in my opinion, than expressing pee.
But at this stage of Patches' healing, I would not rule out that he'll regain bowl control.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 30, 2019 8:53:48 GMT -7
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