Welcome to Dodgerslist, Tonya. We are 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!
A change from an NSAID type of medication, like Metacam to a steroid type, like prednisone requires a 5 to 7 day washout. A washout is time when neither of these meds are in the body. The reason for this is that increases the likelihood of stomach damage, which can be severe, because of excess acids caused by all anti-inflammatories.
Please do not give the Metacam and pred at the same time. This could be dangerous. Since there was a switch from Metacam to prednisone without a washout, Tucker's stomach should be doubly protected by Pepcid AC, which is over the counter and Sucralfate which is a presciption med that you get from your vet. Please call the vet and as soon as you can and advocate for Sucralfate. If you cannot reach your vet, please do not wait to get the Pepcid AC. If you are certain Tucker does not have any kidney, liver or heart health issues, go to any grocery store or drug store and buy Pepcid AC for Tucker. The dose is 5mg before the anti-inflammatory and then ever 12 hours. Let the vet know you have done this.
It is very important to protect Tucker's GI tract.It is important to know that disc disease is not a death sentence! Struggling with quality of life questions for your dog? Re-think things:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmAre you crating Tucker? This is the most important thing you can do for him now. If you cannot afford surgery Tucker can be treated Conservatively with
Very strict crate rest, anti-inflammatories and pain meds as needed.
The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm
STRICT 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.
◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc
◼︎At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
Is Tucker currently showing any signs of 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?
Can Tucker 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.htmIf he has bladder control, carry Tucker 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!
NEW updated URL: <http://www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massage/Limited_potty_PT_during_conservative_treatment.jpg>
As you can see in the picture, when our dogs cannot support their back end, we can use a sling to hold them up. Since Tucker does not like to potty when you are holding him try a figure 8 sling which I think he may like.
Is Tucker showing any signs of pain? ☐shivering, trembling ☐yelping when picked up or moved ☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move ☐tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position ☐Arched back ☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ☐head held high or nose to the ground ☐Not their normal perky selves? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that between doses. If not in control your vet needs to know asap to adjust meds.
How much does Tucker weigh?
There is no reason to even think of a wheelchair at this time. Nerves take a long time to heal, but as your vet mentioned Tucker can wag his tail and that bodes well for future recovery. Many dogs have recovered with conservative treatment.
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 - excellent video series here:
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.
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