Welcome to Dodgerslist, Alison. 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!
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.htmI am not sure of the timing, but if the vet stopped Rimadyl and started prednisone withouta 5-7 day washout between the two, this is dangerous. When was the Rimadyl started, what was the dose and for how long did Che take it? It puts the dog at risk for stomach damage because of excess acids caused by having the two different anti-inflammatories in the body at the same time. Dark diarrhea and vomiting are signs that stomach damage is starting to occur.
Dogs on anti-inflammatories need stomach protection like Pepcid AC. This helps prevent the damage that can be caused by excess acids. I know that Che Guevara is on a tapering dose of prednisone but I still would encourage you to get the Pepcid AC on board. Ask your vet if Che Guevara 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). The usual dose of 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.jpgIf Che is still experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, there is a second stomach protector that can be used. This is called Sucralfate. It serves as a sort of bandage for the stomach. Please speak to your vet about it. Che's stomach would be double protected with both the Pepcid AC and Sucralfate on board.
Strict crate rest for 8 weeks is critical for Che Guevara's disk to heal. I know that he has had trouble with crates in the past but severely limiting his movement 24/7 is an essential part of the conservative treatment. We think about it like a cast for a broken arm. The cast immobilizes the arm so the break can heal. We can't put a cast on our dogs spine, so we use crate rest instead. The spine is immobilized allowing the disc to heal. Your vet mentioned that too much moving around could cause the disk to rupture. Strict crate rest will minimize the chances of that happening. Any time out of the crate could cause further damage to the nerves of the spine which could result in further neuro damage or even paralysis.
There are different types of recovery suites. It doesn't have to be a wire crate. Some of our members have used a child s pack and play. Others have used an ex-pen which can be configured in many different ways. The recovery suite should just be large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around and stretch the legs out when lying down, Any extra space can be padded out with rolled up towels.
STRICT 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.
Carry Che Guevara 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!
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/slingwalk.jpgWe have some information about emergency crate training that you may find helpful here:
For dogs who have problems settling in the crate you can try some natural methods to help. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate, but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives such as Acepromazine, Trazodone, etc. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price.
Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is.
Dogs: Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml
www.adaptil.com/us/Products/ADAPTIL-Calm-Home-Diffuser with dog pheromones
Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below:
1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed
2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
If Che Guevara still can not settle calmly in the crate, you can speak to your dog about a mild sedative. The ones we see most commonly here are Trazadone and Acepromazine.
What was the dosage and frequency for the gabapentin? How often do you give it to him?
Please see if you can find out the name of the anti-inflammatory shot.
Che should be having no pain. If you are seeing any of the signs of pain below please let the vet know right away so the pain meds can be adjusted.
☐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 way between doses.
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 soonest 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. Use the “search box” to easily locate topics over at our Main
www.Dodgerslist.com website:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/searchBOX.jpg