Post by Archie’s diagnosis on Sept 12, 2023 7:57:08 GMT -7
[Original subject line: IVDD 9/12 diagnosed- Las Vegas Vet recommendations ]
My daughters dog[9/12]was just tentatively diagnosed with IVDD. Looking for a good specialty vet that can treat this in the Las Vegas area. Anyone have a great option? Pros and cons of various treatments?
Welcome! My name is Paula, what's yours? Typically a general vet would be the one treating a disc episode until such time if a surgery would be needed, then you'd get a referral to a specialist (Neuro, ACVIM or Ortho, ACVS). There are only two treatments for a disc episode: Surgery or Conservative (medical) treatment.
The single most important of care is the STRICT rest to prevent the bad disc from further damage and then damaging the spinal cord. Loss of neuro functions is to be prevented with the very STRICT rest. This page has many tips and ideas for setting up the recovery suite, and making the weeks of rest go smoother.
Setting up the Recovery Suite *
Conservative medical treatment vs. Surgical treatment regarding crate rest **
We like to you to take advantage of what we do best her on the Forum. That is help you navigate this new diagnosis in ensuring you are staying on track with the best care (medications, fully managing pain and understanding all the vet conveys).
With your details of event dates, etc., we'd know best how to help your dog. We'd feel awfully bad to mistakenly assume anything ... delaying help for your dog. The Forum takes the approach to provide comments that match each dog's very specific needs. IVDD vet visits can be stressful. The mind can find it hard to absorb all the vet communicates and translate correctly into at-home care. Small things missed could easily change the healing potential for the dog.
MASTER THE BASICS OF CARE recommendation
Dr. Isaacs, Neurology (ACVIM): "Some dogs respond well to medical management and it would be worth giving it a try. In the meantime, it is very important to keep your dog strictly inactive so as not to get any worse. Dodgerslist is a great resource for trying to manage intervertebral disk disease and helping improve your dog’s quality of life." dodgerslist.com/2020/08/14/conservative-treatment-medications-rest-and-time/
See questions moved to last post.
Last Edit: Sept 12, 2023 10:10:43 GMT -7 by PaulaM
Post by Molly & Archie on Sept 12, 2023 9:38:00 GMT -7
My name is Molly. My dog is a beagle named Archie. He was diagnosed by a general vet and referred to neurological vet this week. He is on medication until we know more but I am just trying to get all the info I can find. My coworker referred me to this site so I am reviewing as much as possible before appt on [9/14]Thursday
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit weight? Age? name of anti-inflammatory drug: ?mg ?x/day name of pain meds: ?mg ?x/day other meds? Archie needs Pepcid AC (famoditine) for duration of any anti-inflammatory drug. ]
Last Edit: Sept 12, 2023 10:00:36 GMT -7 by PaulaM
Molly, would you be able to give some detail about Archie so we can best follow along.
Is he on strict rest? What meds is he on? All pain fully in control night and day? What are his neuro functions? Can he walk even if wobbly. Can he give you a happy tail wag if you specifically do some happy talk?
These questions would be immensely helpful if you can share more specifics about Archie:
QUESTIONS: ★1 Is there still currently pain? List ONLY the signs you observe. 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. Phone your vet and report any of observations asap to get meds adjusted. ⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved ⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned back ⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position ⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions ⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves ➕if a neck disc: ◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground ◻︎ 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 up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
★2 __How much does your dog weigh? Age? What is the list of meds your dog is taking? -- Exact names for each med, their doses in mg’s and times per day given? -- PLUS: 🔘IF on a non-steroid (NSAID) for how many days? OR.... -- PLUS: 🔘 If on a steroid....what was the start date & dose? Date of steroid 1st taper -- Please include the "all important" stomach protector. Use Pepcid AC with any anti-inflammatory med (steroid or NSAID). Follow vets who are proactive. Avoid red flag signs: Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea. The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound. ==> www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html --Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory. --Dose thereafter every 12 hours for the duration of the anti-inflammatory. thumb.ibb.co/mEGRuy/91x_Aj_s00z_L_SY355.jpg **
★3 List which red flag signs of stomach damage you are currently observing: _Not eating? _vomit? _loose stool? _bleeding ulcers? _red or black blood in diarrhea?
★3 Are you on the same page about the need for STRICT rest?
If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to mask pain, dogs will not be in pain and want to be more active. So it is up to you to restrict your dog’s activity for them. i.postimg.cc/3rLH7g7X/320still-healing-disc.jpg ** STRICT rest means: - no laps - no couches - no baths - no sleeping with you - no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
POTTY TIMES for dogs who can still sniff and pee Carry 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! dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Potty-leash-harness400-19kb.jpg **
★7 Brain controlled "peeing" or reflex "overflowing"? Can your dog: -- Specifically sniff and squat and then release urine (bladder control)? -- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted? Indicator signs of an overflowing bladder (loss of control). Manual bladder expressing is necessary for health reasons. How to: ==> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/
★8 Describe what you observe currently about neuro functions. Can your dog.... -- wobbly walk? -- Move the legs at all? -- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
Last Edit: Sept 12, 2023 10:14:12 GMT -7 by PaulaM
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