Sara & Stuart
New Member
MALE - Dachshund Stuart 12/17/2023; Cody graduate
Posts: 30
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Post by Sara & Stuart on Jan 25, 2024 12:15:12 GMT -7
Hello! An update on Stuart. He had his last laser appointment and vet check up [1/17?] last Wednesday. The vet advised to stop the prednisone taper and saw no signs of pain and advises to stop pain meds.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
17.3 lbs 5 y.o.
12/17 pain, 12/18 wobbly backlegs
carprofen as of 12/17: 75mg 1x/day for 3 days, STOPPED 12/20; √12/18 wobbly neuro
prednisone as of 12/21: 5mgs 2x/day for 4 days, 12/25 test TAPER for: _pain/ _neuro ]
He lost a half pound perhaps from muscle loss - he is quite muscular with little fat and his weight did not contribute to the disc per the vet. As he’s been off his meds, he’s showed no outward signs of pain. Though he’s walking much better he still had a slow flip test on both back paws. This neuro function seems slow to completely heal.
Anyway, my main question is regarding toe nail trims. We have not trimmed his nails since before his disc incident. When is it safe to do so?
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 25, 2024 14:07:50 GMT -7
Sara, am I correct that when you say the last vet visit was last Wednesday that you mean January 17th? It's always best to use exact dates so we're clear as to timeline, thanks.
Please give the exact date that the Prednisone was stopped and the date that each pain med was stopped.
If in fact Prednisone and all pain meds have been stopped since January 17th, and I'm assuming that is the case, and no signs of pain have been seen since then, that is indeed wonderful news and indicates that the swelling pressing on the nerves of the spine has resolved and meds are no longer needed.
As for the slow flip test of both back paws, neuro function can be very slow to heal. Sometimes that healing can be seen during the 8 weeks of strict crate rest and sometimes it can take longer, sometimes months after conservative care has been stopped. But that can heal in time.
Please continue with the very strict crate rest, carried in and out to potty with very few steps during potty time until graduation day of February 12, 2024. Please continue to check back with us and on the graduation day, we'll celebrate with you and will also be able to give you very important information on how to very gradually reintroduce Stuart to movement again.
As for trimming of nails, during conservative care, nail trims can and must wait until after graduation. The priority is healing the disc and protection of the spinal cord. Nail trimming can require too much movement. Stuart may pull his foot back suddenly. He's doing so well and we wouldn't want to see a relapse happen. So please do hold off on any nail trimming until after graduation day to give the disc time to completely heal and form scar tissue. Too much movement too soon and the not-yet-healed disc can tear again and you'd be back to square one with pain and/or possibly more nerve damage. Not worth the risk.
Do keep in touch and thank you for the very positive update.
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