geezy
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by geezy on Oct 18, 2013 8:04:04 GMT -7
Hello,
My name is Gavin and my babies name is Peety. He is a 4 year old Mini Dachsund. He lost feeling in his back legs on Sunday October 12th. We took him into the Vet and they completed a X-ray and Peety was diagnosed with to compressed disc. Upper back and lower back. The meds he is on are the following: Methocarbamol, tramadol. Prednisone . And carafale to reduce the chance of an ulcer.
Peety is restricted to the crate or our laps unless outside going potty.
My question is: Is it normal for dogs with back issues to not have 100% control of their bowels. Peety seems to know when to poop, but urinating seems be less controlled. Please help and advice would be appreciated.
Gavin
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Post by twosmooches on Oct 18, 2013 8:14:27 GMT -7
Hi Gavin and Peety, I'm Ruthie (and Detour). I am not a site moderator so I cant give you any advice, but I can tell you that this site is full of good information that I didnt find anywhere else. Read thru all the stickies and you will find most of the answers to your questions. There will be a moderator along to give you specific links and some solid advice.
My Detour went down on 10/9 and we are doing pretty good so far thanks to lots of help from dodgerslist. Keep monitoring and read, read, read. I have read lots of posts about bowel and bladder incontinence and it seems rather common....theres lots of talk about getting on a schedule and bowel training - none of which I can help you with.
So sorry Peety has to go thru this! he's a lucky dog to have an owner that looks for solutions to help him. Good luck to you guys!!!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Oct 18, 2013 8:38:09 GMT -7
Hi Gavin, I am another "mom" with a mini-daschund going through something similar. The one thing I can tell you that our moderators will reinforce is strict crate rest. No laps, no couches or beds, crate only. (or ex-pen, stroller etc.) It keeps the back stable and lets things heal. Welcome to the site, everyone here is amazing. Sending healing vibes to you and Peety.
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geezy
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by geezy on Oct 18, 2013 8:47:57 GMT -7
Thank you. We are dedicated to Peety and getting him back to walking.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 18, 2013 10:24:52 GMT -7
Gavin, first thing, do make sure you are giving 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out of the recovery suite at potty time. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. Half the battle is understanding the disease you are fighting so you can win. Check out this excellent overview and the animation to be fully in the know why no laps: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmCan you fill us in on these details so we better know how to help: -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Do read up on Carafate (sucralfate) to know when to give this meds with meals and other meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? -- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine that prooves bladder control. Or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up that is a sign of loss of bladder control requiring you go today to get as hands on expressing lesson. You'll get more out of the lesson if you first review this information: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmBe watchful of neuro diminishment…great article to understand what you monitor for: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood? -- If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet. ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
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geezy
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by geezy on Oct 18, 2013 18:37:26 GMT -7
Peety and our family are already loving the support. Thank you.
My Wife Geneen took Peety to our main vet and received a Laser Therapy treatment 1-2 sites. Not sure what all that means, but must be a good thing. Sounds like therapy will be a regular thing.
Peety passed the foot pinch test and passed. he has some feeling there. ( I knew he had feeling)
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 19, 2013 11:05:07 GMT -7
Can you fill us in Gavin: -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Do read up on Carafate (sucralfate) to know when to give this meds with meals and other meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? -- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine that prooves bladder control. Or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up that is a sign of loss of bladder control requiring you go today to get as hands on expressing lesson. You'll get more out of the lesson if you first review this information: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood?
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geezy
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by geezy on Oct 20, 2013 10:05:08 GMT -7
Peety still has some pain when we pick him up for potty breaks. He is on:
Tramodol every 6 hours 1/4 doses. 50mg. methocarbarmot every 12 hours. 500 mg Prednisone 1/2 dose 5 mg 12 hours for 3-5 days and then 1/2 once a day for 5-7 days.
Peety doesn't seem to have control over his bowels and doesn't like to drink water. We are putting extra water in his food to get the intake needed.
doing laser therapy 3 days a week and will go down in treatments the following weeks.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 20, 2013 10:19:45 GMT -7
Gavin, it his pain meds are clearly NOT yet right. You give him ONE 500mg methocarbamol 1x a day? How much does Peety weigh? Discuss giving the appropriate dose 3x a day for better pain coverage. He is no longer on the must have stomach protector, Carafate? Pred was started 10/12, so now he must be on a taper. This would also explain pain and thus NOT the time to continue with the taper Often it takes being at the anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. When the vet guesses swelling might be gone there will be a taper. The dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose your job at home would be to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for any hint of pain. To have a clear picture on a taper, pain meds are also stopped or backed off too.
Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on Pred needed. Can you specifically answer this question for us….I do not believe Petty has bladder control nor bowel control. Please let us know if your Petty can sniff and try to squat and then release urine…. that prooves bladder control. OR do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up that is a sign of loss of bladder control requiring you go today to get as hands on expressing lesson. You'll get more out of the lesson if you first review this information: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm A dog that has no bladder control needs to be express for critical health reasons. An overflowing bladder will invite bladder infection and will damage the tone of the bladder permanently. So this is an important question to know the answer to…bladder control or no bladder control? Does he eat normally, just not drinking water. This question is to find out if he is suffering from Prednisone stomach damage? Had you been giving sucralfate 1 before food…this med needs an empty tummy to properly form the protective coating?
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geezy
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by geezy on Oct 20, 2013 17:22:28 GMT -7
He is on the stomach protector 30 mins prior to meds.
Pain seems to be under control. No yelping when being picked up. Peety is a lean 11.5 pounds. And taking all meds prescribed by the Vet. Not tapering at all. Peety is taking 1 Methocarbamol every 12 hours. ( work schedules restrict us for the 1/2 every 8 hours.
As for his control over urine and poop, he seems a lot better as in no accidents since yesterday morning in his crate. when he does go potty, he does lean forward and sniff.
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Post by Pauliana on Oct 20, 2013 19:35:59 GMT -7
Hi Gavin!
If Peety is still taking Carafate it should be given one hour prior to food, Prednisone and other medications and the Prednisone should always be given with food as an added protection to his stomach. Carafate needs an empty tummy to properly form the protective coating that protects the stomach.
If Peety has gone down a dose from twice a day to once a day on the Prednisone, that is called a taper..That is how the prescriptions are written and it is a test to see if the inflammation in the spinal cord has gone down.. If Peety shows no signs of pain as the taper continues, it means the swelling is gone and he needs no further medications.. If he does show signs of pain, he needs to go back to the twice a day dosing and you would need to call the Vet and let them know.. Very important to be watchful at this time and act quickly to return to the twice a day dosing of the Prednisone if he shows any sign of pain.. Shivering, yelping, reluctance to move etc. It is not unusual to have to taper more than once.. It takes some dogs two weeks to a month on Prednisone to get the swelling and inflammation down.
Glad to hear that Peety's pain is under control and it sure does sound like he has bladder and bowel control now.. Great news!
Glad you have joined us on Dodgerslist..
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geezy
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by geezy on Oct 25, 2013 6:15:01 GMT -7
Peety is doing so much better. He has tapered on his meds starting last night. No apparent signs of pain. He wants to play with the other dogs, but knows Mom and Dad won't let him. He is going in today for his 3rd or 4th laser treatment. They seem to be helping.
Peety is not having any accidents, but is a little constipated. He doesn't like Pumpkin to much. Any suggestions on a alternative?
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 25, 2013 8:41:07 GMT -7
Gavin, these will also help with constipation: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potato. And add equal parts water to his kibble.
I'm glad that Peety's taper is going well. Please keep us updated.
Blessings to you both.
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