perrysmom850
New Member
Day 3 on a conservative treatment
Posts: 4
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Post by perrysmom850 on Oct 24, 2013 12:38:58 GMT -7
Hello there:
I have learned about this website for a while and this is the first time I signed up for help.
Perry is my boy who is 5.5 years old, a standard 20 pound dachshund mix. He has been healthy and upbeat until yesterday that I noticed while on a walk that his tail was down pointing straight to the ground. That was unusual because his tail was always up and wagging. He has not been himself, either. When my husband got home, Perry was a lot less excited than his normal self. His tail was wagging but still down. Other than seemingly being lethargic, he did not show any signs of pain (even when touched or palpated), moving normally, no limping, no problem with his urination, excretion, or appetite.
Before leaving the house for the vet this morning, I noticed that he favored his left rear leg. The vet said he had some problem with the back but did not do the x-ray, but prescribed the NSAID Metacam. He also did the laser therapy at the clinic. The vet did not tell me strictly to crate rest Perry. He told me not to allow Perry to climb up and down stairs or just up and down. I will take him to the vet again on Saturday for another laser therapy and another follow next Tuesday. If Perry goes down, I need to take him to the emergency vet about 1.5 hours from our home for surgery.
When I came home from the vet, I started to create rest Perry. He looks pathetic in the crate and seems to be slightly restless since he has not been in the crate for a long time and probably thinks he is being punished for something. I let him out for a few minutes, but he tried to walk around, which I did not think was a good idea. He still slightly favored his left rear leg but did not express any signs of pain. After I saw that, I put him back in the crate.
Am I doing the right thing? I am afraid I will do him disservice if I let me out of the crate. Even though he does not jump (we have stuff to block him to jump up the furniture), he could still get worse by just walking around, right? The vet said he was not much concerned because Perry can still pee and poop and walk. But I am so worried sick, as you may understand. He is my only child.
Any suggestion, advice, anything would be deeply appreciated.
Perry's Mom
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Oct 24, 2013 18:13:41 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Maureen, what's yours? Welcome to Dodgers List, I'm sorry that Perry is having an IVDD episode. You are right to be concerned about him, and crate rest is exactly what he needs! His ability to still walk and go pee by himself make him an excellent candidate for Conservative treatment. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks is what allows the disc to heal. Movement is what tears the weak and early healing scar tissue on the disc. 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. So true conservative treatment with the single most important part of the care…crate rest…. starts today. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Pepcid AC to protect the stomach should also be on board. We follow proactive vets and give our approx 13-20 lbs doxies 5mg 30 mins prior to Pred. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" In the early days of learning our dogs have IVDD, everyone needs a shoulder to lean on while getting things figured out, dealing with emotions, getting up to speed on meds, what disc disease is, etc. Your job in the coming days is to become a reader so you become the confident leader of the health care team.... to discuss confidently various issues from medications to recognizing if suggestions of activity would be harmful to the healing disc. All that takes being a reader. Start on our main website with "Overview: the essentials" yellow button it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all the orange buttons and the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" to complete your education. Here is the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmHe will adapt to the crate in time - it is what is best for him so you need to be strong. Here is some information on your treatment options Treatment options - surgery and conservative www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmWe are all here for you - don't despair, you aren't alone anymore - we have all been through this with our fur babies and will do anything that we can to help. Keep us posted. Keeping you in thought and prayer (((hugs)))
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Oct 25, 2013 6:26:31 GMT -7
Hi, just wanted to say Perry is going to do so awesome on crate rest He's in great shape and if you stick to it, he will be just fine. Everyone here is awesome!
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perrysmom850
New Member
Day 3 on a conservative treatment
Posts: 4
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Post by perrysmom850 on Oct 25, 2013 7:35:51 GMT -7
Hi Maureen, my name is Worawan, Perry's mom. Thank you very much for responding to my post yesterday with a lot of useful information, resources, and encouragement. The vet put Perry on liquid oral med called Metacam, which is an anti-inflammatory med. It comes in a bottle (1.5 mg per ml). Perry is given a once daily dose of 20 mark on scale of a syringe that came with the med. This scale is based on the weight. So, Perry's dose is based on his weight of 20 lbs. The vet told me to give the med with food. After 2 doses, Perry is fine with no stomach problems like vomiting or anything like that. Metacam is not steroid, so maybe that's why the vet did not give Perry some antacid. I carry him out potty in our backyard and then carry him back to his crate. He walks only a few steps to find a spot to release himself. With almost zero movement of his legs during the crate rest, are his legs going to get weakened? In humans, if we don't use our legs for 2 months, they could become weakened and atrophic. I cannot say enough how thankful I am for this community, your support, help, and prayer. And I feel better today even though I am still worried. It breaks my heart to see Perry in the crate looking back at me not understanding why he is in there instead of with me like usual. I just have to be tough. Thank you. Worawan, Perry's mom.
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perrysmom850
New Member
Day 3 on a conservative treatment
Posts: 4
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Post by perrysmom850 on Oct 25, 2013 7:37:37 GMT -7
Thank you, newbiemomiv1, for taking the time to write to me and for your support. Your little one is cute! Perry's mom
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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 9:25:12 GMT -7
Hi, Worawan Metacam is a NSAID and likewise can cause severe side effects. The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Please contact your vet today to speak to him about adding Pepcid AC. If your vet says your dog has no health issues such as liver, heart, etc to keep Perry from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board. Also, pain medication is usually prescribed. Are there any signs of pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, head held up high, tight hard tummy, just not usual perky self? Some dogs can be very good at hiding pain so be on the look out for any signs of pain and if you do observe any, contact your vet to get a pain med on board. Pain hinders healing. As for the weakness and muscle loss from immobility, yes, there will be some. But the muscle tone and strength will come back quickly once crate rest is over. The crate rest is necessary to heal the disc and that's what's most important at this point. It only took a few days for me to see an improvement in my Jeremy's hind leg weakness after his 8 weeks of crate rest and within a few weeks, that had completely improved. Hang in there - you're doing what's needed to help your boy. Your prompt crating of him will help prevent any further nerve degeneration.
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perrysmom850
New Member
Day 3 on a conservative treatment
Posts: 4
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Post by perrysmom850 on Oct 26, 2013 11:20:56 GMT -7
Thank you, Majorie, for your answers to my questions and for more useful info.
Perry went to the vet this morning for a second laser therapy. Shown on an x-ray today is a slight compression around L1-L2. The vet did not say if this compression was associated with the symptoms Perry has recently had. He said Perry looks good, upbeat, and happy. He did not appear to be in pain and he no longer favors his left rear leg.
Perry still spends time in his crate and walks a little to find his spot only during his potty time. He has become more of himself now. We will go back to the vet on Tuesday for another laser therapy and follow-up.
Perry seems to get better, I think. Thank you so much, you all, for your support, guidance, encouragement, and prayers.
Our family appreciates it all.
Worawan
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