Hello,
My dog Winston is an 11-year old
Dachshund who was
diagnosed with IVDD 6 years ago, but in the past we were able to medically treat and until last month kept at bay. On 10/16
[9/16] he lost all use of his hind legs but still showed deep pain nerve sensation. He underwent surgery on 10/17
[9/17]. Two weeks after surgery, he was showing great progress, but then at the end of the 3rd week, he showed signs of
regression and last Friday (10/19) again
lost all use of his legs. We brought him back to the vet who did another CT scan and discovered that when she conducted the first surgery she started her vertebrae count at the wrong spot and did not go far back enough with the surgery. Therefore, she did not remove all of the protruding disc material. On
10/21, Winston underwent a
second L2-L3 hemilaminectomy (fortunately the vet waived all fees for the second surgery).
Winston came home yesterday and is resting comfortably. After going through this less than one month ago, we know the drill and have figured out creative ways to restrict his movement yet not be in his dreaded crate (he HATES his crate) and the anti anxiety pills seem to have mellowed Winston. My main worry concerns the length of time that he has been on Prednisone and Tramadol. We went through all of his medication as directed during the first surgery, which ended on 10/7. He was off medication from 10/8 - 10/18 and was put back on prednisone and tramadol on 10/19 and will continue to be on his medication for at least the next 21 days (according to the directions on the prednisone bottle). This seems to be a long duration to be on these kinds of drugs. Am I worrying for the sake of worrying or is this something I should be watching? Are there potential side effects I should be on the look out?
Also, his back is still slightly hunched; however, not as pronounced as before his first surgery. Will this subside with time?
-- What is your dog's name?
Winston
-- How much does your dog weigh?
12.9 pounds
--What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD?
Dachshund, Yes to IVDD diagnosis
-- What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?
10/17
--Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?
Winston still has hunched back.
-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?
Tramadol 50mg 1/2 tablet every 8 hours, Prednisone 5 mg 1/2 Tablet (2 times for 7 days, 1 time for 7 days and the every other day for 7 days) and Tramadol (for anxiety) 50 mg 1/2 tablet every 8 hours or as needed.
-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
He can stand, but not ambulate. He can wag his tail.
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
He has wet the bed if we do not take him outside every 3 hours.
-- Eating and drinking OK?
Yes
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood?
He appears to be constipated.
Read more:
dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/28/1-introduce-dog#ixzz2igUfrSnI
