Ericka's Bugger 10/27 conservative

Hi Ericka, I'm Sabrina. Welcome to Dodgerslist! Please let your Bugs know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but also for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place! Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. I'm so glad that you are reading all you can for Bugs' sake! I remember when my Charley was first diagnosed, I had to re-read every article multiple times in order to get the info to sink into my addled brain! On the main DL site there's an "Overview: the essentials" page that will link to lots of specific topics - Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? 

-- What was the date you started the 100% STRICT crate rest? (In the crate 24/7 only out to potty …. 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)) - it sounds like you started today?

-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved?

-- What are the exact names of all meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?

-- How much does Bugs weigh?

-- Can your dog move the legs at all or wag the tail due when you do some happy talk? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

-- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? Helpful videos with tips on expressing both urine and poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

-- Eating and drinking OK?

-- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood?

Is Bugs on any pain medications? Disc episodes are typically quite painful. Bugs needs to be completely pain free in order for his body to heal. This page overviews pain meds that are often used during disc episodes:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm

Well done for doing your own research and getting Bugs started on 100% Strict crate rest! If you haven't already seen these articles, they are so helpful in figuring out how to implement crate rest:
Conservative treatment for disc disease (IVDD) - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htm
Crate Rest Recovery Process - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm
Clark's helpful supplies for crate rest - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm

Here is a page with strategies to help Bugs tolerate crate rest:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm#Emergencyconfinement

In addition to all the wonderful articles on the main site, Dodger'sList also has a comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD for you to add to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for Bugs should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm

Is Bugs on any stomach protection (like Pepcid AC)? Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. Pepcid AC is a generally safe over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for healthy dogs. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm

Here is a great sign to print out for your fridge so that you and all other family members can know what signs and symptoms that indicate an emergency situation:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdf

Hang in there! IVDD seems so overwhelming at first. Bugs is so lucky to have someone like you, someone who takes the initiative to learn all you can so that he can get to a happy, pain-free life! This page was so encouraging to me when I was brand-new to IVDD:
YES, Your Dog CAN Have a Great Quality of Life! - www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm

Do let us know some more about Bugs' current situation so that we can better help you. We are here to support you!

))Hugs!((
- Sabrina

Hi Ericka...I'm just another "mom" going through this process. Our moderators can answer any and all of your questions. Just wanted to say regarding the crate, if you can try to keep Bugger's crate in the middle of wherever you are (put casters on a piece of plywood to help roll him around). Making them feel like they are always with you, even if crated, is important. We have an ex-pen that we keep our Mimi in. We have it centrally located in our living room during the day and move it to our bedroom at night. She is much happier when she knows where we are and can see us (and let's us know if she can't lol). Hope this helps and that Bugger has an easy recovery.

Ok...called the vet..he says he will give pain meds..i need to run and get them...also he said 3mg of pepsid for bug....ill be back soon...i need to go get his meds...

2 hours later…..
Meds for bug..
Fluoxetine 10mg 1x a day as needed for stress..ive been thinking of giving these again since he doesnt like his crate.
Prednisone 5mg 2x day for 5 days (on day 2) 1x day for 5 days...then 1 every other day...
Tramadol 50mg 1/2 tab every 8-12 hrs for pain
Pepsid ac 10mg ...1/4 tab 2x a day.

Thats everything....i got the pain meds and pepcid today for him. I also put his crate on something so hes on the same level i am when im in bed...he seems to sleep easier and relax more since he has his blanket over it and can see me...

Ericka

My mom asked me if i didnt think i should give him to a doxie rescue who "had more time for him" because i work...however...my older dd comes home at lunch to potty him...check on him..refill dishes..and say hi...then at 330 my other daughter comes home and pottys him and will give him his pain meds...
I made a filofax up for him with daily calender to keep track of his day...monthly calnder to jot apts or sm notes...a divider for his meds list..with when..how much..who prescribed..what its for..and how much it cost...a pt divider..so when he can do that i can keep track...a divider for vet visit notes..dvider for expences...just because..a divider for diet and suplements...it seemed like a good idea.one for written notes...and one for internet notes ive printed out..it has a sticky note on the front that says bugs book..and it lays on his cage..also inside is his lis of pleases...

Please check my puppy pad and see that its dry...bed sores are bad.
Please take me in my cage to the room your in..i dont like to be alone..
Please leave my blanket over my cage...i feel more secure in my cave..
Please potty me every 3 hours
Make sure i have food and water
I will NEED a pain pill by 330..i get half a tramadol pill..the bottle says pain on it.
I get 1/4 a pepcid ac tablet in the morning and before bed.
I get a predinsone in the morning and before bed.
I like a pouch of dog food a day.
I get a treat after going potty.

Then i made a sticky note and put 3 boxes down the side with the time and what med is suposed to be given..

Plus verble instructions...i think my 17 and 15 yo dds have it under control till i get home..lol..

I got him a wire cage..i thought it would be good when we take him camping...he can be out in the sun too..

Ericka

This is the photo the last owner sent me of bug...before i picked him up...this is a week before he got hurt.

Thank you! I feel really lucky to have him!

I keep hopeing i see improvement....bug seems to he able to go poop on his own...but the peeing seems to need help...of course when he could walk...he took forever to go potty so maybe its just his stubborness...he woke me up at 430 to go out...ao we did...but i pck him up wrong out of the cage because i always make him wet then....i have to reach thru the cage door and try to pick him up and bring him gently thru the door. Hes acting more like himself with the pain meds. He growls at people at the door and and when someone comes too close to me. He seems to be able to stand a little longer on his own..he does need to be braced up tho.

What im wondering is....when shoild i see improvement if i will? How many people get improveme t from crate rest? It would he so much easier if he could just go potty on his own...because i keep worring im going to let him have a uti. I just want to do all i can to help him..to do the most we can. Any help is greatfully appriciated....

Thanks..for listening...
Ericka

Ericka, very good to hear he pain is under control and he is acting like himself again!

This disease can be confusing as to what is healing and when and how that happens, what crate rest heals, what meds heal, etc. Improvement is a term that is too general and adds to the confusion of what is healing. There are four phases of healing during a disc episode. Your mind will be relieved by know what is going on …so I highly recommend you take a look at this page: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm

A dog that can control their bladder can keep the sphincter muscle closed until in an appropriate spot to release urine. Your pushing on the tummy area when taking him out of the crate or when lifting show there is likely no control. Lack of bladder control means you will need to go today and get a hands on top of your hands lesson on manually expressing the bladder. Review this first to get more out of the lesson to express urine and poop www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm If you see that Bugger can sniff an old pee spot outdoors and then release urine…. that proves bladder control. Please let us know what you specifically observe.

While on Pred you would need to take him out every 3-4 hours IF he actually has bladder control. IF he does not, then express every 2-3 hours to keep him dry.

You might find top opening crate will help you lift him out, how to convert your crate www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/cratetopconvert.pdf

Another idea is to have a blanket on top of his mattress that you can pull and slide Bug towards the crate door where you can more easily lift him out.

I thinknbug knows when he has to go out! The last couple days hes woke me up to take him out..and hes been dry...he goes pee when i pick him up..im pretty sure its how i have to pick him up from the cage..the time he kind of came closer to the edge of the crate and i got a better hold on him everything stayed dry...so im pretty excited! Im hopeful this is a good sign....i got my dvd yesterday in the mail but i havent had a chance to watch yet....maybe tonight..but i wanted to share the potty wake up hes been giving me...