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Post by aburgstede on Mar 19, 2013 5:22:54 GMT -7
Digger is a 9 year old smooth dachshund.
He's had some minor disc issues before, his last was June of 2012 when the x-ray was taken and about 4-5 discs were identitied as the culprit of his pain.
Yesterday it started again, (03/19) same last June, relunctant to go on his walk so I carried him home and he crawled on my lap (totally unlike him). We only had 1/4 tab of Rimadyl so we gave that to him, it didn't seem too bad. Then I asked him if he wanted to go to the "big boy bed" and he carefully walked down the ramp and to the bedroom, up the ramp and on the bed where he howled with pain like I've never heard him cry before. He's a tough boy and he has never done this before, two long cries. Then we called the doctor.
Vet met us at the clinic at 8:15PM at he got an steriod injection (yes, he knew about the 1/4 Rimadyl), I forget what the injection was, I was a bit frazzeled. He was given Prednisone to start today (03/20), 5mg 2x/day for 3 days then tapering off; & Methocarbamol, 500mg, 1/4 tab 2x/day as needed along w/Famotidine (10mg) 1/2 tab once daily for 2 wks.
He's walking ok, he's eating and drinking ok. I slept w/him on a mattress on the floor last night in the spare bedroom. Hasn't pooped yet, he's a very private pooper, so I know this will be a challenge, being on a 4' leash. He hasn't cried since.
Ever since Digger's first back issue he's sort of developed what I call 'crate anxiety' from being it in so much. I had my husband take a really big crate down from the rafters in the garage this morning for Digger. It's going to be hard doing this, though we've done it before. He hasn't been in it yet, I'm still sitting on the mattress w/him, lol!
Here's my dilemma-
He's never liked to be picked up, tenses up. So when I take him outside, should I just put the collar/leash on and let him walk outside by himself (we have a ranch house w/a deck and a ramp...the other way outside has two steps) or do I pick him up to avoid that extra walking...which would include picking him up to take him out & picking him up again to bring him in? I don't know that the tensing of the back is good for him...so I'm leaning towards letting him walk out himself, on the leash. Opinions are appreciated.
Thanks for your help and support.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 19, 2013 8:19:11 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerlist, Amy. I'm sorry to hear Digger is having another disc episode. 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, 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 you would carry him to and from the potty place. Collar from this point on should be only to hold the tags. Harnesses are a better idea for IVDD dogs. Either set up an expen or some garden edging fence to limit his potty area visually. Or use a harness and 6 foot leash where you stand in one spot.  The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. The area of the recovery suite should be only enough room to stand up, turn a round and when lying down to fully stretch out his legs. A wire crate is preferable to plastic ones for the greater visibility. Consider a pet stroller to keep him at your side as you move about the house. Ex-pens are also a good alternative. You will see why in the video here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm Does he currently tremble, cry out, tight tummy, not want to move? These are signs that pain is not yet being controlled and your vet needs to know about it right away to further adjust pain meds. Let us know pain is under control dose to dose of pain meds. On the taper of the short 3 day course of Pred is the time to observe is there is still pain. Swelling = Pain Pain would mean your vet would likely do another course and try the taper again at a later time. Often it does take 1-2 courses at the orig anti-inflammatory dose to get the swelling down. For some dogs it may be more like a month. Because you gave Rimady and there was no 4-7 day washout til the steroid, I would strongly advocate for a 2nd protector being on board besides Pepcid AC.... sucralfate. Digger does not need another problem to deal with on top of the disc problem. 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.htmlConsider taking the edge off with a calmer. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/ [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers:ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets or tinyurl.com/atxc8l3
Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure] Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.comwww.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/bach.htmPlain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. |
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Post by aburgstede on Mar 19, 2013 8:29:54 GMT -7
Hi Paula; So you're saying he can't even sleep on the mattress on the floor w/me? (and only me...my husband & other dogs are in the "normal bed") Did you read the " Here's my dilemma" section? You still recommend picking him up? I'm using a diffuser a/Peace & Calming. I have a big crate that I'm currently using, so he can stretch out, turn around and have his water w/him. ![]() I've attached pics of the ramp in the backyard off the deck & the crate I'm using today.   |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 19, 2013 9:37:54 GMT -7
Tensing up is not a problem to the spinal cord, walking is. Pick him up with a secure grip so he can't wriggle or jump out of your hands and carry him to and from the potty place. As long as when you lift you are supporting both ends, then you are protecting the back. I had a wriggle worm so I used this very secure method to get a grip.
I found making a potty enclosure worked best for me. I use some of that poke in the ground garden edging fence to form a 6 foot diameter potty place. It's a good visual and physical barrier to let them know sniff fests are not going to happen. Because dogs will always do things in a blink of an eye, any time out of the crate should be considered as a dangerous time. The risk is necessary to take at potty times and for vet visits. The focus on conservative treatment is limited movement of the back. Digger has a great recovery suite, nice job on it, Amy! Very nice ramp, but not for Digger until after all 8 weeks of 100% STRICT 24/7 crate rest have been completed. |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 19, 2013 11:06:51 GMT -7
Hi Amy, good advise from Paula. I'd like to add though how I did it with Jolene after surgery. If you can get Digger into one of the hard carriers, maybe entice him to walk from one crate directly to the other with food, then carry him out that way into an ex-pen or secured area, that would save you from picking him up. I always used the handle and then also used the other hand on the bottom to keep the carrier from jarring. After she got feeling better, it was hard to get her back in at times. LOL Had to corner her and shove her in.
Can you open his crate from the top. Easier to pick the up that way too.
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Post by aburgstede on Mar 19, 2013 16:42:41 GMT -7
Ok, good to know, I didn't know that the tensing up didn't bother the back...I just figured it couldn't be good. But knowing this, we will carry him out. Thank you.
I would love to be able to carry the crate out; but ever since his 1st back injury he hasn't been fond of the crate so I don't want to have to put him in/take him out anymore than I have to.
The wire crate he's in now--is the picture is 28" x 42"; do you think that's an ok size?
I understand that any time out of the crate is a dangerous time. Last night when we slept in the spare bedroom on the mattress on the floor there was a gate on the door and only the two of us and he never got out of the bed--he never does. He's slept w/us since he's been 6 months old.
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Post by natureluva on Mar 20, 2013 13:39:41 GMT -7
Hi there, the crate should be just big enough for your dog to fully stretch our and turn around in. ~Lisa
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Mar 20, 2013 16:35:39 GMT -7
Oh gosh, reading your first post took me straight back to the terror I felt when Polly went down in January. Those first few weeks were a blur, but one thing I know for sure is that you CAN do it. 8 weeks in the crate sounds impossible, but you CAN do it. He WILL get used to sleeping in the crate, and so will you. It's hard for awhile, but as long as you stay firm, and calm, it's doable. You'll look back on it knowing that you did everything possible to help him heal.
I took a lot of comfort, and learned a lot by reading here every day. Even just knowing that there are others out there who have experienced the same thing, and come out of it okay, is such a help.
Wishing you strength, courage and healing!
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Post by aburgstede on Mar 20, 2013 19:21:02 GMT -7
Changed his crates to 28X27 (living room) and a 18X30 for the bedroom (during the day when we're at work).
Laser therapy appt for Saturday at 8AM. Another scheduled for next Wed. at 5:45.
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Post by natureluva on Mar 21, 2013 6:49:12 GMT -7
Great! We look forward to hearing how the laser treatments go! ~Lisa
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Post by aburgstede on Mar 23, 2013 15:08:20 GMT -7
laser treatment went well, have more appts next week. put up the x-pen outside today as well (he saw a squirrel, so we figured it was time...the sun is actually out & it's a woppin' 30 something, lol). Things are going ok...
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Post by natureluva on Mar 24, 2013 12:56:44 GMT -7
Hi Amy, thanks for the update on Digger. Is his pain still well-controlled? Glad to hear the laser treatments are going well. It finally broke 40 degrees here, so I completely understand...come on, Spring! Please let us know how he does throughout crate rest. Hopefully that disc will be able to fully heal due to minimizing movement of his spine, and he will be able to maintain his neurological functions. Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Post by aburgstede on Mar 31, 2013 12:45:04 GMT -7
Digger continues to do well. Status quo really. We had three laser treatments last week, I have to schedule more for this week, probably two. He's doing well w/his crate rest. We're off all medication. Doesn't seem to be in pain. Happy we're almost to "week 2".
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 31, 2013 14:11:16 GMT -7
Amy,
So glad to hear Digger is doing so well and isn't in pain anymore even off the medication! Thank you for the update and wish you and Digger continued success!! Delighted to hear the Laser treatments are doing him so much good also!
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