Cathy's Zoe surgery 11/14 south Africa

Cathy, welcome to Dodgerslist. The very first phase of healing is the pain control. This is not YET happening. Rimadyl is NOT a pain reliever and can take 1-2 weeks or longer to get all the painful swelling down. So pain relievers MUST be prescribed. Your job is to get with the vet and let him know the specific pain you are seeing and strongly advocate for the typical pain meds used with a disc episode. Here is where you can get up to speed quickly and know a stomach protector has to be on board as well. And you will know the correct what to ask your vet about Famoditine. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm

Pepcid AC (generic name of famotidine) may be called something different in your country. Famocid, Famonit , Gastrodomina, Pepdine. Zantac (Ranitidine) is another stomach protector option and my be over the counter... not requiring a prescription in your country.

-- What are the exact names of all meds?  The dose in mg's and how often you are to give them?

-- What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for this current disc episode? We have guessed at Nov 6th.  100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks means 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.  There are no meds to heal a disc...just limited movement and 8 weeks.

-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, reluctant to  poop tight hard tummy? Those are signs of pain that the vet needs feedback on.

-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail 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 once off all pain meds and no more signs of pain.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?

-- Eating and drinking OK?

-- Poops OK - normal color 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
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.

If you are considering surgery then she needs to see the specialist right away. There is a window of time where surgery gives the best results.
You can use a sling to support her when you take her out to potty, and you can ask your Vet for a hands on lesson on how to express her bladder if she isn't able to pee on her own.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

Here is some information on conservative treatment and surgical treatment
Treatment options - surgery and conservative
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm

Please keep us posted - we are here for you !

Dear Stevie and Linda , thank you so much for all your advise but Wednesday afternoon I took Zoe back to the vet when her legs no longer moved, he advised me it's now time to see the specialist, he made me an urgent appointment for Thursday (yesterday) we travelled to another city and there we saw a specialist who operates on dogs spines, he also said I caught it in time and suggest the scan and operation.
I did not think twice about the operation or the cost as I knew it was the right thing to do, they operated yesterday and contacted me after the surgery, he said it was a difficult surgery but it was successful, I had a phone call this morbid to say she had got up on her own and walked , this was very good news as it was n

Not even 24 hrs after the operation, they have given her a 98% chance she will recover fully , I am writing a story/diary on Zoe's incident and recovery and I want all doggie owners to know that there is help out there and to never just think of putting there doggie to sleep, we Love our Zoe with all out hearts and appreciate the doctors that we have to help our animal family, please never give up hope but look out for the signs of IVDD, to all at dodgers list thank you for supporting me and all the other human family,