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Post by smithh1989 on Nov 20, 2013 13:28:39 GMT -7
ROCKY, 15lbs, diagnosis of IVDD-yes, Dachshund
Started crate rest on 11/13 but didn't know about the no scooting until I found this site. He is now on the 100% strict crate rest as of today
-- Is there still currently pain - NO
He started on vetprofen 25th 1x aday and methocarbamol 500mg every 8 hrs
He started only going pee once a day took him back today and he switched to
Tramadol 50mg every 8 hrs
prednisone 5mg 1 every 13 hrs for 3 days 1 ever day for 2 days and 1 every other day
I also went and started pepcid ac 5mg 2x a day since I read your site
Wags tail but knuckles and drags legs
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
Bed hasn't been wet today but has been a few times this past week. I put him on towel to express bladder but he wouldn't go so I put him on ground outside and supported back legs and he started going.
-- Eating and drinking OK? yes
-- Poops OK Yes normal
Vet told me today either surgery or put down. Because keeping him alive is cruelty. I told them I want to continue with the crate rest. I don't want to put him down unless absolutely necessary. I have hope he will get better.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 20, 2013 13:46:03 GMT -7
Hi! I am another mom with an IVDD dog. Our moderators here are amazing and will have a ton of advice for you. I just wanted to say that your vet is wrong about putting him down. He is wagging his tail (a reall good sign)and seems to be able to pee and poop on his own (although with you supporting his legs). He definitely has a chance to recover. My Mimi (daschund still on crate rest bc of an extended taper off meds) had a rear leg that was useless 4.5 weeks ago. It would knuckle, she couldn't support herself on it at all. Now she no longer knuckles and can wobbly walk (during potty breaks). This disease is so scary and I cried so much in the beginning. Do not give up, find a different vet if you have to but know that Rocky has an awesome chance. Hang in there  |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,593
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 20, 2013 13:53:13 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? Being able to pee on his own and wagging his tail indicate that Rocky is likely to be a good candidate to recover under conservative treatment!!! Your vet's comments clearly show he is not IVDD knowledgeable. If he is open to learning what you have learned here then stick with him. IF he continues to tout killing your dog, making more drug mistakes then move on to finding an IVDD knowledgable vet. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/VetchkList.htmYour vet it appears has subjected Rocky to a dangerous mix of meds. This is a good card to print out & keep on you. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/MedCard.pdf A switch from a NSAID (Vetprofen/carprofen) to Prednisone without a 4-7 day washout places the GI tract under double jeopardy for bleeding ulcers or a worse life threatening situation. Know your drugs so you can speak up for Rocky. IVDD is one disease that requires us owners to be an integral part of the health care team.. in fact we have to move up to be the captain of the team. Knowledge is power to protect Rocky and this is a very good page to start with your self education: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmI would ask for a 2nd stomach protector called sucralfate since the switch was made today.. Rocky does not need any more problems on top of what he is dealing with. Strongly advocate for having your vet call in an Rx for sucralfate… homework reading on this med is here…you will need to know the timing of food, Pepcid AC and other meds with use of sucralfate. www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html If he will not give an Rx, to protect Rocky from bad judgement of no washout PLUS no stomach protection, then time to definatetly find another vet today. |
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Post by smithh1989 on Nov 20, 2013 14:30:57 GMT -7
The vet is already closed but I called another vet and have an appointment for 9 am tomorrow morning.
Hoping this vet has more knowledge.
Thank you! I appreciate the response. I will definitely be finding a new vet. The receptionist told my husband that this is irreversible and won't be able to walk and I told them she has no idea what she is talking about because I have been reading all the stories on this site.
Thank you for responding. I will call the vet ASAP to see if he will give him sucralfate. They basically made me feel horrible, like he has no quality of life. It really stinks because I have always loved this vet, until today.
Should I be doing leg messages with him? And my name is heather 
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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 Nov 20, 2013 16:20:59 GMT -7
Hi Heather, my name is Maureen. I am happy to hear that you are looking for a new Vet!! The Vet and receptionist at the current hospital are so very wrong - they could have caused you to put your dog to sleep when it isn't necessary, along with mixing meds in a dangerous fashion. You have discontinued the Vetprofen, right?? Leg massages don't happen until later on, and then it will be the gentlest of massage. Rocky will lose muscle mass during his crate rest, no doubt about it, but the muscle rebuilds quite quickly once they get moving again. My Stevie was paralysed - she walks and runs and jumps (the brat!) and made about a 97% recovery to "normal". Don't give up hope, and tell your Vet to "shut the front door" if he suggests that euthanasia is a viable option, or that Rocky won't have a great quality of life. They have a great life even if they are paralysed. Keep us posted Keeping you in thought and prayer! |
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Post by smithh1989 on Nov 20, 2013 16:38:30 GMT -7
Hey maureen! That is awesome news! I love reading stories like that it gives me lots of hope. I'm crossing my fingers that the vet we see tomorrow has knowledge in ivdd. And yes we stopped the vetprofen and methocarbamol he is just on the prednisone and tramadol now
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Post by Mary Jane&Kingking on Nov 20, 2013 20:29:22 GMT -7
Hi Heather my name is Mary Jane. I have been going back and forth with the quality of life debate. I'm being selfish because I love having him around, he might never walk again and so on. I found a part of the website that really was an eyeopener for me. Some people believe no matter what you say or research that they should be put down. No offense to anyone but I have found that to be mostly men in my experience. I think women are just more nurturing by nature and men are more logical and analytical thinkers. (Not trying to offend!) This part of the site shows dogs fully recovered and on wheels. They are all happy. They are happy when they have food, treats, and love. Thats pretty simple. They dont get depressed like we do but adapt to their environment. Keep researching and reading! I have learned a lot! www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm |
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Post by smithh1989 on Nov 21, 2013 8:11:16 GMT -7
Okay. New vet was great didn't say once that he should be put down. She gave me a sling to help support him when he uses the bathroom and here is his new medications.
Prednisone 5mg twice daily for 3 days, 1 tablet for 4 days and 1 every other day (11 quantity)
Sulcralfate 1gram 1/2 tab twice daily
tramadol 50mg 1/2 tab every 8 hrs
Pepcid ac 5mg twice daily.
She also wrote in a prescription for Gabapentin. Going to go pick that up now.
6 hours ago
Thanks Mary Jane! I hope that is the case with this vet that he sees this morning. Thanks for the link it is very reassuring reading these stories on here!
Wanted to share that monday and Tuesday rocky would only go pee once a day and yesterday at the vet office he was leaking pee everywhere and since they changed his meds he as gone to pee 3 times in the same spot where I take him , so I'm hoping that means he does have adder control!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 21, 2013 8:28:21 GMT -7
Sounds like your new vet has a much better understanding of things. That is awesome.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,593
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 21, 2013 10:34:18 GMT -7
Heather, you are a fine advocate for Rocky's needs… you got a new IVDD knowledgable vet, got both stomach protectors on board. Kudos to you! The new vet is trying a 3 day course of pred and then a taper to see if all the swelling is gone. During the time on the steroid anti-inflammatory the pain meds do need to be adjusted so that there is no pain surfacing dose to dose of pain relief medications. Pain deters healing. Let us know Rocky has no pain today with the 3x a day tramadol.
Often it takes being at the anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. When the vet guesses swelling might be gone there will be a taper. The dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose your job at home would be to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for any hint of pain. To have a clear picture on a taper, pain meds are also stopped or backed off too. Have you discussed that with the new vet?
If there is no pain on the taper then it goes to completion. Then no meds at all are needed. Disc healing will continue for the remainder of the 8 weeks. Nerves can continue to self heal…think in terms of months.
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