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Post by marieslucy on Nov 30, 2013 15:50:05 GMT -7
Hello I live in England. My situation is a difficult one but here goes...... My mini dapple Dachshund Lucy is 7 years old and had jumped off the couch 5 days ago. I knew immediately she needed to have rest, pain meds and anti inflammatory and I already had those meds in my home because she had an episode earlier this year which was not too bad and she recovered well. BUT......1 month ago I took Lucy to the vets with very pale gums severe anemia very lethargic and episodes of fainting. She had numerous blood tests including a Coombs test for AIHA negative for Auto Immune Hemolytic Anaemia to find out what was causing it, the next step was a bone marrow biopsy (I would not allow them to do a bone marrow biopsy as she was not well enough to go through this intrusive op and my vet then agreed with me) so they decided to treat her for AIHA by a very high dose of Prednisolone 3 x 5mg per day to knock out the immune system, there was no change after 4 days and this caused Lucy to have bleeding in her upper gut and the most horrendous diarrhoea which had blood in it and undigested food and her gums then went white! I rang the emergency vet who told me to stop the steroids and take her to the surgery in the morning. I took her and they suggested a blood transfusion and I said no because it only treats the symptoms not the cause and within 48 hours she would be the same again, so I asked them to help her stomach and the diarrhoea and I wanted to take her home and have a think and make her comfortable again. I took her home and I was in total distress because I had emailed a world authority and expert in blood disorders in California and told this vet of over 50 years what was happening with Lucy and her blood etc and she emailed me back with a lot of info to give to my vets including the fact that she should have aggressive immune suppression (steroids, cyclosporine, thyroxine to help the cells regenerate but also Pepcid AC or something similar to help her stomach with the steroids and put her on a raw food diet with some veg) none of this my vet suggested or advised. I was so upset in the finish and had get my husband to speak to the vets because I was too emotional to make any decisions. The vet spoke to my husband and said that he "believed" she had bone marrow cancer and that we should be prepared to euthanize her because she would be very unwell soon. I did not believe this was the case so I hunted about on the internet for answers and further advice. I came across a website where someone had treated their dog with a raw food diet, bio algae and a supplement cacalled laminine (found naturally in the body which heals cells and restores the body) so I started to give her this and she started to really pick up and have more energy and even started to play with the others AND her gums have started to return their colour!! This was great news until Lucy jumped of my sofa.
So I rested Lucy and gave her tramadol and metacam and gabapentin (I had this in my home because my other dog is epileptic and he has this drug) as I looked up on the net what to give her and as I have said she had an episode early this year and about 2 years ago. So as you can see I have had a month of trauma for me and Lucy.
I took Lucy to the chiropractor on Wednesday and this helped her go to the toilet but having read your advice on here I will not be having further sessions and I can understand why. I took her to the vets yesterday and saw a different vet from the same practice........he gave me more Antepsin, tramadol and metacam. Lucy can still wee and poo and her stools are normal (her wee smells very strong but I know this is to do with her blood disorder) Lucy has still got a very good appetite and I am feeding her still the raw food, bio algae and Laminine which I know is helping her blood disorder. Is there anything else you can suggest please, she seems to be pain free but in the morning when she wakes and I take her out for toilet then she is in pain.
Thank you kindly
Marie and Lucy |
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Sabrina
Helpful Member 
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471 
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Post by Sabrina on Nov 30, 2013 16:23:56 GMT -7
Hello Marie, I'm Sabrina. Welcome to Dodger's List! I am so sorry to hear of Lucy's health struggles, and this current disc episode. She is so blessed to have someone like you who will research the best ways to help her through these struggles. It sounds like you have already started reading the wealth of information on the Dodger's List main site. Have you found this Index page? It's the best place to start when learning about all things IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmAs Lucy is showing signs of pain in the morning, her pain meds aren't quite right yet. Is she showing any signs of pain throughout the day? Signs of pain are holding the head in an unusual position...head held high or nose to the ground, shivering/trembling, not wanting to move much or moving gingerly, yelping, tight/tense stomach muscles, holding leg up flamingo style...not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self. If her pain is only in the morning, perhaps it has just been too long since her last dose of pain meds, and she needs them more frequently. In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? -- What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 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)? -- How much does Lucy weigh? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. -- Can your dog move the legs at all or wag the tail due when you do some happy talk? Dodger's List has a bunch of great articles about how to set up a recovery suite so that Lucy can be safely and comfortably in her crate for the 8 weeks it will take her body to develop the secure scar tissue to protect her healing disc(s): Conservative treatment for disc disease (IVDD) - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htmCrate Rest Recovery Process - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmClark's helpful supplies for crate rest - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmDodger's List also has a "must-have" DVD on IVDD - it's great to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for Lucy should also watch this DVD; if you want you can order one for your vet, too! www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm When you are able let us know what the vet says about adjusting Lucy's pain meds. We are here to support you as you help Lucy! ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina |
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Post by marieslucy on Dec 2, 2013 18:13:35 GMT -7
Hi Sabrina,
Thank you for your reply!
Lucy is doing well. She is eating, drinking and going to toilet with a lot more ease than she was at this time last week. I started the 100% rest as soon as she showed signs of a back problem which was on Sunday Lucy was seen by the vet on Friday when I had run out of meds.
Lucy is 6.5 kilos - Metacam 6.5
She has 2x 10 mg of tramadol up to 3 x per day
Lucy now appears to be painfree in between doses and can walk (although I only allow a couple of steps while she is having toilet time just to see if she is able to move and where her legs are at if you get me.)
I understand that it takes 8 weeks for the disk to heal and to be honest Lucy will be on rest for quite some time because of what is going on in her blood. But she continues to improve so that is all I am hoping for.
Once she has recovered and is able to come off meds what can I do to help stop any further re occurrence in the future other than no jumping off sofas avoiding going down stairs etc.
Thank you kindly for your support and help
Marie R
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Post by Pauliana on Dec 2, 2013 19:44:45 GMT -7
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Post by marieslucy on Dec 3, 2013 17:58:00 GMT -7
Hi Pauliana,
Thank you for your reply and info. I am over the moon that Lucy continues to do really well and she is wagging her tail and very spritely now although I am still going to keep strict tabs on her.
Blessings
Marie
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