Diann's Benny 11/29 Conservative

Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name's Marjorie - what's yours?

Please let your dog 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 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. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

Can you give us a bit more in essential information about your dog:

-- What breed is Benny? How much does he weigh?

-- Is there still currently pain? 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, arched back, holding leg up flamingo style, not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self.

-- What are the exact names, dose in mg's and frequency of all meds? Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before each dose of the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours). Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If your vet says your dog has no health issues such as liver, heart, etc to keep her from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board.

-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?

-- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?

-- Eating and drinking OK?

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

The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment once off all meds and there is no pain. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk but only after all meds are stopped and there is no pain. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here: ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.

It's best to keep him in the recovery suite that you have prepared for him. Any time out of the recovery suite can be a dangerous time. The recovery suite acts as a cast for the spine. It's fine that he's curled up. That indicates that he's comfortable so that's good. If he still has bladder control, you would carry him in and out to do potty as often as he usually would go out. If he doesn't have bladder control, he would need to be expressed every 3-4 hours. We'll be able to help you better when we have more information as requested above.

Blessings to you both. We're here for you and will help you through this.

Dianne, is that correct? Can you give us the details on his med list when you have a moment.

14lbs
Prednisolone ? mg's/ ?x a day. Has there been a recent taper? What date did the Pred start?
Methocarbamol ? mg's/ ?x a day
Tramadol ? mg's/ ?x a day
Gabapntin ? mg's/ ?x a day
Acepromazine ? mg's/ ?x a day
Pepcid ? mg's/ ?x a day

Have you seen Benny sniff an old pee spot in the grass and then choose to release urine there?  That is the proof needed to verify bladder control.

Have you seen currently any signs of pain: shivering, not his normal perky self, yelping?

Can he wobbly walk, can he move his legs at all?  Can he wag his tail specifically when you do some happy talk to him?

Tell us specifically what you are worried about re: water in take.  Not drinking or drinking too much?

Diann, you can add some chicken broth to his food, which might make him thirstier. Usually, Prednisone makes them very thirsty. I think you'll soon see an increase in thirst from that soon.

Collars should never be used with an IVDD dogs - only a harness from now on. Use his harness when you take him out to potty. You can also make a small potty area with push in the ground plastic fencing. Make an area about 6' and use that as his potty area so he will be limited as to how far he can sniff and pee.

Can you revise the list of meds to include how many times he's taking each dosage and how many mg's each dose is? That would be very helpful.

It would be best to keep Benny away from his buddy for now. Your other dog can certainly lie outside of the playpen but right next to it and be close to Benny that way. You want to keep Buddy as quiet and limit his movement as much as possible while on conservative care.

Diann, most of the time Pepcid AC given 2x a day at 5mg for each dose WILL do a very good job of protecting the stomach lining. For some dogs, however, they need two stomach protectors on board asap when there are red flag warnings of GI tract problems. Diarrhea indicates you need to get with a vet asap to get sucralfate on board. YOu will need to do your homework reading to learn how this med is used with food, with Pecpid AC. www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html  The signs of prednisone warnings are:

Has there been any recent changes in food?

Tomorrow when you see the GI tract has been protected well with Pepcid AC and sucralfate and the diarreah is diminishing, please clarify the med list for us.      

For example methocarbamol comes in a 500 mgs tablet.  We want to know how many mg's do you give and how often do you give it.

14 lbs
Methocarbamol 500mg tabs:  ? mgs each dose; ? times a day?
Gabapentin 100 mg capsules:  ? mgs each dose; ? times a day?
Prednisolone 5mg tabs:  ? mgs each dose; ? times a day?  What date did it start? Has there been any recent reduction in the dose or the frequency?
Tramadol 50mg tabs:  ? mgs each dose; ? times a day?
Acepromazine 10mg:   ? mgs each dose; ? times a day?
And 10 mg pepsid every time he gets his meds   ? mgs each dose; ? times a day?

Hi Diann, I'm Sabrina. I'm so sorry to hear of Benny's struggles with this disc episode and GI problem. Hang in there, and when you have the opportunity let us know what the vet said. We are here to support you!

))Hugs!((
- Sabrina

Diann I sure wish I could just give you a big hug right now, you and Benny have sure been run through the ringer haven't you.
Hopefully the medications will get his gi tract settled down quickly, and you will both be able to get some rest. Hang in there, things will get better!