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Post by morgan on Dec 4, 2013 21:44:45 GMT -7
Hi, Eva Lou is our 4 yr Mini Dapple Doxie, she weighs 12.5 lbs. Her diagnosis is a high likelihood of IVDD. Surgery is not in our budget so conservative management with strict cage rest will be our route. I went to the ER vet last night. They gave her an injection of solu-delta-cortef IV, 0.15mg buprenorphine. And we followed up with a specialist today. Also, have appt with our vet tomorrow. They recommended 100% STRICT cage rest 24/7. This has to be the hardest thing. She is such a cuddle bug with us and it just breaks my heart to have her in there. She was crate trained as a puppy so maybe it will remind her of her puppyhood (I tell myself that anyway).
Currently she is on pain meds but we believe she does have deep pain (they categorized her at a 4) - other than her normal shivering, no trembling, no yelping when picked up or moved, alittle reluctant/slow to move head or body, alittle tight hard tummy.
Methocarbamol (Robaxin) 500mg tablet- 1/4 tablet every 8 hrs
Prednisone 20 mg 1/2 tablet every 12 hours
Tramadol 50mg 1/2 tablet every 12 hrs
Famotidine (Pepcid) 10 mg tablet- 1/2 tablet every 12 hrs
Currently she can not walk on her own, her hind legs are limp. Recently she just wet herself, she actually did try to let us know with whining but we mistakenly took it for not wanting to be in the crate. She is only eating the cheese we are putting the pills in and drinking water at that time, nothing more. And she hasn't pooped yet.
I am feeling much better after posting on Facebook, so many folks with the same experience and stories!
Thank you for this forum,
Morgan Rogers
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Post by Pauliana on Dec 4, 2013 23:18:22 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Morgan we are glad you are here. In the early days of learning our dogs have IVDD, everyone needs a shoulder to lean on while getting things figured out, dealing with emotions, getting up to speed on meds, what disc disease is, etc. Your job in the coming days is to become a reader so you become the confident leader of the health care team.... to discuss confidently various issues from medications to recognizing if suggestions of activity would be harmful to the healing disc. All that takes being a reader. Start on our main website with "Overview: the essentials" yellow button it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all the orange buttons and the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" to complete your education. Here is the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm The DVD mentioned in my signature line is a great resource to have in your home for family and friends to understand Eva Lou's disease, do consider ordering one. Since she is still having pain as evidenced by the tight hard tummy and reluctance to move, I would suggest speaking with your vet about adjusting the pain medications so she is pain free from dose to dose so she can heal in comfort. Not eating is a red flag of stomach problems and I suggest asking also for Sucralfate to coat her stomach.. Very glad to see you have her on Pepcid AC already. She will get used to being in the crate, just give her lots of love and keep her near you in the crate.. Many members put their crates on a wheeled cart so their dogs can be with them in different places in the house.. There are ways to make it bearable.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literatu/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htmSending soothing thoughts across the miles.. |
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Post by morgan on Dec 5, 2013 13:58:48 GMT -7
Thank you so much! Yes, I have been doing much reading but the one thing we have concerns with is what to do about her potty breaks. Last night she pee'd for the first time in her crate and she was very upset about it but of course we were so happy! We have been taking her outside regularly and placing her in the grass, even holding up her hind legs with a towel. We can tell she wants to go but doesn't want us touching her or is just scared. Any tips to make this easier or should we just let her go in the crate? Should we just leave her in the grass for awhile until she goes? I feel just terrible making her go in the crate, I can tell she doesn't want to. We are lucky to have a very well house broken Doxie, she always lets us know when to open the door for potty breaks.
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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 Dec 5, 2013 19:48:10 GMT -7
Hi Morgan, I'm Sabrina. I'm so glad you found Dodger'sList! After any accidents in the crate, be sure to clean up Eva Lou's crate with white vinegar so that she doesn't smell the urine - dogs don't like having pee/poo near their beds! And be sure to clean up Eva Lou with unscented baby wipes or cooled green tea on a rag so that the urine doesn't scald her skin. I'm wondering if she has lost bladder control. How often is she peeing? When you lift her, does urine leak out? Is her urine very "smelly"? This could be the sign of a UTI - though UTI's can happen without any clear signs. If she has an infection, it could be painful to pee. If you suspect a UTI a urinalysis should be done asap so that it can be treated before it turns into a kidney infection. The way to tell if she does have bladder control is the "sniff and pee test" - if she can sniff an old pee spot and release urine. A "potty spot" made from push-in-the-ground garden fencing, an ex-pen, etc, is a great way to provide a visual boundary for Eva so that she knows that this is her "spot". Some dogs don't like a sling around their tummies. Maybe Eva Lou would be more comfortable with some sort of homemade "Figure 8" sling (adjusted of course so that it doesn't get in the way of her peeing!): www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/Figure8.jpg If Eva Lou doesn't have bladder control, she'll need you to express her bladder. Have your vet give you a "hands over your hands" lesson on how to do this before trying. Here's a page with more info: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmIf Eva Lou isn't getting enough fluids, see if she will drink low fat/low-to-no sodium chicken broth (my dog liked it warmed up just a little). When you are able, let us know: - if you are seeing any signs of pain, and if the vet adjusted her pain meds. - if the vet rx'd Sucralfate and if Eva Lou is eating - details about her peeing (how often, "smelly"?, leaks when lifted?) ))Hugs!(( -Sabrina |
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Post by Pauliana on Dec 5, 2013 20:10:00 GMT -7
Hi Morgan, The best thing to do is to go to your vet with Eva Lou and have them teach you how to express her. What she did in her crate was overflowing. That happens when a dog has lost control of her bladder and it simply overflows. Expressing her every 2 to 3 hours (Prednisone makes them very thirsty and as a result they have to pee every two to three hours) will prevent overflowing and will also prevent her from losing bladder tone once bladder control returns. Also it will help prevent a Urinary tract infection which can easily happen when urine sits in her bladder too long.. Please read this article and watch the video to get more out of your expressing lesson.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmHope this helps you and Eva Lou.. |
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