Kim's Bailey 12/6 Surgical Lab mix

Kim, welcome to Dodgerlist. If treating with Prednisone does get the swelling down in the spinal cord then it is possible this could be a disc problem. If after several attempts to go off Pred, the pain and the loss of neuro function resurfaces, then it may be time to see a specialist consultation as to what other diagnosis.

CRATE REST:
with a disc problem is to prevent a worse tear that results in more pain and a real potential for permanent severe damage to the spinal cord…. leg paralyis and loss of bladder control. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 is the single most important part of conservative treatment. With a 75lbs dog you have to think outside the box on how you can limit potty time to just a very, very fewest of FOOTsteps…no walking around. We can carry our little dogs to and from the potty place. You will need to perhaps put the crate on wheels and wheel it near the exit door, have a ramp done any step(s). Maybe you have a deck where you can set up a potty place (astro turf, a patch of snow) to avoid any lengths of walking… just need to step outside the sliding glass door?

Are you doing this increase/taper of pred under the guidance of a vet. We read what you write and take things literally with the use of "I did…."

PREDNISONE:
During the time on the 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.

Often it takes being at the anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone  for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone assuming you had been doing strict rest.  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.

Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on Pred, pain meds and Pepcid AC is needed.

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.

What was the date of the 2nd course (increased back up to anti-inflammatory level) of pred "last week"?

-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?

-- Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid and thereafter every 12 hours.  Homework reading on Pepcid AC: www.petplace.com/drug-library/famotidine-pepcid/page1.aspx

-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move both legs at all now?  

-- Eating and drinking OK?

-- Poops OK - normal color and firmness 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.

Kim, are you using a wire crate? There are caster wheels that you can buy for the crate and since you have a ramp, possibly you could wheel the crate down the ramp, if it's sturdy enough. Or a low dolly to put the crate on, possibly made with a piece of plywood and some wheels. Would she go inside on a pee pad? Maybe put a little of the dirt where she's gone before on the pee pad so she could sniff the urine smell and pee until she got the idea? It's a challenge with a larger dog like Bailey. Please let us know how it goes.

All the best to you and Bailey.

Thanks for all the advice. As far as the pain goes, Bailey is doing very well, she is still on max dose of pred and tramadol. She is still weak in the hind end, slow to get up and walks wobbly. Unfortunately, I cannot get her to go to the bathroom anywhere but the yard. We have had her since she was a puppy and she NEVER had to be house trained because she refused to go anywhere but outside. We tried putting every thing in the world on the front porch to get her to go there but were unsuccessful. Her bladder was getting so full and she was obviously becoming very stressed over it so we abandoned the effort after three days. I did however, get a full body sling that is made for dogs with disc problems by Solvit. Now we are essentially able to carry her outside and her normal potty habits have resumed. She does seem to be improving but I am a bit concerned abut the weakness and wobbliness in the hind end.  I am beginning to wean her off the ▼prednisone again this Thursday the 5th.  If it does not go well this time I think I will take her for the MRI to find out exactly what we are dealing with.  Thanks again, wish us luck and I will keep you posted on our progress.

Update on Bailey: After my last post, Bailey began rapidly deteriorating. Even on the high dose of prednisone, by Wednesday morning she could no longer walk or put any weight on her hind limbs. I rushed her to the University of Georgia vet school where they did an MRI and found a ruptured disc that was putting severe pressure on her spinal cord (can't remember which disc) Anyway, they did surgery on Friday. Bailey came home last night and is rapidly improving. They expect her to recover 85-90%. They were very impressed that, thanks to you guys, I had already had her on Pepcid. They were also impressed with the solvit harness I bought for her and said they going to recommend to all their large neurology patients.