Amy's Liza Louise 12/7 Conservative

Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours?

My dog Clark has been paralyzed since 2007 and is a healthy and happy boy. If Liza would be also paralyzed there is no reason she can't live a long life just as any doxie would.

Can you clarify the current meds for us:
11 lbs
Tramadol. ? mg's, how many times a day?
Prednisone   ? mg's, how many times a day? Has there been any lowering of dose or frequency yet?
What are the exact names of the other two meds, their dose in mg's and how often given?

Is Pepcid AC on the list?  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 doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. Pepcid AC is a generally safe over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for healthy dogs. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html

While on pred it is likely you would need to express the bladder every 2-3  hours while you are learning to be proficient in expressing.  The goal is to be able to feel the bladder at the last stage to confirm it is empty….that is you can almost feel the fingers of your other hand.  Once off of pred and your skill level is there, expressing could go to every 4-6 hours.

Can you tell us specifically if you have done some happy talk to her.  Does she wag her tail then, or perhaps if she sees you enter the room or spies a treat coming?

 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.  This is a great place to 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

Hi Amy!
It is still very early yet. I know as the days go by it seems very long to you, and to all of us when this happens to our beloved dogs..Here is some information below I hope will help to encourage you..

REGAINING NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION has no time limit for nerves to heal. Nerve repair is individual as each injury is different and each dog’s ability to heal is different. If deep pain perception (DPP) is present, even in paralyzed legs, there is a chance your dog may be able to walk again. For those dogs who have lost DPP, do know nerve regeneration can take place and that function may return. Once deep pain perception is regained, your dog has a chance at a walking recovery. Thousands of dogs on Dodgerslist have regained functions in as little as 2 weeks, others 11 months, and still others 3 years later. IVDD is a disease of patience to allow the body to heal on its own terms. Acupuncture and Laser Therapy stimulate the cell’s metabolism that leads to the body’s natural repair abilities and can be started at any time.

Once nerves have repaired then muscles will also have to be retrained to relearn proper placement of the paws. Some muscles will need to regain strength for walking. Consider learning to walk again as it would be for a stroke victim or a baby learning to walk. At first, the steps will be weak and a bit unstable. Relearning to walk takes coordination, building up strength, and lots of patience.

There is no timetable anyone can give you when to expect nerve repair to happen. In fact, there is no time limit for nerves to heal...it can take weeks to more like a year or even longer. However, it is known that neurological function usually returns in the reverse order of the damage. The first big sign you want to look for is that wonderful tail wag!
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you, getting a treat or due to your happy talk.
3. Bladder and bowel control proved by passing the "sniff and pee" test.
Take your dog out to an old pee spot in the grass. Let him sniff and then observe for release of urine.
4. Leg movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly placed paws.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.

Yes your Liza can still have a great quality of life no matter whether she walks or not. Please read this link.
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm

Your baby girl can recover with you by her side.. Sending soothing and comforting thoughts..

Amy, you have the right idea now! It IS in the cards for each dog to get back to enjoying life again after the recovery period…whether that be ambulating on all four or with a bit of assistance with a wheelchair.

Misoprostol is the stomach protector. Since she is still tapering off of Pred, I would check on getting Pepcid AC (famoditine) on board til she is fully off of Pred. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?"

Let us know how the expressing lesson assessment went this morning.

Liza is in your good hands and will get over this bump in the road to share many happy years ahead with you.

It would be best for clean ups if you take scissors and trim her fur where necessary. Right now the focus is on protection of the spinal cord. Anytime out of the crate is a dangerous time for her cord. Wet dogs are slippery, wiggly, will want to shake off water, etc. How about trying some green tea. This tip and lots of others excellent ones are at this link: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm

__ Clean up: Unscented baby wipes for quick clean up on skin & fur. Marjorie's tip: boil and cool green tea to dampen a washcloth, neutralizes urine on skin and fur to avoid rashes from urine scald + clean fragrance. Use white vinegar in a spray bottle to kill the bacteria and the odor they cause on floors, linens, carpets, etc.

Keep a handy supply of washcloths near her recovery suite for times you lift her up for expressing especially upon wakening in the morning. The act of lifting presses on the bladder much like when you are expressing.  The washcloths will absorb escaping urine, keeping you and Liza clean.  Washcloths can be  quickly rinsed by hand to dry. You can get a supply of cheap ones at Target and other box stores.

Good job, Amy, on achieving good expressing skills!!!