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Post by christine on Mar 20, 2013 22:12:59 GMT -7
Hello!
This is my first time posting on the new board. I introduced you to my Lola who first went down on Sunday 3/9 on the old yahoo group. She stayed overnight at the animal hospital and has been home on strict crate rest since 3/10 and I couldn't be happier about her progress over the last week and half.
She's up and walking (only a few steps on potty breaks), but her coordination has improved day by day. She was so wobbly at first, but now her gait is almost normal and there is hardly any knuckling.
I was fortunate to receive good advice from my vets, but neither of them emphasized just how strict the crate rest needs to be like you have and I think it has helped her so much.
Last Sunday when I was so filled with anxiety reading everything I could find about IVDD until 3 am because I couldn't sleep I wouldn't have believed how well she would be doing 10 days later and I just wanted to say thank you for being there and giving me hope!
Looking forward to sharing more of Lola's progress and a picture once I figure that out.
Thanks!
Christine
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Post by natureluva on Mar 21, 2013 6:38:05 GMT -7
Hi Christine, thanks for the update on Lola! Sounds like things are going well. Can you update us on what meds she is on?
Many dogs show improvement due to the medication within the first couple of weeks of crate rest. But beware - that is the medicine talking. The disc is still trying to heal. Only time and limited movement heals the disc while the meds mask the symptoms. It takes longer for discs to heal than even bones! So do continue with your strict crate rest and let us know how Lola does!
You're doing a great job with her. Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Post by christine on Mar 21, 2013 10:44:30 GMT -7
Thanks Lisa,
We've stopped the methocarbamol and Carprofen, she is only on tramadol twice a day (12.5 mg each dose) and tomorrow will be the last day on tramadol. So far she has shown no signs of pain or worsening since coming off the methocarbamol and Carprofen. I will be able to watch her closely this weekend after I stop the tramadol tomorrow.
We saw a neurologist on Monday and he was pleased with her progress and expected her to continue to improve. I am still diligent about her crate rest, of course.
Thanks again!
Christine
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Post by natureluva on Mar 21, 2013 15:54:09 GMT -7
Hi Christine, excellent news that Lola showed no signs of pain when tapering the meds! That means the strict crate rest is starting to do its job at healing the disc. We look forward to hearing how she does! Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Post by christine on Apr 7, 2013 22:19:19 GMT -7
Today Lola finished 4 weeks of crate rest! We're halfway there, woohoo!! She's been off all medication for 2 weeks and is pain free. She's made significant improvements- no more knuckling on potty breaks. Her coordination is also good, probably not 100%, but her legs seem much stronger. Of course now that she's feeling so well she's getting a little rambunctious in her crate, especially when she hears the neighbors in the hall outside our apartment, so it's been a challenge to keep her entertained without overdoing the treats. I do have a stroller for her and it's been nice to pull her right up to the couch at eye level in the evenings. She also loves to nap in her stroller by the window and sunbathe in the afternoons. We have a follow-up appointment scheduled with the neurologist ina few weeks on crate rest graduation day. Thanks again for all your guidance and support. This episode has been relatively minor so far, but I'm much more prepared to advocate for Lola in the future should we go down this path again. I am diligent about strict crate rest, but I'm counting the days until we can have some snuggle time  Christine |
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Post by natureluva on Apr 8, 2013 7:27:34 GMT -7
Hi Christine, happy to hear Lola is doing well and is pain-free! The last few weeks of crate rest are the hardest, especially when our pups are feeling better. Sounds like Lola is a pretty good patient, though! :-) It is this time during crate rest when we must be very careful. The disc has formed a "scab" for lack of a better word. Allow the dog to move too soon, and the scab will lift, causing a relapse. The last few weeks of crate rest ensures a well-healed disc! Here are two links to help you safeguard your home for the IVDD dog and to slowly reintroduce her into activities after the 8 weeks of crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm and www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm Please let us know how Lola's follow-up appointment with the neuro goes. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by gcorr002 on Apr 8, 2013 8:39:49 GMT -7
HI Christine, I'm so happy to hear about your progress with Lola.
I was was wondering what was Lola's initial condition? Could she walk at all? How long till you started to see signs of her mobility returning.
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Post by christine on Apr 8, 2013 21:36:47 GMT -7
Thanks Lisa, I had read those links initially, but it will be good to read them again as we get closer to crate rest graduation. Tonight she is testing me She fancies herself a guard dog and has been barking all night, which is especially tough to ignore in an apt building with neighbors so close by. Gabriel, to better answer your question I borrowed this list from one of Paula's posts. IVDD dogs usually deteriorate in this order. In the beginning Lola was somewhere between 4 and 5: 1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord 2. Wobbly walking, legs cross 3. Nails scuffing floor 4. Paws knuckle 5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog is down) 6. Bladder control is lost 7. Tail wagging with joy is lost 8. Deep pain sensation Lola was not fully paralyzed, but she was mostly dragging her rear end. She had no control over her left rear leg, but wobbled some on her right rear leg. At first she couldn't stand at all on hard surfaces, but could briefly stand on the carpet or crate bedding. She was wobbly walking with a sling within a week. I think comparatively Lola progressed rather quickly, though as it was happening I was so fearful and anxious that I didn't realize it. The first couple of days felt like weeks. Her pain was well controlled by the initial medications and dosages, which I think helped a great deal. The most important thing I've learned from following this board is that there is hope. I read your posts about Chance, I'm sorry to hear he's having a rough time, once the pain is under control his body will be able to start healing. Best of luck to you both. |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 9, 2013 7:42:26 GMT -7
Christine, LOVE what you wrote and how nicely you explained things! I hope you will continue to share what you have learned with new members just starting out on the IVDD journey. There is indeed always good hope for our dogs whether they walk right away or get from point A to B with the assist of a wheelchair while waiting on more nerve healing to take place. Lola is on an excellent course of recovery thanks to your commitment to 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks! Graduation day is May 5!!! The barking can be a problem in an apartment! Be aware you might be inadvertently training for unwanted behavior. To dogs rewards are: food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact, approaching the crate, petting. So anytime you see unwanted behavior ignore it, turn your back, leave the room if you have to. Anytime your dog is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward. Soon your dog will learn which of the behaviors receive reward. At night you may want to try a calmer to take the edge off and relax her. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets or tinyurl.com/atxc8l3
2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure] |
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Post by christine on Apr 10, 2013 21:10:46 GMT -7
Thanks Paula,
I'm very grateful to you and the other moderators for helping me in those first anxiety filled days. I'm also very appreciative of your daily efforts to educate folks about this disease. I hope to share with new members as much as I'm able.
I decided to go out and get the pheromone diffuser tonight. I hope in a few days I'll see some positive results. I bought an oral calmer with 50 mg thiamine, though its not the one you mentioned above. I have given Lola a similar oral calmer in the past when we've traveled by plane and she's always been an excellent travel companion, so I'm hopeful.
How close should the diffuser be to her crate? Right now the closest outlet is on the opposite side of the room, do you think that's ok?
I also bought a new puzzle toy tonight and she's been quietly eating her kibble for some time now. She's a picky eater so puzzle toys don't always interest her, but so far so good.
Christine
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 11, 2013 9:06:28 GMT -7
I would think the closer the diffuser the better. How about using an extension cord? Let us know how your combo works for Lola. Thiamine is thiamine… so glad to hear you were able to shop by the active ingredient to find what was available at your local shop.
We look forward to seeing your posts to others…. you have a lot to offer as everything is so fresh in your mind.
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Post by christine on Apr 27, 2013 1:20:37 GMT -7
Hi! Lola is still doing well. We're just 9 days from crate rest graduation! I'm so excited that the countdown is now in single digits! She does seem to be just a bit uncoordinated - some sloppy placement of her back legs when she walks, but I let her take so few steps at potty time that it's hard to really see her gait. In anticipation of crate rest graduation day I'm getting my apartment ready and I'm hoping you can give me some feedback based on your experiences. I've read the information on dodgerslist about preparing your home and I've been researching ramps. It won't be practical for me to build a ramp myself- I live in a small apartment and I don't have the necessary tools. I'm looking for 2 freestanding indoor ramps - one for my bed and a shorter one for the couch. I need to place the ramps parallel to the furniture so they need to be freestanding, not supported by the furniture. I've had Lola since she was 8 weeks old and she's NEVER been allowed on human stairs, but we've always used pet stairs for the furniture. Right now I have these stairs for my bed and shorter set for the couch: www.amazon.com/Solvit-PupSTEP-Plus-Pet-Stairs/dp/B000MD57OOI haven't found any information on pet stairs vs ramps, I know human stairs are definitely out, but I'm assuming you're going to recommend ramps over pet stairs, correct? I've learned that ramps are significantly more expensive than pet stairs and since I'm going to invest in 2 ramps I want to make sure I'm making the best choice. I've looked at the links on the dodgerslist site and I've done some additional internet research and right now I'm leaning toward this ramp: www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=79687 I live in a large studio apt, so I appreciate that it has the option to fold flat when not in use. Other options I'm considering: www.puppystairs.com/categories/Standard-Ramps-%26-Stairs/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+18712+2874&pcatid=2874www.discountramps.com/dog_bed_ramp.htmDoes anyone have any of the ramps above? Do you like them? Do you have another freestanding indoor ramp that you love? Thanks for your continued support & advice! Christine |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 27, 2013 10:14:35 GMT -7
Christine, we are as excited as you to hear how well Lola is doing and that May 5 will be her graduation date!!! Once off of crate rest, where she can begin an incremental re-introduction back to physical activity, you'll see her muscles get stronger. Just like when we have been bed ridden with the flu, etc, our legs can be weak and wobbly too. If the wobbliness is due to nerve damage that too will return given time. Ramps are much kinder to the back. The reason to avoid stairs is this: Consider your doxie has 2 inches of leg from chest to floor. If a step is 4 inches high that is 2 times higher than your doxie's legs. Compare that to your own legs. How would you feel hopping up down 5 foot high steps several times a day? A bed is about 4 times the height of a doxie. For you that would be like jumping off the roof a a one-story house 3-4 times a day.There is a lot of impact on a dachshund's body with each step of the staircase or jumping off of furniture. "Each time a dog jumps up on the bed, jumps for the ball, or jumps into the back of the SUV, the spine is flexed and then acutely extended, putting increased forces at the low cervical, mid-thoracic, and especially lower lumbar spine. These recurring stresses can result in chronic fatigue and microscopic damage to the IVD." Colorado Canine Orthopedics I use foam ramps and find them very easy & light to stack and move out of the way. Also you can flip them around as your own backrest when sitting on the floor with Lola! I love the foam ramp module concept from PuppyStairs company, but of course NOT their stairs. |
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Post by christine on Apr 27, 2013 20:21:57 GMT -7
Thanks Paula The ramp you linked is certainly a much more affordable option. That might even be enough to motivate me to dust the cobwebs off my sewing machine I will let you know what I end up with. I was happy to help Ben this morning - I learned about IVDD from the best. |
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Post by christine on May 6, 2013 17:36:41 GMT -7
Yesterday was Lola's graduation day!! We had a follow-up visit with the neurologist. The good news is Lola is pain-free and walks pretty well, but she is still weak, especially in her left rear leg and is still a bit uncoordinated. The Dr. said he hoped that she would be more coordinated at this point. But the nerves are still healing, so there is hope. We won't go back to see the neurologist unless she declines. Now we begin the slow process of easing back to normal activity. The neurologist said to spread this process out over the next 2 months. She really enjoyed her short graduation day walk yesterday. I'm looking forward to getting 'back to normal.' I guess it's time to move to the Updates section! Christine |
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 6, 2013 18:16:20 GMT -7
Way to go Lola. Congratulations to you and Christine. Many more walks in your future now. Keep doing the exercises and PT. She'll continue to get stronger.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 6, 2013 18:57:50 GMT -7
Hooray! You made it!
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Post by Pauliana on May 6, 2013 19:15:39 GMT -7
Congratulations to Lola and Christine!!
She'll gain strength day by day.. This is the first day of the rest of her life..enjoy every minute!
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Post by christine on May 7, 2013 1:55:08 GMT -7
Thanks all!!
Lola and I couldn't have done it without our new Dodgerslist family!
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