Ruth, welcome to Dodgerlist, we are glad you have joined us!
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. The Dodgerlist main web page is a great place to get the knowledge you want to have "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.htmThe rule of thumb with prednisone on the taper is:
pain = swelling = more time back up at the anti-inflammatory level is needed for a bit longer
Often it takes being at the anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. 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.
So the pain you saw is a clear indication that Louie needs to be back on pred… not all of the swelling is gone.
The pain meds do not bring down swelling they just mask pain and provide comfort. Methocarmaol may be needed again as disc episodes often create pain due to muscle spasms. It may also be that a Tramadol/gabapentin combo will control pain too. You will just have to observe and keep the vet updated on any signs of pain meaning the vet will know to further adjust pain meds.
Most all pharmacies carry a 100mg capsule of powder (the smallest size it comes in)... just call around your local pharmacies for the best price and have your vet call in the Rx. My 13 pound doxie was prescribed 25mg of gabapentin powder. All I needed to do was divide the 100mg capsule powder into four equal parts by dumping into a creased pieced of paper and with a razor blade move the powder into four equal piles. Also just as easy to get 33mg by dividing one 100mg capsule powder into three parts.
The remainder of the powder piles I stored in one of those 7 day pill boxes with a lid for each day.
Gabapentin powder is very bitter, so hide the powder in the well of a quarter sized ball of sticky banana and close up. Make sure you don't have gabpentin powder on your fingers and are tranferring to the outside of the banana ball. Maybe wrap the ball in a bit of deli meat to make it even a more delicious med "treat"
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.htmlI'm sorry to hear your vet did not recognize why Louie is having pain on the taper of Pred. This means you especially need to be up to speed on this disease in order to advocate for Louie's needs.
---Are you currently doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? That means he is carried to and from the potty place for a full 8 weeks …. 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.
--- Can he walk, wobbly walk?
--- Does he have bladder control..that means no urine leaks in his bed nor when you lift him up?
--- Are his stools normal firmness, color?
--- Is his appetite normal? He is probably drinking more water that would be normal.
Let us know that you have discussed getting back on the original dose of pred with the vet and trying a taper a litte bit later on. That Pepcid AC is on board to protect the GI tract.
I will moisten them so the chewing doesn't hurt his neck and put the crate at our level. 
