mem
New Member
Honey 12/16 Conservative
Posts: 3 
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Post by mem on Dec 19, 2013 21:12:06 GMT -7
Hey my name is Memrhea (Memory) Honey is my 6 year old daushund. This is her first back episode. She went paralyzed a little over 2 weeks ago. She went from being incompetent and not having feeling in one leg to letting me know when she needs to potty and she does not leak at all and I tickled the hairs on the bottom of her paws and she jerked them away from me. She seems to be in no pain however she is on pain meds bc she was wanting to be active and move around some. With the meds she seems to be more exceptive of the crate rest. I know that nobody knows her chances of ever walking again but can someone give me their expert advice and opinion on if they think she will ? Since this is her first episode does that better her chances ? I feel like she will but she's my baby of course I'm going to feel this way.
Past comments:
12/19/2013
won't have any help with Honey after I have the baby.
not in any pain she def has her spunk back.
Hey Mrs. Paula
Honey is doing good I think. She refuses to use it on a puppy pad except for at night and I can't take her out then bc I'm afraid the kids will wake up. Tell me what you think please, does it sound like she will walk again ? Yesterday I tickled the hairs on the bottom of her foot and she jerked her foot back. I done this 5 diff times and every time she jerked her foot back. She's not leaking any TT anymore. Do you think with this being her first disc episode she will recover and walk again ? My husband said that we would give her the right amount of weeks to heal but for me to brace myself for if she don't bc we can't let her live like this forever
12/17/2013
on tramidol and steroids
vet said to do hydrotheraphy
12/16/2013
I have 2 boys a 4 year old and a 1 year old 8 mos pregnant, going into labor in the next few weeks.
My husband works off for a month at a time
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Post by Pauliana on Dec 19, 2013 21:59:13 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist Memory, so glad you are here with us now. It sounds to me like Honey has already made some improvements from being paralyzed and incontinent to letting you know she needs to potty. Jerking her legs away means she has some feeling which is a great sign. Here is some information on nerve healing: 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. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingacupuncture.htmStay strong, there is good hope and it IS in the cards for all dogs to get back to enjoying life again with their family. Right now make sure you are giving the gift your dog so needs right now with STRICT rest. Tell your pup all is going to be ok, because it will be! We have lots of great tips to share with you. Knowledge is power...get your knowledge here: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm and get your hope here: www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm#1 Make sure you have protected your dog's spinal cord with 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times. Carry to and from the potty place. At potty times just the very fewest of footsteps to get the job done then carry back to the recovery suite. And speaking of recovery suites: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm-- What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty …. 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)? -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC - Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood? Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here: ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs. Take good care and I am sending you comforting thoughts and prayers and big hugs for joining us here.. Pauliana |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 20, 2013 8:07:16 GMT -7
Mem I'm so very pleased you have joined all of us gals and some guys too here on the Forum. Everyone here understands your feelings because we all have dogs with IVDD. So that everyone here will be up to speed on Honey's background, which you wrote about at Handicapped Pets, a few notes were added to your post. The other reason I'm glad you posted is that you have told us some most wonderful information!!! Honey DOES have bladder control. This is a very good sign that she has real potential to heal not just her disc by the end of the her 8 weeks of crate rest but also her nerves. The focus on crate rest is to let the disc heal. Nerve healing may come that soon or it may take a bit longer than 8 weeks since nerves are the slowest part of the body to heal. Just to let you know, unfortunately after surgery my dog still remained paralyzed since 2007. He LOVEs to go on walks in the woods or the snow, he races to the kitchen each morning with glee in anticipation of breakfast and he is is still the most loveable guy always putting a smile on my face. So just help your husband understand, it IS in the cards for each dog whether they walk or need a bit of assist with a wheelchair, to have a great life and get back to enjoying all the things they did before the disc injury. Put a smile on your face, check out Clark enjoying fluffy snow and birdseed! In keeping with the 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 idea, we have to say WAIT on that tickling of the paws thing. The jerking or withdrawal of the foot can cause the back to move. The focus has to be maintained on doing everything you can to keep the vertebrae in the back from moving which then pushes on the bad disc. Pushing on that disc that is trying to form scar tissue, may cause it to tear again. So tickling, hyrdrotherapy are red flags, bad things for a disc trying to heal. So it sounds like at nighttime, Honey will use the puppy pad inside her recovery suite and during the day you are able to carry her to and from the potty place. Why type of recovery suite did you settle on? As Carol had mentioned a baby crib or something off the ground would be easier on you for lifting & carrying Honey out to potty. If you have a wire crate another option would be to place it on top of a sturdy table, maybe the dining room table. That way you would not have to bend down to take care of her needs. Let us know any other troublesome situations of caring for Honey that we can help you with. Terrific news that Honey is not in pain and feeling her normal perky self. We can tell alot of useful information with the exact names of her meds. Can you list them for us, fill in the blanks for us: Tamadol. how many mg's is the dose? how many times a day are you supposed to give it? Steroid What is the exact name? How many mgs is each dose? how many times a day? Has the vet mentioned when to start reducing the dose, a taper? Pepcid AC I've not seen you mention this med. It is an important protector of the stomach when taking a steroid. Honey doesn't need another problem on top of the disc. Steroids can cause witihout warning nausea --> bleeding ulcers to the more serious perforated stomach lining. Phone your vet and ask in this particular way: Is there any health reason Honey may not take Pepcid AC. If the answer is no reason, then give 5mg of Pepcid AC (sole active ingredient is famotidine) 30 mins before the steroid and thereafter every 12 hours. What date are you scheduled for the C section? Who will take care of your boys on that day? We look forward to your next post and anything we can help you with. How to get email alerts:  |
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mem
New Member
Honey 12/16 Conservative
Posts: 3
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Post by mem on Dec 20, 2013 18:46:51 GMT -7
I have been praying for a sign of what to do and today out of no where Honey took a turn for the worse :,(( she in terrible pain and I can't watch her like this. I'm taking her to the ER vet now. They have already advised me to put her to sleep and I feel like that she has suffered enough. Thanks for all of y'all's help. Y'all's babies are precious. I really enjoyed the videos.
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Post by Pauliana on Dec 20, 2013 21:44:45 GMT -7
I am so sad to hear that Mem, I hope once you got her to the ER someone was able to adjust her pain medications...If the meds aren't at the right dosage, pain can be awful and we never did get the information on what dosages she was being given so we could help determine whether she was being under medicated for pain All it takes is proper pain management. Hope someone there realizes that.. The only reason to put an IVDD dog to sleep is Myelomalacia,when the nerve tissue in the spinal cord begins to die, caused by severe spinal cord trauma..
Prayers for Honey and for all of you..
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mem
New Member
Honey 12/16 Conservative
Posts: 3
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Post by mem on Dec 20, 2013 22:32:48 GMT -7
Thanks Mrs. Pauliana there was no helping her. He said that he felt like she was really suffering. She was on 50mg of tramidol I gave her 3 quarters of it at 5 and gave it time to kick in good before changing her pad and her pain never let up. I gave her another 50mg pill at 8 after talking to the vet and loaded the boys and Honey up and drive a little over an hour the the clinic. Her pain still never eased. She panted all of the way. The vet said she was really suffering by the time I made it there. It is done now  and I feel so lost without her ! I can't believe my sweet girl is gone she has been right by my side for 6 years. I just hate this. There should be something that a vet can do during an episode. I seen 4 diff vets total, all of them within 3 hrs. |
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Dec 21, 2013 7:18:50 GMT -7
I'm so very sorry to hear this, Mem. My sincerest condolences on your loss.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 21, 2013 8:34:13 GMT -7
Mem, I am so very sad to hear the news this morning and know how much it must hurt you. There is a lovely website called the Dachshund Memorial Garden where you can pay tribute and even place a photo. Many touching poems to help in this time of grief: www.dachshundmemorialgarden.comThere is something a vet can do when there is a disc invovled…it takes a vet who understands disc disease and knows that Tramadol alone is often not enough pain medication to do the job. We did not get a chance to learn what the dose of steroid was….was it at the anti-inflamamtory dose level, had it been recently lowered which would account for pain showing again and the need to stay on the higher level a bit longer. As Pauliana mentioned there is another disease that can follow on the heals of any injury to the spinal cord. That disease has no cure and will end in not being able to breathe..a very painful ending. The right thing and kindest parting gift is to let them go to the rainbow bridge. These are some of the signs that lets a vet know they are dealing with myelomalacia: • even the strongest combination of pain meds do not help • hyper-esthesia (over-reaction to any touch sensation on body) * the dog has lost deep pain sensation, they can not pee on their own * loss of anal tone, the anus hangs open, (anal flaccidity) and areflexia (below normal or no reflexes) * loss of cutaneous trunci reflex at a level more cranial to a previous evaluation over a period of hours to days with or w/o surgery * development of fever (normal rectal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit) * sudden twitching or jerking of the neck and/or head * loss of voice, hoarse bark * can't hold body up, can't hold head up * increased respiration/ labored breathing |
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Post by drake123 on Dec 21, 2013 11:27:52 GMT -7
Thanks Mrs. Paula and thank you so much for telling me about that other disease. She had almost every symptom. I was completely blind sided by all of this bc she has been doing so good. It's a very hard and sad morning for all of us. Thank y'all so much for being here for me through this.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 21, 2013 12:56:26 GMT -7
Hugs and take care of yourself with the soon-to-be upcoming event and best of wishes for you and your family this coming year. Mem has not left you, she still remains in a warm and loving place…your heart and wonderful years of memories.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Dec 24, 2013 10:30:52 GMT -7
I so sorry for your loss (((hugs)))
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and I feel so lost without her ! I can't believe my sweet girl is gone she has been right by my side for 6 years. I just hate this. There should be something that a vet can do during an episode. I seen 4 diff vets total, all of them within 3 hrs. 
