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Post by littlebit1901 on Dec 29, 2013 14:25:34 GMT -7
Hello all,
New to this forum and looking to soak up information on IVDD. I have 2 doxie's, so I know the signs and treatments, but on Christmas Eve, my 11 year old terrier mix Ramsey presented with labored breathing, a hard stomach and discomfort. She had been acting like she wasn't feeling well for about a month and was put on medication for allergies and arthritis. The emergency vet said her stomach was fine and recommended xrays. She was then diagnosed with IVDD. I honestly thought it was something that only happened to doxies. He said a month of crate rest and sent us home with
rimadyl, 25 mg every 12 hours
tramadol, 50 mg every 8 hours.
He gave her some morphine there and she slept well the first night. She only comes out of the crate to go to the bathroom, but I don't think her pain meds are fully controlling the pain. She takes a few steps and sits for a minute. When she gets where she is going she will just sit down. She doesn't even attempt to run or jump (which is good). We consulted with our regular vet, and she said she didn't think it was as bad as the emergency vet seemed to indicate, but did say it was a very low dose of pain meds. I've never been through this and I really just don't know if she's reacting like she should or not. There was/is no paralysis, she can walk and wag her tail, it's just slower than normal, but I can tell she is miserable. I asked what the next step was, and was told we would have to wait a month and see. I'm just really concerned and worried right now. I have a doxie who was born with a curved spine and does have paralysis and nerve damage, but he's only 1 and has never known any other life; he is happy as can be. Ramsey has always been a happy, full of energy, happy go lucky dog and I can tell right now her quality of life is diminished. Any advice or suggestions or anything would be so helpful to me right now.
Reese, mom to pups Ramsey, Casey, Declan and Nemo
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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 29, 2013 15:51:24 GMT -7
Reese, welcome to Dodgerslist, we are glad you have joined us. These are the signs of pain: shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy. You may see them nearing the next dose of meds or after a dog moves because it hurts. Let us know what you are observing. Good info on what pain meds can be used to give full dose to dose pain control: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm-- How much does Ramsey weigh? -- Pepcid AC (famotidine) needs to be on board to protect the GI tract with Rmadyl in use. The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason my dog may not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID. This web page is a good one to bookmark for learning about all of your dog's meds. www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? Often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory ranging from 7 days to 30 or more days before all the swelling is gone. When your vet thinks all the painful swelling has been resolved he will stop the rimadyl and the tramdol and your job would be to give feedback to the vet if pain resumes. 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 that 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. A good place to start is 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
I also highly recommend adding this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmSet up an email alert when someone replies:  |
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