|
|
Post by Nikki & Hurley on Jan 3, 2014 13:55:43 GMT -7
Both my BF and I have mini dachshunds gotten at different times from different stores. We have been living under 1 roof for the past 4 years and have since then added a Pitbull girl to our family. On top of our (3) children we also have (3) human children. After the birth of our third child my company decided to cut my position to part time only. The third also tends to get sick a lot and although I don't get AMAZING pay, they let me take off whenever I need to take care of him. We have since moved back home with my family till we can save up for a place of our own.
Our boy Hurley is a 21lb MINI dachshund who has been recently diagnosed with IVDD. On 12/26 I started to notice him trembling and thought he was cold as we were experiencing a little colder weather than he likes so I put him on the couch (which is not an unusual place for him) and covered him in a blanket. I didn't think anything else of it. Then later on that day I took him outside (down 3 stairs) for his normal afternoon outing and he retreated under the bench I was sitting on. This is when I started to get a little concerned. For Christmas we got him a little cow bone to chew on as a treat and I thought that there may be something going on with his stomach that was causing him to feel not 100%. I told my BF to take him in to the emergency vet, they did an X-Ray and sent him home with some stomach meds. 12/28 I noticed his wobble starting to get worse and demanded BF take him back to the vet. BF came home and didn't say a word. I thought nothing of it. He carried him on and off the couch and tried to get Hurley to stay in one place but that dog turns into a shadow when BF is around. He did also manage to jump off the couch. This is what I believe caused the symptoms to progress so rapidly. By Monday night he could no longer walk. Tuesday I called the vet and spoke to her myself unaware of the severity of what was going on and this is when I learned of his IVDD. I spoke to the vet who told me that he was supposed to be on STRICT crate rest, which he wasn't the entire time. After speaking with her about how severe the paralysis was becoming she suggested I bring him in.
That same afternoon I went out and purchased a crate and put him in. By the next morning he was no longer able to hold in his urine. I looked up videos on how to express his bladder but was not fully able to do so and he would still dribble all over his bedding. Financially I thought this made the most sense for us and I would just take him to his weekly laser therapy treatments and have him do crate rest at home while medicating. Boy was I wrong. I didn't realize how much time it took just to change his bedding every time there was an accident, and there were A LOT!!!! By the second day of him being home in the crate I lost it. Yesterday I took him for his first of 6 laser treatments and also dropped him off for a 2 week emergency boarding stay.
My question and concern is when he comes home after the 2 weeks. I am at work part time but that's still 8+ hours that he will be home by himself. I don't want him sitting in his filth and can't go home half way through the day to clean him. From just those 2 days in the crate with frequent changing, he started to develop urine burns on his hind legs. How is everyone else doing crate training while still being employed? I feel like I'm going to loose my mind and know that I'm stressing out way more than I need to be but this is just such an overwhelming experience.
Thank you for all the help and advice in advance and thank you for taking the time to read through my entire rant. I was so relieved to find a place like dodgers list with people who can relate to what I'm going through.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
|
Post by Marjorie on Jan 3, 2014 15:10:51 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Nikki. IVDD can be very overwhelming at first but with time, things will get much easier. Nerves can heal in time and hopefully Hurley's nerve functions will improve. In the meantime, you'll need to get hands on your hands expressing demonstration from your vet. Once you become proficient with expressing, accidents will occur less often. If his bladder is not emptied of urine properly, it can cause the bladder to overflow and stretch out of shape and also any urine remaining in the bladder too long can lead to UTIs. Proper expressing is what keeps a dog dry and the bladder healthy. The following link includes the supplies needed while on crate rest and has some great tips to make things easier. Make a pot of green tea, let it cool and wash Hurley's belly and legs - it will neutralize the urine so it won't burn his skin. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmWith this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmPlease make sure that everyone at the emergency boarding place is aware of Hurley's IVDD and his need for strict crate rest and his need to have his bladder expressed. Some of our members have found it helpful to make up a sign for his kennel there so anyone coming on for duty can see exactly what is required. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmCan you give us a bit more in essential information about your dog: -- Is there still currently pain? Signs of pain are holding the head in an unusual position, head held high or nose to the ground, shivering/trembling, not wanting to move much or moving gingerly, yelping, tight/tense stomach muscles, arched back, holding leg up flamingo style, not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self. -- What are the exact names, dose in mg's and frequency of all meds? Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before each dose of the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours). Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If your vet says your dog has no health issues such as liver, heart, etc to keep him from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board. -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment once off all meds and there is no pain. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk but only after all meds are stopped and there is no pain. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmLaser 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. We have a very helpful DVD that will educate you, your family members and friends, pet sitters, etc. about caring for an IVDD dog. Please see the link in my signature line. Please don't despair. IVDD is not a death sentence. Many dogs regain use of their legs and even if they don't, their lives can be happy ones. www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm |
|
|
|
Post by Nikki & Hurley on Jan 3, 2014 17:36:20 GMT -7
The boarding facility is located in the veterinarian's office as there are multiple Dr's who are very knowledgeable on dachshunds and the many injuries/diseases. They are completely aware that he is to be crate confined.
I can't tell you off hand what the meds are and the dosage but there is a muscle relaxer, steroid and 1 more. I will be visiting him this weekend so will get the info then and post.
He doesn't seem to be in much pain. He is a FIGHTER. Even when I prop him up to express his bladder, he tries to scurry away. LOL! He drinks like a camel and does have an appetite, but prefers we feed him (I think it's just to get extra attention).
What does the Pepcid AC do?
Pooping is OK, no red color although pretty firm. I have read a couple of success stories that mentioned chicken broth? Just wondered what that was about.
During his 2 week boarding, he will be receiving laser therapy as well as acupuncture.
Thank you for the tip about the green tea. I will definitely be using this tip when he comes home and will also get thorough tips on expressing his bladder.
He stuck by me the entire 3 months I was on bed rest with my last child. It's my turn to return the favor!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Jan 3, 2014 18:23:33 GMT -7
Nikki, while Hurley is on Prednisone he would be drinking more water and naturally he needs to be expressed more often. Expressing would be every 2-3 hours to keep him dry and so that the bladder does not overflow. Overflowing can ruin the bladder's tone and it can invite UTIs. Not all the urine comes out with overflowing the rest becomes a breeding ground. Once he is off of prednisone and you have perfected your expressing skills, it is quite likely he can stay dry by expressing every 6-8 hours. Pepcid AC (famotidine) decreases acid production. Steroid stimulate acid secretion. Just as people can get bleeding ulcers just by stress alone so can't dogs with the changes in routine during a disc episode. Then adding a steroid makes it likely for there to be GI tract issues for sure. So we follow the vets who are proactive with stomach protection by not waiting to see a problem but using Pepcid AC at the start. Let us know how Hurley is doing tomorrow. Is his pain fully controlled dose to dose of meds? How often do they express his bladder? Is Pepcid AC on board? What are the exact names of his meds, the dose in mg's and how often he gets them? It will be important for you both to have a good understanding of this disease in order ot protect Hurley. Let me reaffirm the importance of reading that Marjorie expressed: This is a quick and good place to start: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm |
|
|
|
Post by Mary Jane&Kingking on Jan 3, 2014 18:49:28 GMT -7
Nikki,
My name is Mary Jane and my fur baby is King King. I am glad that you decided to get him the laser light therapy. I would suggest to research all over this site and get his recovery suite ready and get your head in the place that you need it to be. Here is what I can tell you from my experience. I am a full time teacher with two dachshunds. They are my fur babies and I am recovering from a divorce so money has been extremely tight for me. King King just graduated crate rest.
In the beginning, his crate was wet a lot! I had a cushion pad, a pee pad and a towel under him. He had water hung on the door and I gave him bones to gnaw on to keep him busy. I tried to find a dog walker or someone that could come by and take him out during lunchtime. That did not happen. I felt really bad about not being able to take him out at much as needed because of the prednisone and accidents. BUT my vet said that it was OK. I left work as soon as I could and raced home. Some days he was dry and only peed when I picked him up. Some days he had pooped in his crate. The thing is dogs abhor their feces and he would cover it up with part of the towel. As we was on the Prednisone, and pain meds the accidents became infrequent.
We had a routine down at this point. For about two weeks. He then started to have bowel control. I became hopeful at this point because there was slow and steady improvement.
IF you have someone you trust that can come home at lunchtime to take him out that would be great. My vet said that in the real world that doesnt always happen. SO I dealt with it. I had a deodorizer spray and baby wipes. I would express his bladder on the pee pad and then wipe him down and spray him to prevent urine burns or anything. He never got them at all. And he is long hair so it was quite a mess sometimes.
After a month of crate rest, he had very few accidents in his crate. I would say 8 out of 10. He finished crate rest around Christmas and now goes potty outside with a sling. He has not used a pee pad in two weeks. He has not had an accident in the house either.
I know this is long and I hope it helps. Everyone on here is here to help!! Keep us posted!
|
|
|
|
Post by Nikki & Hurley on Mar 18, 2014 12:55:10 GMT -7
UPDATE 3/18 - Hurley's crate rest period ended at the ending of last month (FEB) and his last laser therapy was on March 1st. He hasn't shown GREAT improvement but he can wag his tail a LOT and even twitches his foot every now and then. He's still on antibiotics for some swelling he gets around his ankle area on his left hind foot. We should be starting water therapy soon as we have NO funds to continue the acupuncture or the laser therapy. Any suggestions on how to go about water therapy? |
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Mar 18, 2014 14:13:26 GMT -7
Nikki, congrats on sticking with all 8 weeks giving Hurley's disc a chance at strongly healed scar tissue. The focus on crate rest was to let the disc heal, now that it has it is safe to begin an slow incremental program back to physical activity, try some physical PT. Because Hurley was born with this disease it is a good idea to bookmark and become familiar with "All Things IVDD" In the last column on the right you will find not just how to do home water therapy, but the daily 3x a day PT www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm until Hurley can move his legs and joints on his own. All Things IVDD link to bookmark: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmWhat is the name of the anti-biotic for swelling? Tell us where Hurley is on this list. If you do happy talk, then you see his tail wag is that where he is? How is expressing going...staying dry in between sessions? Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord: 1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.) 2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal. 3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test. 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 place the feet. 6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run. |
|
|
|
Post by Nikki & Hurley on Mar 18, 2014 15:51:06 GMT -7
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.) He has DPS, he has never lost this according to his vet.
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal. This has improved drastically from the start, we could probably connect him to some lightbulbs and get energy off it. 
3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test. He does have control and goes as he pleases, he is almost back to his normal potty schedule. 4. Leg Movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking. There has been some leg twitching and I SWEAR he stood up yesterday.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet. N/A6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run. N/AI'll have to update this post with the name of the antibiotic. But we still have him in his crate as he will literally drag himself to wherever food drops and with a senior citizen and toddler around, that happens a LOT. LOL! |
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Mar 19, 2014 7:21:48 GMT -7
Hurley's getting there, Nikki. Good signs of nerve regeneration. Nerves can take a very long time to heal, months, even a year or more. Take it slow. I found the passive massage and exercises that Paula gave you the link to were very helpful in getting my Jeremy's legs moving again. It was work doing that three times a day but it paid off in the end and he did walk again. I saw improvements in his walking for more than a year later. My Jeremy was too big to do therapy in the bathtub with him. When the weather was nicer, I set up a small child's swimming pool in the yard to do the therapy in.
Congratulations on going the full 8 weeks. Keep us posted on his progress. And prayers for many happy years ahead with no more disc episodes.
All the best to you both.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nikki & Hurley on Apr 30, 2014 16:26:57 GMT -7
4/30 - UPDATE
I apologize for the lack of updates/posts but I'm here to share great news! Hurley is walking!!! Although it resembles some nights I had with a few too many drinks, but nonetheless he is walking!!! We couldn't be happier and by the looks of it, so is Hurley. My only question/concern now is what are the opinions on back braces for when he is out of the cage? He wobbles quite a bit and I want to make sure no harm is done while he is out and about.
Thank you for all your prayers! They've worked miracles. For those of you just starting out, NEVER give up. I had started giving up after he graduated from crate rest but it is never over for them!
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on May 1, 2014 4:27:46 GMT -7
How absolutely wonderful, Nikki!! You're right - dogs with neuro deficits CAN improve in time. I'm sure other members reading Hurley's story will be very encouraged by it. As for braces, here's Dodgerslist's opinion: -- Braces do not prevent a future disc episode. Disc disease is the cause of prematurely aged discs. A disc problem happens at the point the disc has hardened too much. -- Can cause muscle atrophy in the spine which is the support for the vertebrae -- Discomfort or anxiety by having to wear it, hard to get on a dog who is even slightly painful if during a disc episode -- Must monitor for pressure (rub) sores Put simply, there isn't enough research on them for us to support their use. Orthotics like a back brace should require an Rx from a board certified neurologist (ACVIM) who is well educated in disc disease, just the same as any reputable company would require. An ill fitting product that is not custom made can do more harm. So glad for you and Hurley. |
|
