Joanne's Daisy 1/9 Conservative

Welcome to Dodgerslist, Joanne. Please let Daisy know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With 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.htm

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.htm

Can you give us a bit more in essential information about your dog:

1. Usually disc episodes are very painful. 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. So keep an eye out for any of these and if you do see signs of pain, please let your vet know right away so pain meds can be prescribed?

2. What is the dose in mgs of the Prednisone? How much does Daisy weigh? If you started the Prednisone on 1/9, then the taper will be starting tomorrow? The taper of the steroid is done to test for pain. Pain = swelling = more time of meds. It will be your job during the taper of the steroid to watch out for any signs of pain. If there are signs of pain, you need to immediately let your vet know so Daisy can be returned to the original anti-inflammatory dose of the Prednisone.

3. Pepcid AC should be given to protect your dog from the excess acid produced by the anti-inflammatory. 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 her from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board.

4. Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?

5. Eating and drinking OK?

6. Poops OK - normal color, 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.

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.

You are most definitely not being too optimistic. Wobbly walking is a mild symptom of IVDD and Daisy is a good candidate for conservative care. Please let us know the information requested above and keep us posted as to how the taper of the Prednisone is going.

Prayers for a full recovery for Daisy.

Hi Joanne, I'm Sabrina. I'm so sorry to hear of Daisy's disc episode, but I'm so glad you've found Dodger'sList and are researching how to get your baby the best care possible!

With Conservative Treatment for a disc episode, it takes 8 weeks of 100% strict crate rest for Daisy's body to develop secure scar tissue to protect her disc from further damage.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingdisc.htm

As for the size of the recovery suite, it should be: as wide as the dog is long, and 1.5x the lenght of the dog. So big enough to turn around and lay out fully extended. If the crate is too big, rolled up towels or blankets can be used to fill up the extra space.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/preppingcrate.pdf

The crate is like a cast while Daisy is developing the scar tissue around her disc, so the recovery suite that's the right size for her (as wide as she is long, and 1.5x her lenght) is the size to use for the entire 8wks. She needs to have enough room to be comfortable (stretch out, turn around), but not so much room that it encourages her to move around a lot.

If you haven't already seen this page, this is one of my favorites on the Dodger'sList main site:
YES, Your Dog CAN Have a Great Quality of Life! www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm

I'm glad to hear that Daisy is tolerating her crate rest. As you go along, if she needs some help with actually resting during her 8 weeks of crate rest, this page has a lot of very helpful strategies! www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm#Emergencyconfinement

Let us know if Daisy is cleared to take the PepcidAC - it is so much better to prevent GI troubles than to deal with vomiting, diarrhea, ulcers, etc!

))Hugs!((
- Sabrina

Edit: I forgot to add - at potty times it's good to use a sling to support her:

Up load your pictures to our Gallery. Then you will have an address to paste into a forum post. Here is how you do it: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/260/upload-photo-dog

Daisy's body has lots of repair jobs to tackle which need nutrition. So feed the normal amount of kibble, and dispense with calorie treats. Instead a piece of carrot, apple or frozen green beans are a better idea for lo cal treats.

Hi Joanne!

What did your Vet say about the Prednisone when he called? Tomorrow is Friday and since the Prednisone taper is going to one every other day, do you have a plan in place with the Vet if pain should happen over the weekend when the office is closed?  Pain would mean swelling is still present and she would need to go back to the twice a day dose of the Prednisone.  Do you have enough Prednisone to return Daisy to that dose?  It would be a good idea to get his ok in advance should that be needed to avoid an emergency Vet visit over the weekend.. The best thing is to be prepared.. If she has no pain that would be wonderful and mean the taper is going very well indeed.  We have seen first tapers not work out often, so just giving you a heads up..

 How has Daisy been doing with the taper so far? 

That's excellent that she hasn't shown any sign of pain yet on the taper. Continue to observe for signs of pain as the taper continues - I hope it continues to go well! The wobbly walking is nerve damage that may or may not improve during conservative care. Sometimes it can take longer than the 8 weeks for that to improve. Good sign of nerve improvement with her leg not collapsing as often.

Thanks for the update and continued prayers for Daisy.