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Post by carolann on Mar 23, 2013 12:21:14 GMT -7
Hello and thank you so very much for providing the wealth of information I've found at Dodgerslist.com.
My dog's name is Lali (pronounced Lolly), she is a miniature/tweenie long-haired black and tan dapple dachshund and the love of my life. She will be 4 years old on May 27, 2013. She had a sudden onset of belly tightness and pain, with normal eating and voiding. After a neuro exam by her vet, she was diagnosed with IVDD on March 14, 2013, and started strict crate rest the same date.
Initially she was given Prednisone 2.5 mg, twice daily for 3 days, then once daily for 3 days, then every other day for the final 3 doses. As soon as I reached the skip day for every other day dosing, she became very uncomfortable, at which time I phoned the vet and he gave me additional meds and instructions to give one ▲Prednisone 2.5 mg a day for 7 more days, then wean off with one every other day for the last 5 doses. She was also given Methocarbamol 125 mg once to twice daily as needed for muscle spasms.
She is still having some pain issues, giving a yelp when I lift her to go outside for potty time. She appears to be tender in the belly area, and I am using great care following your lifting and handling instructions in supporting her spine.
She has less use of her hind legs today than she did on the 14th, she is urinating less, and her bowel movements come as soon as she is placed down on the grass, with her hind-end usually tipping or sitting on it before she's finished.
The best thing I've seen is her tail wagging when I talk to her as she has always been a very attentive listener. She won't currently wobbly walk; she moves her hind legs very little and I've noticed her dragging her toes.
So far there haven't been any leaks or wet bedding, which is getting changed every other day and checked regularly for any wetness or bowel movements.
She eats and drinks with all the enthusiasm she's always had for food. She now finishes her plate each afternoon; she previously left about one-fourth behind for evening snacking. I've added 1 tablespoon of pure canned pumpkin to her meal and her movements are normal in color, moist and solid.
I am determined to treat her conservatively, mostly due to monetary restrictions and since surgery offers no guarantee I'm very reluctant to the option. Taking it one day at a time until the initial shock wears off...does it? Again, I can't thank you enough for the support and the dedication you have given to helping us 'humans' learn to deal with this as adaptively as our dogs do.
Many many thanks, Carol Ann Shauan
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Post by Linda Stowe on Mar 23, 2013 16:32:26 GMT -7
Hello Carol Ann, Welcome to Dodgerslist. We're very sorry Lali is having a disc episode.
I'm glad to hear she is still wagging her tail. This is a good sign.
Is the only pain reliever she is on Methocarbonal. Your vet has the option of adding other pain relievers such as Tramadol and/or Gabapentin. I would call them and let them know she is still in pain and needs more relief. Tender in the belly is a sign of pain. Its very important that she is out of pain. Healing can't take place until pain is relieved.
Have you taken her for a sniff and pee test lately. Make sure she still does have bladder control. If she doesn't go, then you will have to express.
If her condition does continue to deteriorate, then it is advisable to get to a boarded surgeon to talk about surgery.
Let us know, if she has gone on her own and if more pain relief is now on board.
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Post by carolann on Mar 28, 2013 8:58:42 GMT -7
Thanks very much for the reply Linda.
I'm sorry it took me so long to reply back, but I was just able to find my original post.
We just had a visit with her vet and Lali is now getting her first acupuncture treatment. Her Prednisone 2.5 mg, is now at 1 a day, and weaning will be discussed on weekly visits as we continue with acupuncture treatments. She has been more 'herself' and comfortable since I stopped trying to wean her off of prednisone. She is still on the Methocarbamol 125 mg twice a day at 11am and 11pm. Her vets are from the University of Florida veterinary college; a general, a surgeon and a surgeon/acupuncturist; so I am highly confident in their care.
She is sniffing and peeing on her own with me assisting her walking; bowel movements are also good as soon as I place her down in her area of our yard. She has had no accidents.
Thanks again Linda for your reply and mostly your concern. My heart goes out to everyone involved with Dodgerslist; it's been more help than I could have ever imagined finding.
I will keep you updated with Lali's progress.
Kindest regards,
Carol Ann
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 28, 2013 9:27:32 GMT -7
Carole, glad to hear Lali has pain under control...that is key to letting the healing process get underway. At potty time do make sure there is no walking around, but just the very fewest of footsteps? Do you use a sling at potty times. Stand in one spot holding leash, harness and sling? Or you could also set up some of the garden edging fence in a 6 foot diameter area so she sees the limited area and avoid thinking about going on a sniff fest.  Is your 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks like this: 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.  |
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Post by carolann on Mar 30, 2013 12:00:24 GMT -7
Hello Paula,
Yes to all of the above, I am doing crate rest by following all of the instructions on Dodgerslist.com. I use a sling and a harness with leash to go outside and I stay in one spot only giving her the diameter around me to do her business. Once she's finished, I carry her right back to the crate.
The first acupuncture went so very well that she is back to acting her normal self and moving her back legs again. I can tell she is much happier overall. She does get a little antsy in her crate now that she's feeling better, but I can sit right next to her crate and calm her down with gentle brushing or petting. We are going to have acupuncture weekly for the next 4 weeks.
I completely understand the need and reason for 8 weeks of crate confinement and limited movement, and it is well worth the progress I've already seen and the end result we're hoping for. At first I was feeling quite overwhelmed, but now that we are in our 3rd week, I am much more at ease with our new routine.
Thanks for your reply and your priceless advice. I am forever grateful.
Kindest regards,
Carol Ann
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 30, 2013 12:32:09 GMT -7
Carol Ann, we are grateful to you for reading and applying what you have read!!! Lali is in good hands with your care and it looks like she should have a good recovery. Do keep us all posted as new members can see the difference it makes when there is commitment to following through with conservative treatment.
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Post by carolann on May 12, 2013 6:50:56 GMT -7
Lali is 100% recovered!!! The acupuncture was absolutely amazing!!! After 2 weeks of meds only, she seemed to be deteriorating, and losing more of her use of both her hind legs, instead of just the one side. This is when the vet recommended starting the acupuncture and after the first treatment there was an enormous improvement. We then decided to continue, with more treatments, 2 weeks apart, while weaning Lali off of the meds. Immediately following the first acupuncture treatment, and since she was so excited to be feeling better, we started re-training her with 2 words: NO JUMPING!!! This is not at all hard to do if you have a trained dog to begin with; and honestly, after the IVDD episode, I can tell she is instinctly being more cautious. She is now completely weaned off of prednisone and running around enjoying her new 'jump free' life, giving me a paw-poke in the ankle if she wants to be in my lap. We have completed 8 weeks of crate rest, and Lali got to go out on the boat with us yesterday, snap and bark at the fish we caught, and do some real exploring out on the island. Thank you Dodgerslist!!!! I really can't thank you enough except for holding it in my heart and 'paying it forward'. |
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jiorio
New Member
Treatment: Conservative. Status: Continent and walking; Number of IVDD episodes: 4
Posts: 38 
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Post by jiorio on May 12, 2013 7:28:44 GMT -7
Great news about Lali! I am a firm believer in the acupuncture and I am glad you have found success with it. You deserve a lot of credit for Lali's recovery because you got her help quickly and you found this group! Continued good health to Lali!
Jill and Lily (3rd episode, conservative, 5/8/13)
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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 May 12, 2013 8:51:50 GMT -7
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Post by Pauliana on May 12, 2013 9:11:55 GMT -7
Carole Ann, Happy crate rest Graduation to Lali! Sounds like she is off to a wonderful new life and a careful new normal! I am so excited for her and for you!! We love seeing the happily ever afters so please do keep in touch!  |
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