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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Feb 18, 2014 15:39:03 GMT -7
Baxter Boo continues to make progress with each day. But now that he is feeling better he is getting more and more fussy in his crate. During his past two episodes, he really only got fussy if we left the room. Now he is fussy all the time whether we are in the room or not. We sit next to his crate and talk and pet him frequently but he seems to want it all the time. Any ideas on ways to keep him calm and not so fussy?
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Vita & Emmie
Helpful Member
Currently graduated for the 3rd time; walking and running!
Posts: 189
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Post by Vita & Emmie on Feb 18, 2014 16:26:26 GMT -7
Hi Shari, I was having the same concern with Emmie and Paula recommended a couple things for Emmie: Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is. Some brands to consider: --Comfort Zone (DAP) wall plug-in diffuser 48ml www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html --Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml www.adaptil.com/Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price Emmie HATES the rescue remedy so I don't know if that is working and I just plugged the Adaptil diffuser in today. I do the same as you sitting beside the crate and talking and trying to comfort and settle her. Sometimes it works; sometimes not- I do not want to give her any drugs to make her settle.
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Feb 18, 2014 17:02:58 GMT -7
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Post by Cynthia&Huxley on Feb 18, 2014 18:08:41 GMT -7
Hi Shari,
Is that a picture of Baxter Boo? He looks so much like my Huxley! So glad to hear that the laser treatments are going well! I hope to start Huxley's next week.
Best, Cynthia
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Feb 19, 2014 11:00:36 GMT -7
Thank you Sabrina and Vita, I will give some calming aids a try.
Cynthia, yes that is a picture of my Baxter Boo. He does look like Huxley. Good luck with Huxley's laser treatments.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Feb 21, 2014 4:13:50 GMT -7
Baxter Boo is two weeks into crate rest. Yesterday he did have an accident in his crate. But when I was cleaning him up, he kept moving his tail all on his own. He definitely has feeling back in his back right leg. The laser treatments are going well. This weekend he will start his predisone every other day. The calming aids I bought work. I got him some calming pills and a lavender scented plug in and plug it into the outlet near his crate. He was still fussy last night but way more calmer than he has been.
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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 Feb 21, 2014 11:27:47 GMT -7
Great news on the tail wagging and that your calming aids are helping. Now we just need to find calming aids for us, the pet parents!!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Feb 21, 2014 11:49:56 GMT -7
Yay for tail wags! Fingers crossed for a continued successful taper.
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Vita & Emmie
Helpful Member
Currently graduated for the 3rd time; walking and running!
Posts: 189
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Post by Vita & Emmie on Feb 21, 2014 11:51:48 GMT -7
Hi Shari,
What brand/type of calming pills did you buy? Emmie is getting more agitated now - even with the Adaptil diffuser.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Feb 23, 2014 8:51:57 GMT -7
Baxter Boo has now had a week of laser treatments, five total. The vet wants him to have four next week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) and then we will discuss how much to decrease. She wants to keep him on one predisone a day through next week then start tapering. His back right leg is showing great progress in the return of feeling as well as around his tail. There is some feeling in his back leg area but not as much as the right. In the beginning he would get fussy if we put him in his crate in the kitchen while we were eating and making dinner but now he is doing well in either crate (we have one in the computer room and one in the kitchen).
I got him GNC Ultra Mega Relax for Dogs treats for dogs at Petsmart. I also got a lavender scented air freshner to put in the room he is in.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Feb 28, 2014 13:15:48 GMT -7
Baxter Boo is three weeks into his conservative crate rest and laser treatments. I was wondering about water therapy and if anyone has had experience with this. It is my understanding that he cannot begin water therapy until after his 8 weeks is up but was thinking about it for after his conservative treatment has concluded.
has anyone had any experience with water therapy?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 28, 2014 13:54:07 GMT -7
Water therapy for a conservatively treated dog would naturally have to wait until all 8 weeks of rest had been completed.
Underwater treadmill therapy in particular seems to be the best way to set those legs moving. Something about the floor moving underneath them and the water's buoyancy. Other water therapy is also good such as walking in a wading pool, swimming.
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Post by John & Marley on Feb 28, 2014 21:06:08 GMT -7
Baxter Boo is three weeks into his conservative crate rest and laser treatments. I was wondering about water therapy and if anyone has had experience with this. It is my understanding that he cannot begin water therapy until after his 8 weeks is up but was thinking about it for after his conservative treatment has concluded. has anyone had any experience with water therapy? How many laser treatments have you done over the last 3 weeks ? What do you plan for the next 5 weeks ? What have you seen if anything from laser ?
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 1, 2014 17:42:16 GMT -7
We are doing four laser treatments a week and next week we will do four again and then determine on Saturday the 8th how many (he might be ready for a decrease in the number per week).
I have seen improvements since the laser treatments began. He is still not standing on his own but he has more feeling in his back legs and can move his tail.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 5, 2014 15:03:15 GMT -7
Today has been four weeks since Baxter Boo's third disc episode. He can move his tail a little and let us know when he needs to go potty. He also has feeling in both back legs but still cannot stand or walk. He is continuing with laser treatments. His progress is slower than his 1st episode when he loss use of his back legs (the 2nd episode he did not lose use of his legs) but he is also five years older now and it is expected his recovery would be slower.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 6, 2014 5:20:49 GMT -7
It sounds as though Baxter Boo is doing well, Shari. Improvements, even though small, indicate nerve healing so he's definitely headed in the right direction.
Hang in there and please keep us updated.
Blessings to you both.
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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 Mar 6, 2014 7:27:48 GMT -7
Slow but steady wins the race - he is improving and that is what really matters. Way to go Baxter Boo!
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 10, 2014 3:13:05 GMT -7
Thank you! I am starting to get happy tail wags. It is not a full wag but he moves his tail back and forth very slowly now. This week starts two laser therapy sessions a week (he did three weeks of four) and now we will do three weeks of two sessions.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 10, 2014 5:32:00 GMT -7
Slow happy wags...excellent news Go Baxter!
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 12, 2014 13:53:35 GMT -7
Today has been five weeks since Baxter Boo's 3rd disc episode. He has had laser therapy, 4X a week for three weeks and this is the first week of 2X a week. He has been on predisone every other day since March 1st and was almost finished.
Last night he stood on his own, he was wobbly but could put weight on his back legs, this was during one of his potty breaks.
Today he yelped when I took him out to go potty and yelped when I put him back. I gave him 1/2 a tramadol and called the vet. Right now we are in the middle of a snow storm and the vet said (who has no electricity because of the storm) to give him a ▲predisone (5mg) as well.
Now he is resting and not showing signs of pain.
This is the first sign of pain in five weeks. What can be going on? He will be going to the vet tomorrow for a laser session and to discuss his pain episode today.
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 12, 2014 19:24:54 GMT -7
Shari,
Since Baxter Boo is showing signs of pain towards the end of the taper, it means the swelling is still present. When you take him to the vet for the Laser treatment, discuss going back on the 5mg twice a day dose which is the anti inflammatory dose of Prednisone.. Glad the Vet said to give him the 5mg tonight.. hope their power comes back soon.. These unruly snowstorms have been something else this winter.. Can't wait for Spring, it has to be right around the corner, already!
Sorry to hear about the pain returning.. Glad to hear the Tramadol and Prednisone worked quickly to relieve his pain..
Prayers and healing thoughts..
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 13, 2014 2:41:26 GMT -7
Thank you Paulina. This morning he is doing better than yesterday but still some signs of discomfort. Gave him 21.4 pounds 1/2 a tramadol: 5mg predisone 1/2 a pepcid.
Will let you know how it goes at the vet this afternoon.
One of the things I am wondering is if this will extend the crate rest, if there is still swelling after 5 weeks?
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 13, 2014 4:43:43 GMT -7
Shari, there will need to be at least a week of no meds and no pain before BaxterBoo will be able to graduate from crate rest. His movement will need to be restricted until you're sure there is no swelling. Sometimes it takes a bit longer to get that swelling under control. Hopefully, the next taper will go much better.
Healing prayers for Baxter Boo.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 13, 2014 10:20:41 GMT -7
He goes to the vet today at 4:45PM right now the vet has him back to his original medication doses.
1/2 tramadol, 3X a time (50 mg tablet so 25mg 3X a day) 5 mg of Predisone 2X a day 1/2 10 mg Pepcid with the Predisone.
Before he started experiencing pain yesterday, he was doing a very slow tail wag. Now his tail wag is much quicker not back to normal but quicker.
Will let you know what the vet says.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 13, 2014 15:19:23 GMT -7
Back from the vet, the vet believes now that Baxter Boo is regaining more and more feeling we are now seeing signs that the swelling has not gone away. So we are going back to his original medication schedule.
He will get 21.4 pounds 1/2 a tramadol 25mg 2X-3X a day Predisone 5 mg twice a day [5 day course then taper] 1/2 a 10mg pepcid with the predisone
After 5 days going to see how he tampers to one a day for the predisone and then later decided when to tamper to every other day
He is definitely feeling better this evening.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 14, 2014 6:09:56 GMT -7
Glad he's feeling better, Shari. Be sure to give the Tramadol 3x/day as Tramadol works best when given consistently every 8 hours. And continue with the pepcid AC every 12 hours for as long as Baxter Boo is on the Prednisone, even throughout the taper.
I hope and pray that the next taper will be a pain-free and successful one.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 15, 2014 9:56:04 GMT -7
Monday will start the next taper, trying 5mg predisone 1X a day. Since we went back to 5mg of predisone twice a day (started Wednesday) pain appears to be under control. Wednesday when the pain returned he would yelp or whimper when we physically picked him up for potty breaks. He is no longer whimpering or yelping when picked up, a few times (not many) he will whimper or let out a tiny yelp right before we pick him up but that is when we seem to have caught him off guard. If we pet him and talk to him before picking him up, he doesn't do it. It is more like a warning yelp or whimper, doesn't do it all the time and when we are holding him up to pee or poop no signs of pain.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 15, 2014 14:11:29 GMT -7
Shari, keep an eye on that yelping. It may be that he is yelping in anticipation of pain (even when there isn't). Talk to your vet if you are unsure about the taper.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 16, 2014 16:36:48 GMT -7
Baxter Boo will not begin his Tamper to 5mg of ▼predisone 1X a day. The vet wants 48 hours of no yelping before tampering. So far today absolutely no yelping and no indications of pain, if tomorrow is the same he will begin his tamper on Tuesday.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Mar 17, 2014 9:38:17 GMT -7
Sunday, Baxter Boo did not yelp and showed no signs of pain. He has had two potty breaks this morning with no signs of pain. Since his pain returned on Wednesday and his medication increased, my husband has been the one taking Baxter Boo out of his crate for potty breaks. Today after work it will be me taking him out for his potty break and then again for his laser treatment appointment. Since the return of pain on Wednesday, even though he has not yelped since Saturday, my anxiety is increasing, worried about getting him out of his crate after work. When he first went down February 5th, I was a nervous wreck for about a week whenever I had to take him out of his crate. Then I was fine and it become the norm but now since his latest return of pain, I am a nervous wreck again. I know once I take him out of his crate for potty or appointments for a few times and he is fine (no yelping) I will be fine but until then I am a wreck.
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