Ramona's Peanut 2/8 - not treating as disc episode

Hi Ramona, I'm so sorry to hear that Peanut's having this trouble. Have you spoken to his vet? If you haven't already, call and and ask for him to be seen today.

To be safe, I'd put him in his crate until you can get into the vet and start sorting through different possibilities for what is going on.

You unfortunately aren't a stranger to IVDD, but here are a couple links in case you need to brush up on signs and symptoms:
www.dodgerslist.com/faq.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdf

(Is Peanut leaking/dribbling urine, or does he still pass the "sniff and pee" test?)

))Hugs!(( Let us know what the vet says!

Ramona, IVDD is a lifelong disease and while some dogs only have one episode their entire lives, others can have several. We do what we can to protect their backs (no steps or jumping) but a disc can still tear due to the disease and deterioration of the discs. Until you have Peanut examined and know for sure that this is not another disc episode, you need to keep him in the crate 24/7 again so he doesn't move too much. If there has been a tear in a disc, movement has to be limited to avoid nerve damage. While we hope this is arthritis, caution must be taken until that is confirmed.

Is Peanut still having trouble with his bowels? Loss of bowel control is a sign of a disc episode.

I know it's difficult to tell with Peanut's arthritis but I think you should have him examined ASAP. Loss of bowel control is a sign of a disc problem, not arthritis. If this is another disc episode, Peanut needs to be on an anti-inflammatory to get the swelling in his back down before there is nerve damage. And be sure not to give Peanut any meds on the day of his exam so any pain is not masked when she examines him.

Please keep us updated. Prayers that this is not another disc episode.

Ramona, continue to be observant for any reduction in neuro signs (scuffing nails, knuckling, wobbly walking). Nerve damage does not happen with arthritis….nerve damage happens with a disc problem.

If there is any idea this might be/ could be a disc problem then the reason for 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 is to keep the disc from bigger tears which would impact the nerves. Nerves do not like a disc pushing on them…they react by dying. The result is nerve damage.

It can be difficult to diagnose with a mild disc episode where there is pain, but no neuro deficits whether it is arthritis or a disc problem. So do be observant for neuro diminishment so you can promptly protect the disc from further worsening by instituting 100% STRICT rest.

I definitely think it is another episode now. He is growling when we touch him and panting if he has to go to the bathroom. We have a call in to the dr right now. Probably steroids again. We will try crate rest but he is absolutely vicious about the crate. He spends 8 to 9 hours a day in one as it is and Merl has had to take off work a number of times when he wouldn't go in. He does not use stairs at all. He gets picked up for that stuff. We have seen A LOT of improvement with his fecal incontinence since we added a 2nd tramadol. He crouches A LOT better when he does that but he just stands when he pees. Two times we have had him checked by 2 different drs and they both said it was not his back. His feet splay to the outside when he stands, which bugs me. It does not look right. Waiting to hear from the dr....

He is a beautiful old boy, Ramona- he looks a lot like my Rosie. Glad to hear he is sleeping comfortably. I hope you get some good help and guidance from the vet tomorrow!

Best,
Amy

He is happy as a clam this morning. Barking at me for treats and chewing on a bone. He had a tramadol about 2 hours ago. We are still taking him. I think I need an xray. I want to rule out arthritis. No idea if Peanut will tolerate it or if the hospital will even try. He can be so aggressive... Thank you, Jean and Amy for your kind words.

Amy - great advice!! I will look into it!! On the Peanut front, doctor pulled and pushed everywhere. We had an xray done to check for arthritis/calcification and...NOTHING!!! Pulled everything back, no pain when spine palpated... Doctor's notes say, "no pain was noted on palpation of back. Neurologically, hind limbs normal. Both knees palpated normally. No pain was noted on flexiin/extension of the hindlimbs at the hips. Could not find any signs of anything painful or IVDD." He did recommend rimadyl. Does anyone know anything about it? Has anyone used it? We are so relieved. But are wondering what is causing him pain because he is still on tramadol for fecal incontinence. Thanks for the support. We are watching him carefully though. Third Dr to tell us no IVDD.

Hi Paula -

Peanut was at the vet at 5 p.m., and his last tramadol was at 8:30 a.m.  We were told to up his tramadol because of the incontinence, and it worked.  He is not having any incontinence.  He still poops like a champ, too.  He had blood work done about 6 months ago, and it was all fine.  His former foster mom, Lois, told me about a muscle wasting disease, but he is not that severely in pain that I can see.  Last night after the vet, 7 p.m., he was barking and running like a happy dog without tramadol.  He got it right after that because the doctor said to continue it and the muscle relaxant.

I know there is something not right, but this is the third time he has passed a neuro test...

Thanks for the info about rimadyl.  I will definitely check into it.

Ramona

Still watching Peanut. His back legs are weak. How do I know if his lameness is because he needs to walk more? He was running a little today and he runs with his front legs while his back seem to move together and bounce a bit. Just so confused... He is definitely ok as far as pain. No growling nor tenderness noted at all...