Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81 
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 17, 2014 8:44:24 GMT -7
OMG, She has been doing SO WELL since her surgery almost one year ago - running & playing. And, I have been vigilant about her care.. no stairs, careful lifting, etc. But this a.m. she couldn't get out of her crate and I realized her back legs are dragging. You can imagine how my heart sunk.. And, like most of us, I don't know what happened. I have an appt with a Vet this afternoon. I feel that she is not as debilitated as she was last year when we had the surgery because her little tail is wagging. I am ready to do the complete 8 weeks of crate rest and am thankful that Dodgerslist is here. I have your DVD and have been handing out your literature since you got me through this the last time. I just have to refresh myself on everything I did last year. Oy!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 17, 2014 11:35:37 GMT -7
Pat, sorry to hear this is another disc episode. The good news is you know how important crate rest is. In fact 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty is really more of an issue than for the post-op dog. Rest is stricter in an effort to prevent permanent damage to the spinal cord. Do you see signs of pain, does your vet know about the legs dragging…. this really is an EMERGENCY and the need to be seen no not this afternoon. Hours matter when spinal cord injury is involved such as dragging legs. Good place to get a very quick overview www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm on the meds used with conservative treatment as background info to discuss things with your vet. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm Pain Meds www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm The two classes of anti-inflammatories Do keep us updated on the details of meds prescribed, the dose in mgs and how often….don't forget the Pepcid AC! |
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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 17, 2014 11:35:47 GMT -7
Hi Pat, my name is Maureen. Welcome to Dodgers List. Good job on getting Clarita into her crate so fast. Her wagging tail is and excellet sign that the brain is still getting messages to travel down the spinal cord! Please keep us posted about her vet visit and medications and anything else that you can think of. Many of us have had to deal with more than one IVDD episode, and don't know what triggered it. We are all here for you!
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 17, 2014 17:12:23 GMT -7
P.S. Dr. Davis (where I left Clarita for the night) tested her feet and although Clarita did not yelp, she pulled her feet away and that along with strong tail wagging felt she has a chance at the crate rest.
Thanks SO MUCH.. took Clarita to a Vet (where she had her accupuncture last year) and when he looked at her little limp legs he said "she needs surgery".. I said "what about the deep pain test?" So, he did that, but as I watched him, he seemed to be placing the forcept on her nails?? He said he would call another Vet office and they could do the surgery right away.. As I left, I didn't feel sure about his diagnosis so I went to the office that did Clarita's surgery last year. I was so fortunate that the Dr that did Clarita's surgery last year was on duty and she "thinks" we can do crate rest.. She wanted to watch Clarita tonight, do some blood tests to make sure she is healthy enough for strong steroids and we have to hear tonight or tomorrow a.m. Oh boy, I am so stressed! You may not remember that Clarita is my daughter's dog. I live in Mass and my dtr lives on Long Island. I had Clarita because my dtr's house was impacted by Hurricane Sandy and it wasn't liveable.. I will ready the "healing" info and hope and pray that I can do the expressing this time. Last year I was not successful and found it so distressing.. BUT, I WILL this time (I Hope!) I left more Dodgerslist at the Vet today.. They have to get up to speed on this stuff!
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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 17, 2014 19:32:14 GMT -7
Of course she does! Conservative treatment is a perfectly reasonable option. You need to get reading to refresh your memory and we will be with you every step of the way!!
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 18, 2014 8:41:12 GMT -7
Thank you Paula,
I am SO stressed. Are we doing the right thing by having surgery? Should we try crate rest and risk incapacitation.. We said to go ahead with the surgery but I still question that decision.
Stevieluv.. Did you do conservative as Stevie still had deep pain response? My Clarita did not respond as of this a.m. and therefore she is going to surgery later.. How did you decide which way to go?
Aw Gee.. I was too hopeful! Dr called and said Clarita Does need surgery and it will be done later today. Guess we'll have to revise our status.. As much as I wanted to do the crate rest I feel confident with this Dr. She had hoped for crate rest too but sees signs that surgery is needed. She did the surgery last year. My stomach is in a turmoil over this. Last year was tough and I know it will be again. I am getting things ready for when Clarita comes home. This time I am going to try to make it easier on my back by putting the crate on a low table. This Dr is being quite cooperative and is giving me scripts that I can fill at Walmart for $4 or reduced costs. I'd like to go see Clarita this a.m. but she gets pretty excited so I won't do that..
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 18, 2014 9:47:48 GMT -7
Pat, do read over this information on surgery so you have some background on why you are choosing surgery and things you might wish to discuss with the surgeon. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmDr. Isaacs answered alot of questions we've had about surgery: Surgery needs to be a decision an owner enters into recognizing the risk, but also recognizes the benefit. This way if something unforeseen occurs an owner can be comforted and at peace with the fact that surgery was the right decision and they did all they could for their dog. Pat, you will find the rest of his answers worthwhile reading to settle your mind about which choice to make: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm
Keep us posted on Clarita as you know more. |
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 18, 2014 11:50:39 GMT -7
Hi Paula, I have read Dr. Isaacs info and guess we will stay on the surgery course. So thankful this info is available. Years ago when a pup was ill you would just flounder before the internet. I watched your expressing video (again) with Clark and you are such a dear! I will post after I hear how the surgery went. XXX
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 18, 2014 15:12:00 GMT -7
Dr called and said Clarita did well during surgery. T12-13. Right next to where the surgery was last year..
They called in prescriptions that I can go pick up and deliver to the Vet office for their use. Fortunately they are not that far away. I love that the Vet is being so cooperative about those prescriptions. Tramadol, dexamethasone & gabapentin. They are also using the pepcid I brought to them. (Don't have the mg's yet on the others.) Will post more as I find out more.
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 18, 2014 21:27:15 GMT -7
Hi Pat,
Very glad to hear Clarita did well during surgery and is recovering now..
Sending healing prayers and comforting thoughts.. Thanks for keeping us posted on how she is getting along..
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 19, 2014 16:43:39 GMT -7
Went to see Clarita this afternoon and she is doing well.. A tech went over the expressing with me but Clarita had been expressed a few hours earlier so there wasn't much to work with. Tomorrow when Clarita is being discharged they will go over it again with a full bladder. She, Clarita, seemed pretty comfortable and I was pressing and rubbing between her toes and was excited when she responded. BUT, the tech told me it was just a reaction like when our Dr. hits our knee and it pops up. I'd like to believe she was responding! 
Her meds are:
Gabapentin 100mg one every 12 hrs
Dexamethasone .5 mg to start 1/2 tablet every 8 hours for 3 days,
1/2 tab every 12 hrs for 3 days, 1/2 once a day for 3 days, 1/2 every other day for 3 doses.
Tramadol 50 mg: 1/2 tab every 8-12 hrs.
The total cost of these at Walmart was $17.. My AAA card reduced the
Gabapentin by about $1! I have her crates set up, a firm bed with an Ex pen around it, and when the weather is good I can use her stroller (from Craig's List) again. Oh boy....
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 19, 2014 20:14:33 GMT -7
Call an hour or so ahead of discharge time to make sure she has had a drink of water so you have something to practice on. How much does Clarita weigh? Sounds like you are very well prepared for homecoming. The $4 Generic med programs many pharmacies now have are an excellent way to stretch dollars! genericmedlist.com/ |
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 20, 2014 7:35:16 GMT -7
Good morning, Good idea.. Just got a call from the Vet at New England Animal Medical Center in W. Bridgewater, Ma. and she said Clarita is doing great! She crawled into the Vet's lap and has a little motor function in her right leg. Such happy news. She is at 19 lbs now.. down from last year which is good for her and my back. Picking her up this afternoon and picked up a Kong to entertain her for a minute! These conversations really help my stress level decline. Thanks so much. Will keep you posted.
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 21, 2014 13:19:20 GMT -7
Picked up Clarita yesterday afternoon and things were crazy after that.. BUT, she seems to be doing quite well. I am being so careful with her.. She ate dinner well and I gave her a zillion pills.. the Tramadol had to go down with some tuna as she could tell the pill was hidden in the chicken. The best news is that I actually EXPRESSED her last night. I have been so afraid of that because I was such a failure last year. Then we had a good night - she slept and so did I and she was dry in the a.m.. When I took her out this a.m. I am not sure if it was me expressing or her trying as I "think" she tried to squat when I got her balanced - but she did a pee pee! I will know more later.
No poo yet, but I put some pumpkin in her food.. I am optimistic about her recovery and not as stressed as I was last year because I was a newbie then.
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 22, 2014 7:33:33 GMT -7
Clarita is doing well and seems to be o.k. in the Ex pen which has a firm bed in it. When she was well I used to carry her up to a crate in my bedroom and down in the a.m., but she seems alright being left in the Ex pen all night. This a.m. her bed was dry and when I took her outside and placed her in position she didn't pee so I pressed on her bladder (I think) and she started, but then she seemed to take over. Yahoo! So happy about that. And, she was trying to support herself. She hasn't had a BM since she came home (thurs) so I have to get that done today! I will massage her anus, etc. and hope it happens. I have a question.. once she is off the Dexamethasone do I still need the pepcid because of the Gabapentin?
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 22, 2014 7:45:42 GMT -7
So glad to hear that Clarita's bladder control seems to be returning. She may need some help emptying her bladder so be sure she does a couple of good streams of urine when she goes.
With the return of bladder control, she should also have a return of bowel control. You can try to express as you mentioned. Constipation is common after surgery. Pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with a teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon pumpkin to kibble and no extra water 1x a day. Note alternatives: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potato.
The Pepcid AC is to protect against the side effects of the Dexamethasone. That medication can stay in the body for a couple of days after stopping so I would continue to give the Pepcid AC twice a day for a couple of days after stopping the Dexamethasone. She would not need to take Pepcid with Gabapentin.
Please keep us updated and continued healing prayers for Clarita.
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 22, 2014 10:45:01 GMT -7
Thank you Marjorie, Since my earlier message I took Clarita outside, massaged her anus and had SUCCESS! Now I can relax a little. I had given her a little pumpkin yesterday and today, but was anxious because she hadn't moved her bowel.. But, now we are o.k. for a while. She is trying to use her right leg a little but her left is not working yet. It is early on so I am still optimistic. Thank you for your continued support and advice.
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 24, 2014 13:34:31 GMT -7
Clarita is peeing and pooing on her own! I am so excited that she is on her way to recovery. She is trying to use both of her back legs too. I am only letting her use them for support when going potty. At the Vet they seem o.k. to let her walk with a sling, but what I read here makes me be more cautious. (?)
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 25, 2014 8:00:07 GMT -7
What wonderful signs of nerve healing, Pat! The surgeon is the best one to determine how much physical therapy, such as walking, Clarita can do at this point. A few controlled, supervised steps, if the surgeon has said this is OK, and then back into the crate to rest. With conservative care, crate rest is very strict. Crate rest following surgery can allow for some PT under the direction of the surgeon. But only out of the crate for potty, supervised PT and then back in the crate. Keep up the good work, Pat! |
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Feb 27, 2014 6:49:38 GMT -7
Thanks so much.. I will allow her a few steps when we go outside to potty. Although Clarita has been seemingly been feeling great - eating well, peeing and pooping, during last night she had diarrhea! Quite a mess.. She continues to get her Pepcid 2 X a day and she is almost finished with her Dexamethasone (every other day) with just a few pills left. I gave her rice and a little chicken broth this a.m. which she devoured, so I'll see how she does during this day. Fortunately I am home (retired) so I can take care of her. I don't know how the folks that work do it!
Good news.. I think that was a false alarm.. Just took Clarita out and she had a solid BM.. As I said, we'll see how the day goes!
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Mar 3, 2014 7:16:39 GMT -7
Clarita is doing really well. She has me trained to her pee pee schedule.. and, her BM's seem good too. Her meds are almost all gone - just a llittle gabapentin left. Still taking her out with a sling. She wants to run around but I want to wait a while. Getting her staples out tomorrow and acupuncture later this week. I had to go to a Memorial Service out of town for a dear lady with no one to watch Clarita so I asked the Vet if they could keep an eye on her for the whole day.. They agreed and I was so relieved.. (for little $). Since Clarita is doing so well I would love to let her walk more, but Dodgers reminds me to hold off! Thank you!
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Mar 11, 2014 8:41:02 GMT -7
Clarita is continuing to do well and always attempting to walk when we go out to potty. I am so pleased.. However, she is getting rambunctious! Standing up on the side of the crate sometimes.. so I calm her down. It is just 3 weeks since her surgery but I'd like to give her a little more freedom in the yard. She is doing SO well - would that be o.k? Going to Acupuncture again this Friday.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 11, 2014 14:04:49 GMT -7
Supervised, controlled, slow, deliberate PT that the surgeon prescribed is appropriate whether that be walking to and from the potty place or ... what exactly did the surgeon prescribe for PT? Ideas for discouraging standing up against the sides of the crate in this supply list at 2nd paragraph: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm |
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Mar 11, 2014 14:52:43 GMT -7
Hello Paula, Thanks for the tips on trying to control Clarita's activity.. She is really full of energy! I love the Ex pen and I think she does too. I move her to another crate often just for a change.. I will try the blanket hanging over the crate to keep her from jumping around.. The Dr. seems to feel that the acupuncture and the PT I give her are going well. I do too.. thank goodness and thanks to all of you..
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Pat & Clarita
New Member
8/28 conserv, 2 prior surgeries
Posts: 81
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Post by Pat & Clarita on Apr 14, 2014 11:47:00 GMT -7
Update on Clarita.. She is doing SO well.. walking & running, although quite wobbly she is moving around great. We go out every good day in the stroller but let her out so that she can walk around a bit. She is doing all the things that she used to do even though she is kind of stumbling sometimes. She also likes to hop if she is in a hurry. Her back is quite humped so I hope that settles down in time. We only had 2 acupuncture treatments as that Vet thought she was recovering nicely. Clarita is very good about her pee and always goes outside but her poo seems to surprise her.. as if she doesn't really have control of her bowel. Good thing they are solid! I hope she continues to improve.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 14, 2014 13:41:33 GMT -7
Pat, thanks for the update. Glad to hear Clarita is doing so well and sounds like she is happy to have a good run every day there is good weather. The hump should resolve over time. And hopefully bowel control too will return 100%.
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