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Post by Diane & Trixie on Feb 20, 2014 19:28:35 GMT -7
Trixie is a 16 yr old mini dachshund, weighing 8.5lbs This is her 3rd episode, the last which was over 5 years ago and in her neck. Never lost function to walk with the neck episodes. This time it's farther back? When we returned home shortly after midnight on Sat. she was walking wobbly on three legs. Crated her immediately. Took her to the vet Monday morning. She did not have use of her left rear leg. Did yelp a few times. The vet prescribed 0.3cc Metacam every 24 hrs. as needed and Methocarbamol 1/2 tablet twice a day, 750mg per whole tablet and crate rest. I asked about Pepcid and he gave his reason, being nervous, I didn't quite get it. Sorry. It has been 12 days. So far she has not lost bladder or bowel function, has wagged her tail the whole time, no more yelping after meds. Her left rear foot would knuckle when going to potty, but today when it did, she straightened it back up, hope that's a good sign. She can stand in the crate, but wobbly and she's curled up when she sleeps. She has been on a bland diet of chicken and rice with a vitamin for almost a year because of a sensitive stomach. This morning she decided she didn't like rice anymore, refusing to eat it. I had been mixing the methocarbamol with yogurt and she wouldn't eat it either! But she gobbled the chicken and vitamin up. So I went to the vet and picked up pill to replace the one she wasted. She will be finished with the methocarbamol on Sun. evening. The metacam may go a day or 2 longer. Praying she doesn't get worse! I do use a sling when it's potty time.
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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 20, 2014 20:49:21 GMT -7
Hi Diane, I'm Sabrina. Welcome to Dodger'sList! I'm sorry to hear that you and Trixie are no strangers to IVDD, but I'm so glad that she has you to look out for her! It is a very good sign that Trixie can correct her foot placement! This page has great info on the 4 phases of healing from a disc episode: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmWith a dog on an anti-inflammatory (like the Metacam Trixie is on), not eating is a red flag that there is damage being done to the GI tract. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#metacamPEPCID AC The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID. Pepcid is generally considered a safe-over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for a healthy dog and good insurance. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/stomachProtection.htmIf there is a medical reason, then ask for a stomach protector that is ok for her to take. As there is evidence of damage to the GI tract (not wanting to eat), also ask your vet if a second stomach protector, Sucralfate, can be rx'd for Trixie. Sucralfate forms a gel-like webbing over ulcerated or eroded tissues, thus serving as a sort of a bandage. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#intestinaldrugsDepending on where you are, you may have to speak to an on-call/after hours vet. But do call them now so that you can get a stomach protector on board tonight. If you need a "refresher course" on all things IVDD, here is a great place to start: "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmAdd this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? -- By "crate rest" do you mean that you have Trixie on 100% STRICT crate rest - 24/7 only 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)? -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved? -- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood? -- Is this meds list correct? 8.5 lbs -- Metacam 0.3cc 1x/day -- Methocarbamol 375mg 2x/day Do let us know what the vet orders to protect Trixie's stomach. Hang in there! ))Hugs!(( |
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Post by Diane & Trixie on Feb 20, 2014 21:19:13 GMT -7
Thank you Sabrina. She won't eat the rice, but gobbles the chicken up. All you would give her, plus eats her treats. So it's a picky thing. 100% crate rest. We have 3 crates, so she doesn't have to wait on us to move them! Spoiled? Yes! No current pain. Tonight, she stood and shook (like shaking dust off) without losing her balance. Poops fine. The meds list is correct. I will call the vet in the morning and if he doesn't have a good reason Trixie can't be on Pepcid AC, I will pick some up. I will ask about the Sucralfate.  |
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 21, 2014 6:01:42 GMT -7
Trixie sounds like a good candidate for conservative care, Diane. I'm sure you know, with this being the third episode, to keep a close eye out for pain as the meds are stopped and to immediately let the vet know if there are any signs of pain so she can be returned to the meds.
Prayers that she will be able to stop all meds with no pain arising soon. At that point, all that will be needed is the full 8 weeks of crate rest with very limited movement to heal the disc and time to heal the nerve damage.
Please let us know what the vet says about adding Pepcid AC. We follow the more proactive vets who chose to prevent a GI tract problem rather than treating one after it arises. With Trixie's sensitive stomach, it's even more important to protect her.
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Post by Diane & Trixie on Feb 21, 2014 16:10:49 GMT -7
Got ok to give Pepcid AC, picked it up this morning. She has continued to correct her knuckled paw when going to potty. Eating and drinking good.
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Post by Diane & Trixie on Feb 26, 2014 15:29:18 GMT -7
Friday, I called the vet and picked up something for diarrhea. She took the last of her Methocarbamol Sunday night. She had a bad night Monday. Vomited twice and acted like she had a stomachache. (She has had colitis for about a year now, so this complicates things too). When the alarm went off at 5am, she settled down and slept till 8:30am and did all the things she's supposed to, except poop. I started her on a tsp. of pumpkin. Late night Tues. she started trembling a little, then would quit, she did sleep all night. I called the vet this morn and they had me pick up some
Tramadol oil suspension 1ml twice a day,(chicken flavor, which she acted like it was horrible). She has quit trembling after taking it, except when I take her outside, because it's cold. She's had pumpkin twice now, and did poop today. She is very wobbly, but has use of her rear leg now and no knuckling! She's very vocal, letting us know she does not like the crate in the day time. I'm keeping the Faith that she's going to be able to walk after this is all over.
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Post by Diane & Trixie on Feb 27, 2014 7:59:56 GMT -7
Had a bad scare last night! When we go off, I put Trixie in a hall w/pet gate. It's an area the crate size, except enough room to also use the bathroom if needed. She lays down as we're leaving and is laying down when we get home. At 16, she can't hear anymore, so she doesn't hear us when we pull in. When I opened the gate, she darted off before I could catch her, ran about 20 feet and slipped on the hardwood floor! My stomach turned. Gave her a dose of metacam and 1/2 dose of tramadol. When I give her the Tramadol, she slobbers so bad, I thought it was a reaction. She slept all night. Called the vet this morn, told about the fall and the tramadol. He said they will slobber when they don't like the taste of it. To give the metacam and tramadol. So this morning, I gave it to her quickly in the syringe, then give her, her chicken immediately and she did much better. When I took her out, she was like she was before the fall. Still able to squat normal to pee and poop. Walk with the sling. Since she's a spry 16 yr old, she will be in a crate when we leave instead of being able to escape when I open a gate! I will watch her closely for any changes in her walk or pain. The vet said to keep them informed. I told them we were probably the most popular patients right now, and they said all they want is Trixie to get better. They act like they care and you're not a bother for calling like I've had to.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 27, 2014 14:49:50 GMT -7
Glad to hear the escape had no bad results. Thank goodness. Those little stinkers will always do the unexpected...so hard to keep one step ahead of them. Sounds like your idea to use the crate may be better to control her from escape.
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Post by Diane & Trixie on Mar 3, 2014 11:59:10 GMT -7
Trixe finished her Metacam and Tramadol Friday night. She is finishing up her metronidazole (for diarrhea). So far, good. She does seem a little weaker, but I'm contributing that from being in the crate for so long. She has a good appetite, happy when she sees us. I still use the sling at potty time. Time sure does seem slow when you're doing crate rest! She's at 3 weeks.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 3, 2014 17:06:29 GMT -7
Wonderful news that Trixie has been able to get off the meds without any pain returning, Diane! That's excellent. Yes, time does go slow during crate rest but you're doing what's needed for Trixie and the time will pass. Thanks for sharing the great update! |
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Post by Diane & Trixie on Mar 16, 2014 19:34:02 GMT -7
Tomorrow, Trixie will be off her medicines for 2 weeks. I read most of the posts here, (so much info)! but I have a question. Today marks 5 weeks crate rest for her. When she goes out to potty, do I still need to use the sling on her. She is doing great. Thanks for all ya'll do!
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 16, 2014 19:54:50 GMT -7
Hi Diane!
Is she able to walk and balance ok? If she is steady, you can do without the sling. If she needs it continue with it..
So happy to hear she is doing so well! Thank you for the update!
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Post by Diane & Trixie on Apr 5, 2014 16:00:55 GMT -7
Shortly after midnight tonight, will be Trixie's graduation from crate rest! She has been going out to potty w/out the sling. She's not the daintiest thing, she looks like she'll get slightly off balance sometimes, but we'll take it! I attribute some of it to her age. She never liked being in the crate in the den, but didn't mind the one in the bedroom or sewing room. Go figure. She will continue to sleep in one at night and I can sleep without worrying about her falling off the bed or getting into some other trouble. Prayers to all the other dogs & owners going through this dreaded disease. There is HOPE! I will continue to read through the posts. Who knows, someday, there may be a discovery for quicker healing. Till then, ya'll are doing a great job with the advice you're giving |
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Apr 7, 2014 5:23:43 GMT -7
Diane and Trixie congratulations on your graduation! So happy for you both and glad Trixie is doing well. As for the wobbles, it may get better as she gains some strength back in her muscles. THe crate rest can cause some muscle loss and it is important to build that back slowly. Check out this link for ways to ease back into activity: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmEnjoy the snuggles with your sweetie |
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