Jennifer's Bentley 3/24 conservative

Jennifer, welcome to Dodgerslist!  Give Bentley a kiss and reassure him everything is going to be alright... because it will be.

The next 8 weeks in his recovery suite is going to be the single most important part of the care you will be giving him.  Just so we are on the same page...that means 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).  In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.

The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the  details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm  

The purpose of crate rest  is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement  of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.

Your vet has been light on pain medications. So if there is no pain showing through at all, then the pain meds are right for Bentley. If there is pain, you  need to tell the vet so the meds can be adjusted.
 What date will the Pred go to a taper down? The taper is the time to be very observant for any hint of pain. pain-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, holding leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight?

Often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain.  Your vet has called for a short 3 day course of Pred at the anti-inflammatory dose.

The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment.  The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk like Bentley.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here:
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/  [one vet's overview/prices]

As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions . When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc &  inflammation in the spinal cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle
5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog is down)
6. Bladder control is lost
7. Tail wagging with joy is lost
8. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for successful surgery. Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12/24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong.  So if surgery is an option for our famiily get to a neuro or ortho asap. 
www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/surgical-insights/making-sense-of-the-neuro-exam.aspx
www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/surgical-insights/making-sense-of-the-neuro-exam.aspx
tinyurl.com/4tchc3f   [Making Sense  of the Neuro Exam]

Please do stay in touch with updates on how Bentley is doing.

Please review the video and tip to help you express the bladder. While on pred he will need to be expressed every 2-3 hours to keep him dry. Start with every two and work hour way to every 3 as you see he is staying dry. Expressing is a new skill you are learning, do not hesitate to go back for another lesson. Express in the clinic and let the vet tech check your work.

Let us know how you are doing keeping him dry.

The vet needs to know asap on Monday morning about loosing bladder control.  How much does Bentley weigh?  He may not be on an anti-inflammatory dose at 2.5mg every 12 hours and your vet would want to increase it.

As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc &  inflammation in the spinal cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle
5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog is down)
6.---> Bentley  Bladder control is lost
7. Tail wagging with joy is lost
8. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for successful surgery. Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12/24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong.  So if surgery is an option for our famiily get to a neuro or ortho asap.

www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/surgical-insights/making-sense-of-the-neuro-exam.aspx
www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/surgical-insights/making-sense-of-the-neuro-exam.aspx
tinyurl.com/4tchc3f   [Making Sense  of the Neuro Exam]


 

Jennifer, if I have read correctly and Bentley has just lost bladder control, this is something your vet needs to have a phone call about 1st Monday morning...do not wait til next vet visit...call him.

When you get a chance please fill us in on these important details:

-- Is surgery an option for your family?
-- Do you have in in the crate for his own good? Is he whining or being rambunctious in the crate:
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, holding leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight?

Our Sammie went down on the 9th. The first few days were very scary and overwhelming, but we have all gotten used to our new normal. Sammie never spent much time in her crate and slept under my arm since she was 6 weeks old. She has shown signs of improvement over the last few weeks ( she hates when I express her bladder and looks at me like I'm crazy for bothering her). They are such funny little dogs. Hang in there, it does get a bit easier as time goes on. Getting a schedule for potty was the hardest part. She still has accidents here and there, but usually only if we get busy and don't get to her quickly enough. We do lots and lots of laundry!

Hi Jennifer, how is Bentley today? Is his pain well-controlled? How are you doing with expressing? Try to express 4 to 6 times a day, more if he still has accidents. You will be able to express less once he is off the steroid. Steroids make him drink and pee more often.

Just wanted to let you know that what Bentley is going through is very common. One in four dachshunds has IVDD. Everything he is exhibiting for symptoms is "normal" for the disease. When the spinal cord gets pressure on it from a bulging or herniating disc, the dog loses neurological functions such as bladder control, tail wagging, etc., just as Paula explained. What heals the disc is minimized movement of the spine with 8 weeks of strict crate rest while the meds mask the symptoms and control inflammation on the spine.

If when you start to taper the steroid, you notice that Bentley is in pain again, that means the steroid is not done with its job of controlling the inflammation on the spinal cord. If you see pain return, tell your vet and they will likely give a longer course of the steroid.

Please hang in there and try to put a smile on your face and in your voice when you are around Bentley. He will feed off of any negative emotions you may have. To give yourself hope, read through our many Success Stories - stories about dogs just like Bentley. This will also give you an idea of how recoveries go: www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory.htm

To keep Bentley entertained, put his crate in whatever room the family is in so that he will feel included. You can also put him in a small ex pen and sit in there with him to pat him while you watch tv. A pet stroller is a HUGE help during and after crate rest, read about them here: dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htm

As an aside - Bentley is probably the CUTEST doxie I have ever seen. My goodness - cute as a BUTTON!! Please let us know how you're both doing. ~Lisa