lupi
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Post by lupi on Mar 2, 2014 20:43:47 GMT -7
Well, as much as I hate to say it, Lupi's going to have to go back on crate rest. She growled at me this morning (for the first time in the 6 years we've had her!) when I went to pick her up and I knew right away something was wrong. It was a soft growl, accompanied with wide, staring eyes.
Her last episode started with a growl at a friend trying to pet her, so that seems to be her signal for pain.
She's still walking, but her back end is wobbly and she's been biting at her back right leg as though it's painful. Not in an obsessive way, she just whips her head around every once in a while and nips at herself.
I had some Tramadol left over from her previous episode, so I gave her one and put her in her crate. She seemed excited to go in there. Could she possibly realize that's what made her feel better last time?
Tomorrow I plan to call the vet and get a refill of the Metacam she was on last time. Does anyone think I need to take her in? I don't have any doubt as to what the issue is, and she still has good motor function so I'm not considering surgery yet. I would like to save her the stress of the vets visit and just stick to the same conservative treatment plan we followed last time. Of course if she gets worse, I'll take her in.
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 3, 2014 5:58:34 GMT -7
I'm sorry to hear that Lupi is showing signs of pain again, Nicole. Yes, I do think an exam is in order ASAP. Most likely, the vet will want to do an exam before refilling her Metacam and rightly so. An exam will determine whether there's back pain. We IVDD dog owners tend to always think of disc problems and it well may be one for Lupi but it could also be something else that's going on. If it is a disc problem, the sooner she starts on an anti-inflammatory, the better. You should also let the vet know that she's been biting at her back leg. Even though it's not obsessive, it might progress to be so. The vet can prescribe Gabapentin to help with that. Neuropathic pain can become quite a serious issue causing burning, on-fire pain so please keep your eye on that. Here's more info: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/neuropathy.pdfPlease try to get her in to be examined ASAP today. We'll be anxiously waiting word as to what the vet says after his exam of Lupi. |
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Mar 3, 2014 8:39:57 GMT -7
Ok, I'm taking work off so I can take her to the vet.
Lupi seems about the same this morning. A little wobbly when I took her out to pee and she was grunting as she squatted. But no further loss of motor function. I didn't give her another Tramadol this morning, since I don't want her symptoms to be masked when the vet sees her. She ate heartily this morning and is resting in her kennel until we go.
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Mar 3, 2014 11:36:50 GMT -7
Well, in typical Dachshund fashion, Lupi hid her pain pretty well at the vets. He did observe slight wobbliness in her gait and tension in her tummy.
Based on my description of her symptoms and her medical history, he prescribed the strict medical rest again. She gets Metacam again, Tramadol and a stomach protector. Just waiting for those prescriptions to be filled.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 3, 2014 15:24:55 GMT -7
Do keep an eye on the biting... an e-collar plus gabapentin would be needed.
When the Rx is filled, do fill on in on the med details of mgs and how many times a day.
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Mar 3, 2014 16:33:06 GMT -7
Thanks Paula.
Lupi hasn't been biting at her leg today, so that's good.
The meds she is on are:
Meloxicam 1.5 mg/24 hrs. I think. Instead of pre-filled syringes, I got a bottle this time. It comes with a syringe with markers indicating how much to fill, based on weight. Lupi is about 8 Kilos now (we brought her weight down over the last few months) so I fill it to that line and squirt it on her food.
Tramadol 20 mg every 8 hours, or as needed.
Omeprazole (stomach protector) 10 mg every 24 hours.
I have to admit, it's disheartening to be starting back at square one. The good news is, it worked for Lupi last time. We already know she responds well to the meds and is reasonably calm in her crate. And I have everything I need for her from last time.
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 3, 2014 17:17:48 GMT -7
Has the Tramadol gotten Lupi's pain completely under control now, Nicole? Tramadol works best when given consistently every 8 hours and not only as needed. The vet has room to move the dosage up if Lupi still has any signs of pain. Also Methocarbamol and Gabapentin can be added. You may already know this from the last time so forgive me if I'm repeating things but there should be no sign of pain from one dose of the meds to the next dose.
I know how disheartening it is to have a disc episode occur again. But you now have much more knowledge under your belt and that will be a big help in getting Lupi through this episode. And we're here for you, too.
Healing prayers for Lupi.
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Mar 3, 2014 17:46:48 GMT -7
Thanks Marjorie.
I do remember a fair bit since Lupi's last episode was so recent, but I appreciate the reminders!
The Tramadol is working. Lupi just had dinner and is sleeping in her crate again. She slept all afternoon-between the stress of the vets and the sleep-inducing effect of the Tramadol. She peed a couple of hours ago and is no longer trembling or acting like she's uncomfortable. Actually, she just started snoring as I type this! Her pain is definitely milder than it was last time. The emergency vet felt it was likely only one disc involved, whereas last time they suspected there were 3 affected.
On Saturday, we had some friends over with their (younger, much more energetic) dog and I wonder if Lupi played too roughly with him? I had been letting her play with other Dachshunds and she never seemed to have problems with that, but maybe I should have stopped her from playing with dogs altogether. The other unfortunate event was that on the same day, Lupi ran upstairs from our basement. She had never attempted that before, which was why I didn't think to close the door. I'm just trying to figure out what might have caused this, so I can protect her better in the future.
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 3, 2014 18:12:39 GMT -7
So glad to hear Lupi's pain is under control and that the pain is milder this time. It could have been either of those incidents, Nicole, either playing too roughly or her dash up the stairs. Unfortunately, if a disc deteriorates enough, it can tear or rupture if they sneeze. Nothing at all happened to cause either of my Jeremy's two disc episodes. We had had a couple of rainy days prior to the second incident and we spent them quietly at home. That night he was lying in the kitchen and didn't want to get up to go to bed and I knew another disc had gone. We can only protect them as best as we can. This page has a good list of "never again" and "friendly" activities if you haven't seen it: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm |
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 3, 2014 18:18:18 GMT -7
Nicole another episode so close is just well yucky. But you were so on it as soon as you saw any pain which is why she is going to do great. Hang in there and give Lupi gentle pats from Mimi and me.
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Mar 3, 2014 18:25:00 GMT -7
Thanks Jean, I appreciate that.
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 4, 2014 22:19:31 GMT -7
Hi Nicole,
Sending feel better wishes to Lupi.. Keeping you and Lupi in my thoughts and prayers..
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Post by Cal & Boner on Mar 5, 2014 14:05:16 GMT -7
Hi Nicole, I am also going through my second disc episode with my mini doxie, Boner. He went 11 months from his first one to this one and I can sympathize with your disappointment. I have "wiener-proofed" the house since the first time, never let him run around at full speed like I used to, and yet he still is having a flare-up. I too am now re-analyzing everything he has done over the past week trying to figure out what may have caused it. Anyways, just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and Lupi and hoping you both feel better. The hardest thing for me is having to put Boner back on crate rest for 8 weeks. I can't help but think he feels that he is being punished...but, like you mentioned about Lupi, Boner also strolled right into his crate last night on his own when I was getting ready to put him in. Infact, after his first episode, we left the crate out for a few days and he went in it frequently after crate rest was over. So, I decided to leave it open for him with pillow and towels all of the time. I think it has helped with crating him this time because it is not new- it has been his little den for the last 11 months  Hang in there! |
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StevieLuv
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Post by StevieLuv on Mar 6, 2014 8:04:42 GMT -7
Hi Nicole. I'm sorry that Lupi is going throught this again. I KNOW how disheartening this can be. You did a great job of catching her symptoms early and she will benefit greatly from having a very vigilant Mom!
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Mar 7, 2014 15:21:46 GMT -7
Thanks everyone, for your support and well-wishes. It helps a lot. Cal, I'm sorry to hear you're going through this again too. Let's just take it one day at a time and not give up!
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