Joanne's Jasmine 2/2 Conservative -Calgary, Alberta CANADA

Welcome to Dodgerslist Joanne! Please let your Jasmine know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link:    www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions?

-- Did you start  the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for 8 weeks on February 2nd?  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)?

-- What are the dosages of  Tramadol and Robaxin their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC.  

--What is   "apo-melodic am oral"  I did a search for it and there is no information anywhere.. Never have heard of it. 

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.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

No water therapy until the 8 weeks of crate rest/ Playpen/ recovery suite  has been completed.  The focus right now is on healing the disc and lack of movement and crate rest is the only thing that can do that. Think of the crate as a cast on a broken leg..  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm     www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm

-- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood?

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] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.

Sending healing prayers across the miles..

As Paula recommended, it's most important that Jasmine have a stomach protector on board to protect against the side effects of the Meloxicam. Not having solid poop is a red flag sign that a GI tract problem may be developing. Please contact your vet TODAY to ask him if there is any medical reason Jasmine may not take Pepcid AC. If your vet says your dog has no health issues such as liver, heart, etc to keep her from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board - 5 mg of Pepcid AC (Famatidine) 30 mins before the Meloxicam and every 30 minutes thereafter.

No baths while on crate rest. A wet dog is a slippery dog and it's too risky. Plus too much movement during bath time. Wash with a damp cloth right in the crate with as little movement as possible. For urine, make up a pot of green tea, let it cool and then use to wipe with a cloth. The remaining green tea can be kept in the fridge for later re-heating and use. The green tea neutralizes the acidity of the urine and helps prevent urine burn and leaves a nice smell.

The massage/passive exercises given in the link by Pauliana also need to wait until Jasmine is off of all medication and there is no pain.

Did the vet say this could be a neck issue? She seems to be having pain in her neck, wanting her head propped up. If that is still the case, you'll need to let your vet know about this so her meds can be adjusted. Neck problems can be more painful than back issues. Gabapentin can be added to the mix of pain meds. There should be no signs of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Pain hinders healing.

If this is a neck issue, please check out this page for tips such as raising the water/food dishes so she doesn't have to bend her neck down, soaking kibble, etc.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm

How are you doing with expressing? Are you getting a couple of good streams of urine each time? Finding wet bedding or does Jasmine leak when picked up? How often are you expressing?

Healing prayers for Jasmine.

Hi Joanne,

I wouldn't advise any over the counter muscle relaxer for a dog and never use Aspirin with a dog that has IVDD. : )

Jasmine needs the Meloxicam to deal with the inflammation, it's the inflammation that is causing the pain..The pain meds give her comfort from pain while the anti inflammatory works on the swelling. That process takes a week or two and sometimes longer.. Being without the Meloxicam brings that process to a stop.. 

Does Jasmine have any heart or liver problems?  If not Pepcid AC is available at any grocery store or drug store. Buy the 10 mg original strength..For our small dogs we use half a tablet every 12 hours.  Give it a half hour before the Meloxicam.  It is a safe over the counter stomach protector that works quickly.   Also always give Meloxicam with a meal to give her stomach extra protection. Discuss this with her vet and insist you want her to be on Sucralfate. It works differently to heal the stomach lining..

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.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/stomachProtection.htm
www.petplace.com/drug-library/famotidine-pepcid/page1.aspx

Here is a link about choosing an IVDD Vet. It has lots of tips on how to talk to your Vet that is treating your dog for this condition.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/VetchkList.htm

So glad you're getting Jasmine checked out in the morning, Joanne. The vet will be able to prescribe something besides Pepcid AC to protect Jasmine's systems for side effects. Having blood in her poop is a red flag for GI distress. Possibly Sucralfate could be prescribed. That works well to heal damaged stomach tissues.

We'll be awaiting word of how the visit goes.

Joanne, the good news in all this is you were educated enough to recognized flag advice. Just as all and doctors don't know every disease for the one species, the human species, they treat, it goes with vets they may not know every disease for each species (birds, dogs, cats, reptiles, farm animals) they treat.  That is why we say owners NEED to know just one disease, the one their dog has. 

Check our vet recommendation directory.http://dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting What is your city/state in case another member can help with a vet recommendation

No one can say a dog will never walk again, unless it was the surgeon who actually saw the spinal cord severed. Nerves do have the potential to heal.

Pain stems from difference sources. Methocarbamol deals with the pain from muscle spasms.  So let us know if pain is fully under control, if  not she does need vet help to get the pain meds Rx'd at the higher dose.

methocarbamol  off
Tramadol 35mg ▼from 50mg every 8 hrs
apo-meloxicam 10ml 1 x day
pepcid ac

I see you must live in Canada with the APO-Meloxicam Rx.  Sometimes names of meds are different country to country, so I have noted in the subject line CANADA.

Joanne can you tell us the specifics.. exact names of meds and their dose in mg or ml. It appears you increased dose on a liquid med, apo-meloxicam which is not a pain medication but an anti-inflammatory.  Did the vet Rx that increase? If not, do get on the phone and tell the vet now.

How much does Jasmine weigh?
apo-meloxicam every 24 hrs 10ml
tramadol 50mg every 8 hrs.
methocarbamol  off of as of 3/7
Pepcid AC ? mgs  ?x/day

Is the hard crate an plastic airline crate. The wire crates often are better tolerated for the duration of 8 weeks because of better visibility.

Often it takes being on the anti-inflammatory for 7-30 days. When the vet guesses swelling might be gone he will stop both pain meds and apo-meloxicam. Usually the first anti-inflammatory course will be 5 or 7 days and then a test stop.  With the stop of pain meds and Meloxicam your job at home would be to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for any hint of pain.

Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on anti-inflammaotry, pain meds and Pepcid AC needed.

If you are seeing a tail wag specifically due to  happiness at seeing you, then the next neuro function will liely be leg movements:
Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord, (more info www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htm ) :
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
4. Leg Movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.

You may need to help Jasmine relax in her recovery suite. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best.  It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog.

Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is. Some brands to consider:
--Comfort Zone (DAP) wall plug-in diffuser 48ml www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html
--Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml www.adaptil.com/

Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below (Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price):
Oral calmers:
1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health
2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php

Hi Joanne! I have just caught up on Jasmine's bumpy care so far- you must be frustrated. Well, I'm in Calgary too so I'll share the great care I'm getting. I take Emmie to Calgary Holistic Veterinary (www.calgaryholisticvet.com) and Dr. Qi (pronounced chee) is so gentle and so caring it is amazing. The office staff is helpful and they are open Monday-Friday and they will squish you in when it is emergent. We have a "normal" vet at Calgary North Veterinary hospital and they are great too - but when it came to the alternative care Emmie required after her last back episode they actually recommended this holistic vet and I'm so glad. What kind of dog is Jasmine? You need to get your photo up so we can see your furbaby.

Wonderful news, Joanne!!

Jasmine is continuing to improve we changed vet with the laser treatments the one we went to originally was way to expensive first visit cost 370.00 and follow up visits were 200.00 found one that does 7 visits for 200.00 and we don't pay for an exam each time. Really pays to do research I am sorry I didn't the first time. I don't understand how 1 vet can charge so much than another. Wish there was some kind of standard for a Dr. Visit ranges from 45.00 to 120.00? I am just glad Jasmine is doing better has another treatment Monday.

Joanne,is she still on any meds at this time, can you correct below to her current med list and how much she weighs:
apo-meloxicam every 24 hrs 10ml
tramadol 35mg every 8 hrs.
methocarbamol off of as of 3/7
Pepcid AC ? mgs ?x/day

If you like this new vet for laser treatments, how about sharing to help another member? We have a directory where you can share a vet recommendation: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting

vet recommendations:
Name of Vet
Name of Clinic
Street Address
City:
State or country:
Type of vet (general/board certified surgeon, acupuncture, etc.)
Comments:

Joanne, such wonderful news about Jasmine walking!  I would be sure to let the Vet know that said she would never walk again!  He needs educated!!  

I am so happy for Jasmine and for you!! 

Joanne, I am also in CALGARY, ALBERTA - did you find a vet that specialized in IVDD?? I could really use that information if your willing to pass it along. Lily's first episode started yesterday and Im desperate to do everything I can to help her. Thank you