Gwen's Lily 3/3 conservative Boxer

Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name's Marjorie - what's yours?

Will Lily potty inside on a pee pad? You could place a pee pad right outside of the door of her crate, help her out of the crate onto the pee pad and let her do her business right there, if she will. I don't know if you have steps that you would have to carry her down to go outside, but if not, you can put casters on the crate and wheel her outside. Or put a ramp over steps and wheel her wherever she usually goes potty. If you have a deck, you can put some dirt or snow on the deck and wheel her there to do her business. If you do try to lift her, be sure to keep her spine vertical, carrying both ends. You can also drag the crate on a sheet or leave the crate close to an outside door. I know it's a challenge. I had a difficult time with my 32-lb cocker spaniel. I was able to lift him but it did a job on my back!  Here's our video on how to properly lift and carry:


Also for cleanup in the crate, you can brew a pot of green tea, let it cool down and wash Lily with that. Green tea neutralizes the acidity of urine, which helps prevent urine burn and leaves a nice scent.

Can you give us a bit more in essential information about Lily so we can offer you more support?

1. When was the date you saw the vet and what date did you start doing the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?

100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and 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.

www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm


2. Is there still currently pain? Signs of pain are holding the head in an unusual position, head held high or nose to the ground, shivering/trembling, not wanting to move much or moving gingerly, yelping, tight/tense stomach muscles, arched back, holding leg up flamingo style, not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self.

3. What are the exact names, dose in mgs and frequency of all meds? It's important that you be knowledgeable about each medication being given and all cautions concerning them.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm
marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html

4. Pepcid AC should be given to protect your dog from the excess acid produced by the anti-inflammatory. Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before each dose of the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours). Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog 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. Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?

6. Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?

7. Eating and drinking OK?

8. Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood?

The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment once off all meds and there is no pain. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk but only after all meds are stopped and there is no pain. 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] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.

To learn more about IVDD, there's 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

We have a very helpful DVD that will educate you, your family members and friends, pet sitters, etc. about caring for an IVDD dog. Please see the link in my signature line.

We're here for you and Lily and will help you through this.  Healing prayers for Lily.

I have a large dog too, it does make things more difficult with the carrying outside and to the vets as I worry that carrying her will put stress on her spine. We have been supporting Lola with this since feb 28th. She initially could not walk at all, she is now able to hold some weight on both back legs (I continually use a sling for her hind end), moves them as she is walking out to pee, wagging her tail and feeling much livelier than she initially did. She does not now wet in her crate, but she did initially. I bought the washable human bed wetting pads, they are a lot larger than the disposable pads and worked much better for me.  I got the egg crate foam which I covered with a waterproof mattress protector, out a blanket on top of it and the washable incontinence pad on top of the blanket, it was very easy to change the pad as I brought her in from outside. I bought 3 pads which worked great for me. They were around $15 each and well worth it.
i am amazed at the progress Lola has made in just over 2 weeks of crate rest, it really is miraculous how medication for swelling and pain and crate rest can actually bring back movement and feeling. I was feeling hopeless initially at Lola's inability to move at all, her feet were knuckling and no tail movement, she is coming along nicely now, I still do not know the end result for her, but, I am hopeful.