Lori's Rylie 2/26 Conservative miniature poodle

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Lori & Rylie
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Lori's Rylie 2/26 Conservative miniature poodle Mar 9, 2014 7:58:51 GMT -7

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Post by Lori & Rylie on Mar 9, 2014 7:58:51 GMT -7

Hello, I am Lori, Rylie's owner. So thankful to have found this site. All of the information has been so helpful and has given me encouragement. I was afraid Rylie would have to be put down soon, but I am seeing that she can (and WILL) have a good life!
She is a Miniature Poodle,somewhat of a runt~ Only 7.5 lbs. She will be 11 years old in April.
After noticing that she was lethargic and did not want to sit on my lap for a couple of days, we suddenly found her trembling and not wanting to walk of lay down. Trip to the vet wound up with a diagnosis of IVDD. I was heartbroken. But, I'm much more positive about things now. We are almost 2 weeks into the crate rest.

I allow 10 minutes or fewer of "walking time" daily to eat and potty. She is able to go #2 now, but it takes a bit of "walking" to get the proper stance. I have her in the proper size crate, large enough for her to stand and turn around. She is eating and drinking fine. I am now having a bit more luck getting her to eat in her crate. She is on prednisone and Tramadol currently.

Major questions as I go through this learning process~

1. She is feeling much better and wants to play. I am not allowing that of course. She often sits and stands in her crate. She rolls onto her back, digs at her bedding. Is that alright? Obviously I cannot control every movement she makes in her crate, but I want to be sure she is not doing damage.

2. She loves to prop her head up on her favorite stuffed toys. They give her much comfort. Is that alright?

3. Often, when there is NO ONE else in the house, I will let her out of the crate and into her bed. It is very padded and small. She has wonderful obedience at the command STAY, so I have great luck with that. Usually I only do it when her pain pill or sedative is kicked in, so she naps for LONG periods of time, and is as still as if in her cage, but much happier. Is that alright? When she starts getting restless, back in to the crate she goes.

Any advice on these questions is appreciated. Thank you~

Last Edit: Mar 9, 2014 18:09:44 GMT -7 by PaulaM

Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative

Posts: 5,724

Lori's Rylie 2/26 Conservative miniature poodle Mar 9, 2014 8:59:32 GMT -7

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Post by Marjorie on Mar 9, 2014 8:59:32 GMT -7

Welcome to Dodgerslist, Lori.

The crate rest needs to be kept very strict and you must stay strictly committed to it - 100% 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks. Rylie should not be left out into her bed. 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 doorbell and is truly the safest place for them. Think of the crate as a cast for the spine. She must eat inside the crate. 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

You need to allow her only a very few steps at potty time. The fewer steps, the better. Use a harness and leash to control her steps. You can set up an ex-pen outside or use push-in-the-ground plastic fencing to make a 6' potty area where she can do her business.

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

Can you give us a bit more in essential information about your dog:

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?

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. Poops OK - normal color, 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.

In response to your questions:

1. It sounds like she's feeling better and that's a good thing. I wouldn't be too concerned about the things you mentioned unless she's getting too rambunctious in the crate or jumping up in the crate. This link has a lot of tips on how to calm in the crate: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm

2. She can prop her head up on toys, that's fine.

3. I addressed this one above. She's also on a sedative? Please list the details of that when you respond about all meds in #3 above.

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.

Healing prayers for Rylie.

Order free literature for yourself & others: dodgerslist.com/free-literature-2/

Lori & Rylie
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Posts: 2

Lori's Rylie 2/26 Conservative miniature poodle Mar 9, 2014 12:36:07 GMT -7

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Post by Lori & Rylie on Mar 9, 2014 12:36:07 GMT -7

Thanks for the response~ Rylie has been on crate rest since Feb 26th. She is currently on
7.5 lbs
Tramadol 50 mg, 1/4 pill as needed for pain.
Prednisone ▼5 mg, 1/2 pill every other day (tapering dose).I have given her an
Alprazolam [xanax] .25 mg on a couple of days because she just would not settle down in her crate. I do NOT give with the Tramadol.
She walks very well, I MAY detect a bit of a sloppy gate, but may be because of the medicine/drowsiness.
At potty time she walks, sniffs and urinates fine.I do now see her lift one back leg while having a bowel movement. Poops are mostly solid, a bit yellow, but her dental food has a yellow color to it. I find a small leak in her bed on occasion but that has been happening for a year, with old age, I assumed.
She walks, wags and wants to play! I know I cannot let her at this time.
I will be more strict with crate time and not the bed. Also, will contact vet about the Pepcid AC. I will be taking Rylie to a follow up visit next week, but will call tomorrow.
I am curious why my vet stated that with Rylie being small she may only need 2-4 weeks of crate restriction....... is that a valid point? I will also find an holistic vet for accupuncture treatment.
Again, thanks so much for your help~

Last Edit: Mar 9, 2014 18:12:34 GMT -7 by PaulaM

PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA

Posts: 19,597

Lori's Rylie 2/26 Conservative miniature poodle Mar 9, 2014 18:23:29 GMT -7 StevieLuv likes this

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Post by PaulaM on Mar 9, 2014 18:23:29 GMT -7

Lori, Rylie is going is such a good direction of healing and sounds like you do not see any hint of pain on the tapering of Pred. The taper would be the time to be very observant and report pain right away. Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on Pred, pain meds and Pepcid AC needed.

Lots of wonderful tips to make crate rest go smoother: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm including attaching food and water bowls inside the recovery suite

Conservative treatment is all about learning how long it takes a disc to heal, to form scar tissue. Does the size of your finger, the size of the person, make any difference in how long it takes for a scab to form on a scuffed knuckle? Skin and bones have a very good blood supply to speed scar tissue formation. Discs on the other hand have basically no blood supply and take so long to form strong scar tissue. Moving too early will cause the knuckle to bleed again. With a disc, there's no blood, but disc material pushing on the delicate nerves with the potential for pain and permanent nerve damage (paralysis, loss of bladder control.

Our long term hope is that you will take on the duties of self education to be able to understand the IVDD enemy and take an active roll in working with the vet, be an integral part of making decisions based on a sound understanding, and having the background question any treatments that could be harmful to Rylie. I hope as quickly as time permits, you will begin to devour each of the articles in our Disc Disease 101 area. Rylie is going to be dependent on your abilities.
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

Hi there Guests❗️ REGISTERING would help us to help you and your dog best: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread

Disclaimer:
This information is presented for educational purposes and as a resource for the IVD dog community. The coordinators are not veterinarians or health care professionals. Nothing herein should be interpreted as medical advice and all should contact their pet care professionals for advice. The coordinators are not responsible for the substance and content contained herein and do not advocate any particular product, item or position contained herein.

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Lori's Rylie 2/26 Conservative miniature poodle

Post by Lori & Rylie on Mar 9, 2014 7:58:51 GMT -7

Post by Marjorie on Mar 9, 2014 8:59:32 GMT -7

Post by Lori & Rylie on Mar 9, 2014 12:36:07 GMT -7

Post by PaulaM on Mar 9, 2014 18:23:29 GMT -7