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Post by Laura & Bogart on Jul 26, 2013 5:59:02 GMT -7
My 10 year old Dachshund had surgery yesterday, he had a ruptured disc in his upper lumbar region, I'm not sure which? Anyways, before he went in, he could still walk, wag his tail, and had some reflexes in his feet still, although they would go out on him every once in awhile, he still knew they were there. What can I expect to see when I pick him up on Monday? Will he be able to use his legs still? (we could pick him up today but have decided he should stay the weekend to rest in a kennel, as he does not do well with that at home.) Thanks in advance for the advice!
The vet just called about Bogart, they said everything looks great on him. They said they took him out to the bathroom and he could walk, he was wobbly, but he could walk. He still has control of his bladder and bowels and they said he was very peppy and alert today. Is this unusual for him to be walking not even 24 hours after surgery? I am new to all of this so I want to be as educated as possible before I get him on Monday.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 26, 2013 11:44:11 GMT -7
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 26, 2013 15:12:17 GMT -7
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Jul 30, 2013 7:18:33 GMT -7
Well Bogart came home yesterday. He was VERY excited to see us. I have never seen him that excited before. He was hard to keep calm for the 2 hour car ride back home. He had a good night last night. He slept through the whole night without moving much. He seems to be walking better today, he just wants to walk all the time, although I don't let him! Its so hard to see a dog go through this, but I am so grateful that I was lucky to catch it when I did and got him into surgery right away.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 30, 2013 13:25:36 GMT -7
Very happy Bogart is home and I am sure you are as excited as he is. It is very hard to see our much loved pets go through this, I much agree! Glad he slept well last night and is walking better and you are so right to limit what he does during post op recovery.. His recovery suite is the best place for him now..
Thanks for the wonderful update!
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Jul 31, 2013 12:15:03 GMT -7
Bogart has been a little restless today. He keeps getting up and walking back and forth while he is confined. His last BM was a little runny. Is this normal? Could he have a stomach ache from the medications he is on? (Tramadol, Rimady, and trazodone (for anxiety))
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 31, 2013 12:37:27 GMT -7
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Aug 2, 2013 7:21:23 GMT -7
We got the diarrhea under control and he is off the NSAID, and he doesn't seem to be in any pain.
Does anybody have any advice on how to keep him occupied and quiet? All he wants to do is walk around and bark at everything and play and not listen. I have tried toys, he is on an anti anxiety medicine and that helps a little, but he still does not want to be confined. He is next to me all day and all night so I know he's not lonely. I just can't get him to settle down. I don't think he's in pain, I think he just doesn't want to be confined, he is used to being able to walk around everywhere and check out the noises he hears. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 2, 2013 21:11:11 GMT -7
Hi Laura, Most of the dogs here on Dodgerslist don't like their crate rest. I was lucky with Tyler he had been crate trained while still with his mama dog and always slept in one, his choice.. But most of the dogs don't like it if they aren't used to it.. 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. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: 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 [Composure] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 3, 2013 12:19:42 GMT -7
What is the exact name of the anti-antiety med? Some do as expected while other dog react in the opposite way by becoming excited. So if you can find a solution in the oral calmer Pauliana mentioned that would be best.
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Aug 5, 2013 6:13:37 GMT -7
He is on trazodone, it does work somewhat, but he gets stressed pretty easily. Some days are better than others. Have any of you had luck with the DAP diffuser?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 5, 2013 11:12:45 GMT -7
Many members have found good results with both a diffuser PLUS an oral calmer in use to just relax them. The heavy duty sedatives do not always work the same for all dogs.
If he is rambunctious in his crate, jumping up against the sides, standing up on his back legs, that is not permitted. YOu can lower the recovery suite's ceiling by drapping a blanket down to his eye level.
If he is barking to get your attention…. well, he is trying to train you. Be aware you might be complying with his training program and giving him positive reinforcement he is on the right track. To dogs positives are: food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact, approaching the crate, petting. So anytime you see unwanted behavior from him ignore it, turn your back, leave the room if you have to. Anytime Bogart is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward. Soon he'll learn which of his behaviors receive reward.
At potty times and at PT times you control over him would be a harness and a leash. At potty times in addition you can set up a fence with some of that poke in the ground garden edging fence to let him know he just can be doing sniff fests anymore.
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Aug 5, 2013 12:53:16 GMT -7
Stitches came out today! His vet said he had good reflexes in his back legs and it seems like they are close to normal,and he is progressing very good! He is very mellow today, and was all weekend, hopefully he is getting used to not being able to do anything. I put a radio right by him, so he doesn't hear the random noises outside and that seems to help some.
I will look into the diffuser. It looks like I can get one at our local pet store.
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 6, 2013 18:57:31 GMT -7
Hi Laura,
Looks like Bogart is getting used to crate rest and that is a good thing.. some of them never get used to it, so you are lucky there.. The radio is an excellent idea..
Glad to hear of his his great report at the vet when getting his stitches out..Very encouraging!
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Aug 26, 2013 17:02:35 GMT -7
Update on Bogart. Its been over 4 weeks since his surgery and he is doing very well. I still keep him in his crate most of the time, or tied up so he has a small area that he can be in when I am at work (just a few steps to get to his water). The discharge sheets the surgeon sent home with me said 2-4 weeks of crate rest, then slowly reintroduce them into their normal routine, but everywhere on here says 6 weeks. In all of your opinions, what is the best route to take? Should I start slowly re-introducing him now, or go the full 6 weeks that Dodgerslist recommends and then begin the introduction? He tries to be active ALL the time. He wants to walk around a lot, or run around. Right now, I don't really let him do much. He's been able to walk since surgery, so is it OK to begin a slow introduction to his new "normal"?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 27, 2013 10:13:58 GMT -7
The surgeons at TAMU explain the why of crate rest best: So post op crate rest for 6 weeks means, you do all the PT the surgeon wants. PT is always supervised, slow and deliberate and with your full attention on the dog. When you are not doing PT then back in the crate til graduation day Sept 5. After crate rest has been completed do a slow gradual reintroduction back into physical activity. Schedule idea: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmWSU vet teaching hospital gave me these directions after surgeries with both of my dogs: Returning to exercise should be perforeformed slowly after crate rest. Return to exercise should begin with short (5-10 min/day) scooting or wheelchair or leash walking for the first 1-2 weeks. Observe how this amount of exercise is tolerated. The distance or time can slowly be increased weekly over the next 2 months. If there is pain, difficulty walking stop the exersise right away and consult your vet. After return to exercise maintain a reduction of high impact activty for 6 months (no running, jumping, fetching, etc.) Low impact activity such as leash walking and swiming are good low impact exercise.
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Sept 4, 2013 9:32:34 GMT -7
Tomorrow Bogart graduates from his 6 weeks of crate rest. He is doing great, his back legs are very strong and seems to be walking normal when he is going to the bathroom. He doesn't really seem to have lost any muscle mass in his legs.Can anyone recommend a good harness to get for a dachshund? There are so many out there I am not sure which ones are the best for them.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 4, 2013 12:34:58 GMT -7
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Sept 5, 2013 10:30:36 GMT -7
Congratulations!! You did it!
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Mar 10, 2014 12:46:59 GMT -7
Hello, Bogart had surgery last July and was doing great. Not going up or down stairs, jumping on couches or anything. Saturday afternoon he started limping on his front right paw. We called the emergency vet and got a prescription for Tramadol sent over to our pharmacy to help him over the weekend. I could tell he was in a lot of pain but could not figure out if it was his paw, neck or back. I took him into the vet and she said he shown no neurological signs of another episode but didn't rule it out because last time it happened, it happened gradually. She put pressure all down his back and he seems to be tender in multiple places in his back and didn't want to move his head to the right. When he had his first episode he was only tender in one spot. I did not see him do anything out of the ordinary, or jump off of anything. We have had a lot of snow it is pretty icy out and he has to walk around for a few minutes before he finds his bathroom spot. I try to shovel the snow enough so he isn't sinking in. Its starting to melt now so it is getting heavier to walk in. Do you think he could be sore from that? Right now he is taking Tramadol and Methocarbomal every 8 hours, and is in his crate.
Have any of you experienced something like this before? Do you think it is an IVDD episode or is he just sore?
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 10, 2014 16:45:45 GMT -7
I'm sorry to hear that Bogart is having another disc episode, Laura. It does sound as though this time, it's a disc in his neck. That would make him reluctant to move his head, cause pain and would also cause limping with the front paw. I'm not at all sure why your vet said he wasn't showing neurological signs of another episode as those are definitely signs. Here are some tips on dealing with a cervical issue, such as raising his food/water dishes and soaking his kibble to soften it: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmBogart was born with this disease and it can effect any one of his discs at any time. When a disc degenerates enough, it can tear or rupture. We try to do all that we can to avoid injuries but it can happen even with care. Good job on crating him as that will protect his spine and allow the disc to heal. 1. Anti-inflammatory. Bogart needs to be on an anti-inflammatory to bring the swelling in his neck down. It's most important that this be started ASAP. The swelling is pressing on nerves in his neck and is causing the pain and can cause nerve damage. 2. Pain. Neck episodes can be more painful than back problems and can take longer to resolve. Is Bogart's pain completely under control now? There should be no signs of pain (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, holding leg up flamingo style, not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self). Please let us know what you're observing as to pain. 3. Crate rest. Crate rest is much more strict with conservative care than after surgery. 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.htm4. Meds. 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.htmmarvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html5. Pepcid AC. Once an anti-inflammatory is prescribed, 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. Healing prayers for Bogart.
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Mar 10, 2014 20:48:43 GMT -7
After we went to the vet today, I took him home and put him in his crate and had to go back to work. He has shown absolutely no signs of pain today. You usually can tell when the meds start wearing off because he starts to get restless and not able to get comfortable. Ever since I got home he has seemed free of pain, although he's not able to do much of anything. This weekend he seemed to be in pain constantly, even with the tramadol. I hope this is a sign for good things to come.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,597
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 11, 2014 12:32:05 GMT -7
Laura, please update his med list with mg. Tramadol ?mg 3x day Methocarbomal ? mg 3x day
What did the vet diagnose as the likely cause of the pain, a disc problem or something else? Was the vet a general DVM or his surgical vet who you saw today?
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Mar 12, 2014 9:55:17 GMT -7
It was his general DVM he goes to. The surgeon he went to before is 2 hours away. I have set up a webcam near his crate so I can watch him while I am at work. So far he has been resting comfortably and sleeping most of the day, gets up every once and awhile and adjusts position. (except for the first 30 minutes because he hates to be alone). I live about 3 miles from work so if I see anything wrong I can get home within a few minutes. The vet really didn't give a diagnosis, because they do not have an MRI. She said it could possibly be a disc, but can't say for 100% certain. She said to monitor him and if he shows any increased pain or like before, his legs starting to go out, to then call the University of Minnesota again and schedule an MRI, if financially possible. She also said that it could just be muscloskeletal (sp) because he was showing pain in a few different spots. He has slept through the last few nights with no indications of pain. The first couple nights he was up off and on, while taking the tramadol. Once he got the methocarbomol he has slept soundly. As for his meds, they are at home right now, but for
Tramadol its 1/2 a pill 3x a day Methocarbomol its 1/4 of a pill 3x a day. I'm not sure on the mg of the pills.
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Mar 13, 2014 16:37:19 GMT -7
Well today wasn't a good day for Bogart. I called the University of Minnesota (where he had his surgery) to see when I can get in. I have an appointment for Monday. They said if things turn for the worst (not walking) to bring him in to the emergency room. He still is walking normal as of now. I called my vet and got him on prednisone and Pepcid to hopefully tide him over for the weekend and make him more comfortable. He has been in pain today and hadn't rested at all. He got his first dose of prednisone about an hour ago and finally just laid down.
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Post by Daniel&Peke on Mar 13, 2014 19:59:36 GMT -7
Laura you should ask your vet about vetri disc supplement ..it has really great reviews and my vet said it was a good idea to start giving it to my dog to try to prevent future disc episodes...I mean at this point ..we have nothing to lose.
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Mar 13, 2014 20:43:10 GMT -7
Thanks for the recommendation. Have you been using it? Has it been effective? I will ask my vet about it next time I talk to her. Which hopefully will be after his appointment with the neurologist on Monday, and not sooner. He is asleep for the night, finally is comfortable with no pain. I just took him outside and he is still walking normally, last time this happened he had about a week of pain/meds before his legs started to go.
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Post by Daniel&Peke on Mar 13, 2014 21:43:45 GMT -7
We started giving her the supplement today today...so ill let you know if I see good results.We have been dealing with her neck problem since last December she was doing great until yesterday .we started giving her tramadol and muscle relaxer and she is ok. I have been searching about supplements and here on dodgers list I saw this lady talking about vetri disc so I called my vet and ask about it.... she says lets try it and starts giving her the supplement.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 14, 2014 7:28:56 GMT -7
Laura, can you update us on the exact dosages and frequency given of the current meds? Glad to hear that he's comfortable without pain once again. Please let us know what the surgeon says after the exam and if he confirms this is an IVDD episode. Most surgeons will not operate on a dog that is still walking. The consult with the surgeon would be to get a better diagnosis and help with getting the correct meds on board as Bogart is a good candidate for conservative care with the correct meds. Here are some pages that you should read before your appointment on Monday: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm
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Post by Laura & Bogart on Mar 14, 2014 8:01:18 GMT -7
Right now he is on: Tramadol: 50mg- 1/2 tablet every 8 hrs Methocarbomol: 500mg- 1/4 tablet every 8 hrs Prednisone: 5mg 1 tablet every 12 hours Pepcid: 10mg 1/2 tablet ever 12 hours
A couple hours after he had his first dose of the pepcid/prednisone it seemed he finally got comfortable and slept straight through the night, except for 1 potty break, but I had to wake him up for that. He doeesn't seem to be in pain today, but is very upset to be in his pen. Hopefully he will tire himself out soon and sleep.
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