Jessica' Shiloh 2/6?? conservative

Welcome to Dodgerslist, Jessica. Please let your dog 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

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

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. There still appears to be pain, which must be gotten under control today. 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. There should be no sign of pain from one dose of pain meds to the next. Methocarbamol can be added to help with the pain of muscle spasms.

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 the 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. How are you doing expressing his bladder? Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? How often are you expressing?

7. Eating and drinking OK?

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

Pumpkin can help firm up stools OR it can help to loosen stools. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with a teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. To firm up the stool, add 1 teaspoon pumpkin to kibble and no extra water 1x a day. Note alternatives for constipation: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potato.

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.

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.

Please don't despair. IVDD is not a death sentence. Many dogs regain use of their legs and even if they don't, their lives can be happy ones.
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm

Nerves can take a very long time to heal - months, even a year or more.  There is no time limit for nerve healing.  IVDD is a disease of patience so hang in there.  At this point, his pain needs to be brought under control so he can rest comfortably in the crate for the full 8 weeks and begin the healing process.

Jessica, do your homework on Gabapentin so you can advocate for a med that is often used with a disc episode. Vets are finding good success by adding gabapentin to Tramadol with hard to control pain as these two meds work synergistically. vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-Gabapentin.htm
Most all pharmacies carry a 100mg capsule (the smallest size it comes in)... just call around your local pharmacies for the best price and have your vet call in the Rx.  
 
As an example if Rx'd approx 33mg of gabpentin then,
 Divide the 100mg capsule powder into 3 equal parts by dumping into a creased pieced of paper and with a razor blade move the powder into 3 equal piles.  Store the remainder of the powder piles in one of those 7 day pill boxes with a lid for each day.  NOTE: both tramadol and gabapentin are very bitter tasting. Make sure you do not transfer any dust from your finger to the outside of the pill treat.  I mash a piece of banana, form a ball, make an indentation.  Spoon powder dose into well and close up. If necessary drape a piece of thin deli meat around ball for further tastiness!

Can you tell us if you are giving the the max of methocarbamol  125mg (1/4 tablet) promptly at 4x a day?
Are you promptly giving Tramadol 50mg tablet every 8 hours (3x a day)?

What is the name of the laxitive?

Pepcid AC is available at the grocery store.  The pharmacist can help you locate brand X which is cheaper. Look for a brand x product with only one active ingredient (famotidine) in a 10 mg tab.  A 10mg pill will be easy to cut in have for the 5mg of famotidine to be given 30 mins before Pred.

American Veterinary Medical Association 
www.avma.org  "Animal poisoning by drugs is by far the most common type of small animal poison exposure, accounting for 75% of 1990 toxin exposures as reported by the AAPCC and 82 of 425 fatalities.""Due to the significant toxicity to pets in relatively minimal dosages, the recommendation is clear — Tylenol should not be given to dogs or cats. "