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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 13, 2014 18:54:44 GMT -7
Hello, I am looking for any help or resources for my 14 year old male dachshund, Frankie. Frankie has a history of back issues. He had surgery to repair a ruptured disc 8 years ago, and has done well until the last few months. This week, he had a very sudden onset of back pain. We crated him and took him to the vet the next day. He was given Rimadyl 2x day and Tramadol 3x day. That evening, he suddenly started yelping in pain and we had to rush him to the ER. They suspected ruptured disc in neck. Gave him an injection for the immediate pain and told us to continue with the previous meds, and added Gabapentin 3x day. This afternoon he seemed to have pain coming back (panting, unable to get comfortable), so I rushed him to our regular vet for another injection. They added another med., Amantadine 1x day. Given Frankie's age and the high cost of surgery in our area ($10,000+), we would like to try conservative treatments, but this all depends on controlling his pain. He also has trouble walking on front legs now; it's obviously painful, so it makes taking him out to pee an ordeal. I am terrified of another awful episode like we had last night. Was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations or experience to share. Thanks.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 14, 2014 4:36:29 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Laura. 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.htm100% 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.htmCan you give us a bit more in essential information about Frankie: 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. The pain needs to be brought under complete control, with no signs of pain from one dose of the meds to the next. Pain hinders healing. You need to contact the vet today, advise of the signs of pain that you're seeing and the worsening of neuro function (trouble walking on front legs) so the meds can be adjusted. 4. What are the exact doses in mgs of all meds? What were the names of the injections given? 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.htmlRimadyl - ?? mg 2x/day Tramadol - ?? mg 3x/day Gabapentin - ?? mg 3x/day Amantadine - ?? mg 1x/day Once we have the exact dosages of each med, we can advise you further as to what can be increased. Methocarbamol can also be added to address the pain from muscles spasms which are common with neck problems. Neck issues can be much more painful than back issues and can take longer to resolve. 5. 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. 6. Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? 7. Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? 8. Eating and drinking OK? 9. Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood? Here are some essential tips on how to deal with neck issues, such as raising food/water dishes, softening hard kibble, etc.: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmLaser 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. The main thing right now is to get that pain under control. It can take some tweaking of the pain meds to get the right combination but once the pain is brought under control, things will get much better and then Frankie will be able to rest comfortably for the rest of the 8 weeks of crate rest. We're here for you and Frankie, Laura, and will help you through this. Healing prayers for Frankie. |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 14, 2014 15:22:30 GMT -7
Hi Marjorie, thanks so much for the support - this list is an awesome resource. Frankie had a better day today; I think his pain is under control now. Here are the answers to your questions: Frankie's back pain started very suddenly the evening of 3/11. I crated him immediately and gave him some Tramadol and Methocarbomal that evening, leftover from an earlier, milder episode in January (he was just recently off crate rest for that episode, which was his back, not his neck). I gave him an expired Rimadyl the next morning and took him to the vet early afternoon on 3/12 when he still seemed to be in pain. We were told to continue the meds and sent home with a new bottle of Rimadyl. That evening, 3/12, he suddenly started crying in pain and we rushed him to the ER. He was given an injection of hydromorphone 2mg and put on the following: Gabapentin 1ml every 8 hrs. (newly added) Tramadol 18.75 mg. every 8 hrs. (continued) Rimadyl 3/4 of a 25 mg. tablet every 12 hrs. (continued) The next day, 3/13 he started showing signs of pain returning (panting, unable to get comfortable) so I took him back to the vet and asked for another injection. He was given Buprenorphine injection and a fourth pain med. was added: Amantadine 25mg. once daily I just learned about the Pepcid last night and am starting him on it today (vet said it was OK). Frankie is able to walk, but is pretty wobbly on his front legs. He is able to pee and poop on his own. His poops are fine. He is eating and drinking normally. (Although he refuses to eat his kibble and only wants wet dog food.) I've been watching him closely today, and he's been resting quietly and not showing signs of the pain returning, so I hope we have the pain under control now. He hates being in his crate and will whine and ask to lie on the couch with me, so the 100% strict crate rest will be a challenge. I will review the resources you suggested - thanks so much again! Laura P.S. Hi Marjorie, I spoke too soon about Frankie's digestion: he just had diarrhea tonight.  Called ER vet and they said it's probably combination of Amantadine and food change (him refusing kibble and only eating canned food I've been giving him with Rimadyl). They want to give him antibiotic metronidazole for a week and NOT give him the Rimadyl tonight, but I am scared to skip the Rimadyl since we just got his pain under control today! They also said to switch him to bland diet of rice and chicken immediately. |
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 14, 2014 21:18:58 GMT -7
Hi Laura,
Hopefully Frankie won't have to be off Rimadyl for long. Hope the bland diet helps settle his stomach and GI tract.. Please keep us posted..
When he's feeling better you can offer him his kibble with some warm water added or low salt broth to entice him to eat his regular food.
Feel better Frankie!
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 15, 2014 12:16:59 GMT -7
Hi Pauliana, Frankie took a turn for the worse today. His diarrhea turned bloody. Vet said to take him off all food and off Rimadyl for 24 hours. He started the antibiotic this morning (before the bleeding started). Very concerned about how to keep his pain at bay without the Rimadyl (he is on three other pain meds, but the Rimadyl I understand is a key one that he really needs). Afraid we will be back in the ER tonight, with no options, since he can't switch to prednisone yet. Do you have any advice? Thank you!!!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 15, 2014 12:36:51 GMT -7
Laura, make sure you are STRONGLY advocating for a 2nd GI tract protector to be on board in addition to Pepcid AC. Sucralfate reading here so you know the timing with food, with Pepcid AC: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html RE: Pepcid AC how many mgs, how many times a day are you giving? hydromorphone 2m injection 3/12 Gabapentin 1ml every 8 hrs. (3/12 added) Tramadol 18.75 mg. every 8 hrs. (continued) Rimadyl 3/4 of a 25 mg. tablet every 12 hrs. (stopped 3/14) metronidazoleBuprenorphine injection 3/13 Amantadine 25mg. once daily (added 3/13) Pepcid AC (added 3/14) Rimadyl is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatories work over 7-30 days to get all the swelling down in the spinal cord. The pain meds work to immediately mask pain while an anti-inflammatory does its job. So very often with a neck disc there is a lot of pain stemming from muscle spasms. The med that addresses this particular pain is methocarbamol, a muscle relaxer. Do your reading about this drug here: www.marvistavet.com/html/methocarbamol.htmlIt can take trying different pain meds to find what works for Frankie. There is no one size fits all drugs. Pain control is dependant on the right dose in mgs, the right frequency and the right combo of pain meds. Have you implemented these extra things you can do at home for a neck disc? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmHow much does Frankie weigh? What city/state do you live in? |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 15, 2014 20:22:35 GMT -7
Hello Paula:
Frankie weighs about 16 lbs. and we live in Alexandria, VA. The vet said to take 1/4 tablet of Pepcid ac two times a day, so the dose would be 5 mg. per day. Should we increase it? I will ask the vet to add the second medication you suggested. We had a prescription for methocarbomal from his earlier episode in January, and I tried giving it to him the first night he had symptoms this week; it didn't seem to help much, and wasn't prescribed for the current episode, but I will keep this in mind. I have a question:
Frankie is currently off the Rimadyl for 24 hours, so he would resume the medication tomorrow morning. If he seems fine pain-wise without the Rimadyl, then is it OK to stop it? Or do you think it's important to take it for 7-10 days? Also, does it take a long time to leave his system, so maybe he'll still be feeling the effects of it tomorrow morning if it looks like he doesn't need it? What do you advise? I'm inclined to get him off any unnecessary meds as soon as possible due to the side effects.
We had a tough day today with all the diarrhea and frequent trips outside (so much for crate rest). The amazing thing was that Frankie actually seemed to be feeling a little peppy this afternoon. He is trying to take off when we take him out, and he was wanting to chase a bird in the yard today. So he definitely seems to be feeling better. Hope we can get the GI issue under control so he will turn the corner.
P.S. I guess there is a possibility that Frankie didn't actually rupture a disc, since it was not confirmed with any imaging; it was just suspected to be the cause of the intense, worsening pain he had.
Thanks again,
Laura
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 15, 2014 20:42:35 GMT -7
Hi Laura, The dose for Pepcid AC should be 5mg every 12 hours. If Frankie is put on Sucralfate as well as the Pepcid AC he can safely take the Rimadyl. But don't give him the Rimadyl until he is.. If you haven't already please read the link that explains about the Sucralfate that Paula posted.. Rimadyl isn't a pain reliever it is an anti inflammatory. The only way to tell if the swelling is gone is to take him completely off the Tramadol, Gabapentin and Amantadine and if he doesn't have any signs of pain, that would mean the swelling that has been causing the pain has been resolved and he would need no medications at all. If he did show pain he would need to immediately go back on all his medications.. Has he been showing any signs of pain while off the Rimadyl? He might not if the pain medications are masking the pain. Discuss with your vet your concerns about Rimadyl and ask about Sucralfate.. It works well because it heals the irritated GI tract.. Pepcid works on stomach acid prevention that is so common with NSAIDS and Steroids. Thanks for keeping us posted on how Frankie is doing.. In response to your PS.. Is Frankie still walking wobbly on his front legs as well as intense pain, both are a sign of a cervical disc episode.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 16, 2014 8:08:43 GMT -7
Hi Pauliana, I just spoke to the ER vet this morning and they won't give him the Sucralfate. They seem to think that the Rimadyl is causing his diarrhea, even though I explained that he was on it for two days before the d. started. They said to keep him off the Rimadyl this morning, feed him, see if the d. is resolved, then give him the Rimadyl tonight (which I don't want to do). They didn't seem that concerned about the bleeding.
I am very frustrated!!! They said he would need to be seen again to be sure the d. is resolved before giving him the Sucralfate. That would mean another ER visit today, or another visit to our regular vet tomorrow. Either way, my husband and I both need to go back to work tomorrow and were hoping to have Frankie's situation under control. Fortunately, he is not showing signs of pain (yet) while off the Rimadyl. I was hoping to drop one of the drugs, Amantadine, today that may have caused the d., but without the Rimadyl I don't want to drop anything else. Grr!
Thanks,
Laura
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 16, 2014 8:38:57 GMT -7
Yes, of course, the Rimadyl has caused the GI tract problems!!! Rimadyl HAS also damaged his stomach's mucus lining resulting in the blood in the diarrhea. It is madness to go back on Rimadyl without proper stomach protection of both Pepcid AC (famotidine) PLUS sucralfate. That ER vet you spoke with is not appreciative of taking all safety measures possible to help Frankie. Do you have another ER in town to call in to see if they are comfortable in stomach protection and helping what has been damaged to heal better? 1. Sucralfate is not merely a physical barrier to stomach acids. It thickens the stomach mucus to prevent bicarbonate from being swept away too quickly, which in turn encourages more acid-neutralizing bicarbonate production. Sucralfate also stimulates healing blood flow to damaged areas. This med also increases the body's hormone which plays a role in healing of damaged stomach tissues. www.readabstracts.com/Health-care-industry/Mechanisms-of-gastroduodenal-protection-by-sucralfate-Acid-secretory-responses-and-parietal-cell-sen.html#b#ixzz1yG2OloZI [Dr. W.D.W. Reese on Gastric Mucosa] 2. Aggressive administration of gastrointestinal mucosa protectants (Table 3) is warranted as a precaution for seven to 10 days after exposure to carprofen [Rimadyl] overdoses: misoprostol. Additionally, gastric acid production can be decreased with an H2 antagonist, such as famotidine, or the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole. A third measure to minimize the potential for ulcerative effects is to administer sucralfate, which reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form a protective paste at the site of ulceration.2 Sucralfate administration is recommended 30 minutes before an H2 antagonist or proton pump inhibitor since it requires an acidic environment to be efficacious.2 Jul 1, 2009 By: Donna Mensching, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT, Petra A. Volmer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT VETERINARY MEDICINE veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=608397&pageID=1&sk=&date=Until you can get in contact via phone with your regular vet to get an Rx for Sucralfate, I would not give Rimadyl. Hold the pain meds as is until Monday. Pain meds do not cause stomach bleeding. It may be on Monday after discussion with your regular vet, you would give a test try to back off the pain meds to get a clear picture if all the painful spinal cord swelling has indeed been resolved. Normally when the vet guesses swelling might be gone there will be a stop of anti-inflammatory and pain meds. Usually the first course of anti-inflammatory will be 5 or 7 days and then a test stop. Your job at home would be to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for any hint of pain. To have a clear picture on a stop, pain meds are also stopped or backed off too. Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on anti-inflammatory, pain meds and Pepcid AC needed. How is the diarrhea today, firming up a bit? How much does Frankie weigh? |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 16, 2014 19:59:50 GMT -7
Hi Paula, Frankie weighs about 16 lbs. He's had no diarrhea (or poop) since last night, and I fed him rice with chicken broth twice today. Since we are having snow tonight and my regular vet might be closed tomorrow, I ended up taking him back to the ER this evening and asking for a consult with one of the vets on his medications. (My earlier phone call today was with one of the staff, not a vet.) So the good news is I was able to get the Sucralfate for him - yeah! But I was told to keep him off the Rimadyl for a few days to give his system a break, then re-assess whether to put him back on this or another medication for the inflammation. They said prednisone causes the same issues as Rimadyl, plus other side effects. What do you think about this? If he's off the R. for 7 days, we could try prednisone, if needed. They said the R. was causing the diarrhea and bleeding and that the bleeding was intestinal, not stomach. Overall, Frankie had a pretty good day today, and I was relieved that his pain was still controlled.
Thanks again,
Laura
P.S. I was told I could start him on the Sucralfate right away, and that it might help with any stomach irritation caused by the high number of meds he's on, but I haven't started it yet, since I thought it was mainly needed for the Rimadyl. I am continuing to give him Pepcid, and I was told I could also try Prilosec.
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 16, 2014 20:32:51 GMT -7
Laura,
What instructions did the Vet give you regarding the Sucralfate? It is needed now to heal his intestinal tract.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 17, 2014 7:35:37 GMT -7
Laura, let us know you had immediately started sucralfate in addition to Pepcid AC as Pauli pointed out! His GI tract whether that be the stomach (evidence of black blood in poop) or the intestines (red blood in poop) needs protection and help healing the damaged area. Diareah is evidence Rimadyl is causing a problem somewhere... prompt action with Pepcid AC and sucralfate is to ward off symptoms worsening to bloody poop and to help heal where there is already any disruptions in the GI tract lining that may not be bleeding but will if not protected.
Let us know what your DVM vet discusses with you about Rimadyl if open this am.
How is pain this am, any showing?
As long as he is not showing pain and if you can't contact your general DVM due to snow today, I would hold off on Rimadyl as the ER vet told you til you can speak with your own vet.
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 17, 2014 8:16:14 GMT -7
Hi, I didn't realize the Sucralfate would help the intestines; I thought it was just for his stomach. I will start him on it right away. Do you have any tips about giving it? It's a pill, but I was told to dissolve it in water and then give it with a syringe (will be hard). Also, I was told to give it 30 minutes or an hour before the medications.
Thanks,
Laura
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Post by Rose & Lewis on Mar 17, 2014 9:17:59 GMT -7
Laura the best and 1st go to place to learn about your dog's med's is www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html. Look up sucralfate to learn all the timing considerations with Pepcid AC and with food. I have just given it as prescribed by my vet as a pill-- NOT in a solution. Likely you would cut the 1 gram pill in half and dose 500 MGS. Let us know the prescription your vet gave you (MSG, x/day) |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 17, 2014 11:12:32 GMT -7
Hi Paula, the dose is:
1 gram
Give 1 tablet, dissolved in water, every 8 hours for 7-10 days.
Thanks for the pharmacy link,
Laura
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Post by Rose & Lewis on Mar 17, 2014 11:27:22 GMT -7
Full tablet is pretty large. Might want to cut tablet in half. Dose in two parts.
Most dogs like sweets.
Microwave a sweet potatoe as you would for yourself. It is very nutritious and can be digested by dogs when microwaved til soft.
Use a small portion to insert pill. Hold another small piece in eye's view to let your dog know there is another gooddie coming as soon as the first is gobbled up.
after dry pill ALWAYS follow up with tuna water or other no salt low-fat broth. The lining of the esophagus is very delicate and it is not designed to have irritating medications in contact with it for more than the short amount of time it should take for the pill to pass from the mouth to the stomach when swallowed with an adequate amount of liquid or food.
Good video on how to pill a dog.
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 17, 2014 15:50:38 GMT -7
Thanks so much, Paula. I read the page you suggested on Sucralfate and I didn't seen any mention of Pepcid, only to give one hour before food, on an empty stomach. I'm confused about the timing with Pepcid. When should I give Frankie the Pepcid?
Thanks,
Laura
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 17, 2014 16:58:06 GMT -7
Reading up about Pepcid AC (famotidine) also at the Marvista Vet Site www.marvistavet.com/html/famotidine.html we learn that Pepcid AC "Famotidine is 32 times stronger in its ability to inhibit stomach acid than is cimetidine and is 9 times stronger than ranitidine." Laura, here is how to read the Sucralfate article on marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html"Sucralfate requires stomach acid in order to form its protective gel. If possible, it should be given 30 minutes prior to the administration of an antacid."
"Ideally, this medication [sucralfate] is given on an empty stomach (at least one hour before feeding or two hours after)."So this is what the two quotes would mean in this med schedule" --You could choose to give sucralfate 1 hour before a meal --Give Pepcid AC 30 minutes before a meal and give Rimadyl along with the meal. Pain meds could be given with a meal too. Do you have a med chart, I found one helped to get the meds on time. Here is a sample one: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/crateRRP/medchart.pdfHope this helps you out. |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 18, 2014 7:51:57 GMT -7
Thank you, Paula! I tried to google a medication chart a few days ago, but couldn't find a good one. This will work great. My husband just left for a work trip, leaving me with Frankie and our 4 year old daughter, so I've decided to hold off on the Rimadyl (or other alternative) until he gets back on Friday, in case Frankie has a bad reaction. Two questions:
1) Frankie hasn't pooped since Saturday night (when he still had diarrhea). Should I be concerned? I did give him some pumpkin yesterday and today. I am feeding him chicken and brown rice. He's on the metronidazole for 10 days.
2) In your experience, have dogs with bleeding been able to tolerate the Rimadyl once the Sucralfate and Pepcid are used? I'm concerned about resuming the Rimadyl and not all that confident in our regular vet, who had told me to skip the Rimadyl for just 24 hours (before the Sucralfate was added by the ER vet).
Thanks again,
Laura
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 18, 2014 10:57:56 GMT -7
Laura, I understand your concern with your husband's trip. So let's talk about your concerns. POOP. Are you incorporating equal parts of liquid as his food at each meal time? Adding fiber but not increasing liquid would firm up stools causing constipation. Adding the extra liquid helps to soften stools helping them move through the digestive tract. The bland diet is ok for a few days but does not have the complete nutrition needed for all the repair jobs Frankie's body is doing. Can you slowly over the course of a couple of days transition back to his normal kibble meal? Both tramadol and sucralfate can have the side effect of constipation. So I would give the 1 teaspoon of pureed pumpkin 1x/day. ANTI INFLAMMATORY. If Frankie turns out to have the need to go back on Rimadyl, I would have two GI tract protectors on board (Pepcid AC and Sucralfate) for the duration of Rimadyl. How do you know if there is a need to be on an anti-inflammatory? There is only one way to know. If backed off or stopped the pain meds AND off Rimadyl you see no signs of pain then there is no reason to expose Frankie to risks of taking an anti-inflammatory. Pain = swelling in the spinal cord = more time needed on anti-inflammatory, pain meds, Pepcid AC, Sucralfate. So a good plan is to discuss today about doing a test during the weekday rather than a weekend and a plan B if you see pain With backing off the pain meds or stopping, be observant for any tiny hint of pain surfacing (shivering, won't move much, yelps, etc.) Then with plan B should pain surface at night you know what to do until the vet opens in the morning. The vet always needs to be in the loop about pain as soon as it is possible. When on any meds, especially any anti-inflammatory it is good to know what you are supposed to be watching for regarding serious side effects. The FDA pamphlet is must reading for those signs. www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htm You may also like to post our Frigde Flyer so you and your husband have handy other general IVDD emergency signs too: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdfCan you update us on his med list on what you are currently giving: 16 lbs Rimadyl 3/11- 25 mg. 2x/day; STOPPED 3/14 Sucralfate 3/17- 1 gram dissolved in water, 3x/day for 7-10 days. Pepcid AC 3/14 5mg 1x/day Gabapentin 1ml 3x/day Amantadine 25mg. 1x/day Tramadol 25 mg. 3x/day. Metronidazole, 1/4 of a 250 mg. tablet 2x day |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 18, 2014 19:08:57 GMT -7
Hi Paula, I can try to transition Frankie back to his kibble, but it might be easier to just give him a doggy vitamin. He was never keen on the kibble, even before his injury. I will try mixing the kibble with the turkey/rice and see what happens. I think my other dog, Ellie the dalmatian, would be more than happy to eat the extra turkey/rice!
I will try adding more water to his food. Still no poop today, so it's been 3 days now. I'm going to talk to his regular vet tomorrow and will ask her about this.
I'm going to start gradually reducing the pain meds on Friday when my husband gets back, and will plan in advance with the vet which anti-inflammatory to use if one is needed. Thanks for the guidance. Frankie is gaining strength back in his left front leg now, and is not limping as much, so I hope this means the inflammation is going down! He is a tough little guy and is in really good health overall, aside from his bad back and being slightly overweight. I'm hoping his back issues might improve if I can get him to drop a pound or two.
The only med not on the list is:
Metronidazole, 1/4 of a 250 mg. tablet 2x day
And the Tramadol dose is 25 mg. 3x day
Thanks,
Laura
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Mar 19, 2014 5:10:15 GMT -7
Laura,
I think you have a good plan in place to address the taper overal. Don't focus on weight loss for Frankie now, he needs all his food and nutrients to heal his body. Weight loss can come after crate rest is over.
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 19, 2014 9:37:49 GMT -7
Hi Jean and Mimi,
I just spoke to Frankie's regular vet, who called me to check up on him. She's the one who first saw him last Wednesday for this injury. I told her I wanted to start backing him off the pain meds on Friday to see if he needs to go back on the anti-inflammatory, but she said she would leave him on the pain meds another week, since he's doing so well after being so painful last week, and since his front left leg is getting stronger. She says he may not need the anti-inflammatory if the swelling is going down over time on its own. What do you think about this?
Frankie ate half turkey/rice and half kibble this morning, so he seems to be OK with the kibble. He also started pooping again, once I added the water to his food with the pumpkin. He's getting peppy now, and will try to take off if I don't keep him on a tight leash.
Thanks,
Laura
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,549
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 19, 2014 20:07:50 GMT -7
You will know with certainty that all the swelling is really gone only after stopping pain meds too. If you feel comfortable with the vet's procedure, then go with it. Do transistion to the kibble slowly a bit more at each meal over a couple of days until he is on kibble. Then top off with not more than 10-15% of the turkey, beef, etc. so that you are not throwing the kibble's phosphorus to calcium balance off. 10 to 15% isn’t very much. For example, if you feed a dog 1/3 of a cup which is 5 tablespoons which is 15 teaspons, then you should only supplement with a max 1 and ½ to 2 teaspoons of homemade on top. Maybe at potty time a 6 foot diameter fenced area is needed to keep Frankie from trying to take off, doing too much back movement? Both the visual and the physical barrier lets him know there will be no darting off nor any sniff festing going on!  |
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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 Mar 25, 2014 9:23:55 GMT -7
How is Frankie doing???
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 26, 2014 8:31:20 GMT -7
Frankie is doing great!!! No sign of pain returning, and we've stretched Tramadol/Gabapentin from 8 to 12 hours now. Still on once daily Amantadine. Limp in front leg is gone, and he is ready to take off and run (if we let him). Hard to believe how quickly he has improved. Thanks again for all the support!
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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 Mar 26, 2014 10:00:11 GMT -7
Sometimes the greatest challenges that we face are the ones that surface when they start to feel better! Is he wearing a harness when he goes outside so that he can't take off?? I nearly had a heart attack the first time that Stevie did that - she's boogying across the back yard doing what I called the zombie crawl because her back legs weren't really working at that point, and I still had a devil of time catching up with her! This was waaaayyyy before I knew about Dodgers List - you can create a confined area with an ex pen or push in the ground garden edging - and avoid having to chase a very fast "zombie crawler" that can risk a re-injury. Good to hear that Frankie is feeling so much better!  |
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Post by Laura & Frankie on Mar 26, 2014 20:16:14 GMT -7
Thanks so much! That's our concern as well, that he'll take off, but we do have him on a harness so he can't slip away. It's great to see him back to his old perky self. Now we're just counting down the days/weeks of crate rest (6 more weeks). Thanks again for all the support and suggestions you've all provided to help us get through this!
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Called ER vet and they said it's probably combination of Amantadine and food change (him refusing kibble and only eating canned food I've been giving him with Rimadyl). They want to give him antibiotic metronidazole for a week and NOT give him the Rimadyl tonight, but I am scared to skip the Rimadyl since we just got his pain under control today! They also said to switch him to bland diet of rice and chicken immediately.
