Shelley's Molly 2/28 Conservative Yorkiepoo GRAD: 4/28

Welcome to Dodgerslist, What is your dog's name? Your name, too?

First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for your dog to get back to enjoying life after recovering.

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. Are you ready? Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

Here is a great article that explains how to make your home back friendly! www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm. There is info in the article about training them not to fly..

In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions?

==►What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest?

==► Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?

==► How much does your dog weigh? List the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and times per day given?

Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory.

The best tool for healing short of when surgery is indicated is – Crate rest— 100% STRICT crate rest for 8 weeks. That means 24/7 in the crate except for potty breaks.

No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no Chiro, no VOM. The rest of the details of doing crate rest:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

One reason some vets may be reluctant to give a full prescription of time is knowing many owners will not follow through. Perhaps not fully understanding the reason for it, is why people tend not to do it. Observation of 1000’s of Dodger dogs over years, has shown a conservative approach to crate-rest time, results in fewer relapses. Dodgers prefers the safer, more conservative recommendations of neuros and other vets using 6 or 8 weeks for crate rest.

Canada West Vet Surgeons Dr. Nicholas Sharp, DVM, ACVIM (neurology): Strict rest needs to be maintained by keeping the dog in a small cage for 6-8 weeks and then preventing it from running or jumping for a further month after that. It is necessary to continue rest for conservative treatment for this long period because a disc takes on average about twice as long as a broken bone to heal, as a disc has a very poor blood supply compared to most other tissues including bone. canadawestvets.com/disc-disease/#table-7-1
=========

==► If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs

Everyone here has a dog with IVDD either in an episode now as you are or dogs that have recovered from a past episode. IVDD is a lifetime disease, we will teach you how to care for your dog through out the rest of his life and yes they can have a happy life even with IVDD!  www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm

Hi Shelley, welcome to Dodgerslist...glad you found this site. So to be clear, is Molly still on the Metcam? Or is she off all medication? Is she able to go to the bathroom ok?

Molly definitely needs to wait to go to the groomer until the 8 weeks of strict crate rest is over. If she needs bathing, boil up a pot of green tea and let it cool, then wipe her down in the create with the green tea. It neutralizes odor and keeps them fresh. If there are bits of fur that you can remove on your own with scissors that won't cause her to start or jump, that would be ok. But remember the main part of crate rest is act as a "cast" for the spine so it can heal. If she will jump or make a sudden movement from the hair trim, then just wait until crate rest is over.

Do you move the crate from room to room? This might help to keep her calmer in the crate if she feels like she is with everyone. We had Mimi's ex-pen in the middle of our living room so she could see us if we were in the kitchen or living room, and we moved her into the bedroom with us at night. You could also try draping a towel over the top of her crate to create a den-like feeling. It makes dogs feel secure and safe.

You are doing such a great job for Molly. Keep up the good work.

Hi I have a pickachow his name is magic bean he is almost 2 years old and weighs 7 lbs right now. I so understand the matting my baby was getting ready to go the the groomer like 3 days we where going but then he hurt him self so he had lots of matting by the time he got off crate rest ( few days ago 20th of this month) we took him to the groomer yesterday and ooo boy he sure loved it. Lol. I am slowly letting him walk more. I love this site because before I found it I was thinking it would have been for the best if I put my beaners down and it would have killed me. I have found that it helps to put a shirt u had on in his crate to help him relax. Good luck I know 8 weeks sounds sooo long but it's worth it.