Hi, I'm Jean - what's your name?
Welcome to Dodgerslist. First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for Winnie to get back to enjoying life after recovering. All of our moderators have dogs who have been through IVDD and can tell you that conservative treatment can and does work.
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 Add this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD
www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm Tape this flyer to your fridge so the whole family knows what things are emergencies:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdfIn order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? I filled in what you mentioned in your original post.
► What is your dog's name? Your name, too. --> Winnie
► What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc? --> 3/18/14
► What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for this current disc episode? …. STRICT means 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)?
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 confirm this is the method you are using for 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? --> you note that there is still pain, especially close to medication time.
► How much does your dog weigh? List the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and times per day given? --> you note the following...is anything missing? 18 lbs, Robaxin-V 500 mg. 1/2 tab. 2 times a day : Rimadyl 75 mg 1/4 tab. 2 times a day
You didn't mention a stomach protector. NSAIDS like Rimadyl can cause gastrointestinal distress. 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.
► Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? --> he can happy tail wag when spoken to or when he sees you.
The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment nt once off of all meds and there is no more pain. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm► Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? Still needs to test.
► Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark or bright red blood? Hasn't peed or pooped yet.
► 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.
Let's address Winnie's pain first. Have no tolerance for pain. Pain prevents healing so you need to get Winnie's pain under control so full healing can begin. I am still learning a great deal about the medications that can be used for IVDD, but from my limited knowledge your vet has several options to help control Winnie's pain. RIght now, Winnie is only on Robaxin for pain, which is a muscle relaxer and can help with muscle spasms. Your vet can add Tramadol, which is a great pain reliever and or Gabapentin, which works synergistically with Tramadol to control pain further. Please contact your vet and advocate for further pain management for Winnie.
Welcome to the board and know that you will get through this, and so will Winnie
