Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23 
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 24, 2014 16:53:02 GMT -7
Hi there. My chi Miley had neck surgery exactly a month ago. She had 5 bulging discs in her neck that were causing here severe pain and paralysis in her front limbs. Long story short after thinking we were going to have to put her down we decided to go forward with the surgery. In the surgery they removed a window of bone over the 5 bulging discs to remove pressure. The dr however could not remove much disc material without compromising complete function of her neck. We were told that it may or may not help her and she may or may not regain movement in her limbs. Well she defied all odds and ; days after surgery was walking and acting like her normal self. It was crazy how quickly she recovered and we have had our old dog back for a month now. Well the problem was she was feeling so good that it was really hard confining her. We did a pretty good job for 2 weeks but the last two weeks we brought her dogs stairs back. She's been a maniac. She has felt so good she has been jumping around way too much. I know it's our fault for allowing this but we just are so happy she feels so good. Well today something has happened and she started acting weird. She's lifting her right paw up and cannot get comfortable. She's obviously having some pain. I gave her tramadol and gabapentin she's been off it for a few days now. We took her for her month follow up today and the vet says all her numerological function is normal now and she's amazed at how well she has done. She says she's hoping she just over did it and to keep her confined all week and on pain meds. She also upped her ▲ pred back up this week by a quarter. I have horrible anxiety right now. Just praying my baby isn't going down hill again. Anyone have any advice for me? The neuro did say that becaz her disc disease is so extensive that at some point she could get bad again. But she was hoping that wouldn't be for a few years ;(((
In addition to her lifting her paw up flamingo style today she also has done a few bows like she did before surgery when she was in pain and circled a few times ;(( I'm freakin out
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 24, 2014 21:14:19 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist! We are really glad you have joined us. I can tell you one of the most important things you can do for your dog is self education about the disease your dog was born with. Knowledge is to make sure the right things are being done for best recovery. And for yourself, knowledge lets you step out of a very scary place…"the unknown" and the toll it can take on emotions. Tips on taking care of a dog with Cervical disc episodes: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmGet ready to fight this disease with this current episode and in the future by knowing how you can help now and after crate rest is over. There is no better place to start than on our main web page covering "All Things IVDD" at this link www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm Tape this flyer to your fridge so the whole family knows what things are emergencies: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdf 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 get a better idea where your dog is post-op, could you please answer these questions? ▷ What is your name? ▷ What was the date of the surgery? Is February 25th the right date? Are you now doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 F or 6 weeks, only out to potty and for surgeon directed PT? …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No chiro (aka VOM)? What did your surgeon direct for PT and 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? ▷ How much does your dog weigh? List the dosages of the Tramadol, Prednisone and Gabapentin and times per day given? What was the start dose if a steroid, date of taper? 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? ▷ Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? ▷ Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark or bright red blood? ▷ 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. Get rid of the doggie stairs, dogs with IVDD can never do stairs.. A ramp is much safer and easier on her neck and back.. Please read this article on how to make your home back and neck friendly: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmYour vet said to crate rest her for one week. Keep in mind that it takes 6 weeks after surgery for the secure scar tissue to develop over her discs..That was a very severe surgery.. Pain equals swelling and possible re injury to those neck discs and that puts her back to square one... She needs at least 6 weeks of STRICT crate rest to heal that damage. We are here to help.. Sending prayers and healing thoughts across the miles.. |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 25, 2014 6:55:51 GMT -7
Thankyou so much for getting back to me! I was very emotional yesterday and blaming myself for not being as strict as I should have with her confinement.
▷ What is your name? Tahnee
▷ What was the date of the surgery? Feb 20 was her surgery date. The vet didn't even expect her to wk for a week or two. Immediatly out of surgery she was walking, wagging her tail and acting completely normal. The neuro was shocked needless to say. Like I stated before they removed the window over her 5 bulging discs. The vet said her neck is like a 14 ur old dogs and she is only 6! So she has made us very aware from the get go that her discs WILL at some point most likely continue to deteriorate becaz she cannot remove all that disc material and keep her neck intact ;(( we were suppose to crate her for 1 month. Let me start by telling you we did ok the first week but this dog felt so incredibly good and happy that it didn't last long. We didn't let her jump or use her stairs for 2 weeks, but we did let her lay in bed with us but she did sleep in her crate at night and during the day while we were gone. After two weeks we got lazy. She was feeling even better so she started jumping off the couch!! Then when freaked out and put the stairs back caz we figured that was better. I know what a BAD decision that was now. We have 2 other dogs and let our emotions take over. Now the poor baby is hurting again
▷ No pain until yesterday. Yesterday we noticed she was reluctant to use the stairs and was laying down in bed all day, which is not like her. I took her outside to go potty and she kept lifting her leg up flamingo style and could not get comfortable at all. She never yelped or shivered just very lethargic and uncomfortable. She also started to arch her back and do this stretching thing she did pre surgery. She circled a few times and was sleeping with her front paws straight out. She was just "off" all day. This morning she is acting a little better but still not herself.
▷ She weighs 5.8lbs. She was on 1/4 (50mg) tab of tramadol every 6-8 hours, .25ml of gabapentin every 6-8hours and 2.5mg pred twice a day for 3 months prior to surgery. Then two weeks after sure very she went down to 2.5mg pred once a day for 10 days and 2 days ago we started tapering her down to a 1.25mg once a day of pred. After yesterday's episode the dr put her on
5.8lbs
pred back up to 2.5mg once a day.
Pepcid twice a day
▷ Miley can walk perfect again with no drunkenless or wobbling for a whole month now. She passed her neuro exam yesterday with flying colors. But yesterday she started lifting that right paw and circling and acting "off"
▷ Yes she potties perfectly since the day after her surgery
▷ Miley eats like a piggie! Drinks like a fish 100% normal
▷ We a considering laser light therapy
I have read everything possible on this disease. I know way more than I should. I'm terrified that she is going to start relapsing again. Is it possible after her being so good this last month that she has just overdone it and crate rest will fix what we may have tweaked. Or is it too late and we are back to square one? I'm so scared and mad at myself, she has just been in pain so long prior to surgery that after surgery when she felt so normal I felt bad leaving her in her crate;((( I feel awful. Help!
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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 9:53:32 GMT -7
Hi Tahnee, my name is Maureen. You need to take a deep breath and try to calm yourself as your emotional state is picked up by your dog. ( Yeah I know...calm...riiiigggghttt) We ALL make mistakes while learning about this disease and how to manage it for the entire life of our dog - because that is what we have here, a life long disease that is managed and not cured. Don't beat yourself up about "I should haves" what's done is done and now we move on, having learned. ( I know this one from personal experience - Stevie reinjured herself 5 weeks after her first recovery and I felt like the worst person on the planet) The safest thing to do would be to treat her as a re-injury and plan on 8 weeks of crate rest. She may have retorn the healing area of her initial surgery site and the only way to get good solid scar tissue is to rest for 8 weeks. She sounds like a lively bouncy girl and that can make crate rest difficult, I know. Heree is some information on crate rest, and ways to clam your dog so that they learn to accept that they are stuck there for the duration of the rest period. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmThe purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Something to consider.. Strollers www.dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htmOral Calmers 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 Other brands may be available in your area… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label Both Laser therapy and accupuncture are great additions to a healing regimen  I hope that this helps a bit, and please remember that we are all here for you and will do anything that we can to assist - including cyber hugs and prayers Keep us posted ((((hugs))) |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 25, 2014 17:42:00 GMT -7
Maureen---thankyou SO much for ur response! That makes me feel much better. We crated her all day today and she's doing much better today thank The Lord! We will continue to keep her confined and on her pain meds. Yesterday scared me way too much
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Post by Pauliana on Mar 25, 2014 20:16:04 GMT -7
Hi Tahnee,
Sending Lots of Hugs your way!!
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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 10:24:57 GMT -7
Good to hear that she is feeling better don't let her con you into letting her out of her crate ( they are soooo good at trying that). |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 6:09:33 GMT -7
Well last night around 2am Miley woke up screaming in pain. The screaming went on for at least 5min. I gave her pain meds and held her till she calmed down. Put her back in her crate and she fell back asleep. We got up around 5am she went potty was wagging her tail and happy she ate treats and laid back down. About an hour later she was screaming again. Then fine able to walk and roll over and wag her tail then screaming again. I don't know what to do. I can't stop crying. Is she reinjured of are her discs just so bad there is no hope??? ;((((((
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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 27, 2014 6:42:00 GMT -7
No, No NO, she isn't beyond hope!!! Miley needs better pain control. What is her pain medication schedule right now? I see that she is on prednisone and that is for swelling. Is she getting tramadol and gabapentin on a regular schedule?? Neck discs are so miserable to deal with, because they move their heads so much. A regular schedule of pain medication will help with the pain and muscle spasms that are hurting her so much. Here is some infor on making it easier for her - tricks and tips to ease her neck. Cervical discs www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmTry not to panic - it is a (scary) bump in the road - you both will get through this. The important thing is to get that pain and muscle spasms under control. ((((hugs)))) |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 7:01:39 GMT -7
She is on 2.5mg of pred (she is 5.5lbs)
Tramadol and gaba twice a day
The vet tech just called and they upped it to three times a day now.
She had 5 bulging discs in her neck! She is only 6 and her neck is like she's 15 ;(( they removed the bone over the discs to relieve the pressure but the neuro wasn't able to get a the disc material out becaz it would compromise her entire neck. She was SO good for the last month. So happy and lively. I'm waiting to hear back from the neuro now. Could she have herniated one of the discs??? She can walk tho and wags her tail. It doesn't help that I'm 8 months prego and super emotional right now!! Thanks for ur help
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 27, 2014 7:25:56 GMT -7
So sorry to hear of the pain Miley is experiencing, Tahnee. I'm glad to hear that the Tramadol and Gabapentin have been increased to 3 times a day. Tramadol works best when given consistently three times a day. If this doesn't keep the pain completely under control with no signs of pain from one dose to the next, speak to the vet about adding Methocarbamol, which deals with the pain from muscle spasms.
When you get a chance, please let us know the exact dosage in mgs of each med. Be sure, too, to include 5 mg of Pepcid AC 30 mins before the Prednisone and every 12 hours thereafter for as long as she's on the Prednisone. Did you speak to the vet as to any reason why Miley shouldn't take Pepcid AC as Pauliana had recommended? That will protect her from the side effects of the steroid and is very important.
She most likely has re-torn one of the surgically repaired discs or damaged another disc when she jumped off of the couch on 3/25. That doesn't mean her discs are so bad that there's no hope. It just means that she needs to get the pain under control today so she can rest comfortably in her crate for the remainder of the 8 weeks. Be sure to carry her in and out to do potty with only a very few steps taken at potty time to protect her spine.
It's very good that she isn't showing any neuro deficits from this re-injury and she's a good candidate for conservative care. It's just the pain that needs to be brought under control. That should be completely under control within one hour after taking the pain meds. Neck injuries can be particularly painful and it can take some tweaking of meds to get the correct combination. Of course, it may be a disc in her back that might have been injured in the jump and not be her neck this time. Is she showing signs of neck pain (holding her head in an odd position, reluctance to move her head, reluctance to crunch on hard dry food)? Whether it's a neck injury or a back injury, conservative treatment would be the same. Please let us know what the neuro says after speaking to him.
Blessings to you all.
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 7:38:11 GMT -7
She is on a
5.5lbs
quarter of a 50mg tab of tramadol 3x a day
.25ml gabapentin 3x a day
Pred 2.5mg once a day
Pepcid .25 tab once a day 30 min before pred
She is stretching her arms straight out and likes her head elevated. She also just can't seem to get comfortable. My poor baby
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 9:06:16 GMT -7
Ok the neuro called back. She said at this point there is nothing more surgically we can do for her. Her discs are just too many to repair, but at least we were able to relieve enough pressure with taking off that bone. For now the best thing we can do is keep her on strict crate rest and pain med three times a day and hope and pray that helps her. That screaming she does is just awful. It makes me so sick to my stomach. I pray my baby girl will be ok. Goid sign is she still walking wagging her tail and eating.
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 27, 2014 10:54:15 GMT -7
The fact that Miley has pain indicates that there is either disc material or swelling pressing on the nerves of her spine. It is the hope with conservative care that the body will reabsorb the damaged disc and the 8 weeks of strict crate rest allows time for the disc to heal and form scar tissue. The swelling is addressed by an anti-inflammatory dosage of Prednisone. Miley is on a very low dose of meds but she is very tiny. Just be sure that there are no signs of pain from one dose to the next. Pain does hinder healing and needs to be kept completely under control. If her pain is not under control within one hour after giving the pain meds, please speak to the vet about prescribing Methocarbamol, which deals with the pain of muscle spasms common with neck injuries.
Please keep us updated on her pain status today.
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 11:20:46 GMT -7
Pre surgery she was on 5mg prednisone (2.5mg twice a day) for like 3 months. Do you think it needs to be upped again???
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 16:00:57 GMT -7
So far today my hubby has been home twice and said she has been acting ok. But that pain hits at sour of the moment times. She can barely move and scream out like last night. She has been in her crate all day. It's so hard with two other dogs to leave her in there. It makes me sick. I've had anxiety all day. So do u think I should go back up to 5mg of pred??? Please help! I feel so sad. I wish I could just make her sleep for 6 weeks! The xanax does nothing. I might need to take it instead!! Lol
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Mar 27, 2014 18:47:15 GMT -7
Hi Tahnee, I'm Sabrina. I'm just getting caught up on Miley's story - I'm so sorry to hear she is still having pain. Have you spoken with your vet about adding Methocarbamol? If not, call whoever's on call and see about getting this onboard tonight. Be sure to tell them all the other meds/doses Miley is on, especially the xanax, as Methocarbamol "may interact with other medications such as sedatives". Read up on it here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#robaxin))Hugs!(( - Sabrina |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 19:47:11 GMT -7
Hi Sabrina. I will ask them about the muscle relaxer. She seems to be doing ok tonight, resting comfortably. The xanax seems to relax her tonight and keep her still. When she feels good she goes nuts which is really hard. I just ordered some rescue remedy as well. We are going to start laser therapy on mon. Praying that helps her some
I also upped her pred dose back to 2.5mg twice a day. I think we tapered her too quickly.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 27, 2014 20:03:20 GMT -7
Tahnee, was the increase of the Prednisone done under the vet's direction? If not, please be sure to let the vet know that you've increased it. Prednisone is one medication that you don't want to make dosage changes on your own. That should always be given under a vet's supervision. I, too, believe that if she was on 2.5 mg 2x/day before the surgery, she should again be on that dose to be sure the swelling is effectively being dealt with. You just need to be sure to let the vet know ASAP and get his OK. So glad to hear that Miley is resting comfortably. |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 27, 2014 20:10:02 GMT -7
Yes I will let her know tomorrow. The xanax made her pass out for awhile now she's in her crate scratching and licking everything to death. I don't know if it's anxiety or pain. Ugggh super frustrating. I'm horrible at this crate thing. I want to do what is good for her but I so badly want to pick her up and put her in the bed with mama. She's so little and helpless. I hate this!!!!
Oh one more question...should I be giving th tramadol and gaba at the same time every 8 hours??
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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 27, 2014 20:59:13 GMT -7
She can have the meds at the same time |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Mar 28, 2014 14:46:03 GMT -7
So Miley is doing well today. She's just too dang hyper. I hope the rescue remedy I ordered helps. The net said I can up her pred to 2.5mg twice a day for the next 10 days then back down to 2.5 once a day. Does that sound right??
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 28, 2014 14:56:40 GMT -7
Yes, since she's so tiny, that does sound right. The taper in 10 days will be a time when you will need to be on a lookout for any sign of pain. Pain = swelling = more time on all meds. If you see any sign of pain during the taper, you will need to let the vet know ASAP so he can return Miley to the anti-inflammatory level of the Prednisone again.
Be sure to continue giving Pepcid AC to protect her GI tract. We usually recommend 5 mg of Pepcid AC 30 mins before the Prednisone and then every 12 hours thereafter (2x/day). I see that the vet told you to give her .25 tab once a day. She should be taking it before each dose of the Pred. You should check with the vet about that to confirm exactly what dosage can be given before each dose of the Pred. Even though she's tiny, I would think she should be able to take .25 2x/day, which would be 2.5 mg 2x/day. You want to make sure she's well protected.
Glad she's feeling better.
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Apr 7, 2014 20:01:09 GMT -7
Ok so thought if update. Miley is still doing good since her pain episode 2 weeks ago. She is still on tramadol, gabapentin and prednisone. I will be lowering her ▼ prednisone on Wednesday. We have started laser therapy as well. She got 3 treatments last week, will get two this week and 1 next week. We have been keeping her pretty confined. My question is since she is doing so well again when should I start lowering her meds??
She gets 1/4 tab tramadol every 8 hours
Gabapentin .25ml every 8hours
Prednisone 2.5mg twice a day, On Wednesday I lower her pred to 2.5mg once a day
Should I lower her pain meds to twice a day as well??
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 7, 2014 20:11:17 GMT -7
In order to have a clear picture on painful swelling, pain meds which mask pain are normally either backed off or stopped on a pred taper. That what you have very timely feedback on whether to put pred back up at the original anti-inflammatory dose or if not signs of pain appear the taper can be continue to completion. Let us know how your vet recommends dealing with the pain meds on a pred taper. "Swelling/inflammation" is the button to get up to speed on this topic in more depth: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmIf you see any hint of pain (shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy, head held high or nose to the ground, not normal perky self) the vet would need that feedback right away. We've got our fingers crossed for a smooth taper. |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Apr 8, 2014 14:39:57 GMT -7
So is it bad that she has been up and down on pred for the last 4 months now???
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 8, 2014 21:54:55 GMT -7
Hi Tahnee, If Prednisone has a job to do such as reducing swelling, it is not bad to be on it, but the key is to not stay on it after the swelling is gone because of the side effects. The taper is a test to see if the swelling is gone as Paula explained.. When you taper Prednisone it signals the body to make it's own steroid hormone, Cortisol, so it it tapered for a health reason as well. We'll know more as the taper progresses.. If she shows no signs of pain while off the pain medications during the steroid taper until it's completion, it would mean the swelling is gone.. If she shows pain, it would mean she still has swelling and would need to go back to the twice daily dose again.. Since she had so many neck discs involved in her surgery, it's taking more time for her to heal but with time and patience and the loving care you are giving her, she will make it.. Read this, I think it will help you to feel better... I really made a difference with what I went through with Tyler after his surgery. www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm |
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on Apr 9, 2014 6:21:20 GMT -7
Ok so today is her last day on 2.5mg of pred twice a day. She was acting a little off this morning, maybe she's just sleepy. She was happy wagging her tail went potty ate treats had her pain meds and pred now she's really calm and staring. She lifted her left paw up a couple times flamingo style but I don't know if that's pain or just a chihuahua thing caz my other one does that too. She was shaking a little but I think she might have been cold. So I put the blanket on her in her crate and left for work. It's probably nothing but every little things freaks me out! She is still getting her pain meds 3 times a day caz I'm too scared to stop them. Tomorrow is her 5th laser treatment. I only bought 6 and I have no idea if they are helping. Should I continue with those once a week??
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Tahnee & Miley
New Member
2/20 NECK surgery, 3/25 relapse? Conservative
Posts: 23
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Post by Tahnee & Miley on May 2, 2014 3:39:55 GMT -7
Hey there! Hope everyone is doing well. Just an update...Miley is still doing really we'll. her pred. Taper went well and I'm about to start another taper on her pred in a few days. Quick question and I'm not sure that this is related at all to her ivdd or if it's meds or she's just fat. I of course have been sympathy feeding her more and she's getting too fat. So she's back on a diet. But she's been coughing and yacking a lot lately. The chi breed tends to do this more but hers seems excessive lately. Her snoring is also louder. Like she's constantly grunting. Any thoughts?? She yawns more too. She's still on gabapentin and tramadol twice a day. I prolly need to start tapering this as well???thanks!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on May 2, 2014 5:23:53 GMT -7
Tahnee, if you are tapering her pred, then it is a good idea to taper the pain medications as well to get a true understanding if the swelling is really down and there is no more pain. This will give you a true picture of her progress. Remember pain = swelling. Speak with your vet about lowering her pain medications as well.
I am not familiar with the coughing and yacking as being a side effect to the medications from IVDD or from weight gain, but perhaps one of our other moderators can comment. I can tell you that for the first time ever my Mimi had allergies this year. Perhaps speak to your vet about what you are seeing. He may want to examine her and listen to her lungs to make sure nothing is going on.
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