Hi Deb, welcome to Dodgerslist from me too.
Be aware that a xray will require anesthesia to get a good pictures. Oscar's muscles will be asleep and not able to support the spine/discs, she will loose the primary defense against more disc damage. If there is reason to suspect something other than a displaced disc (such as a vertebral tumor, infection, or fracture), then x-rays are wholly appropriate. Be sure you fully understand the reason behind doing an xray at this point.
It sounds like he has a cervical disc rupture as your Vet said and that can be treated with crate rest and medications. Be sure to read the link on tips for dogs with cervical discs that Paula posted for you..
Your vet has him on a good regimen of medications but if he keeps yelping when he turns his head, call the Vet and inform her so she can make some adjustments to his medications to make sure he is pain free from dose to dose. That is also very important to his healing. Pain hinders healing..
Since this neck episode started, was he always on the single half tablet of Prednisone? Or was he originally on it twice a day? We normally see a twice a day dose to start with.. That being the anti inflammatory dose for his size and weight.. Discuss this also with your Vet.. Top priority is getting the pain under control and the swelling down. It can take two weeks to a month in some dogs to get the swelling down.. but he has to be at the anti inflammatory dose for that to happen.. When the vet thinks the swelling may be gone, she would call for a taper.. This also requires a stop of the pain medications. During the taper your job would be to watch for signs of pain. If there is no pain, wonderful, success, the swelling is gone and no further medications of any kind would be needed. Just complete the crate rest.. If there is pain, then a return to the twice a day dose would be required..and a return to the pain medications. Have a plan in place with your Vet if pain comes back during the taper and what she would want you to do..
Is Oscar now taking Pepcid AC as Paula recommended? Very important.Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. Pepcid AC is a generally safe over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for healthy dogs. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/stomachProtection.htmwww.petplace.com/drug-library/famotidine-pepcid/page1.aspx I understand how you feel as I was having my own meltdown a year ago January when my Tyler woke up with no use of his back legs. The good news is he recovered and while he had another milder episode the following summer he is now doing very well indeed. He can walk, run and play and we take precautions. No more stairs ever, no jumping and he knows he is a floor dweller and has many comfy cozy areas on the floor in different rooms in the house..
Here is some info on crate or as we call them recovery suites:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmWe had a recovery suite in the living room and a crate in the bedroom and a crate in the office. Those were the three rooms we spend the most time in, so he could be with us and never feel left out.. He was still part of everything even during crate rest. We reached in and gave him loving and helped him to feel included throughout his crate rest time.. Plus we were both busy taking care of him as well as learning about IVDD especially during his first episode.. I think Oscar will feel less anxious if you make him feel more included even while in his crate.. Isolation is not the answer. To help his anxiety here are some natural options:
To calm him in his crate: Put a garment you have been wearing and have not washed in the crate, he will love that and it will keep you close to him
Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog.
Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P.
www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below:
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.comBe aware you might be inadvertently training for unwanted behavior. To dogs rewards are: food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact. So anytime you see unwanted behavior ignore it, turn your back, leave the room if you have to. Preferable is to start teaching what you do want before there is too much practice in doing the unwanted behavior. Anytime your dog is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward. Soon your dog will see they get rewards for four feet on the floor, quietly sitting, etc.
Put the crate securely on a table so he can see outside and not have to look up and move his neck to see you.. Make sure if you use a water bottle that he is actually drinking from it. Prednisone makes them very thirsty.. Play calming music.
Hope some of these ideas help!
