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Post by Candi & Remi on Apr 2, 2014 10:56:18 GMT -7
Hey I have a little 10 lb almost 4 year old female doxie. She recently she has been whinning alot and crying in pain. We went the vet right away and they did they xrays. They tell me that her back on the xray could show some issues but nothing big to worry about. So we brought her home. She couldnt poop so they put her on meds for that. We finally figured out that she was getting to much dairy sense we were giving her milk or cheese with her meds. She was great for 48 hours now this morning she is crying again and walking with her tail up under her legs. The vet told me that we need to do some scan that they put something in her spine to see where the issues if coming from. Im so scared, I know that we cant afford to put her thro this and not sure I want to keep letting her stay in pain. It seems like every time Remi goes poo thats when she goes from a happy puppy to a hurt one. Can anyone give me any advice or any thing. We lost our first dachshund at the age of 4 she broke her back and had to be put down right away because of pain. I just dont want to lose this little one. The vet said she has alot of life to give yet but we just cant pin point where the hurt is coming from. Please help. I live in a small eastern Nebraska town about 60 miles from the nearest big city.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,552
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 2, 2014 12:50:54 GMT -7
Candi, welcome to Dodgerslist. If this is a disc episode that is causing the pain, the single most important part of the care is the 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, 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 in an effort to avoid damage to the spinal cord (nerves). 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 from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm The 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. Caring for an IVDD dog is all about education to know, fight and win with this enemy. It is easy to make mistakes and not be committed to the treatment when full understanding of IVDD has not yet been achieved. This Forum is here to help Remi get things right asap while you work on absorbing all you can from our main web page. Are you ready? Here's the page to bookmark: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm-- If the vet did not think there was a suspicsion of a bulging disc by narrowings between the vertebrae, then what did he think was the cause of the pain. Until you know for sure this is not a disc episode, it would be prudent to act as if it were with the STRICT rest. -- What was the date you saw the vet and 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for this current disc episode? I have guessed at the date 3/31. -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? A scan that injects fluid into the spinal cord to get a picture is called a myelogram. There is not a reason to do one if there is suspicion of a disc problem, because knowing exactly which disc would not change doing 100% STRICT rest. IF the vet believes another disease might exist then doing an advanced imaging MRI, CT or even the myelogram can help to give that diagnosis. -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies? Even the ones given in the clinic for popping. Anti-inflammatories can increase GI tract damage. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason my dog may 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 and thereafter every 12 hours. Pepcid is generally considered a safe-over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for a healthy dog and good insurance. This directory very good for learning about each of your dog's meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm -- Eating and drinking OK? How are poops today- normal color and firmness, no dark or bright red blood? |
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