Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula is yours McGow? We are a friendly group and just go by our first names. First the good news.... with mild symptoms Digby has of pain only he is likely to be a good candidate to recover under conservative treatment. The big IF on that is if you can take the time to invest in learning all you can about IVDD. Here in the USA we still have many vets who are not as versed in disc disease treatment as we'd like. From the meds you mention I'm guessing you are from the UK?
So that you can see to getting things right for Digby asap, let me first comment on those things and later we'll go over how to quickly get up to speed on IVDD so you can both protect Digby from those not being fully comfortable with this disease plus you'll have a better frame of mind in knowing this is a disease than can be lived with and with a good quality of life.
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Digby's GI tract needs immedate protection because there was NO washout between the Rimadyl and the steroid!! Pepcid AC (famotidine) is only available via prescription in the UK so you would need to ask for one from the vet. Ranitidine, a different acid reducer, is available over the counter at the chemist there in the UK until you can get the newer better famotidine. Doses:
www.petplace.com/drug-library/ranitidine-hcl-zantac/page1.aspx and
www.1800petmeds.com/Ranitidine-prod11204.htmlAntepsin (Sucralfate) is another protector that requires an Rx. Because of no 4-7 day washout. I would request this 2nd protector on board as well as soon as you can get with a vet. ttp://www.netdoctor.co.uk/digestive-health/medicines/antepsin.html
-- Digby has not been given proper pain meds to allow him to heal in comfort. Background reading so you are able to discuss and advocate today and get the help Digby needs.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm Pain deters healing and just can't have any patience with it. When pain meds have been Rx'd for Digby's needs pain will be gone in one hour and stay that way dose to dose.
-- It is a safety factor for us owners to read up on each med that goes on our dogs mouth...to be able to watch for serious side effects and know what the med is supposed to achieve and discuss concerns with the vet even say "no" to a med. Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
"is rarely recommended for use in dogs, as there are other drugs that have similar effects and are not as damaging for the liver. www.vetinfo.com/how-safe-is-paracetamol-for-dogs.html From "THE" vet bible on meds —
Plumb's 7th ed: Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
Because acetaminophen is not routinely used in veterinary medicine, experience on its adverse effect profile is limited. At suggested dosages in dogs, there is some potential for renal, hepatic, GI, and hematologic effects occurring. Plumb, Donald. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook (Kindle Locations 1180-1181). PharmaVet inc. Kindle Edition.
-- There is just one way a disc heals and that is with limited movement. Dogs can't be trusted to follow Dr's orders — they WILL do the unexpected in a blink of an eye and cause more damage to the disc, maybe leading to loss of leg and bladder control... maybe being a permanent thing. If Digby needs help to relax in his recovery suite then so be it. Details on calmers in our Emergency Crate Training article:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm --- The recovery suite is like a cast...never would a parent allow a child to say "no" to a cast for a broken arm. A dog is like a two year old...they just do not understand their disease. So we must protect them from themselves. Here is where our own education comes into play. Only when we are educated can we commit to the single most important part of the care. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks. So we are on the same page that 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.
The the recovery suite, 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 So in summary, if the proper pain meds had been on board there likely would not have been any need to make the dangerous switch from anti-inflammatory Rimadyl to the other class of anti-inflammatories, the steroid. Since the switch was made it is important to protect the GI tract now and stay the course with the steorid.
Often it takes being at the anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) anywhere from 7-30 days. When the vet guesses swelling might be gone there will be a taper. Usually the first course will be 5 or 7 days and then a test taper. The dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose level. Your job at home would be to assess just how well reduction of painful swelling is going by observing for any hint of pain (shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, holding leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight). To have a clear picture on a taper, pain meds are also stopped or backed off too.
Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on the steroid prednisone, pain meds and Pepcid AC needed.
Are you ready now to invest time in learning what you can about IVDD. I have this page bookmarked myself:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm This is a good reference card to print & carry with you to vet appts:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/MedCard.pdf
Please let us know about the steps you have taken today to successfully get the help Digby needs plus the details on the meds with a list of exact names, dose in mgs and how often you give them and how much Digby weighs.
