Hi Gayla, I'm Sabrina. I'm so sorry to hear of Maggie's disc episode! But I'm so glad you've found Dodger'sList!
First things first:
-> Maggie is still in pain (signs: not wanting to lay down, holding head high). Call your vet right away and report the signs you're seeing and ask for her pain meds to be adjusted. Dosages/frequencies are just educated guesses that need to be fine tuned to control Maggie's pain.
The goal of the pain meds are to keep Maggie completely pain free dose to dose - when our beloved dogs have their pain fully controlled, things are so much better! And pain does hinder healing so have no patience with pain!
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm-> With strong/"off" smelling urine, there's a concern for a UTI. It would be well to have her urine tested, so if there is an infection antibiotics can be started quickly (and if there is an infection, it's good to ask the vet to culture the sample to find the best antibiotic to address the specific infection).
As you know, with this disease self education is critical - not just so you make sure the right things are being done for Maggie's 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 (if you haven't seen this already). 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?
► Did Maggie specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc?
► How much does your dog weigh? List the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and times per day given? What was the start dose if a steroid, date of taper?
With IVDD, it's very important to be proactive about stomach protection. Typically PepcidAC is used for this, but "There have been some reports of exacerbating heart rhythm problems in patients who already have heart rhythm problems, so it may be prudent to choose another means of stomach acid control in heart patients". Ask your vet what stomach protector Maggie could be ok'd to take and get that started today.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#intestinaldrugs► Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment
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► Are you still able to express her?
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm► 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.
Hang in there! When Maggie's pain is fully controlled dose to dose, things will be on the right track for her!
This article helped me so much when my dog was first diagnosed - to see that IVDD itself doesn't prevent dogs from living happy, pain-free lives:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm))Hugs!(( Let us know what your vet says when you are able!
Edit: forgot to add this about panting (which can be a side-effect of meds):
PANTING
Use fan near crate but not pointed at the dog.
Cold rice sock to lean against: Fill a sock with 1-2 cups of dry rice or dried corn kernals. Knot the end.
Flexible ice packs: ziplock bag fill with 2 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcholol. The alcohol will keep the water from freezing solid so it will be more comfortable to lean on. Wrap ice pack with cloth/towel and allow him to lay his tummy area near to cool down.
Dr. Isaacs discusses this issue:
www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/panting.htm
