Welcome to Dodgerslist. What is your doxie's name? And your name? On what date did crate rest start?
I'm glad to hear that it was a mild episode that you caught it early but it does concern me that you say that she is coming off of crate rest sooner than you expected. We at Dodgerslist recommend a full 8 weeks of strict 100% crate rest, whether the episode is mild or not. That's how long it takes for a torn or ruptured disc to fully heal and form scar tissue. To end crate rest before the full 8 weeks is finished is taking a risk that the not-yet-healed disc will re-tear or rupture, again causing pain and swelling with the potential for more nerve damage to occur - you'd be back to square one or worse. So we're hoping to hear that a full 8 weeks of crate rest has been done or that you will continue until the full 8 weeks are finished.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingdisc.htmWith this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the 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. Here's the link
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and out to potty. 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.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmCan you give us a bit more in essential information about your dog:
1. When was the date you saw the vet and what date did you start doing the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?
2. Is there still currently pain? Signs of pain are holding the head in an unusual position, head held high or nose to the ground, shivering/trembling, not wanting to move much or moving gingerly, yelping, tight/tense stomach muscles, arched back, holding leg up flamingo style, not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self.
3. Is your dog still on meds? If so, crate rest should continue until all meds are stopped and there is no swelling. What are the exact names, dose in mgs and frequency of all meds? How much does your dog weigh?
4. If still on an anti-inflammatory, Pepcid AC should be given to protect your dog from the excess acid produced by the anti-inflammatory. Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before the dose of the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours). Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If your vet says your dog has no health issues such as liver, heart, etc to keep her from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board.
5. Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
6. Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
7. Eating and drinking OK?
8. Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood?
If the full 8 weeks of crate rest are now finished, here is our page on how to gradually re-introduce your doxie to movement again. It must be taken slowly as muscles and stamina need to be built up again after crate rest. Too much too soon and the muscles will get sore and it will be difficult to tell if it's muscle strain or another disc episode. There's a suggested schedule here that was very helpful to me when my Jeremy finished crate rest. There's also a list of activities that can no longer be allowed.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmCollars should no longer be used - only a harness. You want the neck part of the harness to sit on the bony structure of the shoulders, not the weaker soft tissue of the throat. Any pulling should be against the strong upper chest/shoulder area. Here is a picture showing how a harness should sit on the shoulders and chest.
This page has some links on suggested harnesses:
www.dodgerslist.com/links.htmAnd here's our page on how to make your house back friendly:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm You will have to discourage her from putting her paws up on a tree as that puts too much stress on the back. No jumping, no stairs.
Looking forward to hearing more about your doxie.
