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Post by Cill & Levi on Apr 15, 2014 13:49:57 GMT -7
My little Shih Tzu, Levi, will be 6yrs old in August had sx on his neck on 4/07/14. He was in excruciating pain, unable to control with medications (prednisone, methocarbamol, tramadol, buprenex injections, famotidine & sucralfate). He has had episodes in the past, onset at 1 1/2 yrs. old with back pain which normally was resolved with crate rest and tramadol, Methocarbamol, rimadyl or prednisone. This was by far the worst episode he ever had. Officially diagnosed with IVDD now and sx for a bulging disc high up in his neck. They had to go thru his neck to get to the disc. His sx was at the Univ. of Pennsylvania Vet. Hospital in Philadelphia. He was admitted on 4/06 thru the emergency room, MRI 4/07 am and sx immediately after MRI. He had no neurological deficit going into or coming out of sx. Strict crate rest for 6 weeks. Weaning off steroid now and methocarbamol. Still on tramadol 2-3 times a day as needed. So glad to have found this site - I really need to educate myself on his condition. He appears to be resting comfortably - although he does not like being in his crate.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 15, 2014 18:24:15 GMT -7
Cill, welcome to Dodgerlist, we are glad you found us. Most importantly so very glad to hear you want to invest time time in learning about the disease Levi was born with. Sounds like surgery was the way to go for Levi after seeing that meds did not control pain. What did the surgeon direct for PT, for example may he walk to and from the potty place or ? How much of the steroid in mgs and how often does he take it. Is a GI tract protector on board. 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. This directory very good for learning about each of your dog's meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmHere is our gold mine of IVDD information: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm#afterrestI also highly recommend adding this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for Levi should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm |
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Post by Cill & Levi on Apr 16, 2014 10:58:47 GMT -7
Hi Paula, Levi is on 5 day step-down dose for pred. Currently taking one
5mg pred dose once daily for 5 days then 5mg every other day for 5 doses. He is on day 3 of once a day.
sucralfate 3x a day and
famotidine 1/2 of 10mg tablet 2x a day.
He is allowed to go outside to potty and back inside. When I picked him up at the hospital, the nurse walked him out on a leash. Day one after sx, he was eating/drinking going potty and able to walk.
Thanks for your reply.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 16, 2014 13:03:42 GMT -7
What a handsome fella Levi is. Very pleased to see that his stomach IS being protected. Did he happen to require a 2nd protector, sucralfate, due to GI problems when on pred prior to the surgery?
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Post by Cill & Levi on Apr 19, 2014 9:20:10 GMT -7
Yes, we actually had him on Rimadyl - had to switch him to prednisone and not enough time to wash Rimadyl from his system which could cause internal bleeding(ulcer) so he was put on sucralfate and famotidine to protect him. So far - he is good! Post sx 2 weeks Monday - he is doing well - starting Prednisone 5mg every other day today (4/19) so first day with no pred but still giving Tramadol 25mg BID. He is a little slow in the morning but raring to go now. Hardest part right now is keeping him slowed down crating.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 19, 2014 10:14:08 GMT -7
Yes, of course, when deemed an emergency and not enough time to do a full 4-7 day washout, it is prudent to do double GI tract protection with both Pepcid AC + sucralfate on board. Taking him out for potty time every 4 or so hours should give him a change of scenery and a chance to stretch his legs under your eagle eye with leash and harness to control speed. During the rest of his rest inside the recovery suite you may see if you think he needs help in relaxing with a mild calmer just to take the edge off of his figetiness. Just type "calmer" in to the search box on our main web page www.dodgerslist.com to read the EMERGENCY CRATE TRAINING article |
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Post by Cill & Levi on Apr 27, 2014 11:31:14 GMT -7
Thank you for this wonderful educational site as well as place for us to come for support and sanity. Sometimes it is so difficult to know if we are doing the right thing for our furbabies, but nice to have research and support at our fingertips thanks to you. Week 3 tomorrow since Levi's sx - where has the time gone. He is doing quite well. Last dose of Prednisone tomorrow and have been slowly cutting back on his Tramadol 25mg bid when needed. He does not appear to be in any pain. Enjoys going outside - put a blanket down and we just sit outside for a little while to get some fresh air and a change of scenery - does wonders for both of us  He is doing much better in his crate now - doesn't fuss as much. He is able to walk well and I notice when I pick him up, the muscles in his belly are not tight like they have been - he must have been painful prior to this episode before the disc fully ruptured. His tail is wagging and his eyes are bright - getting back to being our happy little guy - still have a ways to go and then some changes around the house to help keep him safer to help avoid these episodes. I have compassion for everyone on this site going thru this with their little loves. Hugs & healing to all....... |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 27, 2014 12:39:38 GMT -7
So glad to hear your report of no pain on the taper off of meds. Thank you for your comment on our resources on the main Dodgerslist website. It has taken years and many consultations with professionals to provide this kind of important information about IVDD. It makes our hearts sing when we know someone is benefiting from reading and self educating!!! Thanks for the warm fuzzy! If you have not yet browsed our treasure trove you may like to do that in prep for graduation day. Check out the column to the far right for ideas to make your home back friendly, how to ease back to activity after crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm#afterrest or of course you can use the search box too! When the time comes we hope you will join our educational team. We can't be everywhere so we depend on members to tell their vet, other owners with breeds prone to IVDD about the excellent info available. . Just ask Linda for some free literature. Our brochure for your vet would make an excellent addition to his toolbox for educating future clients. Don't leave the house w/o the small cards… you never know when you meet an owner of breeds prone to disc disease (Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas are most affected) order here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmI also highly recommend adding this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for Levi should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm |
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Post by Cill & Levi on May 11, 2014 12:48:15 GMT -7
Just a quick update on Levi. Levi has been off all medication for a couple of weeks now. He is pain free. Still has one week left of crate rest. We have decided to fence in a small area outside within our fence so that Levi will no longer be able to race the fence line with the neighbors dog. That is what started this last episode with Levi. I still plan to walk him around the yard on his harness when it is safe for him. I have ordered some gates for the house to keep him off stairs and plan on keeping Levi in our finished basement when I am at work - no access to stairs and no furniture to jump on/off. I have had stairs for our bed and couch & chairs for a few years. I may order some ramps instead, or at least one to see how he makes out with it. I also plan on purchasing a stroller - he loves to go to the park but can't keep up - so I love the idea of a stroller for him. I have read many of the articles you have provided - so helpful. I will check back in after crate rest has been completed. Thank you.......
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on May 11, 2014 13:45:12 GMT -7
Another good report.... looks like Levi will have on-time graduation day! Do think about ramps as opposed to steps/stairs. You may be able to make your own indoor and outdoor ramps if you or a family member is slightly handy. This thread may give you some ideas: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/867/rampsGet your camera ready. You know we'll be wanting to see some graduation day photos!!! Add photos to the Dodgerslist gallery and one in the 2015 calendar secttion-- calendar will be coming out this Fall. Directions here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/260/upload-photo-dog |
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He is doing much better in his crate now - doesn't fuss as much. He is able to walk well and I notice when I pick him up, the muscles in his belly are not tight like they have been - he must have been painful prior to this episode before the disc fully ruptured. His tail is wagging and his eyes are bright - getting back to being our happy little guy - still have a ways to go and then some changes around the house to help keep him safer to help avoid these episodes. I have compassion for everyone on this site going thru this with their little loves. Hugs & healing to all.......
