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Post by Shannon & Lily on Apr 16, 2014 22:57:31 GMT -7
My name is Shannon and my sweet little girl is Lily she is a 3 ½ year old Chiweenie.
Lily weighs 15 pounds and was diagnosed with IVDD on Tuesday 4/15/14 the damage is in the 11-12 area of her lower back. She still has deep pain and some superficial pain.
We were sent home on strict crate rest for 4-6 weeks and with the following medications
Methocarbamol 125mg 2x’s per day
Tramadol 12.5mg 2x’s per day
Prednisone 5mg 2 x’s per day for 7 days, then 1 pill per day for 7 days, then 1 pill every other day for 7 days
After 24 hours, she was still lifting her head in pain and not sleeping even with the pain medication, our vet changed the Methocarbmol and Tramadol to 3x’s per day.
Until the medication change this afternoon she seemed to still have pain, tonight is the first time she has actually slept for several hours straight. Her breathing is still rapid which worries me, but I am told it is due to the pain she is in.
She cannot move her back legs and cannot wag her tail. We are having to express her bladder and bowel function is slow (vet checked and she still has muscle function in the anus which is a good sign). She eats and drinks much less, than she normally does, but she does get enough to keep her sustained.
Saturday 4/12 Lily ran to the kitchen after jumping off our couch and lost her footing on the kitchen floor then my husband heard a yelp. He immediately kept her still and quiet but she was still able to walk. Sunday morning she had lost the ability to use her back legs but she still wagged her tail and could potty on her own.
By Monday morning, we realized the problem was much worse than we originally thought and called out vet, she and lost bladder function and no longer wagged her tail. The vet was unable to see us so I tracked down a local vet with a good history working with spinal injuries. I had started researching her symptoms through my tears Monday morning while waiting for our vet to call and was sure it was IVDD. The second vet was willing to help us, they could not see her until Tuesday morning. The vet was honest, but hopeful; she feels that Lily can have success with the crate and medication. We go back for a checkup in 2 weeks to check her progress.
My husband and I have discussed all options at length and we are committed to Lily, he has already started plans for fitting our home with ramps for her. Our hope is that she can recover to the 80% our vet predicted. I just want to see her tail wag when I say good morning, it is very hard to come home and not have her running along as I do chores and work in the yard, and I miss her bouncy walk and her perky personality.
I am so glad to have found this forum; I am already learning so much reading through the posts.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Apr 17, 2014 5:28:32 GMT -7
Dear Shannon, I'm so sorry to hear of Lily's difficulties. We're here for you and will help you through this. The vet is saying that Lily is still in pain and is not recommending anything further? What is the current dose of Methocarbamol? Lily is being given a very light dose of Tramadol. That can be brought up to 50 mgs every 8 hours. Also Gabapentin can be added to the mix - that works very well with Tramadol. Please speak to the vet today to get the meds adjusted so Lily's pain is completely under control. Pain should be under control within one hour after taking meds and should remain under control from one dose to the next. Pain hinders healing - have no patience with it. With 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 (NOT 4-6 weeks as you've been told) 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.htmNot eating or drinking as much are red flag signs of GI distress, which is a side effect of the Prednisone. 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. Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood? How are you doing expressing Lily? How often do you express? Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? While on Prednisone, she should be drinking more and will need to be expressed every 2-3 hours. Here's our page on expressing for more info: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment once off all meds and there is no pain. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk but only after all meds are stopped and there is no pain. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmLaser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs. Please don't despair. IVDD is not a death sentence. Many dogs regain use of their legs and even if they don't, their lives can be happy ones. www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmAgain, please be sure to start reading and learning about IVDD at www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm so you can become Captain of your dog's health care team and work together with your vet. Please let us know what the vet says after speaking to them today. Healing prayers for Lily. |
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Post by Shannon & Lily on Apr 17, 2014 9:21:38 GMT -7
The vet suggested surgery, which we cannot afford, I just don't have $4000 right now. We are trying to come up with it as the vet told us Lily will likely have a recurrence and surgery will probably be our only option later on.
After the increase in pain meds yesterday Lil finally slept and slept the entire night. This morning her pain management seems much better, breathing is much more normal and no lifting of her head. She is also staying in one place, yesterday she continually tried to move.
Expressing the bladder hasn't been an issue for us, we have all caught on pretty easily to it, she does still have some leakage on her pads. The vet told us that she should be taken out at least 3-4 times per day. We have been trying to check her every 3 hours which is about how often she normally goes out. Her poop is normal just slow.
For some reason not all of what I wrote about her medications posted (I was very tired when I posted) here is the correct information.
Methocarbamol 1/4 tablet 500 mg 2 times per day (as of 4/16 has been increased to 3 times per day)
Tramadol 1/4 tablet 50 mg 2 times per day (as of 4/16 has been increased to 3 times per day)
Prednisone 5mg 2 x’s per day for 7 days, then 1 pill per day for 7 days, then 1 pill every other day for 7 days
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,578
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 17, 2014 10:38:18 GMT -7
Shannon, glad to hear pain meds have been increased and pain appears now to be fully under control. Let us know that you continue to see no signs of pain: shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy, head held high or nose to the ground, not normal perky self. With the meds list you updated your vet still has many options to increase dose and to add in gabapentin. We don't have patience for ANY pain around here as it is naturally torture but actually hinders the healing process. 15 pounds Methocarbamol 125mg 3x/s per day Tramadol 12.5mg 3x/ day Prednisone as of 4/15 5mg 2 x’s per day for 7 days, then 1 pill per day for 7 days, then 1 pill every other day for 7 days Is there a reason why no GI tract protection is on board? If Lily has no health issues by your having asked in this particular way "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" then do not delay in getting on board 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to Pred. For extra protection always give pred with a meal.While learning to express, there may be leakage as you may not be fully emptying the bladder at each session. The goal with expressing to to express often enough (which while on prednisone that would be every 2-3 hours) AND you are able to feel the bladder in the last stage of voiding where one hand can almost feel the bladder of the other hand. Can you feel the bladder. When you reach the proficiency level, there will be no urine leaks in her bedding. Because there is leaking, meaning urine is staying in the bladder til it overflows bacteria find it a wonderful place to breed. Lilly might already have a urinary tract infection (UTI). A urine sample and urinalysis can rule that possibility out. Some UTI's have signs such as foul odor or change in color while others give no signs.. hence need for a urinalysis. Let us know if you up expressing to every 2-3 hours if she stays dry. Giving only part of the facts, can be very misleading. To be fair in a short vet visit there is not time normally to go into the detail you as an owner of an IVDD dog will need. This is where your self education is a must so that you do not make decisions based only on "some" information. A surgery will deal with the one disc that is having a current problem. Conservative treatment also focuses on letting the damaged disc heal over. A dog with disc disease was born with a progressive degenerative disease. No matter which treatment, a dog can have another disc also prematurely age to have yet another disc episode. Pauli gave you the link to bookmark for your self education ( www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm ) Be sure you read the orange button on "Surgery" so you know the full facts on surgery vs. conservative. Dr. Isaac's also wrote for us details on how to think about decision making for surgery here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmYou will want to be savvy about the Pred taper that is supposed to start Mon, Apr 21. Know what to monitor for, action to take and why not to be disappointed if all the swelling is not yet resolved. In that bookmark www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm , make sure you have read the orange button on "Swelling/ Inflammation" Never give up, stay focused, stay postitive and stay strong! You and Lily WiLL get over this bump in the road of life! |
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Post by Shannon & Lily on Apr 20, 2014 6:33:28 GMT -7
Lily's pain seemed to be managed by Friday and we had solved the kennel problem by using a playpen instead. When in the kennel she would thrash around, I have never crate trained her as there was never a need for one.
This morning as the kids woke up I went to give Lily her morning dose of medicine and noticed she wasn't opening her mouth, she could lick but that was all. Normally she will try to prop up the front of her body to watch what we are doing, not this morning, she just laid there. After a trip out to empty her bladder (which there was nothing, which I find odd as she has been very regular) I noticed as I set her down that she has no movement in the front of her body at all. Normally when I set her down, she will stretch out a leg, and when I did set her down her body sort of fell over. It is as if she no longer has use of her front legs. I still can't get her to open her mouth for meds. She is asleep right now, which she hasn't been doing much lately, she has been fighting sleep. I put a call in to the vet, but It is Easter so I don't expect to hear anything until morning. I am just going to keep a very close eye on her and keep her comfortable until I hear something.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,578
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 20, 2014 9:33:22 GMT -7
Shannon, I think you may need vet help as in ER vet help today. I don't want to scare you but I do want to make you aware of a disease that can follow any type of spinal cord injury and it is called Myelomalacia. It is important that owners are familiar with symptoms in order to promptly get their vet's help at any hour of the night or day. With Myelomalacia, what happens basically is that the spinal cord starts to die from the point of the spinal cord trauma moving forward toward the head. It can happen fast, within hours. It is a very painful ending.. making a dog unable to breathe. Here are some of the symptoms that are used to diagnose Myelomalacia and the symptoms that evolve as it progresses so that you can ask the vet if he is developing them. When I lost my Lewis to Myelomalacia, my ER doctor really had no experience with it and not until I brought her to ER in the wee hours of the moring, did he then see for himself it was Myelomalacia. I'm glad I at least knew the symptoms myself and we humanely saved Lewis from going through a bad ending. * about 3-4 days into recovery, they become painful. Within the first week, they are in a LOT of pain. * development of excruciating pain (more than just pain from the original disc herniation) • even the strongest pain meds do not help * acute disc extrusion with no deep pain sensation * loss of anal tone, the anus hangs open, (anal flaccidity) and areflexia (below normal or no reflexes) * loss of cutaneous trunci reflex at a level more cranial to a previous evaluation over a period of hours to days with or w/o surgery * development of fever (normal rectal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit) * sudden twitching or jerking of the neck and/or head * loss of voice, horse bark * can't hold body up, can't hold head up * increased respiration/ labored breathing • hyper-esthesia (over-reaction to any touch sensation on body) www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Myelomalacia.pdfI'm hoping and praying that Lily is not developing Myelomalacia with the forward moving neuro loss. |
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Post by Shannon & Lily on Apr 20, 2014 11:18:01 GMT -7
I did actually already know about it and I am pretty sure that she has it. Our hearts are broken, I am trying to get a hold of our vet to take care of her today so she doesn't suffer. Thank you so much for all the advice, it has been so helpful.
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Post by Shannon & Lily on Apr 20, 2014 17:53:46 GMT -7
Just wanted to say thank you for all your help, my sweet baby passed away this afternoon. My heart is broken, I am still in disbelief how quickly we went from everything is going to be okay to there is nothing we can do. Our family is going to need a long time to heal from this.
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Apr 20, 2014 17:58:53 GMT -7
Shannon, I am so sorry for your profound loss. Life can change so quickly, but I know that Lily loved you so and was so lucky to have a Mom who understood what was best for her. I will be thinking of you and you family.
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Sabrina
Helpful Member 
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Apr 20, 2014 20:32:22 GMT -7
Oh Shannon, I'm so sorry. ))Hugs(( My condolences to you and your family. Our beloved dogs are never with us long enough. Be kind to yourselves as you grieve. My hope for you is that in time all the best and most joyful memories of your Lily will be the ones that come quickest to your mind, and the ones that you can dwell on.
))Hugs((
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,578
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 21, 2014 7:14:29 GMT -7
Oh Shannon, my heart is heavy to hear this sad news. There are no words to comfort... just know we are here. Over time we learn to cope, learn to live with the LOVE Lily left behind... your mind eventually will dwell on the lovely times you shared, the times she made you laugh. She has left lots of LOVE behind find it forever in a safe and warm place... your loving heart and your memory. May Lily soon begin to help you and your family celebrate her life not these last days, may she soon help you to laugh again as you are reminded of her antics and unique quirkiness! There is a new Facebook page for those who have lost dogs to myelomalacia www.facebook.com/groups/381150025318109/ if you feel like checking it out. Choosing some sort of action can help during these grieving days. On behalf of Lily a legacy of helping to educate about IVDD. Ask Linda to send you a free packet for your vet and business sized cards to hand out wherever you see owners of IVDD prone breeds. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmJoin a pet grief group for support: www.dailystrength.org/c/Pet-Bereavement/support-groupGodspeed sweet Lily and ((Warmest hugs)) with my sincere condolences to you and your family When tomorrow starts without me..
don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me..
I'm right here in your heart.
~David M. Romano |
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Post by Caitlyn & Tank on May 12, 2014 8:08:49 GMT -7
I am so sorry for your loss. I know exactly what you are going through. I had a 5 year old dachshund named Tank on April 30th he fell off of my bed and I knew something was wrong with him. May 2nd he went to the vet and was put on Rimadyl and Tramadol. That afternoon he lost movement in his back legs. We could not afford surgery and eventually he lost his deep pain perception. I was expressing his bladder everyday and thought he was doing good. Until May 9th he was acting different, not eating or being himself. I took him to the vet and he had a fever of 103.4. The vet told me about myelomalacia and told me bring him back on the 10th to check his pain again. After doing research on the disease I knew in my heart that my baby had it. The morning of May 10th I took my baby back to the vet to be told the disease had moved 3 and a half inches higher then the night before. I had to make the difficult decision then to euthanize him. I'm lost without my bestfriend and I hate that I couldn't save him.
I hope you are finding strength with each day that goes on.
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Post by Cassie & Willow on May 13, 2014 12:24:30 GMT -7
Shannon, I am so sorry for your family's loss of Lily. I, too, lost my dachshund Willow to myelomalacia on March 17th. It's a devastating disease that I wish to this day I had never heard of. It seems to strike such young dogs. I don't know if that's my impression or if it's symptomatic of the disease. I wish there was more that could be done, but those of us who have experienced it know we've done the only thing possible. I hope you find some peace in the good memories you have of Lily.
Cassie
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