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Post by Dana & Oliver on Apr 21, 2014 9:53:37 GMT -7
Hi,
Oliver is a 5 year old dachsund. He had his first IVDD incident in February of this year. Had weakness but no paralysis. Had an MRI that showed extensive disk disease with compression at L4. When being prepped for surgery, his blood pressure bottomed out. Fortunately, he was at a facility that also had a cardiologist. It was determined that he had a sinus node defect and cannot be under anesthesia unless he has a pacemaker. At that time we did conservative care for 8 weeks and he was walking and seemed to be fine.
This weekend, he had another disk episode. It seems to be a different disk this time. We took him back to the neurologist for evaluation and pain meds, knowing that surgery is not an option. At this time he has no deep pain sensation and is paralyzed.
He has been on his meds since yesterday,but still seems to be in a lot of pain. Called the vet; they said that the prednisone needs to kick in to relieve some of the pressure. He seems very anxious and won't relax. This episode is entirely different than the last. Am hoping for a full recovery; if not, we will get him a cart. He is on
25mg Tramadol every 8 hours
50mg/ml Gabapentin every 8 hours for pain
7.5 mg Prednisone every 8 hours every 12 hours.
I was finally able to express his bladder after his morning meds, but he is very sensitive and yelps when touched at level of injured disk. He even snapped at me. Hoping we can get him to where he's safely not uncomfortable. Just feeling very disheartened and trying to be patient. Thanks for listening.
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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 21, 2014 11:53:46 GMT -7
Dana, welcome to Dodgerslist. We are glad you found us but sorry to hear Oliver is suffering another disc episode. Pain one thing to NOT have any patience with. I'm not sure of Oliver's drug limitations with this sinus node defect. So I would have a serious conversation with the vet so you fully understand his pain med limitations. Assuming this sinus node defect means there is no problem taking tramadol or a muscle relaxer then you need to be strong advocate for getting pain under control asap. When the pain meds are right in mgs, right in combination of meds, pain is fully under control dose to dose. Prednisone is not a pain reliever and might take anywhere from 7-30+ days to get the painful swelling in the spinal cord down. In the meantime pain meds mask the pain asap. Background reading to refresh on how anti-inflammatories work with a disc episode www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmHow much does Oliver weigh? If he is somewhere between 13-20 pounds your neuro vet or DVM vet still has options to increase the dose in mgs possibly up to a full 50mg dose. This all needs to be discussed in light of his sinus defect. Which vet did you call the neuro vet or your local DVM vet? I would also discuss a pain med that deals with pain stemming from muscle spasm pain so often associated with a disc episode: methocarbamol. Background reading in prep for joining a discussion: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmPhrase 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. Pepcid AC is a generally safe over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for healthy dogs. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory very good for learning about each of your dog's meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmOtten it does take practice to be proficient in expressing. However, you can't care for Oliver properly when he is in pain. Good tips on expressing both urine and for poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm-- How are his poops? NOrmal firmness and color? Is he wanting to eat? Pain also is a deterrent to healing. Let us know what action was taken to get pain meds right for Oliver Never give up, stay focused, stay postitive and stay strong! You and Oliver will get through this bump in the road of life. |
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Post by Dana & Oliver on Apr 22, 2014 10:20:09 GMT -7
Wanted to update you on Oliver's condition. Upped his ▲Tramadol to 35 ml and saw an immediate response. He is now comfortable and pain free. Thanks for the suggestion and the support.
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Post by Dana & Oliver on Apr 22, 2014 11:12:24 GMT -7
Has anyone tried Class IV laser therapy in conjunction with their dog's conservative treatment? If so, when can it begin, during crate rest or after? Also what success have you had; ie pain relief, accelerated healing, etc. Thanks in advance for your input!
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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 22, 2014 11:29:23 GMT -7
Is he now on a stomach protector.... Pepcid AC 5mg 2x/day? How much does he weigh? How are you doing with expressing? Staying dry in between every 2-3 hours expressing times? How are his poops, normal color and firmness? No red or black black blood? We do recommend laser therapy, accupuncture. Our main web page will give you the details. Just type "laser" into the search box on our website: www.dodgerslist.com/ 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. |
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Post by Dana & Oliver on Apr 22, 2014 15:43:48 GMT -7
He is on Pepcid AC 5 mg 2x a day. He weighs 16 lbs. Expressing is going well. I am going to start the laser ASAP. Just taking nor day at a time, but am seeing improvement over the past few days as far as being in no pain. His poops are normal and can feel them coming out, so he kind of freaks out about going in his crate and not being able to get it away from them. We're hanging in there!
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on Apr 25, 2014 16:54:55 GMT -7
I did laser treatment with my Baxter Boo. He experienced his 3rd disc episode on February 5th and started laser treatments then next week. He had laser treatments through his entire conservative treatment. When we started the conservative treatment, Baxter Boo had no feeling in his back end, could not walk and could not stand and had no bladder control.
The laser treatment helped, he regained bladder control, feeling returned and he can stand with assistance. He is still not walking but the vet is optimistic he will walk again, she said healing can take longer as they get older (he is 10 years old).
I believe he would not have made as much progress as he has had without the laser treatment. The laser treatment definitely helped his recovery.
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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 1, 2014 6:19:23 GMT -7
On behalf of Dana May 1, 4am:
It is with much sadness that I am posting that Oliver developed myleomalacia and had to be helped to cross the Rainbow Bridge. I want to thank you for all of your support and help in battling Oliver's second episode with IVDD. Your advice regarding pain management and posts describing the symptoms of myleomalacia were instrumental in helping me recognize that it was time to let Oliver go peacefully. You provide an excellent service, and I will continue to recommend you to all Dachshund owners as an informational and supportive haven when faced with battling this terrible disease.
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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 1, 2014 6:37:26 GMT -7
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. RomanoDana, my heart is broken learning of the disease myelomalacia www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Myelomalacia.pdf happened this morning. By being well read you were able to work with your vet to give the most difficult of gifts to spare Oliver from a bad and certain ending. My experience is you will never get used to Oliver not being at your side. With time you learn to cope, learn to live with the love he left behind. Your mind eventually will dwell on the lovely times you both shared, the times he made you laugh. May Oliver soon begin to help you laugh again as you are reminded of his funny antics and unique character. Choosing some sort of action can help during these grieving days. On behalf of Oliver 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.htmThere is a lovely website called the Dachshund Memorial Garden where you can pay tribute and even place a photo. Many touching poems to help in this time of grief: www.dachshundmemorialgarden.comThere 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. Godspeed sweet Oliver, I know my Lewis is now showing you around at the rainbow bridge as you both run pain free. Warmest of ((hugs)) to you, Dana |
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Post by Jean & Mimi on May 1, 2014 6:56:05 GMT -7
Dana I am so deeply sorry to hear of your loss. As difficult as your decision was, please know that it was the most loving and caring choice you could have made for Oliver.
Know that your sweet boy is waiting for you, he is running around, pain free and happy, over the bridge. Fly free sweet Oliver.
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Post by Shari&BaxterBoo on May 1, 2014 15:03:07 GMT -7
Dana, I am so sorry for your loss.
Hugs, Shari
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Post by Sidara&Magic Bean on May 2, 2014 5:55:48 GMT -7
So sorry for your loss  |
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