Danielle, so sorry to hear Oscar is having another disc episode. IVDD is a nasty disease because there is just no predicting if there will be one disc episode or multiple ones.
Conservative treatment is necessarily more strict than for a post op dog. So just so we are on the same page that means: 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no 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. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.
I'm very concerned you mention there is still minor pain and that you give pain meds on an as needed basis. There can be no patience with pain. It must be under control fully within in an hour when the pain meds are properly prescribed for Oscar and the pain stays at bay fully dose to dose. Pain meds are not given on an as needed basis. By time pain surfaces you are late in giving meds.
With a bit more information we might understand a bit more about his pain.
--That was the date of this disc episode-- the day of the vet visit and the meds?
-- Let us which signs of pain you are seeing - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, not his normal perky self?
-- How much does your dog weigh? What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies? Has there been a reduction in the steroid, what date, was was the current and the now dose/frequency. Are you giving Pepcid AC (famotidine) 5mgs 2x/day? Important reading to understand all about tapering a steriod, what your job at home is and the feedback your vet needs. Type in "taper" in the search box here to
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? How are poops today- normal color and firmness, no dark or bright red blood?
-- Currently can Oscar wag the tail when you do some happy talk? Keep in mind the very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage will be necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment
once off all pain meds and no more signs of pain The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk .
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? How often are you expressing every 2-3 hours while on steroids? Keeping him dry is important as an overflowing bladder will invite bladder infection and can ruin the tone of the bladder. Also skin scalds from urine...so we don't recommend belly bands except for a few days until you can become proficient in expressing. Boil up some green tea, cool and using it to wipe off urine...leaves clean smell and counter acts the alkaline urine. Can you feel the bladder at the last stage when it goes very flat? Have you been back to express in the clinic and have the vet tech check your work. A good review of expressing both for urine and for poop:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poop-- 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.
I know you read alot at the time of surgery, now it would be a good idea to check out our main web page to familiarize yourself with conservative treatment, pain meds, anti-inflammatories, nerve regeneration...lots of good reading to be IVVD savvy on this page:
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm