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Post by Heather & Diesel on Apr 27, 2014 17:29:06 GMT -7
Hello. This is the first time I've posted to the forums, but not my first round with ivdd. A little background:
Diesel is our 7 year old mini dachshund. He was a birthday gift for me from my husband, and my far the best one ever.
We had out first experience with ivdd in July 2013. Our boy hopped over the hubs lap and immediately yelped in pain. We were camping in our camper and he got progressively worse. Long story short, Diesel was scheduled for emergency surgery because he had ruptured a disc. He had no use of his back legs and had lost bladder control, but had dps so his prognosis was good for surgery. On 7/31/13, he had surgery. He responded well to his pain meds and crate rest, and received the official blessing from his amazing neuro doc 6 weeks after surgery.
Fast forward to the end of March, and our pup starts yelping again. Vet visit the next day and our worst fears - another ivdd episode, but this time to his cervical spine. 8 weeks strict crate rest, pain meds, muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory meds. He's greatly improved but still has some days that I get scared.
Here's my question for all of you - how do you handle the setbacks? What works for you? I know this is a lifetime disease and my heart breaks for my pup because he is my fur child and I want him to have the fun that a 7 year old dog is supposed to have. I don't want to treat him like he's a senior citizen, but sometimes it feels like I have to so I can preserve his health. Not letting him run too much. Taking away the toys that he likes to shake. Avoiding too much interaction with other dogs. Obviously crating while I'm at work and no jumping or steps.
Sometimes I feel bad for keeping him from doing his doggy thing. Anyone else?
Thanks for reading!
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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 17:38:39 GMT -7
Heather, glad you have joined us all here. Some dogs do have multiple disc episodes and some do not. We just learn to live with the disease by recognizing the pain signs and immediate crating and vet help with meds. We have lots of good reading for you to get over the fear of living with IVDD, how to make your home back friendly, etc. But first tell us a bit more about Diesel. -- What was the date you saw the vet and 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for this current disc episode? -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Have you implemented all the extras you can do when a neck disc is involved: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm-- How much does your dog weigh? What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies? Do you have Pepcid AC (famotidine) on board with the anti-inflammatory? -- Eating and drinking OK? How are poops today- normal color and firmness, no dark or bright red blood? -- 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. |
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Post by Heather & Diesel on Apr 27, 2014 18:09:05 GMT -7
Hi Paula. His 8 weeks of crate rest ended on April 14. Currently, he's only on one 12.5Mg dose (half of a 25 mg chewable) of rimadyl per day as the neuro vet said it's fairly safe to be on long term and can help keep him from having flare ups. He also gets a once daily dkss of pepcid for his tummy.
he eats, drinks and potties normally and was doing so even with the cervical spine episode. He's technically done with his conservative treatment, but I find it hard to just let him be a "normal" dog and do restrict his activity. Slow walks around the yard and lots of laying around.
He weighs around 11lbs. Usually he is at 10, but after 2 months of limited movement he gained some but is still thin like a dachshund should be.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Apr 28, 2014 4:39:38 GMT -7
Hi, Heather. An anti-inflammatory such as Rimadyl is given to resolve the swelling from a disc episode. Once that swelling goes down and there are no signs of pain, no further medication is required. Rimadyl can have serious side effects and there is no reason to continue Rimadyl if the swelling has resolved and there is no way of knowing whether the swelling has resolved until the Rimadyl is stopped. The only time long-term anti-inflammatories are given is if numerous stopping of meds indicate that pain/swelling still remains. Has there ever been a test for pain where the Rimadyl has been stopped to see if pain returns? While on an anti-inflammatory, we at Dodgerslist recommend 5 mg of Pepcid AC given 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and then every 12 hours thereafter for as long as the anti-inflammatory is given. It's only been two weeks since Diesel graduated from crate rest so he should still be taking it easy. It takes time to gradually build up their stamina and muscle strength after 8 weeks in the crate. Here's a schedule that was very helpful to me when my Jeremy graduated from crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmThe above link also shows never again activities and back friendly activities and there's a link on how to make your home back friendly. Once Diesel regains his muscle strength and stamina, he'll be able to enjoy a good doggy life with some restrictions as indicated in the link given above. Try not to feel bad about taking a toy away that he's shaking as you're only doing what's best for him. I try to distract Jeremy when he wants to do something he's not allowed to do by giving him something else to do or take him for a walk. He'll be allowed to run in a few weeks - just try to avoid zig zag running or stopping suddenly, like pouncing on a ball. The slow walks around the yard are great for building up those muscles and you'll gradually be back to walking as much as you did before. You'll both adjust soon to your "new normal" life. Let us know the history of the Rimadyl and testing for pain so we can support you further in that regard. Prayers for many good years ahead with no disc episodes ahead for Diesel. |
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