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Post by Yvonne & JouJou on Apr 30, 2014 11:57:27 GMT -7
My 6 year old Brussels Griffon/Shih-Tzu Mix, JouJou, was diagnosed with IVDD 2-3 years ago. After crate rest that first time, he didn't have another episode until 5 months ago. During that episode, he could barely get his legs underneath him to walk, and when he did, his legs went all over the place (crossed over, etc). We did Tramadol and Prednisone, with 8 weeks of crate rest. He was still a little wobbly after 8 weeks, but so much better! After 1 week of freedom, he was having problems again, which is probably my fault for not keeping him from running and jumping- he's a little spitfire and is very hard to contain- so full of energy! So we took him to the vet where they verified he still has deep pain response, but he totally failed the test where they bend his paw against the table and wait for him to pick it back up- he didn't move it at all. After 7 weeks of crate rest, he was doing great, and I vowed to be more conservative with his movement once he gets out in a week, and I go home to let him out today, and he's hunching over again in pain...on crate rest. He's insane and sometimes throws himself against the crate, so I imagine he hurt himself that way? My husband and I have been so strict about the crate rest and no outside time, so I don't know what happened. My question is, what options do we have besides surgery to improve his quality of life? Crate rest is not helping him and I know the problem is not going to fix itself- he needs help. I'm not emotionally ready to handle putting him under the knife, not without trying alternatives first. Any recommendations? Accupuncture? Physical Therapy? Is surgery imminent at this point? Is there some sort of brace I can put him in or a sling to carry him around to help his back heal? I'm not sure what else to do for him, but he's been in a crate for practically the last 4 months, and I just can't keep doing this to him if it's not helping- that's no life for a dog. Help!
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Post by Stevie & Cleopatra on Apr 30, 2014 12:54:12 GMT -7
Hi! My name is Stevie and I totally understand your frustration! I am on my second bout with my baby Cleo, and she is currently on crate rest too. I know that back braces are not recommended for IVDD, but the other things you mentioned, like acupuncture and laser therapy definitely are! I live in Colorado, and here there is a rehab center that offers these services as well as an evaluation of diet, ect. I am taking my dog next week. Depending on where you live, perhaps we could help you find one too? I know how hard it is to have an energetic dog with IVDD. My Cleo will get "crazy" and just take off running in circles around the house as fast as she can. I am always afraid she will hurt herself. Now that she is on crate rest, I have found that a combination of an oral medication and a pheromone diffuser help her calm down. Here are some suggestions that might help: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php Diffusers: --Comfort Zone (DAP) wall plug-in diffuser 48ml www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html --Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml www.adaptil.com/ Soothing music also seems to help, especially when we are not there with Cleo. There are lots of free videos on YouTube that are for dog relaxation, and some of them last for several hours. When we leave I leave my laptop next to Cleo with one of those videos playing. The main thing I would say has been helpful for me is to understand that while this is a chronic condition, it doesn't mean that your dog's life has to be "on hold" while he is recovering! If he likes to be outside, you could take his crate out there and be with his while he watches birds. I even sit next to Cleo's crate and play gentle games with her like hide and seek. There are also some great puzzle toys that do not stress the dog's back but allow them to exercise their minds. You are doing the right things for your dog already, it might just be time to add some new distractions. |
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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 30, 2014 15:57:19 GMT -7
Yovalle, I'm sorry to hear your JouJou is having such disc problems. We can best help you if you'll first give us some details: -- What was the date you saw the vet and 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for this current disc episode that started 7 weeks ago. I have guessed that might have been Feb 2. -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? -- How much does your dog weigh? ---Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies On what date did the anti-inflammatory stop if a NSAID or taper if a steroid? -- Eating and drinking OK? How are poops today- normal color and firmness, no dark or bright red blood? Do let us know he is on a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. -- Currently can JouJou wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? -- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? -- 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. Can you tell us what thoughts keep you from considering surgery IF it appears it would be helpful in JouJou's situation? What city state do you live in? Look forward to the answers to our questions so we can learn about JouJou |
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Post by Yvonne & JouJou on May 3, 2014 9:01:30 GMT -7
This episode started March 17th and he saw the vet either that same day or the next day. May 12th would be his "freedom day" from the crate
I gave him a single dose of Tramadol, Prednisone, and Pepcid after my last post, and he was back to normal by the next day (still in the crate). The day I wrote the last post, he cried when I picked him up, was hunched over when I set him down to use restroom, and was trembling. He was also walking backwards, which he always does when he's having a back episode. Now, he's exhibiting none of those symptoms.
11 lbs
He's currently not on any meds. He was initially on Tramadol (50 mg)- 1/4 tablet every 8-12 hrs
Prednisone (5mg)- 1/2 tablet 2x/day for 5 days, 1/2 tablet 1x/day for 5 days, the 1/2 tablet every other day til gone.
Pepcid was given with every dose- can't remember now if I gave it w/Tramadol or Prednisone, but I had researched that so I was giving it with whatever was supposed to be harsh on tummy.
He was also taking Rimadyl but I threw away the empty bottle so I don't have the dosage.
I don't remember what date the meds stopped- we gave rimadyl and prednisone til gone.
Even when he was most in pain/debilitated, he eats and drinks well, and poops have been normal- no change. He is no longer on Pepcid b/c is not on meds.
Hes better now, but the day I wrote the post, he was walking, moving legs and wagging tail.
No wetting beds or leaks.
I hesitate to do back surgery for joujou for the same reasons I would hesitate for myself if I had back problems. I wouldn't want him to have surgery on his spine unless it was absolutely necessary and there was no way to improve his quality of life/pain otherwise, because it's risky. I know lots of dogs have the surgery and are great, but what if it causes him more pain or there are complications? The cost factor is also an issue. I have 4 dogs- I just spent $900 for hospitalization for my Rottie who had HGE a week ago. He's ok now, thank God, but my mastiff was seeing a specialist for skin allergies and that has been an expensive process. My husband and I would do anything for our dogs, but $3-$4K for a surgery that May or may not help is scary. I live in Austin, TX. I just want JouJou to have a good quality of life, so if surgery were absolutely needed, I would not just let him suffer. We would find a way to pay for it. I'm just not convinced yet that it's the right thing to do for him, and I want to make the best decision possible for my little guy!
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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 3, 2014 10:54:08 GMT -7
Yovalle, wonderful news then that a 5 day course of anti-inflammatory was all it took to get the swelling down in the spinal cord. And even better is that you have an understanding that 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks with graduation on May 12 is what is takes to let the disc heal. I'm so thankful to hear that JouJou has dodged a very dangerous situation that could have had a deadly ending. Your vet does not follow the FDA warnings, the package insert warnings on both the prednisone and the Rimadyl containers...he does not appreciate the double jeopardy to the GI tract he inexcusably exposed JouJou to. Below are things you can read so you are best prepared to never let that happen again. There really are no "safe" meds. The safety comes with a vet who uses meds in a safe manner and an educated owner who knows all about each med BEFORE it goes into their dog's mouth. The MarVista Vet webpage is what I have bookmarked as a start point for learning about my own dog's meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmlReadings: At Dodgerslist we also follow the vets who want to first try the least invasive of treatments, conservative treatment. You may want to review this information to help you clarify when it could be time to consult with a neuro and see if surgery would be a consideration if that point in time would come: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmWhile keeping JouJou relaxed in his recovery suite so that his disc can heal properly you may just want to add several more weeks to that date or even start crate rest from Apr 30 to be very certain for a grad date of Je 25. Giving pred and pain meds for solely one day if there had been a tear to the still healing disc, would likely not be enough if the disc had actually torn. Of course it is all guess work because there are not going to be any $1000 advanced imaging MRI pictures taken. Let us know what you are deciding to do. Here is a plan to help you ease him slowly back into activity over the course of several weeks while observing carefully for any signs of soreness: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm Readings: |
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