Welcome to Dodgerslist. We are friendly group and just go by first names. My name is Paula what is yours? What is your dog's name?
Your dog could be a good candidate for conservative treatment but only if you are self educated and know how very important crate rest is. The SINGLE most important care you can give is 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 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. The crate (wire crate, ex-pen, baby crib) 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. It is only large enough to stand up, turn around and when lying down to fully stretch out the legs.
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.
We can better help if you will answer the questions we have for you:
--What is your dog's name and yours?
-- What was the date you saw the vet for this current disc episode and the date meds started?
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Know the pain meds to advocate for if your dog is suffering with needless pain:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm-- Good reading to understand how Metacam will work, how long it takes and the protection of the GI tract:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm-- How much does your dog weigh? What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies?
Anti-inflammatories such as Metacam can increase GI tract damage.
Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason my dog may not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. This directory very good for learning about each of your dog's meds:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm -- 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.
