rheanna
New Member
mommy of two precious dachshunds!
Posts: 3 
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Post by rheanna on Apr 30, 2014 17:54:18 GMT -7
hello! I'm Rheanna  My little Vega is having some back problems and this is our first time battling IVDD. Vega is a 5 year old black and tan smooth haired dachshund. She weighs 10 lbs and her diet is primarily blue buffalo wilderness with the occasional home made food made from boiled chicken and veggies. 6 weeks ago Vega cried out one night when my husband picked her up. By the next day she was crying out more often when touched and walking a little funny on her back left leg, almost a limp. We took her right in to the vet and she put Vega on 25 mg of Rimadyl and a medicine for stomach issues because she wasn't sure at this time if it was back or stomach. The vet did a full blood work up and she was perfectly healthy. Two days later, on a Friday, Vega was having spasms in her back left leg constantly and was unsteady on the back legs. Our Vet added Tramadol 25 mg per 12 hours, and methocarbomal (forgot the dose) and still the 25mg of rimadyl per 24 hours and we started crate rest. My primary vet recommended acupuncture which we started the following Monday. By Sunday, Vega was urinating a great deal in her crate while laying down and not wanting to eat drink or move. She could stand and walk but refused to. We took her to the Emergency vet and all blood work was still fine and the vet decided she was allergic to Rimadyl. My primary vet assumed it was the methocarbomal so I pulled her off of both and was afraid to give her anything. The ER did recommend giving the 1/4 tablet of Pepcid AC before her meds which we having been doing ever since. On Monday, Vega had her first acupuncture treatment and everything went well and she seemed to be doing better on Tuesday. On Wednesday she quickly went back down hill urinating on herself and refusing water and food and her stomach seemed to be much larger then previously and we took her to the ER to check for bloat. Her blood work came back perfect again but they did and x-ray and Vega has several calcified disks and one bulging I think? He recommended placing her back on Rimadyl along with her tramadol. I read your strict crating recommendation and I am following them closely. She has since had her second acupuncture visit and we also purchased a PEMF device which we use 4 times a day. This morning she threw up all of her meds and eats very little. She does pee in her cage but not laying down she does the girl squat. I also take her out and she pees outside with sniffing then squatting. Her bowels are moving and she walks with a little limp on her left side. She shakes in pain and her stomach is always tight and large. She doesn't want out of her cage so we don't have to worry about her moving around. She is currently on Rimadyl 1/2 tablet every 12 hours, and tramadol 25mg every 12 hours and the Pepcid 30 mins before meds. One day she seems to be her old self then she quickly goes down hill! We are stressed and spent a fortune and just want to do anything to help her? any advice? |
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Sabrina
Helpful Member 
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Apr 30, 2014 19:24:46 GMT -7
Hi Rheanna, I'm Sabrina. Welcome to Dodger'sList - I'm so glad you found us! From what you write it sounds like you're finding your way around the articles side of Dodger'sList - here are some links to help you as you become an IVDD mini-expert for the sake of your sweet Vega! First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for your dog to get back to enjoying life after recovering. YES, Your Dog CAN Have a Great Quality of Life! - www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmWith this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for Vega's best recovery, but also for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Are you ready? Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmAdd this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm Tape this flyer to your fridge so the whole family knows what things are emergencies: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdfReading Vega's story, there are two things that stick out to me as things to call the vet about now (if it's after hours, speak to whoever's on call): 1. GI trouble. Not wanting to eat, throwing up, etc are red flags of GI trouble. Ask whoever's on call at your vet if Vega can be started on a second stomach protector, Sucralfate, tonight. Sucralfate acts as a sort of "band-aid" for damaged upper GI tract tissues: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#intestinaldrugsThe FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. 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 is in alpha order: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/stomachProtection.htm2. Pain. The goal of pain meds during a disc episode is for Vega to feel no pain dose to dose. Tramadol has a very short half-life, and typically needs to be prescribed every 8 hrs (3x/day). Often times a second or even third pain med are needed to control all the pain: Methocarbamol is good at addressing pain from spasms and Gabapentin is often used with Tramadol for hard to control pain: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#paindrugsAbout the Methocarbamol - What was the exact reason your vet stopped this for Vega? ))Hugs!(( I am so sorry you and Vega have to go through this, but know that you can learn what you need to know in order to be Vega's advocate. And we are here to support you! Let us know what the vet says about adding Sucralfate, and increasing the Tramadol/potentially adding more pain meds. |
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rheanna
New Member
mommy of two precious dachshunds!
Posts: 3
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Post by rheanna on Apr 30, 2014 20:45:46 GMT -7
My vet never answers the phone and never calls back so we are going to see a well known and respected vet tomorrow. The methocarbamol was causing her to be out of her mind and just staring into space and not responding to me.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on May 1, 2014 4:08:17 GMT -7
Good for you not to have patience with a vet who doesn't communicate with you promptly. Please let us know how the visit with the new vet goes. Prayers that the new vet will get Vega's pain under control and help with her GI tract problems ASAP.
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rheanna
New Member
mommy of two precious dachshunds!
Posts: 3
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Post by rheanna on May 1, 2014 13:55:29 GMT -7
Ok! So the new vet was very motivated, cheerful, and optimistic which I greatly needed now! We started making sure we gave the Pepcid 30 mins ahead and food with rimadyl! Her tummy has stayed soft and normal for over 24 hours now!!!!! The vet was concerned about her urinating inside since vega has not lost neurological functions and her urine was very diluted so she gave an antibiotic shot for possible infection! In 2 weeks if not better we are going to look for possible bladder stones?! She increased her▲ tramadol to 3 times a day and suggested laser therapy. We bought a package of 8 laser treatments and started them today! Vega is having a great day today and not crying when I pick her up. We are still crating! We will now be doing acupuncture and laser therapy on Mondays and additional laser therapy on Thursdays as well! We are still using the PEMF loop 4 times a day. I hope things continue to improve for Vega!
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Post by Hester & Hope+Dashel on May 8, 2014 16:09:03 GMT -7
How are things going for little Vega now?
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My little Vega is having some back problems and this is our first time battling IVDD. Vega is a 5 year old black and tan smooth haired dachshund. She weighs 10 lbs and her diet is primarily blue buffalo wilderness with the occasional home made food made from boiled chicken and veggies. 6 weeks ago Vega cried out one night when my husband picked her up. By the next day she was crying out more often when touched and walking a little funny on her back left leg, almost a limp. We took her right in to the vet and she put Vega on 25 mg of Rimadyl and a medicine for stomach issues because she wasn't sure at this time if it was back or stomach. The vet did a full blood work up and she was perfectly healthy. Two days later, on a Friday, Vega was having spasms in her back left leg constantly and was unsteady on the back legs. Our Vet added Tramadol 25 mg per 12 hours, and methocarbomal (forgot the dose) and still the 25mg of rimadyl per 24 hours and we started crate rest. My primary vet recommended acupuncture which we started the following Monday. By Sunday, Vega was urinating a great deal in her crate while laying down and not wanting to eat drink or move. She could stand and walk but refused to. We took her to the Emergency vet and all blood work was still fine and the vet decided she was allergic to Rimadyl. My primary vet assumed it was the methocarbomal so I pulled her off of both and was afraid to give her anything. The ER did recommend giving the 1/4 tablet of Pepcid AC before her meds which we having been doing ever since. On Monday, Vega had her first acupuncture treatment and everything went well and she seemed to be doing better on Tuesday. On Wednesday she quickly went back down hill urinating on herself and refusing water and food and her stomach seemed to be much larger then previously and we took her to the ER to check for bloat. Her blood work came back perfect again but they did and x-ray and Vega has several calcified disks and one bulging I think? He recommended placing her back on Rimadyl along with her tramadol. I read your strict crating recommendation and I am following them closely. She has since had her second acupuncture visit and we also purchased a PEMF device which we use 4 times a day. This morning she threw up all of her meds and eats very little. She does pee in her cage but not laying down she does the girl squat. I also take her out and she pees outside with sniffing then squatting. Her bowels are moving and she walks with a little limp on her left side. She shakes in pain and her stomach is always tight and large. She doesn't want out of her cage so we don't have to worry about her moving around. She is currently on 
