Jenny, welcome to Dodgerslist. We are glad you are here. I'm sorry to hear Miley is again having another disc problem. The good news is you identified pain, crated and got vet help promptly.!
With a bit more information we'll be in a better position to support you and Miley.
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, not their normal perky self interested in life? Usually a general pain reliever such as Tramadol will be used. Robaxin only deals with pain stemming from muscle spasm. So if you are seeing any hint of pain before the next dose of Robaxin or after being moved, you'd need to advocate for getting pain med tweaked. Good background reading in prep for phoning the vet: Before discussing pain meds, these articles can give you good background information:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm-- How much does Miley weigh? What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies?
Anti-inflammatories 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?
-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or 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? That is a sign of loss of bladder control. The only way to verfiy if there is bladder control is by the "sniff and pee" test. Carry Miley outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe. Diapers are not recommended as it can cause urine scald and most dogs are mortified to have body waste near them. It is the expressing every 3-4 hours as you are first learning that keeps the bladder from overflowing. Overflowing provides an environment where bacteria will mutiply very fast causing a UTI. Some UTI will cause leaking. Has there be a recent urinalysis to rule out infection. Good video to review expressing tips for poop as well as for urine:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm Let us know what you observe re: if there is bladder control by passing the sniff and pee test.
-- 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.
If Miley needs the edge taken off so that she can relax in her recovery suite and not be so rambunctious then so be it. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives such as Acepromazine, Trazodone, etc. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price
Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is. Some brands to consider:
--Comfort Zone (DAP) wall plug-in diffuser 48ml
www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html --Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml
www.adaptil.com/ Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below:
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