Liza's Pickles 4/25 surgery

Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Marjorie -what's yours? I'm sorry to hear of Pickles' difficulties but please let your dog know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but 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. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

Loose stools is a red flag sign to us here at Dodgerslist of GI tract problems beginning as a side effect of the Prednisone. Pepcid AC should be given to protect your dog from the excess acid produced by the anti-inflammatory. The 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. Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before the dose of the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If your vet says your dog has no health issues such as liver, heart, etc to keep her from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board. Should the loose stools not improve or worsen, speak to your vet about adding a second stomach protector - Sucralfate.

Prednisone causes increased thirst and urination so Pickles should be expressed about 2-3 hours. You should be getting a good stream of urine when you express. If you have any difficulty expressing or if you find wet bedding or he leaks when picked up, please let us know. It's important to empty the bladder when expressing as any urine lying in the bladder too long can lead to a urinary tract infection. Or the bladder can overflow, which can stretch the bladder out of shape.

The only way for humans to know if a dog has bladder control is to take him outside to a place where he's urinated before, let him sniff around a bit and see if he can release urine on his own. Don't hold him under his belly, just around the hips, while doing this. If he can release urine on his own, then his bladder control is returning or has returned. You might have to express him after he goes for awhile to ensure that he has completely emptied his bladder.

What directions did the surgeon give concerning crate rest and physical therapy?

There is no timetable anyone can give you when to expect nerve repair to happen. In fact, there is no time limit for nerves to heal...it can take weeks, months or even a year or longer. However, it is known that neurological function usually returns in the reverse order of the damage. The first big sign you want to look for is that wonderful tail wag!

1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you, getting a treat or due to your happy talk.
3. Bladder and bowel control proved by passing the "sniff and pee" test.
4. Leg movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly placed paws.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.

Dogs with IVDD must be carried with their spines horizontal, carrying both ends. There's a video on this webpage showing how to properly lift and carry:


If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can 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.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingacupuncture.htm

Also water therapy can be performed after the stitches/sutures are removed. Some of these exercises can be done right in the bathtub. Just be sure to check with the surgeon before starting any of these.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm

We're here for you and will help you through this. Your nervousness will lessen and you'll do just fine. Read all that you can about IVDD so you'll become an "expert" on this disease and that will help ease things greatly. Please keep us updated and confirm with us that Pepcid AC has been started today. Also let us know how you're doing expressing.

Prayers for a speedy and full recovery for Pickles.

Sorry to hear Pickles has to deal with a cone. Could he have been possbily rubbing because of anal glands..have they been recently expressed and checked?

You might find this video a refresher to what was demonstrated since Pickles was so excited.

Prednisone will increase thirst making it necessary to express every 2-3 hours. Every dog is different so if in 90 mins he is already overflowing, then you need to move up the expressing a bit earlier. When first learning you may not be fully emptying the bladder so it fills up sooner. The goal is to fully empty it so you can keep him dry on a 2-3 hours schedule. Once off of pred expressing can go to every 4-6+ hours.

Good news on the solid poop! Reflexes often ingnite the other so that poop and pee come one right after the other. IN the morning I myself, have to quickly decide which I'm gonna do first bladder or bowels. I usually vote for bladder because a little tootsie roll size poop is not a big deal to clean up after! LOL.

Expressing is totally a practice thing. The more you do it the better you are able to feel that last stage of emptying where one hand can almost feel the fingers of your other hand because the bladder is so flat. Have you seen our expressing video...worth re- reviewing even if you have. Also check ouyt expressign for poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

Hi Liza!

Panting is a side effect of Prednisone and or Tramadol. It's hot too, so that isn't helping.  Try giving him ice cubes to lick.. or frozen broth cubes.. (make sure the broth doesn't have onions which are toxic to dogs).
You can have a fan near him but don't point it directly at him..

Panting can also be a sign of pain. Be on the lookout for any other signs of pain such as: shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?
If you see other signs of pain, call your Vet and have his pain medications adjusted until he is pain free from dose to dose.  Tramadol isn't as effective on an as needed basis. It is far more effective every 8 hours.

Healing thoughts and prayers..

Yes, do let the vet know about the licking. It could be neuropathic pain, which is feeling abnormal nerve sensations that are mild pins and needles but which could progress to painful burning, on-fire feeling that makes them bite to stop the pain. Dogs have tragically chewed off body parts to stop the pain. Gabapentin helps with this kind of pain. I don't mean to frighten you - just keep a close eye on him until he's seen by the vet. Here's more info:

www.dodgerslist.com/literature/neuropathy.pdf

I would speak to the vet about the tense tummy, too. Has he started the panting or breathing hard again? It's always best to let the vet know what you observe.

Let us know what the vet says. We completely understand the worry, Liza. Do try to stay positive - it will get better!