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Post by skywatcher on May 8, 2014 11:08:28 GMT -7
I have a ShiZu/Maltese mix. Bailey is 8 years old and never had a sick day in his life. Because he is a mix he has a long body with little short legs.
Early December I noticed he wasn’t himself and stopped jumping on the couch and bed. After a few days I noticed his right back leg was weak. I took him to his vet immediately. They did x-rays which showed he has IVDD. He was put on a medication beginning with an “M” unfortunately I don’t remember the name as it did not work at all. A few days later, he was basically dragging his legs around. After the “advised” period of time passed on this medication, I brought him back and the Vet put him on Prednisone. It did wonders, within 3 weeks, he was back to his happy playful self, full of energy. We slowly weaned him off after keeping him on it till about early February. He was great till about a month ago when he started showing signs of pain and weakness again. No paralysis but weakness. He can still lift his tail and he has his bodily functions.
I called the vet who instructed me to put him back on the prednisone. This time after 2 weeks he showed no improvement. I took him back again and he was put on Dexamethasone. Again, he didn’t get any better but no worse. Last week I took him back in tears because I knew what they were gonna say. My vet’s decision was to put him back on Prednisone one more time and if that doesn’t work, other than surgery, I’d have no other choice but to put him down. He doesn’t seem to be in pain. Only if when I lift him to his bed he may wince a little. Financially, there would be no way I can afford surgery and it makes me feel like a horrible person. I don’t want to put him down, I cant. He’s my companion. I need help and advice.
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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 8, 2014 15:10:29 GMT -7
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Post by skywatcher on May 8, 2014 20:01:33 GMT -7
Hi Paula, thank you for responding. First of all please forgive me if there are misspelled words here as I'm using my cell phone to reply. My dogs name is Bailey, he's a 8 yr old ShiZu/Maltese mix. He was weighed last week and is 24lbs. Apparently there is some Bichon in him as well. The first time I took him to our vet was early December and the X-rays clearly showed 2 disks that were enlarged and one definitely putting pressure on his spinal cord that was causing the paralysis at that time. He called it degenerative disk disease. He is currently taking
24 lbs
prednisone 5mg twice a day.
He can walk, all be it wobbly and he will wag his tail at times. Plus his bodily functions are ok. But, he has absolutely no energy, he sleeps all day. The only time he will move at all is when I pick him up to take him to pee/poo. The first time he was on prednisone it did wonders but this time it doesn't seem to be helping the same. He does sleep on my bed but not in it with me. I have a very firm mattress as I have back issues as well. It seems to be the only place he can sleep. He does in the night have heavy panting and shakes/shivers.
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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 8, 2014 21:13:06 GMT -7
My name is Paula what is yours? Being wobbly is of course a concern but not a need for anybody who knows IVDD to tell you surgery or death? Wow! This is what Dodgerlist is all about education and fighting misinformation. So you have good news on the neuro front. The bad news is lack of education has you so upset, not being able to recognize harmful advise and care practices. I hope a couple of days reading will be doable for you to make you a savvy IVDD dog owner and know in your heart it IS in the cards for Bailey to again enjoy family life after all 8 weeks of crate rest have been completed. Here is a very good start point for your reading to understand conservative treatment, meds, care, etc: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmI do have a few comments for you based on what you've written: -- Bailey is not on any pain med. He IS in pain. You'll need to skip to this info to be prepared to strongly adovcate for pain meds being on board asap in the morning: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm Pain should never be tolerated as it will hinder the whole healing process not to mention it is torture. -- Bailey's Gi tract is not being protected. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. This directory is what I used to educate myself about each med my dog takes: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html-- 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 recovery suite 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. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm -- Panting can be a sign of pain. It can also be a temporary side effect of pred. Try setting up a fan near his recovery suite but not pointed at him. The slight circulation of air may help. Also fill a sock with rice and freeze. Let Bailey lie against it to cool off. Keep us posted on what the vet does to get pain in control and that Pepcid AC is on board. Oh and what kind of recovery suite you have for Bailey...a wire crate, an ex-pen..... |
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