Shelley's Slinky 3/30 conservative

Hi Shelley, Slinky could be having a relapse. The disc may not have been fully healed, and if Slinky took one too many steps or twisted the wrong way, etc., the disc could have herniated. Please bring Slinky to the vet for an evaluation so that the appropriate meds can be given. Does he seem to be in any pain? Please let us know what the vet says. Until you get to the vet, make sure he is crated. ~Lisa

Shelly, I'm so sorry to hear about Slinky having another disc episode. This disease is nasty that it is not predictable. Any one of the 26 discs are subject to the premature aging this disease causes.

Crating at once to preserve the spinal cord from being permanently damaged and getting vet help is how we live with the disease. Sorry, but it will be Slinky's body that tells the story on forever being paralyzed and it is WAY to early to know anything. So ignore negativity and know that Slinky will get back to enjoying family life again. For right now he needs 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks.

You know we are a group who LOVE details. What are the exact names of all his meds, the dose in mg and how often you are to give them.

Let us know if pain is fully under control. Is there still currently - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, holding leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight?

As you know from last time often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain.

Here are the neuro signs to monitor for:
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle
5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog is down)
6. Bladder control is lost if you find urine leaks in bedding or when lifted
7. Tail wagging with joy is lost
8. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for successful surgery. Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12/24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong. So if surgery is an option get to a neuro or ortho asap.

Give Slinky a hug from us all and let him feel your positive outlook that he will be ok.... because he will! We have a new page to help you re-orient yourself to the overall picture with meds, time to heal, etc here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm

Your vet has a crystal ball?  I want one too!

Each disc episode is different, may be a different disc or the same one, may be impacting the spinal cord differently such as happened in a matter of hours vs. over a couple of days. So there are way too many variables to make any sort of prediction. Xrays won't show soft tissue detail such as the disc or the spinal cord. It is the expensive $1000+ advanced imaging MRIs, CTs or myelograms that can give necessary information. Would surgery be an option for your family? If yes, do look into credit care so you know your financial options. You find out online if you qualify: www.carecredit.com/faqs.html

You are not doing anything wrong if you had completed 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks last time. There is no way to predict if another disc or the same disc would again be so aged that it can't bear the pressure of the disc moving. The aged disc can no longer be the flexible cushion it is supposed to be for the bony vertebrae.

All hope is certainly NOT lost for Slinky whether you choose surgery or choose conservative treatment. We owners have to take things into perspective with disc disease. True success with IVDD is measured by the most important goal of returning your dog to a pain free, happy and full-of-love quality of life after crate rest. Should paralysis occur, please know that dogs do not view the lack of ability to walk as a minus as humans do. Dogs adjust to what is and then get on with the business of fully enjoying all that life has to offer until nerves repair!

Because Slinky is having repeated episodes, I would recommend you see a board certified neuro for a consultation to see if there is something else going on or if this is indeed another disc episode. Having the right diagnosis means Slinky would be getting matching treatment for what is his problem.

Board-certified neuros (ACVIM) and ortho (ACVS) surgical specialists can be found at University vet teaching hospitals. You can locate others in your area here:
www.acvim.org
www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/DiplomateDirectory/

Dodgerslist Yahoo database:
pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/database

Since it was prescribed you can see if Pred is reducing swelling and allowing some function to return. If the damage was caught early and not too severe, you might see a quick positive change. When nerves have been badly damaged it can take time for them to come back.

Is a consult with a neuro something that is in your budget. It is unusual to not have any pain associated with a disc episode and this has been going on for sometime. It would be prudent to verify what is the cause.... a disc or something else going on.

Shelley, what state do you live in? Maybe some of our members know of a good surgeon in your area. ~Lisa

I am in South Dakota