Chris, welcome to Dodgerslist. My dog, Clark, has been paralyzed for many years now. He is pretty adept in switching sides and keeping his legs from under him. So that might well be for Sonny too. So that we are more knowledgable about your girl, Sonny, fill us in on a few more details when you get Sonny back home:
--Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD?
-- What was the date you saw the vet and 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for this current disc episode? We've guessed it might be May 12th.
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?
-- How much does she 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?
-- 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.
GLad that you have been reading here on the Forum. The core of our IVDD information resides on our main webpage. Self education with this disease is critical. Knowledge is to make sure the right things are being done for best recovery. And for yourself, knowledge lets you step out of a very scary place…"the unknown" and the toll it could take on your emotions.
Get ready to fight this disease with this current episode 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 over the next several days. Here's the link
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmWe look forward to learning more about Sonny via your answers. IN the meantime Never give up, stay focused, stay postitive and stay strong! You and Sonny will get through this bump in the road of life.
