Welcome to Dodgerslist, Jessica! First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for your Jack Jack to get back to enjoying life after recovering.
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 that your dog was born with 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. Are you ready? Here's the link
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmIt's important to know the dosage of the Tramadol, I would call and ask and please let us know. We can advise you if the dosage is too low. Signs of pain are shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy. If you see any of these signs it means Jack Jack's pain medications need to be adjusted. Pain free from dose to dose is the goal, as any pain at all hinders healing.
You will need to express Jack Jack every 2 to 3 hours to avoid leaks in his bedding. Prednisone makes them very thirsty and in turn makes them need to urinate much more frequently than usual..
So glad you started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for this current disc episode for 8 weeks! That;s the best gift you can give your Jack Jack! STRICT means 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.
It takes 8 weeks for the disc to form secure scar tissue..stopping crate rest before that time doesn't give the discs long enough to heal. Think of the crate as a cast on a broken bone. It takes discs longer to heal than a broken bone..
Not wanting to eat is a red flag warning of GI Distress brought on by Prednisone:
Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. 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. Pepcid AC is a generally safe over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for healthy dogs. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm "COMMONLY SEEN TOXIC CHINESE HERBS AND PRECAUTIONS" Double P II is derived from the classical formula Da Huo Luo Dan. Herbs containing aconitine such as Double P II are toxic to the nervous system. Aconitine excites the vagus nerve and central nervous system first, and then leads to successive inhibition, and finally death because of paralysis ... Herbs containing aconitine include Aconite (Chuan Wu), Aconite (Cao Wu), Aconite (Fu Zi ), and Aconite (Xue Shang Yi Zhi Hao). It has been reported that 0.2 mg aconitine per patient by mouth caused toxic reactions in people, and 2-6 mg per patient orally could kill a human. Signs of toxic reaction are tremors and numbness of lips and limbs, excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, anxiety, disorientation, convulsions, dyspnea, paresis or paralysis, fecal or urinary incontinence, arrhythmia, coma and death. Fu Zi is the most commonly used herb containing aconitine in veterinary practice.21 ...The most commonly used herbal formulas that contribute to GI upset are Ku Shen Si Wu, Stasis Breaker, and Double P II (modified Da Huo Luo Dan).
www.tcvm.com/doc/TCVMNews2010SummerR.pdf For ideas on top opening crates or recovery suites look here:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm and here:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm and how to convert a crate you already have:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/cratetopconvert.pdfHow to make your home back friendly:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmSo glad you are here with us.. All of us here have dogs with IVDD either in a current or past episode. We understand what you are going through.. Healing thoughts and prayers!
