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Post by Cher & Peanut on May 26, 2014 4:34:36 GMT -7
Peanut had his annual at vet last Monday and Monday night he was whiney. I'm not sure if it was shots, as he is usually mopey after them, or if his back hurt then. I did ask if he fell or anything happened up there. Wednesday night he jumped up in bed like he was spooked, whined a couple times then settled back down. Thursday night he did this again, only he didn't settle right away. He went down ramp and was pacing around. He eventually calmed but still trembling so I took him to vet first thing Fri morning. She said mid-back injury and 2-wks limited movement. Now I know this isn't good advice.
His meds are:
Gabapentin 8-12 hrs
Previcox 8-12 hrs
I requested and she did the first laser treatment.
I got him pepcid from seeing on here.
I've been giving at about 9-10 hrs.
I made him an appt with the specialist that I know has done many successful surgeries for doxies in town for Wed as a consult.
Here is a cpl problems I am having... he is a small standard and is 18 pounds. Vet says his weight is good for his body structure. He is big pawed , wide chested.. much more so then his mini sister. I also have back problems and am not supposed to lift over 10 pounds. When I try to carry him, I am hurting us both. He whines and I hurt. I've been just letting him walk outside to potty place most times. I know this isn't good and he seems worse. I don't know how else to do this. He is now flopping down in a side sit more and more and trembling a lot. After he pees, he always licks himself. Only now,when he tries he can't get there. Seems as if he is stiff or it just hurts too much. He has crystals and elevated Ph too right now so he is irritated by them.
I am sitting here in tears wondering if I should just head to er at the specialist office or wait.
Sorry if this post is all over the place, I'm on my phone and my emotions are strung out. I love him so much and can't stand to see him so miserable.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on May 26, 2014 5:09:39 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Cher. If you are seeing worsening of neuro function, it would be best to have Peanut seen ASAP and not wait until Wednesday. It doesn't sound as though your regular vet is very familiar with treating IVDD. Plus, Peanut is still in pain since you're observing that he's trembling a lot. That's a sign of pain. Gabapentin is usually given along with Tramadol. You are correct that 2 weeks of limited movement is not good advice. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and out to potty. 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). www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmMovement is what disrupts the scar tissue trying to form. If the disc tears then very likely neuro funtions will worsen as the disc pressures the spinal cord. So your focus during the 8 weeks of restricted movement is to do everything possible to limit movement of the back to avoid loss of leg and bladder function, to avoid a surgery. No walks, only a very, very few footsteps to get the job done. Will Peanut use a pee pad so he just has to walk out of the crate onto the pad and do his business there? You can put caster wheels on a wire crate and wheel him right up to the outside door. If there are steps outside, put a ramp over the steps and wheel him right to the potty area. If you have a deck, wheel him out to the deck, put some dirt on the deck for him to go there. Please give us the exact dosage of all meds, including mgs and frequency given. 5 mg of Pepcid AC should be given 30 minutes before the dose of the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. Please give us a little more info: -- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? -- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood? 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.htmFrom what you've told us, Peanut is still walking, though flopping down to his side. It sounds as though he would be a good candidate for conservative care. Here is some information on when to consider surgery so you're prepared for your visit with the specialist: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmWe're here for you and Peanut and will help you through this. I know how frightening this is. Take a deep breath and have Peanut seen by the specialist. Blessings to you both. |
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Post by Cher & Peanut on May 26, 2014 7:47:31 GMT -7
Thanks for your response!
18 pounds
The Gabapentin is .45 ml 8-12 hrs.
Previcox is 1/2 a pill or 57 mgs.
pepcid
He tail wags and walks. The walk is a bit stiff. Almost a waddle. Friday you would've thought nothing was wrong from the way he was walking and behaving after vet gave him pain meds.
He is eating fine. Was drinking a lot more than normal first 2 days but now he doesn't seem to be drinking much at all. He is still peeing normally but hasn't pooped since yesterday am. Hopefully after he has breakfast. I know pain meds cause constipation so I need to get some pumpkin.
I'm not sure that I've answered all the additional questions since I can't see your post so I may have to add an additional reply.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,571
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Post by PaulaM on May 26, 2014 8:13:33 GMT -7
When on a mobile device, pressing the "QUOTE" button instead of "reply" will copy a post to view as you are replying. Sounds like Peanuts neuro functions are still good and he is likely to be a good candidate to recover under conservative treatment. Not drinking is a concern. Please prep yourself about used of NSAIDs and what you are supposed to be monitoring for the vet: www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htm Is he being fed wet food? If so total water in take is a combo of lapping water plus water in food and that could be why he is not thirsty. Adverse side effect with a NSAID is change in drinking and something to report to the vet as you will have read from the above link. |
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Post by Cher & Peanut on May 26, 2014 8:49:18 GMT -7
When on a mobile device, pressing the "QUOTE" button instead of "reply" will copy a post to view as you are replying. Sounds like Peanuts neuro functions are still good and he is likely to be a good candidate to recover under conservative treatment. Not drinking is a concern. Please prep yourself about used of NSAIDs and what you are supposed to be monitoring for the vet: www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htm Is he being fed wet food? If so total water in take is a combo of lapping water plus water in food and that could be why he is not thirsty. Adverse side effect with a NSAID is change in drinking and something to report to the vet as you will have read from the above link. I had almost forgot she also said I could add up to 1/4 pill of methocarbamol 500 mg tablets which I already had since his sister had a pulled muscle in leg. She said add in if he seemed to have breakthrough pain. I gave him 1/8 to see if it seemed to help and it seemed to help to well. He was not" stiff leg" walking and trying to track something he smelled in yard at almost a run if I hadn't picked him up. I had him on harness of course but was scared to jerk him or,let him pull to hard on it. And a 1/2 to whole sedative pill as he is so hyper. Its ACE Promazine 10 mg. I've been giving him that at 12 hours if needed as without it He howls cries and throws his body at the side of the cage. He hasn't been locked up since he was 3 mths old and he will be 6 yrs in June. He is on Royal Canin Urinary SO prescription canned food for his urinary crystals. I assume this has a higher water content? Time to make a shopping list with wheels and an xpen at least. Thanks very much ladies for all of the valuable information!!! |
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Post by John & Marley on May 26, 2014 12:47:52 GMT -7
I have wheels on my crate and my Marley is 17. 8 lbs, so I can relate to lifting a dog, and one on meds means he has to go out every 2 - 3 hrs Marley seemed to have to go. He would paw at me - his way of telling me he want to go do biz.. Not sure how many steps you have out side the door he has to go potty at. With us its one step and I built a ramp any way , so if I wanted to I can roll the cart outside and open the door and he can go in his pee poo area. Marley wouldn't stray and also I had a towel under his tummy for support, Even when he was walking better, I didn't want him to twist his back till after 8 weeks, I figured if I was outside watching him pee I can stand there with a towel / sling for support. Marley went down on FEB 5th, was in pain shaking for close to two weeks couldn't get the right meds for him due to vets offices were closed for 3 days due to a snow storm. He stayed on STRICT ABSOLUTE CRATE REST for 10 weeks not 8 but ten with me. Fed in his crate and a sling till 9 weeks for support. and he did 6 weeks of REHAB before he got full walking papers. He runs like the wind now , you would never know he went down on Feb 5, 2014 So I was inconvenienced from Feb 5 till May 21 some four months and he is fine, 4 months is nothing in the big picture time line of your dogs life. |
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Post by Cher & Peanut on May 26, 2014 13:11:18 GMT -7
Great news about Marley John! Thanks for sharing her story.
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Post by Pauliana on May 26, 2014 19:17:47 GMT -7
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Post by Maggie & Daisy on May 27, 2014 9:28:48 GMT -7
Hi. I'm so sorry it's heartbreaking to see them in pain.
I am using a stroller more than a crate for Daisy. It's perfect sized and zips closed so I can roll her outside and in instead of carrying her. I also park her next to me and she is more eye level and feels close to me. Maybe a stroller will help so you don't have to carry him.
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