tyc
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by tyc on May 27, 2014 12:16:47 GMT -7
Hi, I posted about an year ago and it turned out it wasn't a back problem. This is the same dog from then, and she started moving stiff and somewhat whiny from 3 days ago. I thought resting would get her better but this morning, she was noticeably worse. Above is the video I shot 1 hr ago. As you can see, she's shivering and her posture is not right.
She still eats good, but I had to deliver breakfast to her as she would not let me carry her (I carry her up and down the stairs as she's too old to do it by herself). I see her still weakly wagging tail when I dance with her favorite food (sweet potato) and can walk.
Is there any medicine I could get easily that will help her? Unfortunately I can't afford no vet. I have been out of job for awhile now.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on May 27, 2014 13:50:22 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name's Marjorie - what's yours? And what's your lovely dog's name? Shivering and yelping when being picked up are definitely signs of pain. Her discomfort can be seen in the video. She needs to be seen by a vet ASAP so a diagnosis can be made. She needs pain medication ASAP. Please do not give her medication meant for humans. Pain hinders healing. If this is a spine issue, she needs an anti-inflammatory to bring the swelling of the damaged disc down. The swelling is pressing on the spine and that needs to be taken care of ASAP because anything pressing on the spine can cause nerve damage. Fortunately, your dog can still walk but if the swelling is not taken care of, she may lose that ability. Once an anti-inflammatory is started, she'll also need to take Pepcid AC to protect against the side effects of the anti-inflammatory. It should just be a matter of one vet visit to get a diagnosis and medication. Any adjustments of medication should be able to be made with the vet over the phone. Be sure to keep her strictly confined to her crate. Did strict crate rest start 3 days ago? 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmWith 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.htmFind a vet who will work with you on vet costs, possibly take payments. No or low interest credit for veterinary costs can be obtained from Care Credit. You find out online if you qualify: www.carecredit.com/faqs.htmlOther links for financial help: www.dodgerslist.com/links/financial.htm Please let us know how you make out finding urgent vet care that will work in your financial situation.
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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 27, 2014 19:11:49 GMT -7
tyc, your dog is a good candidate to heal her disc under conservative treatment. That means 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks which is what heals the disc. The pain and suffering she is displaying (shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tumm, not normal perky self) will hinder her ability to heal and your ability to care for her not to mention it is torture. So call in all your owed chips and get an appointment with a vet. Let him know up front your family's financial situation. Let me add this additional information to the excellent pointers Marjorie wrote about: Learn about the meds used with IVDD available in a the generic formulation...much less expensive than brand X. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/medications_used.html Pharmacies participating: genericmedlist.com/$4 per each 30 tablet prescription generic progam is at Walmart, Target, Kroger's for the IVDD med and dose listed below. Call ahead of time to a participating pharmacy to confirm they carry and what dose they carry to make it easier for your vet. He is doing you a favor so be sure to appreciate this extra service. *PREDNISONE is a steroid, an anti-inflammatory, used to reduce swelling in the spinal cord in order to prevent further damage and loss of neuro functions. Available in 2.5mg or 5mg tabs. *MELOXICAM is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory used to reduce swelling in the spinal cord in order to prevent further damage and loss of neuro functions. Available in 7.5mg tab PEPCID AC (the generic is Famotidine) is an acid reducer to protect the stomach from bleeding and ulcers. Available in 20 mg tablet only. Doxies take 5mgs 2x a day. To save money make sure the vet writes a script for a 20 mg tablet. The pharmacist will not give you the larger tablet unless the script is written that way or called in that way. You would have to cut a 20mg tab into quarters to equal 5mg a dose. TRAMADOL is a centrally acting analgesic to mask pain until Prednisone has reduced swelling. Available in 50 mg tablets. METHOCARBAMOL relieves the pain of muscle spasms that can happen during a disc problem. Todate this med is NOT on the $4 lists. Do shop around to find best price. 4/21/13 Walmart quoted thirty 500mg tablets for $14.46
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Post by Sidara&Magic Bean on May 31, 2014 5:08:19 GMT -7
Did you bring him to the vet yet? I hope his pain is under control and he is healing up in his crate. Good luck
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