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Post by allison on Mar 31, 2013 16:22:03 GMT -7
Hi there - I'm new here, and its been a long day, so I may be doing this wrong - if so I apologize!
Link is an almost 4 year old short haired red mini and we live in newfoundland - and today started dragging his back legs a bit after having what were originally thought to be gastro intestinal issues (which he also had around xmas time and has sonce been put on a strict diet.)
Our vet checked his spine (he is a doxie owner and is experienced with the breed)and there were no problems yesterday and yesterday his pain response etc was good - but today was different and I didn't like that he looked wobbly - so back we went and sure enough his pain response has dulled since just yesterday. It looks like nerve damage. He is now on strict crate rest and it.looks like we will be, after the vet consults with the hospital university there, travelling to PEI to the hospital there for more testing and possible surgery .
He still has bladder and bowel control - andbis walking wobbly andnone leg is more draggy than the other.
Fingers crossed all will be well but im a bit of a state at the moment and this seems a good place for moral support!
We live in newfoundland so hopefully the trip wont be too stressful - and the good news is he can go in the cabin with me.
At any rate I'm not even entirely sure what my question is - or if im posting this in the proper area.
Btw he is on pain meds at the moment and still being treated for his stomach. The other day he was given a shot of steroids just in case - and today this - and I'm still a bit in shock. I love him more than anything and I'm hoping for him to feel better (obviously)
I also know we are in good hands so thats a positive!
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Post by allison on Mar 31, 2013 16:24:09 GMT -7
I should also mention he has two calcified discs - but nothing has seemingly (on xray) ruptured or changed with them - but we will learn more with the more comprehensive tests in PEI.
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Post by allison on Mar 31, 2013 17:10:16 GMT -7
Oh my goodness. What I was gettng to with all that was - are there any tips for helping him be comfy on the flight amd during travel or any similar.experiences? He has flown many times but never under these circumstances. I'm a little worried the manditory soft case may not provide enough support . - not sure if there's a good way to sort of make that better. (Ill be asking the vet tomorrow as well)
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Post by natureluva on Mar 31, 2013 18:38:22 GMT -7
Hi Allison, my name is Lisa. Welcome to Dodger's List! We're glad you found us. There are two treatments for IVDD: Conservative and Surgical. Conservative care consists of 8 weeks of strict crate rest plus meds to reduce inflammation and mask the symptoms. It is the 8 weeks of limited movement that heals the disc, not the meds, so keep him as still as possible. Surgery is self-explanatory and requires 6 weeks of post-op crate rest. This crate rest is not as strict as with conservative treatment, and the dog is allowed out for potty breaks and whatever physical therapy is recommended. Can you tell us what medications Link is on including the dosages and frequency of dosing? Is he on a stomach protectant? Steroids cause excess stomach acid which can cause bleeding ulcers. Since Link already has a pre-existing stomach issue, I would think it is very important for you to be giving 5 mg of Pepcid AC 30 minutes before each dose of steroid. If he is not on Pepcid, please get your vet's permission to give it (generic name is famotidine). The best way for you to help Link is by learning about his disease. Here is a brief tutorial on IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/index.html . If a dvd is more your style, we have an excellent one available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm It is always a good idea to see a specialist for an expert opinion. Please let us know how that appointment goes. If your vets decide to try conservative treatment, here is a link to help you with that: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htm Acupuncture and laser light therapy are excellent complementary treatments for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of inducing a state of well-being. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ Here is how to pick up and carry an IVDD dog: youtube.googleapis.com/v/kyD2IW5m0qY Regarding the flight, a soft-sided crate can work if you place a hard surface on the bottom (such as a thin piece of plywood or particle board) and then put a small memory foam mattress or foam on top of that with a fleece blanket. Feel free to read through some of our Success Stories to get an idea at the recoveries of IVDD dogs: www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory.htmWe've helped over 4,000 IVDD dogs and their owners here at Dodger's List, so you are in good company! We look forward to hearing how things go. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Mar 31, 2013 20:10:01 GMT -7
My advice, for what it's worth, is to read, and read, and then read some more. The more you know, the better your understanding of what the specialists tell you will be. There is a lot of good information on this site. Hang in there!
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Post by allison on Mar 31, 2013 21:28:25 GMT -7
Thank you SO SO much - that is so much amazing information - and I am so thankful this site exists. Picking him up right mpw at all is so scary so knowing how to do it exactly right is such a huge help, too.
I'm having huge anxiety - especially for the.flight to PEI- and how on earth its going to go flying home after especially if they go with surgery. I'm terrified ill do something wrong or move in the wrong way
He's on 1.5 ml of sulcrate twice daily (200mg/ml suspension), .5 mg of metacam once daily, and 1ml (15mg/ml suspension) of renitadine (zantac) twice to three times daily (at least an hour after the sulcrate)- this was for his tummy and what we stuck with today- he's only had one shot of the steroid so far, which was more just I'm case it wasn't tummy, which is unfortunately how it turned out - and had to wait before starting painkillers for his belly - so no steroids right now/yet - but we are waiting to hear first thing tomorrow what our next steps are , which I'm sure will start with the tests in PEI.
I'm trying to keep calm and collected but today there have been a lot of tears shed - and I hope that stops because I don't want tp stress out Link more!
(He's right now sleeping peacefully in his crate.)
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Post by allison on Mar 31, 2013 21:29:10 GMT -7
Thank you so much pollysmom!!! Xoxoxoxoxox
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Post by natureluva on Apr 1, 2013 7:24:53 GMT -7
Allison - please confirm for me - are you saying that Link has been or is being given Metacam (an NSAID) and a steroid at the same time? This is a huge no-no and may be the reason for his severe stomach issue. "Drugs of the NSAID class should not be used concurrently as the potential for the aforementioned side effects increases. For similar reasons, NSAIDS should not be used in conjunction with corticosteroid hormones such as prednisone, dexamethasone, etc. Pfizer recommends a 5 to 7 day rest period when changing from one NSAID to another...Allow at least one week [wash-out period] between prednisone and [an NSAID]." from www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1752 In summary, Link should be on an NSAID or a steroid, but never both. I do not mean to scare you and I certainly am not a vet, just want to make sure you are aware of this info. ~Lisa |
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Post by allison on Apr 1, 2013 7:41:01 GMT -7
Hi there sorry about that- he's NOT on both at the same time for that very reason - he is just on the nsaid right now - no steroid - because he is on the nsaid. He's been given a steroid BEFORE but at the moment for now is takng only the nsaid - sorry to be confusing! (His tummy issue is gas, if it helps and that actually seems to be okay right now! No vomiting or diahrhea)
Just a quick update, we are booking a flight for early AM- and they're going to see him first thing tomorrow!
Please keep us in your thoughts - they will do the testing etc and then the route we are taking is surgery.
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Post by natureluva on Apr 1, 2013 7:44:53 GMT -7
PHEW! Thanks for getting back to me, Allison. Very relieved to hear the NSAID and steroid weren't mixed. To prepare yourself, you may wish to read this article on surgery: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm [Dr. Isaacs’ article on surgery] Also, here is a handy list of discharge questions for when he is discharged after surgery: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm Once you confirm that surgery has been performed, I will change the subject line of your thread and move it over to the "surgery" section. I'm sending good vibes and healing thoughts. We will wait to hear how things go. Best of luck, ~Lisa |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 1, 2013 7:53:05 GMT -7
Hi Allison Are you familiar with the Dachshunds of Newfoundland and Labrador Group on Facebook. We had another member named Maylin from Newfoundland that had to fly her dog for surgery and back. If you don't know her, I would be glad to try and put you in contact with her. She may be able to give you some help and what she did with airlines etc.
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Post by allison on Apr 1, 2013 8:07:02 GMT -7
Yes sorry about that! Also, our vet is fantastic (and is also a lover and owner of doxies himself.) So we are very lucky!
I will keep you posted on how everything goes!
Thank you so much for everything.
Huge hugs.
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Post by allison on Apr 1, 2013 8:15:32 GMT -7
Hi linda!
I didn't know about that group - we will join!
Thank you!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 1, 2013 9:40:26 GMT -7
Get in touch with Maylin there.
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Post by allison on Apr 3, 2013 21:12:27 GMT -7
Hi everyone!
Just a quick update!
Its been a crazy couple of days.
The flight went just fine - (btw when i went to check the size of
his soft crate to go and get some wood to line it - I found wood lined in the bottom!)
And he was such a good boy the whole trip
The ct scan and the surgery were performed today and he is now in recovery -
I wont see him tomorrow because he cant get too excited and wiggle etc,
And we will be waiting some days before we fly home, so he can be more healed first.
My bf has a pic now from your site and is putting the perfect crate together for when we arrive
For his crate rest
(I still have to get in touch with mayline too - im a bit scattered - and thank you so much
For your help!)
Now I feel I can breathe again knowing he can start to heal,
And again thank you so much for your site - it helped me feel way more prepared
Going in yesterday
So much love to you all and I will let you know more soon!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 4, 2013 14:19:07 GMT -7
Hi Allison, Any updates on Link?
I see Maylin has now joined the forum. I don't think shes posted yet. Her dog's name is Oscar.
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Post by allison on Apr 4, 2013 16:46:42 GMT -7
Hi there -
Link is doing really well- they found more disc material than they had expected,
So they said that it was really good that I got him in when I did because it could have gotten really bad really fast
(Im so glad we crated him before we could get here)
As it is, they managed to get the disc material out so they expect a full recovery
(Once the healing/crate rest period is finished)
(It was found in the T13 L1 and L1 R1 regions)(I may have the second part wrong)
He is recovering well and still has mobility and functions (bladder and bowel)
And is nice and calm
We head home on Tuesday!
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Post by allison on Apr 4, 2013 17:11:10 GMT -7
Thank you Linda!
I just saw maylins post
(Sorry for all the typos!)
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Post by allison on Apr 4, 2013 17:13:27 GMT -7
(Also they will be starting with and showing me how to do light PT and care for when he's back home)
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Post by Linda Stowe on Apr 4, 2013 18:33:45 GMT -7
Wonderful Allison, do keep us updated.
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Post by Maylin & Molly on Apr 4, 2013 19:19:23 GMT -7
Hi Allison,
Will they show you how to do light therapy? I guess you will have to purchase the device? Would be interested to see if I could do tensame or Oscar.
Are you on Facebook? If so, have you joined our group Dachshunds of Newfoundland and Labrador? I don't know how I would have gotten through Oscars surgery and being away from home with our that group and this one. They are heaven sent!
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Post by allison on Apr 4, 2013 19:36:32 GMT -7
Hi maylin! Just sent in my join request to the group  Yes it feels SO crazy being away from home with all of this - i've been telling people I dont know everywhere about linkers and they've been so sweet so that's helped too -; and calling home constantly I will have to check out light therapy! I am looking to see if theres any water (hydra? ) therapy places I may be able to get to Or some way to do light therapy at home that would be amazing |
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Post by allison on Apr 4, 2013 21:36:22 GMT -7
(I'm also going to ask my vet and surgeon about home water therapy if there isnt a place, once he's healed/able)
(Just reading the page here on it)
He loves the water so much
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Post by allison on Apr 5, 2013 18:41:10 GMT -7
Hi everyone -
Just a quick update on Link - he's urinating and defecating voluntarily,
And his legs are doing better today - he's no longer in ICU and will be
In the ward until the day before we head home, and his personality seems
To be back! He's his happy little self(Now we just have to make sure we keep him as calm as possible
Once we get him home in his crate for crate rest)
Xoxo
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 5, 2013 19:30:26 GMT -7
Allison,
Thank you for the update on Link. Very happy to hear how well he is doing after surgery.. Fabulous news!
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Post by Maylin & Molly on Apr 5, 2013 19:41:57 GMT -7
That's great news Allison
Xo
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Post by natureluva on Apr 7, 2013 11:30:55 GMT -7
Hi Allison, just checking in - is Link home yet? Glad to hear he had such a fine result from the surgery - bladder control already! Excellent.
Please let us know how his homecoming goes/went. What physical therapy did the surgeon prescribe? What we usually see for post-op care is 6 weeks of crate rest. The dog is allowed out for potty breaks and whatever PT the surgeon prescribes.
Look forward to your next post. Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Post by allison on Apr 7, 2013 17:44:43 GMT -7
Hi there! I pick up Link tomorrow and they're going to give me a bunch of PT to do at different stages of his healing - he's is improving every day and it's so amazing to see my little guy and his little eyes be bright again and his incision is healing very well. And yup his recovery suite will be all made up and ready for him when we get home I should mention he never lost bladder control - I just wasnt sure post surgery how that would be - but he is doing excellent in those respects |
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Post by natureluva on Apr 7, 2013 17:57:38 GMT -7
Hi Allison, so happy to hear that Link is doing so well. I mentioned bladder control because oftentimes after surgery, a dog gets worse neurologically because of post-op swelling which, itself, creates pressure on the spine. So some dogs lose bladder control after surgery for a couple of weeks until the post-op swelling goes down. It is really good news that he's peeing on his own.
It's so funny, us moderators get excited right along with the owners when their pups are discharged from the hospital! It makes me smile to think of Link with his little bright eyes. He'll be so happy to be home. Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Post by Maylin & Molly on Apr 9, 2013 5:30:40 GMT -7
Good luck to day Allison and Link. Make sure he is handled carefully through security. I know you will be happy to get home I look forward to seein his progress, pictures and videos in our DNL FB group!! Xo Maylin, Oscar and Molly |
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