Lesa's Callie 6/2 Conservative Yorkie

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Lesa & Callie
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Lesa's Callie 6/2 Conservative Yorkie Jun 5, 2014 19:00:37 GMT -7

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Post by Lesa & Callie on Jun 5, 2014 19:00:37 GMT -7

Yorkie 9 years old named Callie. On Sunday Callie started exhibiting that she was in distress. Restlessness, hiding and hunched back. I tried to wait until Monday to take her to my regular vet but didnt quite make it. I rushed her to ER vet because I noticed she had weakness in her right hind leg. The vet there brought her right back out after about 10 minutes and she was like a total different dog. She told me that her right hind leg was a grade 4 luxiating patella and she put back in place. I was like thats it. Great! She also told me, that she was exhibiting some pain in her back and she gave me some tramedol and said to keep resting for a couple of days. Off we went back home. By the time I got home I noticed that she wasnt all better and that she was still very restless. So early Monday morning went off to my reg vets. Saw the doc and he told me that she had a disc issue in her back IVDD. She was holding up her right front paw now and wobbly in her walk, sometimes staggering but never worse than that. He gave her an injection to help her and he said she would feel better in hours but to keep her calm and resting for 5 days. I took her to my mothers so she could watch her and off to work I went. I picked her up and she was way better however I know she was still didnt seem as good as I thought but def no worse. Following all the rules the next night I really thought she should have been feeling better so I called the vets in the evening. As I was holding for the vet talking to the receptionist, Callie sneezed and blood went everywhere. I about had an heart attack. But the vet assured me that as long as it wasnt bleeding then we were ok. It was a random one time thing i guess. I took her in the very next morning. Third visit in 3 days. But I felt like I needed more information and wanted them to look at her again. So the vet told me that unless we did an MRI that we wouldnt know for sure but he was pretty sure this was a disc issue and he put her on
Rimadyl
antibiotic

just in case she had an absessed tooth or something that would have caused the random nosebleed. So now it is 4 days into the resting and caring and crate life and this is what I see. She is doing well, cant see that she is in any pain that is obvious. She sometimes will still favor that left front paw and I notice that there is still some weakness in her back hind right leg. She will wobble a tiny bit when she moves around but not much at all. Sometimes when she drinks water I notice her back legs will very slightly come off the floor but then she quickly corrects it. She will try to walk quickly at times and does that beautifully with no issue even though I tell her no. She gets up and down ok except at times I notice her tucking that hind right leg down quickly. If she could she would run the yard but I do not let her do any of that. She is eating and pooping and urinating normally. So here is my questions.....does she just have a really mild case? How do I know for sure it is IVDD and not the luxtating patella? She is also licking her left front leg that she sometimes or did hold up from time to time? I would appreciate any thoughts and help on this. Thanks

Last Edit: Jun 6, 2014 7:04:13 GMT -7 by PaulaM

Pauliana
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Posts: 4,344

Lesa's Callie 6/2 Conservative Yorkie Jun 5, 2014 21:16:20 GMT -7

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Post by Pauliana on Jun 5, 2014 21:16:20 GMT -7

Welcome to Dodgerslist. We are a friendly group and go by first names, what is your name? Sorry to hear Callie is having a disc episode but your report indicates she can be a good candidate to recover under conservative treatment.

The key with conservative treatment is the 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks. In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. No laps, no couches, no chiro, no sleeping in your bed.

The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

Do update the med list with name, dose in mgs and how often each is given. What was the name of the drug in the injection that Callie was given on Monday?

A Luxating patella would involve the back knees only. There would be no favoring of the front leg.. That is a sign of a neck disc problem or nerve root signature pain: www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/rootsignature.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm

I am concerned about her licking her front leg. That could be a sign of nerve pain, or numbness and tingling (Neuropathy) caused by IVDD, which becomes so irritating to a dog they will eventually start chewing, it gets so bad some dogs actually try to chew the offending body part off. It's important to figure out if she could have an allergy that would be making her lick or if she is showing signs of Neuropathy.. If it is Neuropathy, Gabapentin is usually prescribed. It is very effective for that and works very well with Tramadol. Discuss the leg licking with your Vet and see what he has to say.

During the time on the anti-inflammatory the pain meds do need to be adjusted so that there is no pain surfacing dose to dose of pain relief medications. Pain deters healing. Favoring a leg can be a sign of pain. Often there are other signs such as tense tight tummy, yelps, not her normal perky self. Let us know what you are observing, if you think its pain do know Tramadol alone may not cover all the pain. More about pain in order to discuss things with your vet: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm

PEPCID AC The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs such as Rimadyl. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog 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 NSAID. Pepcid is generally considered a safe-over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for a healthy dog and good insurance. 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
www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/stomachProtection.htm

Often it takes being at the anti-inflammatory dose of Rimadyl for 7-30 days before all the swelling is gone. When the vet guesses swelling might be gone there will be a stop of the Rimadyl. Your job at home would be to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for any hint of pain. To have a clear picture pain meds are also stopped or backed off too.

Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on NSAID, pain meds and Pepcid AC is needed and you should have a plan in place with your Vet if there are signs of pain about going back on the medications in case that happens over a weekend and the clinic is closed. It would save you an ER visit to be prepared in advance.

If there is no pain, no meds at all are needed. Disc healing will continue for the remainder of the 8 weeks. Nerves can continue to self heal…think in terms of months.

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 takes on your emotions.

Get ready to fight this disease with this current episode and in the future by knowing all things IVDD.

So you are savvy about conservative treatment this page is a wonderful place to get a good overview of each of the phases of healing: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm Hope to hear you will be able to follow all the informative links and complete your readings in the next couple of days.

We look forward to learning more about Callie with your answers.

Last Edit: Jun 5, 2014 21:48:33 GMT -7 by Pauliana

Pauliana & Tyler www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory/tylerApplegate.htm

Disclaimer:
This information is presented for educational purposes and as a resource for the IVD dog community. The coordinators are not veterinarians or health care professionals. Nothing herein should be interpreted as medical advice and all should contact their pet care professionals for advice. The coordinators are not responsible for the substance and content contained herein and do not advocate any particular product, item or position contained herein.

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Lesa's Callie 6/2 Conservative Yorkie

Post by Lesa & Callie on Jun 5, 2014 19:00:37 GMT -7

Post by Pauliana on Jun 5, 2014 21:16:20 GMT -7