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Post by Char & Tobey on Jun 6, 2014 18:41:33 GMT -7
Tobey is our 6 year old dapple doxie. He had emergency back surgery in Dec 2013 ( $6500). He was on crate rest and then restricted activites for months ( still has a list of things he us not suppose to do). He had hours of PT, swim therapy and massage. About 8 weeks after surgery he was doing a wobbley walk. Yea! Tobey was doing so well that he was back to being the huge character he always has been. He still has a bit of a funny walk but he was full of life again. Tonight, he would not come when called to dinner (never happens!) and doesn't want to stand. I have put him in his crate and gave him tramadol. His neuro surgeon said that if it happened again he would not be a candidate for surgery. Of course, his vets office is closed.
Should I take him in to emergency? Just let him rest, manage his pain and get him into the doc who knows him first thing in the morning? This is breaking my heart....thanks, Char
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 6, 2014 20:15:09 GMT -7
Char sorry to hear this might be another disc episode. You are doing the right thing by crating at once in case it is in order to prevent further damage to the spinal cord. If you can manage the pain with tramadol, I would do that and get into the vet first thing in the am. If neuro functions diminish then I would get to ER for an anti-inflammatory tonight. As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions . When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order. 1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord 2. Wobbly walking, legs cross 3. Nails scuffing floor 4. Paws knuckle 5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog is down) 6. Bladder control is lost 7. Tail wagging with joy is lost 8. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function It would be good to review about conservative treatment www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm You may find this little card to carry with you at vet visits helps to keep all the meds straight as you discuss things with the vet. D/l here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/MedCard.pdf  Do keep us posted on what the vet thinks and prescribes. |
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Post by Char & Tobey on Jun 7, 2014 6:46:24 GMT -7
Thank you so much for your help. My impulse was to rush him to the emergency vet but I knew that would be very stressful to him. He has an excellent memory and that was not a good time in his life.
Tobey is doing better this morning but he is moving very slowly and wobbley. We will get him to his vet this morning. We try so hard to keep him safe as he is not allowed to run, jump, hump Emma (our other doxie), play ball, all of which he loves to do. He has to be supervised around other dogs so at the dog park when we take Emma or one of our fosters he is on a leash. Other people ask if he is on a leash because he is aggressive which is so far from the truth. I ordered the shirt from this site for him to wear so that people know he is special. We have a stroller for him which was so helpful when he could not walk and we use that for long walks. We doesn't know that he has to be careful so we have to do it for him. It is like having a toddler around.
Your site is to valuable and when people ask about him, especially doxie owners I tell them about disc episodes and the importance of having good pet insurance. The 7000 plus was a great deal of money although we decided to do the surgery it in a heartbeat. We immediately got pet insurance for Emma.
This site is so helpful! Char
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 7, 2014 8:27:59 GMT -7
Let us know what the vet says this am and the Rx's, etc. You know us we LOVE the detail! I'm glad to Dodgerslist has been good support for you and Tobey. Keep up the good work on spreading the word about living with IVDD. Need 2x3 cards to hand out? Have Linda send you some of our free literature: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm |
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