Hi Crystal! Welcome to Dodgerslist. First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for your dog to get back to enjoying life after recovering.
YES, Your Dog CAN Have a Great Quality of Life! -
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmWith this disease self education is critical - not just so you make sure the right things are being done for Minnie's 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. Are you ready? Here's the link
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmAdd this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD
www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm Tape this flyer to your fridge so the whole family knows what things are emergencies:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdfIn order to help you more, could you please answer these questions?
► Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?
► Was Minnie ok'd to take a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC? If the vet didn't mention stomach protection,
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 anti-inflammatory.
► For the methocarbamol: what mg does Minnie get each dose, and how often? How often are you giving the 50mg Tramadol?
► Is Minnie now on 5mg pred every other day? If so, is she still on the full dose of the pain meds? When the steroid is tapered (decreased from the anti-inflammatory dose), that is to test to see if the swelling/inflammation that causes pain has been resolved. It can take 7 - 30 days for steroids to resolve the swelling/inflammation, and if Minnie is still on the full dose of pain meds, those may be masking her pain. Discuss with your vet if you can either back off of or stop the pain meds altogether to test and see if Minnie is still having pain.
Rule of thumb:
pain = swelling = more time on anti-inflammatory, pain meds and Pepcid AC needed.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm► With Minnie's lethargy you noticed today, have you noticed any signs of neuro loss?
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 (only correctly identified by a specialist).
If there has been loss of neuro function (eg, Minnie is more wobbly, or her legs cross or paws knuckle if they didn't before), call whoever's on call at your vet to report this, as Minnie will need to be put back on the anti-inflammatory dose of the pred (5mg 2x/day).
► If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.
► Glad to hear you put Minnie on crate rest - are you doing 100% STRICT crate rest? That means Minnie is only out of her crate to potty and for necessary vet visits …. STRICT means 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).
Pred will make Minnie have to pee more often - it's good to carry her to the potty spot every 2 - 3 hrs while on it.
Have you seen this page of strategies for helping Minnie to relax in her crate?
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm#Emergencyconfinement Hang in there! We are here to support you as you help Minnie through this!
))Hugs!((