|
Post by Tina & Maggie on Jun 16, 2014 8:21:16 GMT -7
I have a Dachshund that in 5 years old. She has had a couple of episodes with back issues, but healed fairly quickly. I do not own a crate and didn't have any trouble keeping her still while she healed the first two times (I was home at the time and could keep a close eye on her movements). She had her third episode about a month ago and now I think I need to try and crate rest her to help her heal. I purchased a crate and she went crazy when I put her in it - because she doesn't understand. It did more damage than good because of the way she was clawing a the bars, etc. I need help to help her. She is now wobbly in the rear legs and yesterday she started dragging one of her back feet. How do I crate train an adult dog that has never been in a crate before? Or is there another option to keep her still? She is going back to the vet today, but I would love some advice!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Jun 16, 2014 14:04:00 GMT -7
Tina welcome to Dodgerslist. Can you fill us in on a bit more detail: --What is your dog's name? -- What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 8 weeks of 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only 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)? Emergency crate training ideas: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? -- How much does your dog weigh? Would you give us a list of exact med names currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies? Anti-inflammatories can increase GI tract damage. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason my dog may 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 and thereafter every 12 hours. 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 very good for learning about each of your dog's meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm -- Eating and drinking OK? How are poops today- normal color and firmness, no dark or bright red blood? -- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? Keep in mind the very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage will be necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment once off all pain meds and no more signs of pain The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk . www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? -- 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.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Jun 16, 2014 17:05:08 GMT -7
I just wanted to chime in to add to the excellent link that Paula provided you with advice on how to crate train a dog to share with you my experience. My Jeremy is a rescue dog and when he first became paralyzed, all of his fears and anxieties came back full force. I found acupuncture to be very helpful in calming him down. I at first had a bad experience with a vet who had just taken a few courses on acupuncture and didn't really know what he was doing. Then I found a young lady who had taken a year course at a Chinese institute and she was great. All she had to do was insert a thin needle into Jeremy's forehead and he immediately laid down and was calm for the rest of the session. And he was calmer for days afterwards. So if you have access to a certified veterinary acupuncturist and it's within your budget, you might want to try a session or two to see if it will help calm your dog. And as Paula mentioned, it can jump start those nerves to regenerate, too, so can be beneficial all the way around.
Looking forward to your answers to Paula's questions so we can offer you more support.
Healing and calming prayers for your dog.
|
|
|
Post by Tina & Maggie on Jun 19, 2014 10:01:14 GMT -7
Maggie May is my sweet dachshund. She had her first back issued when she was 3 years old, again about a year later, and now her 3rd episode (a year later). This time it is in the center of her back. The first two times she recovered pretty quickly - within a month. I just kept her still (without a crate) and she recovered fine. The vet had her on a steroid shots, gabapentine, methocarbamol. It has been 10 weeks since she first yelped with pain this time around. She doesn't yelp anymore, but now she is losing use of her back left leg. She can still stand and walk (when pottying) and does wag her tail. She can feel the leg but just drags it a bit when she goes to potty. She does lose her balance when pottying sometimes and falls in her urine. Her poop is normal color. A little bit looser than usual, but not bloody. The vet now has her on strict crate rest,
11 lbs steroid pills (1 pill twice a day for 14 days, then starts tapering off), gabapentine (1 pill twice a day), Methocarbomol (1 pill twice a day). She has been back on the medications for 4 days now. She weighs 11 pounds (as of 4 days ago).
My problem is she has never been crated before and I don't know how to teach her to crate since she is hurt. I don't want her to feel like she is being punished so how do I crate train her? I did purchase a different crate (from my last post) and she seems to like it a bit better. It's not wire - it's a canvas type. I have trouble keeping her in it for long periods of time. She absolutely won't stay in it at night - barks loudly, etc. I am battling her against the rest of the household and am trying to keep everyone happy. Any ideas?
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Jun 19, 2014 11:10:05 GMT -7
Most dogs do not tolerate plastic or canvas recovery suite...they are too limited in visiblity. better is baby crib, playpen, wire crate, wire expen. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives such as Acepromazine, Trazodone, etc. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price. Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is. Some brands to consider: --Comfort Zone (DAP) wall plug-in diffuser 48ml www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html --Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml www.adaptil.com/ Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Please give us the mg for each pill dose. which steroid... pred, dex, ?? The pain pills 1x a day are not likely to control pain.... are you seeing any hint of pain nearing next dose of pain meds (gabapentin and methocarbamol)? shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy, head held high or nose to the ground, not normal perky self? It will be really critical for you to read and understand this disease, its meds, what to monitor for, etc. As soon as possible today read each of these orange buttons: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm
|
|