Justina's Zoey 4/1 conservative

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Justina
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Justina's Zoey 4/1 conservative Apr 1, 2013 20:37:20 GMT -7

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Post by Justina on Apr 1, 2013 20:37:20 GMT -7

History of back issue:
My 6 year old mini dachshund Zoey has been stiff, in pain, and trouble moving since June 2012. She is a healthy weight at 10lbs. She woke up very stiff one day after we took her on a short 1 hour hike (a trail she loves and has done before). Thinking it was a minor sprain/injury we let her go for about 2 weeks before we took her to the vet, had an MRI and xrays - nothing showed up as wrong. However, the vet still diagnosed it as early degenerative disc disease. She has been on steroids (Dex) once to twice weekly since then and has been getting warm laser treatments twice a week for the last 2 months. The only improvements are that her pain is definitely less but if we stray from the steroid schedule (i.e. vet said to try every 6 days apart for a steroid, that's as much as she can go w/o pain/stiff and that's pushing it) at all she will have pain while walking and greatly increased stiffness. In general she now spends all of her time lounging around since this event has occurred. Before this past summer she was always running in the yard and playing with our other dachshund and went on daily walks.

Acupuncture: The vet and I agree that Zoey has seemed to have plateaued. 5-6 days between steroid pill and 1-2 laser treatments a week have gotten rid of the pain but on day 4, 5, and 6 after a steroid she is still pretty stiff, a laser treatment will help her a little on the 5 or 6th day but not enough it seems. We would like to try acupuncture and see if this helps her. I am very scared to keep her on steroids for the rest of her life as I know the long term affects on her organs. I would love to find a holistic or alternative treatment that will be safe and healthy for her. We are in Eastern Pennsylvania and aside from hearing about a vet in Central NJ that does it, I do not know of any others.

I'd love to know if anyone knows of vets who could help who are in my area - whether its with acupuncture or something else that's worked for you. Also looking for suggestions to help with her stiffness while we're at home. Again, Zoey doesn't have a ruptured disc or anything - aside from this great stiffness and occasional pain she is healthy as a horse. But all of her symptoms point to IVDD says the vet.

Thanks so much,

Justina

Last Edit: Apr 1, 2013 21:06:57 GMT -7 by PaulaM

PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA

Posts: 19,928

Justina's Zoey 4/1 conservative Apr 1, 2013 21:24:21 GMT -7

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Post by PaulaM on Apr 1, 2013 21:24:21 GMT -7

Justina, welcome to Dodgerlist. I'm sorry to hear about the pain Zoey is dealing with so long. Did a board certified neuro (DVM, ACVIM) or ortho (DVM, ACVS) specialist consult with you after the MRI? What did they say.

Is the vet who is prescribing the Dex a general DVM or a specialist?

If this is disc episode no matter the degree (bulging, herniated or fully ruptured) the hallmark component of conservative treatment is 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. Allowing the disc to heal. This short animation explains why 100% STRICT rest is important when dealing with a disc problem.

The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

So if this is indeed a disc problem, please get her in a recovery suite (wire crate, pack n play, ex-pen, baby crib) asap so she can start healing.

-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? The lounging around and being reluctant to move IS pain. Often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of a steroid for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain. So Dex is to reduce inflammation, it is not a pain reliever and it does not heal a disc.

This page will give you a very good overview on what you are dealing with regarding meds, rest and time to heal a disc. Our
hope for each owner is that they become independent with the ability
take and active roll in working with your vet to discuss confidently
various issues from medications to recognizing if suggestions of
activity would be harmful to the healing disc. All that takes being a
reader. This page will give you the overall picture and understanding
you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all of the
articles on the Disc Disease 101 page.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm

-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? With dex, a stomach protector should be on board. Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not to take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. 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.html

-- Eating and drinking OK?

-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood?

Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here:
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices]

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

Hi there Guests❗️ REGISTERING would help us to help you and your dog best: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread

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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Justina's Zoey 4/1 conservative

Post by Justina on Apr 1, 2013 20:37:20 GMT -7

Post by PaulaM on Apr 1, 2013 21:24:21 GMT -7