Hi, my name is Jean and welcome to Dodgerslist! We are so glad that you found us. First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for Daisy to get back to enjoying life after recovering.
With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the 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.htm Add 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? I have filled in what I could.
► What is your dog's name? Your name, too. We like to get to know everyone. Dog is Daisy, what is your name?
► What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc?
► What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for this current disc episode? …. 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)?
► Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?
► How much does your dog weigh? List the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and times per day given? What was the start dose if a steroid, date of taper? Your vet prescribed Zantac for stomach protection. We typically see most of our vets using Pepcid. 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.
Robaxin:
Prednisone:
Tramadol (Ultram):
ranitidine
► Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment nt once off of all meds and there is no more pain. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm► Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
► Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark or bright red blood?
► 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.
IVDD is a disease, and our dogs don't have to "do" anything to bring the disease to a head, they have it and sometimes they have disc issues and pain because of it. Going forward, once crate rest is over, Daisy should not be allowed to go up and down stairs as stairs are not great for the spine. Here is a great link to creating a back-friendly home.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmCrating 24/7 is the most important part of conservative care. This means Daisy should stay in her crate (alone - no other dogs allowed) at all times, except for when you carry her out to potty. She should take very few steps to potty (no sniff-fests for her) and then back in her crate. The crate is acting as a "cast" to help minimize movement to the spine, help the swelling to go down on the disk and allow scar tissue to develop to prevent further injury. The crate should be big enough for the dog stand up, turn around, and lay stretched out. This is a great link to get some visuals on crate rest and supplies you may need.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm and this one too
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/preppingcrate.pdfWhen she goes to potty, she should be on a harness (no more collars for her) with a 6 foot leash and perhaps a sling to support her back end. This helps ensure she doesn't dash off during potty time and that she can't take too many steps. You can also use a stick in the ground fence to outline the area where she can go potty - creates a visual barrier which helps some dogs.
If you can answer more on the questions we asked, we can help you and Daisy more. (((HUGS))) I know this disease is scary, we have all been there. I can tell you from my own personal experience that conservative care with crate rest and the appropriate medications works. My Mimi had a completely useless left rear leg. With crate rest, she now walks and runs (although with a slight wobble but she doesn't care) and is pain free and happy