Jo, is that correct? Welcome to our group. So glad to hear the meds do have pain in full control now.
We'd be able to comment with some specific information Jorgie.
-- Have you since 7/1 been doing 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)?
-- Is there still currently any other signs of pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? These are the extra things you can be doing at home to help with a neck disc:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm-- How much does Jorgie 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. 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 -- How are poops today- normal color and firmness, 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.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.
First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for Jorgie to get back to enjoying life after recovering. Some dogs may have mulitple disc episodes during their lifetime. What can make a great deal of difference for Jorgie is your own self education. Knowledge is the best defense in fighting and winning with this disease. Reading others posts on the forum can be of comfort. But the meat of what you need to know is on our main web page.
So you are savvy about conservative treatment this page is a wonderful place to get a good overview of each of the phases of healing:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm Hope to hear you will be able to follow each of the informative FULL ARTICLE links and complete your readings in the next couple of days. In particular this page will help you to understand how to judge when the anti-inflammtory steroid has resolved swelling and how to know when to taper and stop it, very important to understand:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm This "Disc Disease" DVD is a wonderful way to help other family members understand and even others who might be around or taking care of Jorgie:
www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm
