Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name's Marjorie - what's yours?
You need to keep Leo strictly 100% crated 24/7 - only carried in and out to do potty - to protect his spine from further damage until you can find a surgeon you can afford. I've moved your thread to conservative care as that is what will be done until surgery can take place. If you cannot afford the surgery or cannot find a surgeon who is willing to work with you financially, as long as Leo has deep pain sensation, conservative care can be done. Even after deep pain sensation is lost, we have seen dogs recover on conservative care. Meanwhile, keep trying to find an affordable surgeon or the funds.
After a dog is paralyzed, the existence of deep pain sensation is an indicator that surgery could STILL be successful. That window of time is 12-24 hours from losing deep pain sensation (DPS). Even after that window of time, surgery is often successful. The spinal cord is very fragile, the more hours after the window, the less chance of a complete recovery.
Board-certified neuros (ACVIM) and ortho (ACVS) surgical specialists can be found at University vet teaching hospitals. You can locate others in your area here:
www.acvim.org [neuros]
online.acvs.org/acvsssa/rflssareferral.query_page?P_VENDOR_TY=VETS [orthos]
Dodgerlist Members' vet recommendations -
dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-postingNo or low interest credit for veterinary costs can be obtained from Care Credit. You find out online if you qualify:
www.carecredit.com/faqs.htmlOther links
www.dodgerslist.com/links/financial.htm 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. Here's the link
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm1. When was the date you saw the vet and what date did you start doing the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?
2. Is there still currently pain? Signs of pain are holding the head in an unusual position, head held high or nose to the ground, shivering/trembling, not wanting to move much or moving gingerly, yelping, tight/tense stomach muscles, arched back, holding leg up flamingo style, not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self.
3. What are the exact names, dose in mgs and frequency of all meds? How much does your dog weigh?
4. Pepcid AC should be given to protect your dog from the excess acid produced by the anti-inflammatory. Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before the dose of the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours). Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If your vet says your dog has no health issues such as liver, heart, etc to keep her from taking Pepcid AC, then do get it on board.
5. Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
6. Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
7. Eating and drinking OK?
8. Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood?
The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment once off all meds and there is no pain. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk
but only after all meds are stopped and there is no pain.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmLaser 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.
NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.
Please don't despair. IVDD is not a death sentence. Many dogs regain use of their legs and even if they don't, their lives can be happy ones.
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmWe're here for you and Leo and will help you through this.
