Welcome to Dodgerslist. First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for your Maggie to get back to enjoying life after recovering. IVDD is a disease they are born with but the first symptoms don't show until they are between the ages of 3 and 7 years old.. Don't feel guilty. It's a disease and not something you did. Have other conditions or diseases been ruled out? Your Vet needs to know that you are seeing a worsening of her condition. Call and let them know what you are observing. This will not wait until the August 1st recheck.
In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions?
☐ 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)?
An ex pen which we call a recovery suite, is more tolerated by some dogs, it's shown in the pictures in the article below. A recovery suite or 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. A lap can easily shift and move around, that is one reason we say during a disc episode to avoid laps, couches and beds.. Anytime out of the crate is a dangerous time for a healing disc. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.
Do everything possible to preserve the spinal cord with good crate rest principals! The true success with IVDD is measured by the most important goal of returning your dog to a pain free, happy and full-of-love quality of life after crate rest. Should paralysis occur, please know that dogs do not view the lack of ability to walk as a minus as humans do. Dogs adjust to what is and then get on with the business of fully enjoying all that life has to offer until nerves repair!
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmToo much movement can cause the disc episode to worsen to the point of paralysis. It's lack of movement that heals the disc. If a crate would upset Maggie, I think an ex pen may be more tolerable to her. It is certainly worth a try..We had an ex pen in the living room for our Tyler and a crate in each of the rooms we spent time in.. One in the den and one in our bedroom. The changes of scenery helped to ease boredom during his crate rest.. The bedroom allows too much room for movement.
☐ 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? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. 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.
☐ 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.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.
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/DVDord.htm Tape this flyer to your fridge so the whole family knows what things are emergencies:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdfSending comforting thoughts for you and Maggie..
