Welcome to Dodgerlist we are glad you found us. My name is Paula, what's yours?
A good thing to do is getting up to speed on this disease so you will recognize the harmful and be able to commit to the necessary 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks. Very good page to start with and hope you'll be able to follow all the links over the course of the next few days:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm Success stories are on our main page:
www.dodgerslist.com/To expedite your readings here are the pages pertinent to your questions. I would scissor trim hair if necessary to help keep his skin clean
Expressing the bladder and colon:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmSupplies for setting up a recovery suite, mattress, cleaning up, slings, calmers, etc:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmMeds used with an disc episode and how they work and what the expected outcome will be:
Pain relief:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmSwelling in the spinal cord:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmNever give up, stay focused, stay postitive and stay strong! You and Patrick will get through this bump in the road of life.
Fill us in on these details as you have them so we can better give support:
-- Have you been made aware 100% STRICT rest at home will mean: 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)?
-- Let us know when he comes home there is no hint of pain between doses of pain meds - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy
-- How much does Patrick weigh? Would you list the exact med names currently given at the clinic and what he is sent home with, 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. Famotidine should be given in the clinic as well as it sounds like your vet may be giving a high dose of steroids?? This directory very good for learning about each of your dog's meds:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htm -- Eating and drinking OK? How are poops today- normal color and firmness, no dark or bright red blood a sign of steroid problems and unprotected GI tract.
-- Currently can your move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? Keep in mind the very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage will be necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment
once off all pain meds and no more signs of pain The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk .
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm-- 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. Glad you know about these therapies!
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.
