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Post by bonniew on Apr 8, 2013 18:20:47 GMT -7
My Dog is named Dakota. He is 13 years old, weighs 38 lbs and he is American Eskimo. I have had him since he was 7 weeks old and he is very dear to me.
In 2006 he developed Cushing's Disease but was not properly diagnosed until 2007. By then he had lost most of his hair and gained an extra 12 pounds. It took several months but I was able to get his Cushing's Disease under control where I only need to give him 1/2 tablet of Lysodren one time a month.
About a year and a half ago, Dakota started walking funny, then I noticed him scratching the nails of his right foot on the sidewalk when he walked. I took him into my vet and she diagnosed him with IVDD and suggested I put him on Glucosamine and she started him on Rimadyl (75 mg 1/2 dose every 12 hours). She had told me because of his age and his Cushing's Disease he was not a candidate for surgery and we would just have to manage his symptoms. At first he could stand but wobbled, then once I helped him to his feet he could walk on his own and I would support his weight with a towel, but now I have to pick him up to carry him outside to relive himself.
Then about a month ago Dakota started get real upset and agitated. He cyrs and whines like he has separation anxiety but I am in the room with him. I called the vet back and asked her what to give him to quite him down. She suggested Benadryl and started him on Methocarbamol 500 mg 1/2 tablet every 12 hours. Then one day I came home to find him stuck up against a wall (He turns in circles) and I guess he ran out of room. I took him into the vet and the other vet in the office gave him a shot of morphine and said to see what happens. I stopped the Methocarbamol and started him on Tramadol 50mg 1 tablet every 8 hours. At one point my vet suggested a wheelchair for him and I got one from Walkin Wheels but every time I try to use it he seems to be In more pain.
At no point was I ever instructed to do any crate rest, and I don't know if there was ever an injury date, he just seemed to get worse as time went on. When I get him on his feet he can walk a little but I have to support his weight and keep him from falling over. His back right leg is crooked behind his back left. He hasn't had any accident yet of peeing or pooping in the house but sometimes I notice his pee smells metallic and his poop sometimes seems darker then other times. His appetite is fine he actually eats like a pig-never seems full, and has been drinking a lot more water than normal.
I am now at my wits end. He crys/whines when I am home for hours on end, the only time he is quiet is when he is eating something. I take him out, I sit on the floor and try to calm him, nothing seems to work. His symptoms aren't getting better he seems to be worse. I don't know what I should be doing or how I can calm him down.
I am willing to try anything as I don't want to put him down, but he can't possibly have good quality of life being upset all the time. If I could post a video of him acting so upset I would. I don't know what pills make him sleepy if any or if I should go back to giving him Benydrl just to try to calm him down.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 8, 2013 19:56:53 GMT -7
Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear of the struggles your sweet Dakota is having. Your vet is not comfortable in treatment of prematurely aging of intervertebral disc disease if she did not prescribe the hallmark component of 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks. This make me think she does not have the right diagnosis for Dakota either. Disc disease is usually a small dog disease of the short legged breeds. It is VERY, very painful and without prompt strict crate rest the dog would by now have lost bladder control and be paralyzed. Dakota could be having natural old age disc problems or another disease of his breed. I would highly recommend getting a second opinion from a specialist who knows nerve problems. Can you do a consultation with a board certified neuro (ACVIM)? 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.orgwww.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/DiplomateDirectory/Getting the right diagnosis means Dakota can begin the right treatment. Our focus here is solely on disc disease and is really our only experience and expertise. I would unti you are very certain by a good diagnosis assume the spinal cord is in danger and to protect it put Dakota on strict rest only out to potty with a few footsteps as possible. What ever this is his pain NEEDs to be in control with the right combo of pain meds until the source of the pain can be resolved. Anxiety and circling is often a sign of dementia in older dogs. My elderly dachshund did the same, pacing circling. More on dementia: webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:M3JkKWeYPuUJ:drnelsonsveterinaryblog.com/2009/05/09/dementia-in-older-dogs.aspx+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari These calmers may be of help to Dakota with his anxiety. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers:1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets or tinyurl.com/atxc8l3
2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure] The drinking more water than usual sounds like he needs his kidney's checked. If he is still on Rimadyl, then stop that med at once and get vet help. Owners whose dogs are on a NSAID such as Rimadyl should read this valuable information: www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htm Please let us know if you can get a consult with a specialist. If this does turn out to be IVDD, then we have lots of good information to share with you. I might also recommend Handicapped pets, as I know handling a larger dog can be a physical challenge and they may have better help for you in that department. handicappedpet.net/helppets also has a broader base of expertise with bigger dogs than we do. Give Dakota a big kiss from us and we hope you can quickly find help for him with a good diagnosis. |
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