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Post by mochasmommy on Apr 8, 2013 18:41:58 GMT -7
My standard doxie, Mocha has been battling a disc problem since the 3rd of Feb. The problem is in his neck causing him to limp on his front right paw. It had gotten so bad that he was stepping down on the top of his foot. I feel like my vet has got it right when it comes to the meds for him. The biggest problem I'm having is the crate rest. Mocha is very,very stubborn. I feel like he does more damage to himself while in the crate. He digs at the door so hard that he tears his toe nails, this obviously makes his neck worse. I now have rigged up a small area next to my bed using an ex-pen with his crate inside. Working a little better but still wants to jump up against the pen. I would really love some suggestions what to do. I am so stressed we leave for the beach in 10 wks. and would love to get this resolved. Thanks, Mochasmommy
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 8, 2013 20:14:49 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, my name is Pauliana what is yours? I am sorry to hear that Mocha is not accepting crate rest. Sometimes ex pens work as a type of recovery suite or a pack and play playpen. You can also make that crate so comfy that they can't resist. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmWe can best help if you can give us specific details about Mocha.. Have you been doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? 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. Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Pepcid AC should be on your list. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not to take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. Currently can your dog move his legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? Education will play an important roll in helping your pup...this is a very good overview: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm
Healing wishes!
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Post by mochasmommy on Apr 9, 2013 4:36:20 GMT -7
Hi Paulina, thank you so much for the reply. My name is Daphne. We have 3 long haired doxies, Mocha,our standard male, Meeko,our mini male and Meisie (sounds like macy) our mini female. Mocha has been on dexamethasone since 3-3-13 My vet also put him on some kind of stomach protector but when it ran out she said that he was now o.k. without it, so he hasn't been on that for probably 2 wks. She started Mocha on 0.5mg of dex 1 tablet every morning for 5 days then a half tab for 3-5 days then a half every other day, plus methacarbamol half of 500mg 8-24 hr and tramadol when needed.She now has added 50mg of gabapentin. when I started decreasing the steroid the limp came back. so we restarted the dex. He seems to be doing well on all of his meds. Urine and stool look fine, no blood or diarrhea. I am now back to trying to wean him off of the dex, so I've been rotating with the gabapentin and still giving him the methacarbamol which really helps. No trembling or shaking. He did do that in the beginning but hasn't for awhile. I haven't done strict crate rest. I've tried but Mocha can be very difficult. He was a puppy mill pup until he was 15 mos.old and he suffers from separation anxiety. He'll do great in the crate if he knows I'm not around, he doesn't want to come out at all. But as soon as he knows I'm around he goes crazy. He digs so hard at the crate that his toenails will bleed. It is aweful. When I discussed it with my vet she told me it was ok for him to walk around just no jumping or running. She said that I don't want him to get muscle atrophy. But sometimes you have to choose the less of two evils and I really don't want to put him through surgery if I don't have to. This is our 4th day of in his crate since I put inside of the ex-pen. Doing better but still wants to jump and claw occasionally. Sorry this was so long. I think that's about it. Like I said before I am ever so grateful for any suggestions. Thanks! Daphne (mochasmommy)
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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 9, 2013 8:16:39 GMT -7
Daphne, I'm glad you are now starting the single most important part of the treatment... it is the hallmark component..... 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks. Any time out of the recovery suite is a dangerous time for the disc that is trying to heal. As the disc becomes more damaged there is more pain and there will likely be worsening neuro functions of limping you described. There are options of a pet stroller that many members have found to help keep their pets at their side as they move around the house. The caveat with a stroller is that it must only be used with you are there with them. More info: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htmIf he needs to relax and take the edge off, then use a calmer. 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] I'm a bit dismayed to hear no stomach protector with one of the strongest of steroids and well known in the medical community of the GI problems it causes. Mocha does not need another problem on top of this disc episode. Pepcid AC (famotidine) is a generally safe over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for healthy dogs. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmlWhere are you in the taper off of Dex? In the early days of learning our dogs have IVDD, everyone needs a shoulder to lean on while getting things figured out, dealing with emotions, getting up to speed on meds, what disc disease is, etc. Your job in the coming days is to become a reader so you become the confident leader of the health care team.... to discuss confidently various issues from medications to recognizing if suggestions of activity would be harmful to the healing disc. All that takes being a reader. Start with " Overview: the essentials" it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all of the articles at the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmGive Mocha a big hug of confidence as now I believe, she will be on a good path to recovery. Tell her mom is now taking an active roll in her health care team by reading. Knowledge is power to fight the iVDD enemy and win!!!! |
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Post by Cindy & Sophie on Apr 9, 2013 8:25:24 GMT -7
Hi Daphne,my name is Cindy and Sophie, my doxi is also on 100% crate rest and does not like it, especially at night. I started using the Composure soft chews made by Vetri-Science and the Comfort Zone with D.A.P. spray. It has worked wonders for her! Has eliminated stress for both her and us. We are all resting much better! Hope this helps  |
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Post by mochasmommy on Apr 9, 2013 11:10:25 GMT -7
Hi Paula, I started Sat.6th giving Mocha half of dex every other day along with gabapentin. So it would be on Sat off Sun.,on Mon., off today, and I'll do this till 5 days are finished then see how he does. Any suggestions please feel free. Also, was wondering about the pepcid ac. Is this the same stuff people take for heartburn? Can I just get it at a store and do you know how much a 25lb dog would need. Is ok to give to him even though I am trying to get him off of the dex? Sorry for so many questions just a bit overwhelmed. Thank you so much for the info! It does help me feel not as overwhelmed Daphne (mochasmommy) |
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Post by mochasmommy on Apr 9, 2013 11:21:47 GMT -7
Hi Cindy And Sophie! Thank you so much for the post. I was wondering about the products you told me about, if the can be purchased at a pet supply store or do they need to be ordered. Thanks again, Daphne (mochasmommy)
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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 9, 2013 11:41:06 GMT -7
You may be able to find the calmers mentioned at your local Petsmart or you can Google and order on-line. Dex is a long acting steroid. So, yes, you do need to protect the stomach. The way to phrase the questions to your vet is this way: " Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow the vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. You will have to ask the vet for the right dose for your dog. Pepcid AC is the brand name, you can buy any generic brand X with the single active ingredient of Famotidine at any grocery store or your pharmacy.  |
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Post by Cindy & Sophie on Apr 9, 2013 14:24:11 GMT -7
I ordered my online at Amazon, but you can get it at your local pet store |
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