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Post by leah3350 on Apr 9, 2013 20:28:24 GMT -7
Hi, boo is my 11 year old dachshund and I'm sad to say he hurt his back yesterday evening. I toom him out to potty and turned around to let my other dog inside and I heard boo yelp, when I saw him he was dragging his back right leg. My husband thought he had just pulled something in his leg but when he wasn't better this morning I took him to the vet. They told my he's partly paralysed and gave him a shot of rimadyl some rimadyl pills for the next two weeks. I was told it might help repair some of the damage and he won't be in any pain. And I can tell he's not hurting because he wants to try to walk but he's wobbly so Im keeping him laying down. The vet told me that because of his age that if this don't help we should consider putting him down but not to give up yet. The only thing I've noticed though is when I pick him up he will pee some. And I couldn't get him to pee outside today and I'm not sure what to do about that. I'm just worried about my baby I love him so much.  |
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 9, 2013 21:27:59 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist Sarah. I totally understand how worried you must be about your Boo. Been through this with my dog Tyler and he is doing very well now and with the right care and your love, Boo can get back on the road to recovery too. We can best help if you can give us specific details about Boo. 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? If so there are medications that can help ease the pain so Boo can begin to heal because healing can't start until pain is under control. Is Boo on any other medications besides Rimadyl? If so 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 NSAID such as Rimadyl. Boo doesn't need an Ulcer on top of his disc problem.. Did your vet teach you how to express Boo's bladder? If not ask them to give you a hands on lesson. If Boo isn't going on his own, he needs to be expressed to avoid a Urinary tract infection that are very hard to clear up which could lead to kidney failure, www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm 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 also www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmThe more you know about IVDD, the better for you and Boo.. Sending healing wishes!
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Post by leah3350 on Apr 10, 2013 13:24:03 GMT -7
Boo's pain is under control and he isn't whining or yelping when he's picked up. He is eating and drinking fine and yes I've got him on crate rest. He is going potty on his own tho and it all looks normal. He moves both of his legs some and i've cuught him standing a few times and he's a bit wobbly. But he's acting just as happy as normal. He's getting lost of rest and tons of love and attention. I've seperated him from my other dachshunds because they could hurt him trying to play. But he seems to be doing pretty good today but it's just the start and I hope he continues to do well and heal.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,884
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 10, 2013 14:52:33 GMT -7
Hi, Sarah, can you tell us which kind of recovery suite you are using for the 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for next 8 weeks? Do you now have his stomach protected with Pepcid AC.... it IS a must. Boo will be a good candidate to recover with Conservative Treatment...the IF on that is if you have an understanding of this disease and can commit to the STRICT rest. 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.htmBTW, Boo is 11 years young and we owners learn to live with this disease. Disc disease is no reason to even think about putting a dog down for. Let us know specifically that he does sniff an old spot in the grass and then releases urine. When you wrote he leaked on you when lifted that is one of the signs of loss of bladder control. Give Boo a hug and tell him things will be OK because you are on a mission to understand his disease. Please do keep us all updated. |
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Post by leah3350 on Apr 10, 2013 16:08:19 GMT -7
Ok well boo is on crate rest the only time he's out is when I take him to potty and when I feed him. Morning and evening. I took him to potty about an hour ago and he sniffed the grass and peed I was happy cause I wasn't sure if he could still do it on his own very well. He peed on me when I picked him up yesterday but I think it's because he was excited he's done it before when he wasn't hurt. And Yes I have him on pepcid ac. Boo is also mostly blind and he's been that way for about a year and got around just fine so I'm praying the little guy will make it through this. Thank you for the advice and someone to talk to about this.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,884
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 10, 2013 20:24:14 GMT -7
Excellent news he has bladder control then!!!! Sarah, 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times would mean no eating outside of the crate. Our supply list is where you can find valuable information on setting up his recovery suite including how to make a homemade bowl attachment inside the crate for food and water. All you need is some plastic containers, a hole punch and tie wraps or string. Check out all the other good ideas here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm |
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Post by leah3350 on Apr 10, 2013 20:28:21 GMT -7
Alright I'll try this tomorrow and that picture looks like boo lol. Thank you for all the info. He just got his med for the night a little while ago and is passed out comfortably sleeping.
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