Welcome to Dodgerslist. First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for your dog to get back to enjoying life, whether immediately walking or waiting on more nerve repair - IVDD is not a death sentence. Find out why that is true:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmBe sure to also pad the sides of the crate with blankets to protect your dog from jostling around too much inside the crate, along with a blanket underneath. If it's a wire crate, you can thread the seat belt through the back of the crate and buckle it securely so it doesn't move if you have to stop short.
In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions?
1. What is your dog's name? Your name, too.
2. 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?
3. 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 PT, no baths, no chiro (aka VOM)
4. Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?
5. How much does your dog weigh? Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and times per day given? What was the start dose if a steroid, date of taper? 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.
6. Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
7. Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
8. 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 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.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/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 goal of our Forum is to support you, to teach you how to look up things at the original source point (a credible and authoritative resource), question everything and read so you become the most important part of your dog's health care team.
The unknown is simply too scary a place to stay in. Are your ready to get up to speed on all things IVDD and fight the IVDD enemy? Excellent page to start with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmAdd 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.pdfLet us know how you found us, your vet, search engine, friend, etc?
