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Post by carebear on Apr 13, 2013 13:48:20 GMT -7
My Cinderella is 6yrs old. I took her to the Vet on April 9th. She hurt her back the night before. I crated immediately. This is the 3rd time in the last 3yrs since owning her she has hurt her back. My previous Vet never told me to crate her, so I never have before. She is taking 5mg of Tramadol 3 times a day, Metacam .02 mg once a day and I am giving her pepcid ac before. She weighs 7lbs. Up until today she was doing alright. Eating and drinking. Going to the bathroom and wagging her tail. Only on the first day was her back a little arched. Today she is not wanting to eat or go to the bathroom. She is yelping, her back is very arched, tummy is tight, nose to the ground, and she is holding up her front paw. You can tell she doesn't want to move, and she doesn't know what to do, and neither do I! I called the Vet and am waiting on a call back. This is my Fur Child, I would do anything for her, I love her so much. She saved me! Please help!
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 13, 2013 14:16:27 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, my name is Pauliana, what is your name? Sounds to me like her pain is not under control at all and that is top priority right now. She may be having a cervical neck disc problem and those are the most painful. There are other pain medications such as Gabapentin that can be
given with Tramadol, in fact it helps a lot with hard to control pain
and helps the Tramadol to work better.. Please check with her Vet or the
ER Vet NOW since this is the weekend.
Not wanting to eat is a signal of stomach problems likely relating to the Metacam. Great that you are given Pepcid AC! Are you giving it 30 minutes prior to the Metacam? Always give the Metacam with food. Sounds like Sucralfate needs to be added in to protect her tummy.
Since she is not eating well, try to tempt her with some chicken or a food that she absolutely loves and tell her that her Mom is going to do all she can to advocate for her.
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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 13, 2013 14:17:42 GMT -7
Are you now crating her.... 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. 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. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm She has a neck disc problem. Here are the extra things you implement to help her: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmDo not wait too, long be persistent that your call is not forgotten. In the meantime know your meds, so you can advocate to get aggressive pain meds on board (methocarbamol and gabapentin if need be) www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm Would surgery be an option for your family if needed? Knowledge is going to be the best defense with this disease. All things IVDD are here for you reading education: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmLet us know what the vet says and prescribes. |
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Post by carebear on Apr 13, 2013 14:33:26 GMT -7
My name is Carrie. I will let you know everything that the Vet says and prescribs. Thank you for all the info. Right now the vet wants me to bring her in for a x ray
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Post by carebear on Apr 14, 2013 0:40:14 GMT -7
The vet took her off of metacam and put her on Prednisone. She also got a x ray, she has 2 herniated disc. Pretty much right in the center of her back. I think he said it was 11,12 and 12,13. She is now eating and drinking. It seems like she is not in pain anymore. She no longer has a arched back or is holding her head down or paw up. She is continuing tramadol 3 times a day. 2 hours after giving her the first dose of prednisone, she peed and pooped. Yah!! I was so happy. The vet pointed out that she was backed up and recommened giving her canned pumpkin to help. Do you recommened anything else? She seems so much happier. She wagged her tail and kissed me when I pulled out the laundry. I covered her with a warm towel. 
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Post by carebear on Apr 14, 2013 1:12:27 GMT -7
I was just looking through the literature. My Vet did not do any blood work to test her kidney's or Liver. Also he failed to say anything about a wash out period between metacam and prednisone.
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Post by natureluva on Apr 14, 2013 6:21:42 GMT -7
Hi Carrie, I would also be concerned about the switch from an NSAID to a steroid without a washout period. Perhaps since Cinderella had had so little of the NSAID, the vet felt a washout period wasn't necessary? At the very least, I would ask your vet for Sucralfate to coat her stomach in the event the lack of a washout period is going to cause internal bleeding. Keep giving that Pepcid as prescribed, too. That is excellent news that her pain is well-controlled now. Remember - the most important part of conservative treatment is the 8 weeks of strict crate rest. The meds only help reduce inflammation and pain - it is the CRATE REST (minimized movement) that heals the disc. Discs take longer to heal than even bones, that is why 8 weeks is necessary. Even if your dog appears improved, remember that is the medications talking - the disc still needs to heal. Think of the affected disc as a cut on a knuckle that has formed a scab. Move the knuckle too soon and the scab will lift and ooze again. Same thing with the disc - allow the dog to move too soon and the disc will further bulge or ooze fluid out onto the spinal cord, causing worsening neurological deficits. If you are not already getting it, we highly recommend acupuncture and laser light therapy for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of relaxing the dog. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ Pumpkin is excellent for softening the stool. Normal amount we see given is 1 teaspoon mixed into breakfast along with some water. We look forward to your next update on Cinderella. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by carebear on Apr 26, 2013 9:43:31 GMT -7
For the most part Cinderella has good days, as long as she is on her prednisone! I am having a really hard time not getting her to jump up on her play pin, and when she stops that, she just sits straight up! Any ideas? Whenever my husband is home she just sit there crying at him, more yelping at him! Not in pain though. She only does this at him! How do you keep a hyper dog quite?
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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 26, 2013 10:28:21 GMT -7
Carrie, what is Cinderella's meds now. Dose in mg, frequency you give them. I am concerned that she is on a taper maybe when you say as long as she is on pred she has good days. A taper is the time to assess for pain. Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on Pred needed. Let us know if you are seeing any sign of pain: - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? If Cinderella is being too rambunctious in her crate such as sitting up on her hind legs, that simply can't be permitted. The 2ns paragraph, Tamara explains about lowering the crate roof to prevent standing on hind legs. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmWhining and barking are behavior problems. Watch when you reward (petting, treats, talking to him, giving eye contact, ). Those rewards should only be given when she is quiet or doing something you approve of. Otherwise you can be inadvertently training for unwanted behaviors. If she is behaving and quiet reward with a "good girl" or a treat. Clicker training: www.clickerlessons.com/clicker.htmUsing any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best to help relax a dog. 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/behavioral-health 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] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. |
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