dawn
New Member
Posts: 1 
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Post by dawn on Apr 15, 2013 18:27:40 GMT -7
The 5 yr old foster doxie I picked up yesterday was stepped on by a big dog in the previous foster home that morning. As soon as I saw her, I knew it was a disc injury. I have a cart dog and have nursed dogs post-op in my previous rescue work. Out here in the boonies where I live now, we don't have a surgeon, nor does my new rescue have that kind of cash. So, conservative we go!
Day 1: can stand but not walk. Back feet stay knuckled under, legs get twisted and she doesn't notice. Tail is wagging! Bladder control OK. Crate rest. Eating & drinking
Day 2: Tail still wagging, right side will correct when knuckled, left will not. Eating & drinking. Bladder control is iffy, some stool. Yelped when I tried to express her. Went to the vet who couldn't get response to deep pain (but she is a general vet, not a specialist), vet says she has weak anal tone and some stool backed up in there. No pain at the vet, no exaggerated spinal reflexes.
X-ray shows haziness at L3-4 (likely the problem) and calcification at L6-7. Starting with 10mg of prednisone a day and 250mg methocarbamol (muscle relaxant). Resting comfortably in her crate.
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 15, 2013 19:41:19 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist Dawn! Bless you for fostering Shelby. Please let Shelby know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. 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 unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmThe best tool for healing short of when surgery is indicated is – Crate rest— 100% STRICT crate rest for 8 weeks. That means 24/7 in the crate except for potty breaks. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no Chiro, no VOM. The rest of the details of doing crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmOne reason some vets may be reluctant to give a full prescription of time is knowing many owners will not follow through. Perhaps not fully understanding the reason for it, is why people tend not to do it. Observation of 1000’s of Dodger dogs over years, has shown a conservative approach to crate-rest time, results in fewer relapses. Dodgers prefers the safer, more conservative recommendations of neuros and other vets using 6 or 8 weeks for crate rest. In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? Is there still currently pain - shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved now that she is on Prednisone and Methocarbamol? I am concerned that she is yelping when expressed, that likely means she is still in pain and should also be on Tramadol every 8 hours. Many dogs are stoic and won't show pain because in the pack if they show weakness or pain, they could be attacked. Her disc injury is extremely painful and in order for her to heal pain must be under control. Please ask the Vet to add Tramadol to her medications. Many Vets have a lot of success with Tramadol, Gabapentin and Methocarbamol for pain relief in IVDD. It certainly helped my Tyler recover in comfort. Have you asked the Vet whether Shelby could be put on Pepcid AC now that she is taking Prednisone? Here is some information that explains why she should be.. Pepcid AC - steroids Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not 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. Pepcid AC 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.htmKeep us posted as to how she is doing. |
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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 15, 2013 20:18:39 GMT -7
Dawn, are you seeing the tail wag specifically when you do some happy talk to her? Or when she is anticipating a treat? A tail wag under those circumstances tells you right off the bat she has deep pain sensation as does being able to right her knuckled paw. So she is somewhere between 4 and 5?
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle <---- Shelby
5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog is down)
6. Bladder control is lost
7. Tail wagging with joy is lost
8. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function
The way to tell bladder control is the sniff and pee test. Can you set her down on an old pee spot when you know she should have to pee....see if she then releases urine. That is bladder control. If she leaks on you when lifted or you are finding urine leaks in her bedding that is suspicious that she does not have bladder control. A dog that has bladder control will not like you expressing them. So let us know where you believe her to be regarding bladder function.
While on pred you would need to express every 2-3 hours to keep her dry. If she has bladder control then take her out to potty every 3-4 hours.
Dogs under conservative treatment have necessarily more strict rest than a post op dog. So let us know you are being very strict 100% 24/7. Feeding inside the crate, using a sling to keep her back aligned and butt from tipping over if taking her out side to potty.
If she has constipation, then use some pumpkin to help with that. Its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with a teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon pumpkin to kibble and no extra water 1x a day. Note alternatives: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potoato.
Please do clarify about suffering with pain which is different than the neuro function of deep pain sensation. Let us know if you are seeing any of the signs of pain Pauliana mentioned (shivering, yelping, tight tummy, reluctant to move)
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