cat
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Post by cat on Apr 16, 2013 18:31:00 GMT -7
Georgie is a chiweenie mix who was diagnosed with IVDD Dec. 31, 2010. We used Dodgerslist as a resource to learn about conservative treatment, and followed the protocols. After 8 weeks of strict crate rest, he was able to walk again. Stairs are verboten, jumping redirected, and for the last two years, he has regained strength. He runs, plays, waddle piddles, and is not so reliable with bowel movements - if you miss his cue, just clean up and get over it. So, overall, life has been good. Sunday morning, I noticed that his rear legs were spasming... maybe 15 seconds, and maybe twice in a few hours. That continued throughout the day. However, he's still walking, running, prancing, urinating as he does, eating, drinking, playing, wagging his tail, and all that. He does not appear to be in pain (no shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy). But, well, I don't want to wait until everything goes to pieces again, so I took him to the vet. Vet's still in awe of Georgie's recovery b/c where I live, people don't usually tough it out when a pet is ill/injured.  Anyway, the vet suggested that Georgie not be allowed to run and chase, but inside movement (where stairs are shut off, no furniture access, etc.)would be fine. Hmmm. Vet also gave me Prednisone 5 mg (2x/day for three day, 1xday for five days, then every other day until the script is all used up.), Tramadol 1/2 of 50 mg as needed, and Acepromazine 10 mg as needed. (Georgie is an active fellow, so we had to really wallop him with sedatives to get him to tolerate being crated last year.) I picked up Zantac 75 mg tonight, so can administer 1/2 tab 30 minutes before the prednisone. So here's my question: do you think that just limiting his activity will suffice or do I need to try to crate him again? I can put him in a small room by himself when I'm at work, so there won't be any running and playing... but crating, that is so traumatic for him. Thanks in advance, Cat |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 16, 2013 19:17:22 GMT -7
Cathy, glad to see you found us at our new location. If this is another disc episode then, yes, indeed you would want to do every thing you can to limit movement of the back. You are wanting to not just protect the disc from greater tearing but to also protect the spinal cord from permanent injury. Protecting those two things demands a recovery suite that is only enough room to stand up, turn around in and when lying down to fully stretch out the legs. So a small room will just not work. I know you tried valium and it did not relax Georgie. How does the ACE work? Many have found these items to work well in taking the edge off. 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/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] Since you were last here, we have a new presentation on how healing works, what actually is healing and how long each take. This would be a wonderful refresher for you to give it a look see. Start with the yellow button "Overview: the essentials" and as time permits check out the rest of the buttons. www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm |
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cat
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Post by cat on Apr 16, 2013 19:26:26 GMT -7
Pred: 2x/day for three day, 1xday for five days, then every other day until the script is all used up. Tonight is his first dose. Gave the zantac about 30 minutes ago... pred coming up now - in a fine organic goat cheese.  |
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Anyway, the vet suggested that Georgie not be allowed to run and chase, but inside movement (where stairs are shut off, no furniture access, etc.)would be fine. Hmmm. Vet also gave me Prednisone 5 mg (2x/day for three day, 1xday for five days, then every other day until the script is all used up.), Tramadol 1/2 of 50 mg as needed, and Acepromazine 10 mg as needed. (Georgie is an active fellow, so we had to really wallop him with sedatives to get him to tolerate being crated last year.) I picked up Zantac 75 mg tonight, so can administer 1/2 tab 30 minutes before the prednisone. 
