surita
New Member
Worried about my Princess
Posts: 7 
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Post by surita on Apr 24, 2013 12:49:51 GMT -7
My 3 year old doxie, Princess has been diagnosed with IVDD. 2 weeks ago she was in a chair, jumped out of the chair and immediately was down. My husband was home, heard her yelp, and came running. She was put in her crate right away, and was rushed to the vet within about an hour or so of the injury. Of course the news from the vet devastated us both, but we were encouraged somewhat when she did display deep pain stimulation. The vet then gave us the news of either surgery or strict crate rest and steroid/pain therapy. We are in no situation for surgery, so we chose the crate rest and steroid/pain therapy route. The first few days were very encouraging. She wagged her tail, and was able to have control over her bodily functions. However over the last 4 days, she seems to be declining. I haven't seen her tail wag in 4 days, and she has lost control over her functions. My main concern is making sure she is not in any pain, and in being able to provide her with a good quality of life. She has a follow up visit with her vet in 2 days, I don't mind saying I am a bit scared to hear what the vet has to say. Any and all feedback and suggestions in dealing with this will be most appreciated.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 24, 2013 13:49:39 GMT -7
Surita, never give up hope on Princess. It is in the cards for her to get back to enjoying life again after crate rest whether at that point she is walking or still needs more time to let her nerves heal. We can best help if you will give us the particulars: -- What was the date you saw the vet and 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? We have guess it might be Apr 10. -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? -- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail specifically when you do some happy talk… she sees you walk in, or anticipates getting a treat? -- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? That is the sign bladder control has beenlost and the need to express her bladder…. this is a health issue to be taken care of today, not in two days. You'll more out of the lesson if you watch and read this material first: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood? Knowledge is the best defense in fighting and winning with this disease. Please do go to our main web page and read, read and re-read. A very quick way to get up to speed on meds, how healing happens and when for each of the phases is the "Overview: the essentials" yellow button. Then work your way through the rest of the orange and blue buttons to complete your education. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm |
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surita
New Member
Worried about my Princess
Posts: 7
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Post by surita on Apr 24, 2013 15:00:11 GMT -7
The first vet visit was on 4/9/13. She has been on strict crate rest since that date, only out to potty. She is on prednizone,5mg. For the first 14 days it was 1 tab 2x a day. For the next 21 days it is 1 tab 1x a day, which we started on that regime today. Tramadol,50mg, 1/2 tab every 12 hours. I see shivering somewhat, it is not constant, she does not yelp, and does not have a tight tummy. She does "swish" her tail, but has not wagged it in 4 days. She does get excited when she see's my husband or myself, still has interest in her fur brothers and sisters. As far as walking at all, she more or less "drags" her hind legs. The first few days she did do a wobbly walk but hasn't in probably a week. She does move herself to a corner of her crate that has a potty pad and does use that, her stool and urine are normal in color and quantity, and she is eating/drinking normal.
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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 25, 2013 12:47:38 GMT -7
Often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain.
Rule of thumb is:
pain = swelling = more time on Pred needed.
Sounds like Princess still has swelling in the spinal cord and you need to report any signs of pain to your vet asap.
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surita
New Member
Worried about my Princess
Posts: 7
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Post by surita on Apr 27, 2013 4:11:09 GMT -7
Update on Princess...
Princess had her 2 week check up yesterday with the vet. She still has deep pain sensation(thank goodness!!). We are continuing with the Prednizone/Tramadol therapy, and added to that is Raboxin, 500mg. 1/4 every 12 hours, as well as Pepcid for her tummy. I am so pleased to say that this morning shetab is acting and looking better!!!! I know we still have a long road, but after speaking with the vet, the addition to her meds, and what I am seeing this morning with her, I am encouraged!!!
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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 27, 2013 10:28:45 GMT -7
Surita, kudos go to you for getting her stomach protected and getting her pain meds adjusted to be pain free. We hope to hear on the next taper off of pred that their will be no signs of pain. Did your vet say when to try for the next taper?
When they get their personality back, then you know the pain is indeed controlled. Until graduation day, your commitment to sticking to 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks will ensure her disc can properly heal. Nerve damage will repair itself, although than can take longer than 8 weeks…the 8 weeks is mainly to focus on getting the disc to heal. Please keep us all updated on your Princess!
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surita
New Member
Worried about my Princess
Posts: 7
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Post by surita on Apr 30, 2013 16:25:59 GMT -7
Princess is getting a bit of her "personality" back!! She is now barking with her brothers and sister, and this evening she was laying on her side, I reached in her playpen to pet her, and she wanted to play "patty cake" with me!! (That is her sign she wants her tummy rubbed). Just the boost that I needed to see. I just had to share this with everyone.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on May 1, 2013 8:41:36 GMT -7
Thank you for sharing your good news update! That kind of information makes us all feel better!  |
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surita
New Member
Worried about my Princess
Posts: 7
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Post by surita on May 16, 2013 16:21:47 GMT -7
We are in week 6 of strict crate rest and medical therapy for Princess. Today was a check up for her to see her progress with the vet. Unfortunately she is not responding to the meds the way the vet thought she would. She has good reflexes in her hind legs, she just refuses to use them. Our vet sent her in for new exrays to see if something had been missed, and the exrays did show that the injury is in the mid back, not near the rear. The vet is holding out hope that she will recover still, she is just going at her own pace. He changed her meds around a bit, still have the pepcid,Robaxin,Tramadol, but he changed the prednizone to 10mg 2x a day for 7 days, and then tapering down to 1x a day for 14 days, and then 1x every other day. She wags her tail, knows when she has to potty, eats and drinks like a trooper. She also got a pedicure while at the vet, as her nails were getting long, I am afraid to clip them myself so our vet did it for us.
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Post by Pauliana on May 16, 2013 17:28:17 GMT -7
Hi Surita! Thanks for the update on Princess! She is healing at her own pace and hopefully the extra dosage on the Prednisone for 7 more days and then the taper will help. Sounds like she is holding her own and not backsliding so that in itself is good news.. You are taking great care of Princess..Keep up the great work! Here is a link that explains nerve healing in more detail. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htm |
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surita
New Member
Worried about my Princess
Posts: 7
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Post by surita on Jun 26, 2013 15:47:43 GMT -7
Princess went down on April 10,2013. It has been a very long hard road, lots of tears and frustrations. 100% crate rest, the medications, prayer and lots of reading. I am sooooo pleased to say that Princess took her first steps 2 days ago!!!!! She is wobbly, and only takes a few steps then stops, but it is progress!! It's such an amazing feeling seeing her walk, and seeing the look on her face when she does it. She is so proud of herself. We are continuing the prednisone taper, and she is still on crate rest, but she is recovering.
I had to share our good news with everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Yvonne & Billy on Jun 26, 2013 16:24:03 GMT -7
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 26, 2013 17:01:31 GMT -7
Yay Princess!! That is wonderful and thanks for sharing the inspiring news!
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 26, 2013 17:55:11 GMT -7
I am so excited about Princess' first steps.. Keep them coming lil lady!!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Jun 27, 2013 21:37:11 GMT -7
Yahoo Princess- way to go little girl!! |
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surita
New Member
Worried about my Princess
Posts: 7
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Post by surita on Aug 14, 2013 17:57:50 GMT -7
Update on Princess.......She is walking, running, playing, back to her normal self!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We monitor her very closely, and still keep her in her playpen while we are at work, but she has recovered!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for all of your support and advice through this time!!!!!! |
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 14, 2013 18:07:25 GMT -7
Im so happy for you!
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
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Post by Sabrina on Aug 14, 2013 18:21:34 GMT -7
What wonderful news! Well done!
)))Hugs!(((
- Sabrina
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 14, 2013 18:50:50 GMT -7
Thanks so much for letting us know how great Princess is doing! It's so encouraging to others who are going through a disc episode. She certainly has made a remarkable recovery in only four months. Kudos to you for doing all you could to make this happen for Princess. |
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Aug 18, 2013 20:36:43 GMT -7
What a wonderful update! Thank you for sharing - it helps to inspire other members too, especially those just starting out on their IVDD journey. Way to go Princess!! Happy Dance:) |
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