renee
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Post by renee on Apr 24, 2013 17:47:22 GMT -7
Hello, my name is Renee and my mini doxie Lexie who is 4 yrs old has been stricken with IVDD. She is my second doxie to have been unfortunately diagnosed with this. Katie my 4 year old doxie (at the time) was stricken with IVDD 3 1/2 years ago but experienced paralysis and no pain. She started out with the wobble day 1, day 2 one leg lazy (took her to emergency vet given Rimadyl and sent home), day 3 came home to her dragging. I was horrified! At the time I didnt know what IVDD was. I rushed Katie to the vet he explained to me IVDD was the probable culprit and kept her overnight with steroids.....devestating. Next day obviously no improvement and referred us to a surgeon if we were going to go ahead with it. She was my baby and I wanted her fixed! Long story short on Katie she is 8 years old now and is a walking, sassy, happy dachshund. She did have a minor relapse in her neck 6 months later after the 1st IVDD episode (extreme pain) and was put on a regimine of tramadol and steroids. Was told to keep her "quiet" and she pulled through that trauma too. Knock on wood she has had no problems since but truthfully always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Now going back to Lexie she started the "shivering" about 3 weeks ago and was given methocarbonal and some steroids but my new vet thought it might have been a muscle issue rather than IVDD. I'll be honest I didnt want to face the fact that we were going to go through this all over again, not to mention I still carry the CC debt from Katie's surgery and couldnt afford to do another one. Brought her back again after fininshing the medication since she still seemed uncomfortable and was given Diazapam. The vet also concurred that the only other thing we could be dealing with is a "mild" form of IVDD. So Lexie has been on strict cage rest since Saturday the 20th and back on steroids and Tramadol....however, I am more hopeful since she has not shown any signs of paralysis that she will have a better outcome. Luckily she is one of my dogs that tolerates being crated unlike Katie who would have drivin me nuts from barking if she was put on cage rest....lol! Lexie is being a trooper but 8 weeks seems like FOREVER! I heard dogs have no sense of time so hopefully it wont be as bad on her as us. Thanks for hearing my story!
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 24, 2013 19:04:43 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist Renee! In order to help you and Lexie we need to know what Steroid she is taking as well as the dosage and times it is to be given and we need to know the dosage and frequency the Tramadol and Diazapam are to be given?? Is she on any other medications? Since she is taking a Steroid it is important that she be given Pepcid AC 30 minutes before each dose of the Steroid and please make sure the Steroid is given with food. Ask your vet if there is a medical reason your dog may not take Pepcid AC. If there is no reason, we give doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the Steroid. Pepcid is generallyconsidered a safe over-the-counter anti-acid for a healthy dog and good insurance. Dogs don't speak up at the first signs of stomach problems like people do. By the time we notice symptoms the problem has headed in a dangerous direction. (Ulcers or stomach bleeding) I know 8 weeks seems a long time but time really does fly when you are busy taking care of her.. I know for me taking care of Tyler after his surgery, time seemed to fly! Not only was I busy taking care of him but I was also busy reading and researching IVDD on Dodgerslist. If you haven't been to our website lately please check it out. This is a great place to start. www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmPlease keep us posted on how Lexie is doing. |
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renee
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Post by renee on Apr 24, 2013 19:41:18 GMT -7
Will do! Shis is on 50 mg of Tramadol. ( cut up in quarters) and Predisone 5mg half pill every 12 hours for 5 days then half every 24 hrs for five days then every other till gone. Tramadol is every 8-12 hours
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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 Apr 25, 2013 20:32:34 GMT -7
hang in there! We are all here for you and Lexie. Keeping you in thought and prayer.  |
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Post by Pauliana on Apr 25, 2013 20:46:38 GMT -7
Hi Renee!
How is Lexie doing? Is she still showing signs of pain? Did you ask the vet about Pepcid AC and are you giving to her 30 minutes prior to the Prednisone?
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renee
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Post by renee on Apr 26, 2013 10:42:36 GMT -7
Hi everyone....thank you for your concerns and well wishes. Lexie's pain seems to be masked by the medication so no I dont see any signs of pain. She does seem to shiver a bit when I take here out for potty breaks. I did ask the vet about Previcid and she said I can administer it if I notice she's having issues. I dont however see any. Her poop is normal nd she's still eating very well. I dont see her shivering but I am like clockwork staying on top of the every 12 hour regimin of administering the meds. Should I start the Previcid anyway?
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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 26, 2013 10:58:15 GMT -7
The name of the stomach protector is Pepcid AC (famotidine) which is effective in 30 mins. Prevacid (lansoprazole) is a different stomach protector and is NOT fully protective til 3-5 days. Please do not take chances… some vets are just not proactive about stomach protection when using a steroid. The idea is to NOT wait til you see a problem but be proactive to avoid bleeding ulcers or worse. Read what Dr Isaacs says: www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/stomachProtection.htm Did you specificially find out "Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not to take Pepcid AC?" This is good news that you are not seeing any signs of pain…as the taper has started, right? Why do you suppose she shivers when you move her to go out to potty? Is is cold outside, is she anxious/fearful OR is she in pain aftering having to move? Do you see any other signs of pain with that shiver to confirm pain: tight tense tummy, arched back, yelping? |
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renee
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Post by renee on Apr 26, 2013 13:16:38 GMT -7
I'm thinking she's anxious.....she's always been a "high strung" doxie. I apologize I meant to type Pepcid...my husband take Prevacid...lol! Well I will start the Pepcid then....you guys are the experts! 5 days every 12 hours 1/2 steriod then the next 5 days 1/2 every 24 hours, then the next 5 days every other day I believe. I will double check the last weeks dosage. (steroids)
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renee
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Post by renee on May 9, 2013 19:36:43 GMT -7
Well Lexie is hanging in there albeit a little sad since we'll be only at the 3 week mark on Saturday. Still giving her tramadol 2x a day 50 mg and she has 3half pills of prednesone left which are every other day now. All sensation in hind legs are there but there wasnt any paralysis present when the pain started.
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Post by Pauliana on May 9, 2013 20:36:07 GMT -7
Sounds like Lexie is doing well..Thank you for the update. Keep a watch on her after she finishes the Prednisone for signs of pain..When she finishes the Prednisone, stop the Tramadol also. If she shows no signs of pain then she can be off her medications.
IF she does show signs of pain (Yelping, shivering, tight hard tummy, reluctance to move ) that means the inflammation/swelling is still present which means she would need to go back on the Prednisone (and Tramadol) and you would need to contact her Vet for another prescription..
Keep up the great care and the crate rest.. 5 more weeks will fly by..
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renee
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Post by renee on May 28, 2013 19:25:17 GMT -7
Ok, so we're 5 1/2 weeks into conservative treatment and I'm growing a little concerend. Lexie seems to be uninterested in food/water. She drinks and eat very little. When she does eat I have to entice her with beef or chicken to mix with her dry food. Also, she is obviously loosing muscle tone because it's hard for her to stand up or walk. Is this all normal?
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 28, 2013 20:13:23 GMT -7
Renee, can you bring us up to date. Is Lexie off all meds now. Do you think she is in any pain? Does she have bowel and bladder control? Loosing muscle tone is common and will be regained quickly once off crate rest. We have an article for some exercises for a dog who is on crate rest. Make sure she is not in pain before starting. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm |
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renee
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Post by renee on May 29, 2013 16:57:32 GMT -7
She has been off meds for about almost 2 weeks now. Prednisone was weened off and she still has a few tramadol left but I dont feel she needs it. No trembling and her back isnt arched. Nor does she have a "tight" stomach anymore. She never had signs of paralysis just the pain factor. So now she has trouble getting up from her cage for bathroom breaks. I'm assuming because she is sitting in one spot 24/7 but it's a little un-nerving when she flops over from trying to get in a standing position. She has also decreased her food and water intake?? Doesnt seem interested unless I lace it with wet food or people food. I've only done that because she pretty much refuses her food and drinks water less now? She is peeing on her own but bowel movements have decreased from once a day but is that just from her not eating like she was?? Any suggestions? Should I still give her some incentive to eat with more enticing menu choices??? I just dont want to make her weaker than she already is.
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Post by Pauliana on May 29, 2013 20:35:37 GMT -7
Entice her to eat with her favorite foods mixed in with her regular dog food. She may be depressed and need some cheering up.. Perhaps a new toy to cuddle with if she doesn't get too rambunctious with it..She needs a morale boost perhaps? Tyler had to feel part of the family even when in the crate or he would go into pout mode, so we made sure his crate was set up in the rooms we spent the most time in.. He felt included and that made a difference for him.. That really seemed to cheer him up. Do you use a sling to help keep her balanced when she goes outside? dodgergallery.ourdogs.net/recovery/slingwalk |
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renee
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Post by renee on Jun 7, 2013 18:27:01 GMT -7
Yes, I have been doing that but she still seems uninterested. She does eat some but only if its mixed. I do bring her from room to room in her crate and even put the crate on the couch with us if we're watching TV. She does seem to be "depressed" but another concerning thing is she is trembling again and this started about a week or more ago. She doesnt have the arched back like in the beginning but it seems to be a constant now. Is it because whe we take her out for potty and is brought back in her muscles are spazing? I do have a refill of methocarbonal....should I refill it. She will be at week 7 on Saturday so graduation day is fast approaching. Is this common to occur in the last weeks or is something else wrong? I dont need to sling her for potty breaks. She like I posted prior never had paraylis just pain in her back.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 7, 2013 19:23:44 GMT -7
Renee,
Trembling is a sign of pain and so is refusal to eat and drink.. Refusing to to eat could also be stomach problems.. Are her bowel movements normal? I would give her Pepcid 5 mg every 12 hours to see if that helps her tummy. Please get her to her Vet and have her checked. Pain this late in her recovery is something to be concerned about.
I hope Lexie is feeling better soon so she can enjoy crate rest graduation.
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renee
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Post by renee on Jun 10, 2013 20:12:13 GMT -7
Methocarbonal on board but still shaking/shivering I hope too she can enjoy graduation day. |
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 10, 2013 20:38:17 GMT -7
What did the Vet have to say about her not eating and her pain symptoms?
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renee
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Post by renee on Jun 12, 2013 19:32:57 GMT -7
She said that since she seems to readily eat people food vs. dog food not too worried since she isnt really moving around to burn off all the extra calories. Lexie was really never a big eater before this all happened so that could be a contributing factor. She wants to see if the methocarbonal will help....it might not be so much pain but nervousness/restlessnes if that makes sense? But to bring her in next week and go from there. Just very discouraging to say the least. I was hoping since we made it to almost week 8 she could be a normal dog again. nothing ever works out for us the way things "should go" for our family I guess and this isnt an exclusion I guess. Has other IVDD Dogs had to stay in a crate for longer thant 8 weeks?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 12, 2013 19:54:04 GMT -7
Renee, the pain really needs to be clarified. Are you seeing today any shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Especially pain nearing the next dose of methocarbamol. Those are unmistakable signs of pain NOT of being restless! Pain is from swelling in the spinal cord and Prednisone is the meds that deals with getting inflammation down. If surgery is not an option, then being aggressive to get the swelling down is essential. Methocarbamol deals with the muscle pain so often associated with a disc problem. Tramadol is the general pain reliever. The end of May when you reported trembling reappearing after being off all meds, was the time to address the problem, but you did not report any reinstatement of pred or other pain meds to help.
Can you go for a 2nd opinion?
Yes, there have been some few dogs who did need to be on crate rest longer than 8 weeks.
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renee
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Post by renee on Jun 12, 2013 20:02:25 GMT -7
no I have not sought out a second opinion. I guess I will do so.
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I hope too she can enjoy graduation day.