StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on May 13, 2013 9:53:29 GMT -7
Her phenobarb has been increased to 30mg twice a day - if she still has breakthrough seizures we will be adding Potassium Bromide to her meds. The Vet was reassuring about her spine - not exhibiting any more pain and can still stand, very wobbly walk and potty okay. Stevie had her 22 1/2 mg dose this morning and her Vet had me give her an additional 15mg as a loading dose when we got home at 9am. My poor sweet little girl... we are only 2 1/2 weeks into this episode ofcage rest,
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on May 13, 2013 11:09:05 GMT -7
Maureen, I don't know a lot about epilepsy. I had one dog who had it many years ago but I wanted to tell you I'm thinking of you and Stevie and admire both of you for hanging in there. Glad to hear she is out of pain and recovering from this episode.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on May 13, 2013 12:37:55 GMT -7
Thanks Linda, for your words of encouragement. I sure do feel like we are fighting this battle all alone right now.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry Layman on May 13, 2013 21:01:17 GMT -7
While this isn't really the place for a long discussion on epilepsy I would just mention that there are many drugs that are used to treat seizures in dogs. Some long term that could be added to the phenobarb or some that could be used short term to control the seizures during this IVDD episode if there is some concern of drug interations causing problems. It's worth an in depth discussion with your vet if he's really having that many seizures.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on May 14, 2013 7:25:51 GMT -7
Sorry if Stevie's epilepsy problem isn't appropriate for this forum. This is her second bout of IVDD since January and the I am afraid that the seizures will slow her healing or make things worse. I HAVE discussed this with her Vet and I am a retired Animal Health Tech - not easily frightened. I won't bring it up again. I was just looking for a bit of support and comfort.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on May 14, 2013 9:36:19 GMT -7
Maureen, I'm sorry to hear Stevie is having difficulties with seizures on top of the disc problem. We would love to be able to offer you the same quality advice and support for epilepsy as we can for IVDD, however, our only area of expertise is IVDD. So for that reason we just stick to what we know. We would feel just awful if commenting about epilepsy would cause harm to Stevie. Searching for a different support group that focuses on solely on Epilepsy would be your best bet to get additional information to bring to a discussion to your vet.
I am sure glad to hear Stevie does not have have pain and is still able to wobbly walk... that is good news on the IVDD front.
We are all in your corner and with you in thought that your vet will find the right combo of meds for epilepsy... is a consultation with a specialist possible if your vet is at a loss? I know my local vet is willing to get on the phone to colleagues at the University.... or perhaps you can line up a consult and visit yourself?
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on May 14, 2013 10:00:19 GMT -7
Maureen, I agree with Paula on a consult with a neuro. Since they are experts on both epilepsy and IVDD and may have valuable suggestions on the different meds available to help. Good to hear shes not in pain now and can wobbly walk. Hoping the increase in the pheno will help control those seizures.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on May 14, 2013 12:59:19 GMT -7
I understand completely - we have consulted with a neuro and her CT scan included her brain to rule out tumours etc. We are just having a hard time controlling this, and I fear for her recovery from this bout of IVDD. Thanks for your well wishes, it helps me to feel more positive and not so alone.
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on May 14, 2013 13:16:49 GMT -7
Maureen,
It is so rough dealing with both Epilepsy and IVDD, both are tough enough on their own. I am thankful that Stevie is not in pain and can walk even if wobbly. We are all in your corner when it comes to Stevie and so thankful to you for your support of others walking the IVDD road..
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on May 15, 2013 18:58:48 GMT -7
The little dickens has figured out that if she fusses she gets ignored, but if she makes her "I have to potty" noises that whe will get out of the crate, if only for a bit...sigh...I don't dare ignore her either because she is still on step down steriods and does have to pee frequently (I have guessed wrong a couple of times)...beloved brat
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on May 16, 2013 8:10:43 GMT -7
They are quick to figure out things, aren't they! I agree you have to give her a chance to potty every 3-4 hours while on steroids.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on May 17, 2013 6:52:24 GMT -7
Three weeks done, only 5 more to go, and I found a four leaf clover when I took Stevie our for her morning potty. No seizures for 4 days and she slept through the night for the last 2 nights! Life is good
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on May 17, 2013 11:36:28 GMT -7
Oh, that is wonderful news on the seizures, indeed!!! .... may the remainder of the 8 weeks go smoothly for Stevie!!!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on May 24, 2013 10:37:43 GMT -7
Four weeks done - we're half way there! Stevie had an accupuncture appointment today with Dr. Mills. Dr. Mills was just at the huge Veterinary Accupuncturists conference in New Orleans, and one of the seminars that she attended was on rehab for back injured or other mobility issued dogs - she did it for Stevie While there the presenter, the Rehab specialist Veterinarian was talking about Toe Grips, a ring that is fitted around the toenails on the back feet to increase traction and stimulate the proprioception nerves. They are worn 24/7 and changed every 2 weeks or so and can be removed for cleaning - so they aren't glued on. The Rehabber Vet (who doesn't have a vested interest in the product either) uses them for all of her aging and IVDD dogs. They prevent slips and falls because they increase grip, and stimulate the nerves to help them relearn foot placement (for those who are knuckling over) Dr. Mills is going to contact the company to find out how to measure Stevie for the Toe Grips and we are going to try them out. I have little grippy socks that she wore last time, they worked, and were very cute, but they would twist around or come off. We are very excited about this and wanted to share!! The website for the product is www.toegrips.com we will keep you posted.
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on May 24, 2013 10:47:27 GMT -7
Very interesting Maureen. Let us know how these work.
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on May 24, 2013 13:12:20 GMT -7
Hi Maureen!
That's wonderful that Stevie's acupuncture vet went to a special seminar for back injured dogs for Stevie.. The toe grips sound great, please do let us know how Stevie reacts to them.. Very interested in trying these for Tyler..
Thanks for the great info!!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jun 2, 2013 9:04:53 GMT -7
5 weeks done! I have set up and ex-pen as a recovery suite as it has a bit more room that the crate and allows her to take a few steps to her food bowl. This is being done under supervision with her rehab specialist and her Vets, so don't yell. She is back to where she was when we started the rehab last time around, but has alot of muscle to slowly rebuild. I have noticed that the ex-pen walls will move around if she leans on them - any suggestions for stabilizing the pen short of nailing it to the floor?? We are still working to get her seizures under control too. She continues to improve physically and is such a happy little love. Thanks for all of the positive energy!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Jun 2, 2013 9:58:46 GMT -7
Go Stevie… you happy girl you…love it that she is out of pain and improving physcially.
The way a disc heals is with limited movement that a recovery suite with only room enough to stand up, turn around and when prone to fully stretch out their legs. The very limited footsteps even if wobbly taken at potty time will keep the joints flexible and circulation up in the muscles.
The way the early forming scar tissue on the disc gets disrupted is with movement of the vertebrae as the dog walks too much.
Muscles will quickly bulk up when more activity is safe to do after all 8 weeks of disc healing have been completed.
If the early healing disc should tear because of extra movement allowed, the next time the disc damage to the disc could be potentially so severe that nerves would not be able to repair to ever bring back nerve functions.
Everything in life is a weighing of the risk vs. the benefit. Logic is to protect the most delicate part that can't return once permanently damaged: the spinal cord. With a month's worth of exercise muscle can be beefed up again.
Can a dog still recover and cheat on 100% STRICT crate rest? Yes, it is possible. But what is the percentage of dogs that re-injure their discs due to moving too much vs. those that miraculously dodge the bullet? Who would pay the price of more vet bills for a reinjury-- you would. Who would pay the awful price of pain and suffering reinjuring the disc-- your Stevie would.
Not all professionals have a grip on IVDD, so we have to speak up or say "no thank you" to prescriptions that could harm the healing process.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jun 2, 2013 10:12:07 GMT -7
Oh I hear you! The ex-pen is now set up in such a way that she can take 2 steps in either direction to get comfy. She has her little flat dog bed in there now and is so much happier. She will be crated whenever we are not right there to supervise, there is no way that we want to go through this again. I am going to make the 6 sided pen shape into the smaller 5 sided shape so that she can't move so much, but can still stretch out fully in any direction. The Vet now thinks that when she fell in April that she hurt back muscles rather than retore the disc, but we are still treating as if she retore the disc- better safe than sorry. Thanks for the reminder
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Jun 2, 2013 15:58:46 GMT -7
Maureen, sounds like you have a good size for the recovery suite now. Wish there was a way to know if it was a muscle problem or a tear of the disc…. I agree with you best to assume it was a disc episode in an effort to protect the spinal cord. You are doing a good job with the health challenges Stevie has. Better start taking some photos of Stevie for your Forum posts… that little girl NEEDS to go on our Facebook page also for inspiration!!!! Maybe a photo with those toe grips when she is off crate rest, too!!
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 2, 2013 20:24:20 GMT -7
Anxious to see Stevie with those sexy toe grips. She'll make a great story.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jun 7, 2013 20:14:34 GMT -7
6 weeks down, 2 to go. WooHOO! She is heartily sick of being confined - I don't blame her. We had only had her for 5 weeks when her first IVDD episode hit so she was confined for 8 weeks, then out for 5 weeks and her second episode and another 8 weeks confined. It is a blue eyed wonder that she doesn't hate my guts. She really is our little angel girlie
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Jun 7, 2013 20:25:05 GMT -7
Stevie knows you love her and one day soon crate rest will be over and she can enjoy her careful new normal.. Looking forward to that day right along with you!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jun 14, 2013 11:09:40 GMT -7
7 weeks done:) She has developed a bit of diarrhea since late last night, oh yay, but is not currently on any medications other than her phenobarbitol for her epilepsy. So who knows, but I think that my husband was sharing pizza with her. Does make potty time so much more exciting though...
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Jun 14, 2013 18:22:29 GMT -7
Ah, yes the extra fats in the pizza cheese and olive oil could well have caused the diarrhea. Who needs that kind of excitement?! LOL Hope her system is back to being stable now.
One more week! Marvelous job you are doing Maureen in making sure Stevie has a good recovery.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jun 18, 2013 8:29:57 GMT -7
I managed to get a "pitiful" picture of Stevie on the gallery under cute and fun. She is doing her mash the face into the corner of the crate in hopes of being let out pose. I can't get it to post here ...huff... dodgergallery.ourdogs.net/cute/SIMG1408 dodgergallery.ourdogs.net/albums/cute/SIMG1408.thumb.jpgMooommmmmm, 7 weeks and 4 days is close enough, puhleeeezze let me out to play....
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Jun 18, 2013 9:09:11 GMT -7
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jun 18, 2013 9:12:35 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 18, 2013 11:56:05 GMT -7
What a beautiful baby!! Looks like she is saying " I think I can...I think I can!" As she is pushing against the crate. :-D
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Jun 18, 2013 17:13:01 GMT -7
Maureen, Stevie is so adorable! Tyler does that exact same pose when he is pouting!! They are kindred spirits for sure!!
|
|