|
Post by Pauliana on Dec 11, 2013 20:08:48 GMT -7
Maureen,
Great big Dodgerslist prayers that Stevie is NOT having an episode.. Good for you being quick to crate just in case.. Maybe it's the cold winter weather as Rusty's Mom said..
Lots of HUGS your way.. and thanks for keeping us posted.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Dec 11, 2013 23:03:21 GMT -7
Hope to hear an update and that Stevie is just a bit stiff from the cold weather.
|
|
|
Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 12, 2013 6:30:51 GMT -7
Checking in to see how Stevie is doing today. Please let us know...tons of prayers coming to both of you (((HUGS)))
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Dec 12, 2013 7:27:28 GMT -7
Oh, I do hope that it's just the cold weather that's making Stevie feeling a bit stiff. It's so hard to tell sometimes. Prayers that it's not another disc and that he's doing better now.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 13, 2013 19:25:20 GMT -7
Sorry it took so long to update. I got an appointment with Stevie's acupuncture Vet on Wednesday. She examined her and noted that she was showing discomfort but that it seemed to indicate upper abdomen making her back ache rather than her back making her tummy hurt. No fever and no Nero deficits other than reluctance to stand or move about. Stevie had acupuncture and laser, and was put on a homemade gastro diet plus cage rest for 48 hours. She spent the rest of the day sleeping in her pen. She ate her dinner and took her epilepsy meds okay that night, then vomited up her dinner. She went back to sleep. Stevie had a big seizure around midnight. Afterwards I took her out to pee and she was pretty wobbly. Cleaned her up and put her back to bed, and then sat with her for the next few hours. When she got up on Thursday morning you would never know that anything had ever been amiss! She was bouncy and tail waggy and really vocal about wanting OUT of her pen. Go figure. She is still only out to pee until we know that the seizure hasn't caused any problems. Thank you for all of the well wishes, I'll keep you posted.
|
|
|
Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 14, 2013 5:44:46 GMT -7
So glad she is doing better. Have been worrying about her so much. Stomach upset can make them miserable. I hope the seizure was just because she felt miserable. Fingers crossed that she continues to be her bouncy self
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Dec 14, 2013 9:42:16 GMT -7
Thanks for the update on Stevie. Hope she continues feeling her perky self and no problems with her disc.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Dec 15, 2013 9:04:34 GMT -7
That's great to hear, Maureen! So glad she's feeling better. They can sure put you through the wringer when they're not feeling well and you're not sure what's going on with them.
All the best to you both.
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Dec 15, 2013 22:15:32 GMT -7
Hi Maureen,
So glad to hear that Stevie is improving. Hope it was her tummy after all.. You are doing the best thing for her keeping her crated until you know for sure..
Keeping you and Stevie in my prayers..Hugs!!
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on Dec 18, 2013 18:59:18 GMT -7
Hi Maureen, Just checking to see how Stevie is doing.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 18, 2013 20:40:09 GMT -7
Stevie is still crated. Her neuro functions were depressed, wobbly, falling when trying to turn, and knuckling on the left hind once in a while. I am treating her to an extended crate rest because we just don't know. I didn't know if I should start a new thread, or if this one gets moved back to Conservative treatment. Her start date is 12/9. No pain Good appetite Pee and poop normal 5mg prednisone 2x day for 3 days, then 1x a day for 3 days then every other day for 3-5 days. Sulcralfate 3cc 1 hour prior to prednisone, and at least one hour after seizure meds. Phenobarbital 30mg 2x day (for epilepsy) Potasium Bromide 150mg 1x day (for epilepsy) She is really unhappy about being crated - again- my poor sweet girl. I hate this...
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Dec 18, 2013 21:54:50 GMT -7
Maureen,
So sorry to hear about Stevie..My heart goes out to you.. Glad she isn't in pain. She certainly has a great Mom who knows how to get her through this.. If we can help please don't hesitate to let us know..
Prayers and Hugs..
|
|
|
Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 19, 2013 6:48:19 GMT -7
Oh no, I am so sad for you You are the best person to get her through this...how lucky is she to have you!!! Hang in there, here to offer you support in any way I can. Tons of prayers coming your way for a speedy Stevie recovery!
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Dec 19, 2013 7:58:48 GMT -7
I'm so sorry to hear this, Maureen. Your Stevie has been through far too much. I know she's in good hands but I also know how difficult it all is. Prayers for you both.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Dec 20, 2013 9:21:15 GMT -7
Maureen, that knuckling sure tells you something is pressing on the spinal cord. So already the prednisone has relieved some swelling and acupuncture has help with the pain…as you no longer see her reluctant to move? Hugs to your little girl she has the good luck to be in your caring hands!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 20, 2013 15:48:45 GMT -7
Stevie saw Dr. Mills again today for acupuncture and laser. She said that Stevie is showing some neuro deficit on her left hind , but appears much stronger. We also have pain meds available if she needs them. Tramadol 25-50mg every 6-12 hours if she needs it , and Buprenorphine if things get really bad. So far it appears that we are dealing with a mild reoccurrence, really demonstrating that IVDD is a condition to be managed , as opposed to cured. I must admit that Stevie is dealing with it better than I am, and I can't even yell and cuss because our parrot talks and I really don't want her to develop a potty mouth. Today is the one year anniversary of our adoption of Stevie, and she has enriched our lives so much
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Dec 20, 2013 17:55:58 GMT -7
Happy Anniversary! Wish you were spending it in a happier way though. But thank goodness it's a mild episode. It really stinks though that she's back in the crate. Hugs.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 24, 2013 10:44:22 GMT -7
Stevie's▼ prednisone taper seems to be going well - it's really nice that she can stay dry through the night - about 6 hours - without having to go out to pee, or wetting her bed if I don't hear her fast enough, or get dressed in coat, boots, gloves, fast enough - the weather here is cold and snowy. I take her outside and sometimes have to try and clear her a pee area with my feet rather than a shovel(because I am holding her) all while she is letting me know that she has to go RIGHT NOW! The neighbours must think that I am insane...
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 25, 2013 18:08:38 GMT -7
Well Stevie is having a bit of an "off" day today. I have given her half a Tramadol 25mg. She seems stiff and is sleeping a lot. The weather is cold and damp and I know how stiff I feel, so I'm not sure if it is the weather, or the prednisone taper. If she feels like this tomorrow I'll bump her back up to once a day, and try to get a Vet appointment for Friday.
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Dec 25, 2013 20:10:28 GMT -7
Hi Maureen,
I hope it's the weather but if not it would be a good idea to bump her Prednisone back up and see if that helps.. Poor dears.. My Christmas wish would be for both of you to feel better right now..
Hugs and prayers!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 26, 2013 8:00:23 GMT -7
Stevie is miserable this morning. She is shivering and reluctant to move just sort of clenched up if I have to move her. I have ▲ restarted her prednisone at 5mg twice a day, and Tramadol 25mg every 6-8 hours until she feels relief. Please keep my sweet girl in your prayers.
|
|
|
Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 26, 2013 10:45:34 GMT -7
Saying tons of prayers for Stevie. So sorry that she is in pain. But she has you so she knows she has the best mom ever who knows just what needs to be done!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Dec 26, 2013 13:27:13 GMT -7
I'm so sorry to hear Stevie needs another course of pred. Hope the next taper will show the swelling is gone. Is she taking sucralfate for her tummy or Pepcid AC?
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 26, 2013 14:52:10 GMT -7
Stevie gets 3cc of Sulcrafate 1 hour prior to prednisone and at least 1 hour after her epilepsy meds so that it doesn't interfere with their uptake. It feels like I am always stuffing something down her right now. Tramadol at 8 hour intervals today and we'll see tomorrow, She has stopped with the shivery clenched up behaviour and is relaxed when I pick her up. Such a relief to know that she is feeling better!
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on Dec 26, 2013 15:13:59 GMT -7
Darn Maureen, so sorry to hear this. Like you I sure hate this disease. Its just not fair to her with her other problems too. Nice to hear she is feeling better though back on the meds.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Dec 26, 2013 18:55:58 GMT -7
She's in my prayers, Maureen. Glad she's feeling better and hopefully she'll be off the meds soon.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 27, 2013 10:15:07 GMT -7
Stevie had a seizure early this morning , downside of Tramadol for her. She feels so much better otherwise. We managed to get an appointment with the Vet for this morning , for blood work and to discuss her meds , for IVDD and her epilepsy.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
|
Post by PaulaM on Dec 27, 2013 11:01:58 GMT -7
Hope the vet can offer another pain solution that works better with her epilepsy. Hugs to Stevie and to you too!
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Dec 30, 2013 20:00:14 GMT -7
I have been doing a poor job of updating. Stevie saw the regular Vet on the 27th. We are going to do an extended regimen of prednisone to try and deal with this episode. She will be on 5mg once day for 7 days and then if she continues to feel okay she will be on 5mg every other day for 5 - 6 WEEKS. She goes back to the Vet on the 2nd of January for a recheck and then bloodwork for phenobarbital levels, potassium bromide levels and liver and kidney ffunction.She is being so good about all of this - I am the one having issues, trying hard not to give in to despair. My sweet little girl, my angel, I am so sorry that I can't make this better for you...
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Dec 30, 2013 20:08:50 GMT -7
Hi Maureen,
You are giving your Stevie the best of care..It's so hard to watch them go through all of this and it is hard not to give in to despair. She loves you and knows that you are in her corner.. I think many times that we emotionally feel worse than they do.. You two will get through this together..
Sending lots of Hugs and prayers!
|
|