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Post by cheryi on May 5, 2013 10:58:52 GMT -7
Hi support community.
On Thurs. May 2nd, my son noticed our dachshund, Dari (male), was seemingly unwilling to go up the two steps back into the house from our back yard. He seemed to do ok as the day went on. But on Friday afternoon, he lost use of his hind legs. We immediately took him to the vet, who gave him an injection of dexamethasone. The vet seemed to want us to immediately call a specialized clinic to see if we could schedule surgery, so she called to see if a time was available and the cost. Mind you this is at 5pm on Friday. The cost was $6000 but the vet came back indicating it seemed like this clinic did not want to do surgery right then. I feel like I didn't get much input and as it was I was rather emotional. I am still unsure what to do and here it is Sunday and am terribly upset looking for input.
So this is what we are doing so far: We have Dari on a tapering dose of prednisone 5mg twice daily for 4 days, then it will be 2.5mg twice daily for 4 days, then 2.5mg daily for 4 days, then 2.5mg every other day for four days until what I have here is gone. He also is taking the pain medication methocarbamol 125mg three times a day. We have him crated which is very hard to do since he is so used to being right beside us 24/7. I guess that is where I want to ask, "how have other members done the crating?" Do you move the crate to the area of the house you are working or do you put him off by himself so he doesn't get excited by anyone coming or going? Do I take him back to the vet and try to get more info? Help, please!
This whole situation has been very upsetting to me as I realize the same for other people. This little dog puts so much sunshine into my life with his enthusiasm for life that it hurts to see him so sad. I am so grateful I was directed to this site so I could ask questions! Thank you!
Cheryi, Dari's Mom |
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Post by Pauliana on May 5, 2013 13:13:00 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist Cheryi, Please let Dari know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm and also www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmIs the Methocarbamol handling the pain ok? Do see any signs of pain such as yelping, shivering, tight hard tummy, reluctance to move? If so Tramadol is often used in conjunction with Metho in IVDD treatment. If you do see signs of pain contact your Vet right away to adjust her pain medications. It would be a good thing for Dari to see a Neurology specialist for your own peace of mind and to set up a treatment plan if you are planning to do conservative care.. which is crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks or if you plan to do surgery.. It is so hard for dogs that aren't used to a crate to adjust to crate rest but it so very important because the crate acts as a cast to keep the back from moving and causing further injury. Rest is what helps the disc to heal. Medications can treat the swelling and the pain but it is either surgery or 8 weeks crate rest that heals the herniated disc that is compressing the spinal cord. What we did with Tyler was have the crate right where we are, so he would feel included as he was used to. There are crate carts that you can put the crate on and pull it gently from room to room safely.. ( No bumpy surfaces) Check hardware stores for a cart that would be the right size for your crate. We had to make things work as best we could to make him still feel like part of family life. Also put in a memory foam topper or orthopedic foam to best support her back and to prevent pressure sores. Here is a link that shows how to create a recovery suite: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmHere are some calming aids to help Dari adjust to the crate. 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] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com We are here for you.. |
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Post by cheryi on May 10, 2013 9:33:18 GMT -7
Good Morning! I wanted to thank Pauliana and Dodgerslist for supporting me when I first posted. But a week has gone by and I need to update you. By Sunday evening, 5/5, after reading a lot on this site and thru Pauliana's advice, I decided I needed to get a Neurology specialist opinion. When I called as soon as they opened on Monday morning, they asked me to come in asap. The specialist was an hours drive away but I was ready to go out the door. We got up to Oregon Veterinary Specialty Hospital and within minutes they took Dari to the back even though we were their second emergency of their already full morning. The Dr. examined Dari, who still had deep pain sensation, and I was brought back and we discussed my options. I had already decided that I would cut back on whatever frivolous things I do and put the surgery cost on my CC. So Dari had surgery on Monday and all went well. The hospital kept him until yesterday, Thurs, and we went and got our fur baby home! He has some function in his hind legs now and of course I am hoping that will improve with rest and time. He is on crate rest and I carry him outside to pee. Was very happy this morning when he pooped for me.  I am educating myself by reading as much as I can on this so very helpful site. Thank you to all the moderators for being such awesome, caring people! I will continue to update and also try to upload a picture of Dari. Thank you! Cheryi |
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 10, 2013 12:03:56 GMT -7
Cheryi, so glad the surgery went well for Dari. There is always swelling from the surgery itself, so you may see even more function as that swelling goes down.
What was the surgeons' post-ops instructions. Do you need to express? Let us know what we can do to help.
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Post by Pauliana on May 10, 2013 14:18:59 GMT -7
So glad you have Dari home after a successful surgery. What medications was he sent home with, as well as the dosages and frequencies given? I bet he is delighted to be home, even if he does have to rest in the crate. We are all very happy to help answer any questions you have..
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I am educating myself by reading as much as I can on this so very helpful site. Thank you to all the moderators for being such awesome, caring people! I will continue to update and also try to upload a picture of Dari.
