esse
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Post by esse on May 7, 2013 2:31:38 GMT -7
My dogs name is MacGyver, he is a 5 year old black and tan mini wirehaired dachshund. He is the love of my life. This afternoon he began having weakness in his hind legs and back pain, so i rushed him to the emergency vet. They did xrays and bloodwork (why blood?) , told me he has a problem with a disc, and began steroids and antibiotics IV. At 1 a.m. the vet called to say Mac was progressively getting worse, and that we would need to transfer him to our vet in the morning to continue Iv care, but that the prognosis is not good.She said our choice is surgery or euthanasia. I cant afford surgery, is euthanasia really my only option? It is now 2:30 and i am feeling heartbroken and hopeless.
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esse
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Post by esse on May 7, 2013 2:38:33 GMT -7
Sorry i missed this step... --What is your dog's name? Mac Gyver --What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD? ...Wirehaired mini doxie, yes -- What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? He is currently at the vet. -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Sunday night he was in pain- shivering and trembling... i thought he had just gotten chilled as the weather had changed.Monday evening i realized his back was hunched and he was weak in the back legs -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? i dont know the meds yet -- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? i dont think he can -- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? no -- Eating and drinking OK? he was when i left him at the vet -- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? it was normal at 6 pm Read more: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/27/1-introduce-dog#ixzz2Sb84V0b3 |
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on May 7, 2013 5:43:02 GMT -7
Please don't consider euthanasia! There are links on here for financing of surgery should that be needed. Read, read , read...there is hope!
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StevieLuv
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Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on May 7, 2013 6:22:36 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Maureen and Stevie is my pekingese that has IVDD. I am attaching ( I hope) and article about conservative treatment. Please consider this before making a decision about euthanasia. Not all Vets are current on conservative treatment methods and too many give the owners only the surgery or euthanasia options, and they are often (horrifyingly) wrong. DodgersList is full of success stories, when owners insist on educating themselves and their Vet - WE are the Captain of our dogs health team. Article by Dr. Robinson, written in 2011…. so it is amazing we still see a percentage of vets not on board telling their clients about conservative treatment. Sad and this is what Dodgerlist is still trying to educate about since 2002. Dr. Robinson makes a good case for "why" conservative treatment and also good information on acupuncture and laser light therapy. Several good quotes to use on the Forum if the situation would arise. Here are a few: With or without surgery, a dog can experience multiple intervertebral disk disease episodes during her life. As Brisson et al noted, “All intervertebral disks in dogs are susceptible to degeneration; therefore, a dog can have several episodes of disk extrusion.”2 Thirty years ago, surgical intervention was recommended “when there is no response to conservative management, when the animal becomes progressively worse, when the condition recurs, and when the animal is more severely disabled.”1 Where has conservative management gone…. Physicians don’t recommend euthanasia for their human patients who cannot afford an MRI and surgery. Why would we recommend this to a client, especially when options clearly exist? Both LT and acupuncture have beneficial influences on stem cell activities. All of these deserve mention when presenting options to canine caregivers whose dog is “down,” especially if the value of surgery for that patient is uncertain. Non-Surgical Options for IVDD? Keeping Hope, and Dogs, Alive www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/complementary-medicine/non-surgical-options-for-ivdd-keeping-hope-and-dogs-alive.aspx |
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 7, 2013 7:05:17 GMT -7
Hello My name is Linda, what's yours. Glad you found us. Disc Disease is certainly no reason to euthanize. Has he been transferred to your vet now? I want to make sure the vet was giving IV antibiotics and IV steroids. The reason for blood work should be to make sure kidneys and liver was alright before starting the steroids. Here is our article on conservative treatment that will help you get started www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htmWhen you pick him up and either bring Mac home or take him to your regular vet, please give us full details on the meds. We have many many success stories. These will help to give you hope www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory.htm |
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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 7, 2013 18:41:38 GMT -7
How is Mac doing?  |
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esse
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Post by esse on May 7, 2013 21:20:05 GMT -7
It's been a roller coaster ride! After spending the night at the emergency hospital, we took him to our regular vet. They re evaluated him, and kept him for the day.. he didn't need pain meds, and had gotten a super dose of steroids, so they just let him rest . The vet who will forever be an angel to us, consulted with a neurological specialist, who recommended an organization that would pay for the surgery. Mac actually improved throughout the day, responding to deep pain stimulus and regaining some strength in his left leg. He also continued to be able to urinate on his own. After talking to everyone involved, we decided to take him to the large veterinary hospital in our area. I spent about 4 hours there, speaking to neurologists and - we got a great prognosis! The specialist told me that euthanasia was not really even to be considered.. he felt Mac was not as bad as the other vets had thought, and gives him a 95% chance of making a full recovery. If all goes well with the funding, he will be having surgery tomorrow afternoon, after his mri and Ct scan.
I was at teh depths of despair last night, and a lot of today. I am so glad I found this forum, I spent a long time last night educating myself, and was able to discuss the whole event with knowledge and understanding. thank you all so much who posted and gave me encouragement. It really helped! i will keep you updated on Mac's condition, and hopefully will have a success story to tell. esse
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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 8, 2013 6:37:27 GMT -7
Keep us posted! Good luck and best wishes for tomorrow!  |
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 8, 2013 14:21:29 GMT -7
Thinking of you and Mac. Did he have his surgery yet?
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Post by Pauliana on May 8, 2013 14:58:34 GMT -7
Thinking of you and Mac, Esse. Let us know how he is doing after surgery.
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esse
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Post by esse on May 8, 2013 20:34:42 GMT -7
Thanks for all the well wishes, Mac had his surgery this afternoon, it went well. They fixed the herniated disc, and also some calcification he had. Sorry i am not real sure of all the technical stuff, I know they worked on 6 of his vertebrae, and did some drilling to allow the discs to expand in the future and not herniate or rupture. The vet said he should be better than new, and hopefully no more problems.Now e have a long road of recovery ahead of us! I believe i can visit him tomorrow, and maybe bring him home Friday, altho I think I am more comfortable with them keeping him bit longer.
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Post by Pauliana on May 8, 2013 20:38:12 GMT -7
Wonderful news!! Sounds like Mac had a wonderful surgeon.. Do keep us posted on how he is doing after your visit tomorrow.
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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 9, 2013 9:07:52 GMT -7
Great news - love positive Veterinarians. Best wishes as he recovers - do keep us posted |
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 9, 2013 9:18:06 GMT -7
Good news. Glad things went well. Sounds like they fenestrated some of the other discs to prevent trouble in the future. Give us an update when you see him and be sure and let us know when he comes home the surgeon's instructions.
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esse
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Post by esse on Jun 3, 2013 20:55:11 GMT -7
Hi, I wanted to give you an update on Mac, he is doing so well He had his 2 week checkup, the vet said everything was going great, and she didnt need to see him again! He has progressed to 3 10 to 15 minute walks a day, he is out of his crate most of the time with supervision, and he is starting to feel like his old self. I still notice some weakness on his right back leg, the vet said this was to be expected, and will get stronger as time goes by. He does his little trot while we are walking.. he is always in a hurry... and I know he cant wait until he can throw his toy in the air and chase it around, I want to thank everyone here for their encouragement and helpful information. It's hard to believe a few weeks ago I had never heard of IVDD... |
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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 3, 2013 21:18:37 GMT -7
Glad to hear how well Mac is doing…. graduation date is just around the corner now on June 19!!!
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 3, 2013 21:31:19 GMT -7
Esse, I wouldn't risk having Mac out of the crate until his post op 6 weeks of crate rest is over except for physical therapy times and time out to potty. The dogs that are let out of crate rest early are more likely to have a relapse. They always do the unexpected.. The disc takes at least 6 weeks to heal..and it wouldn't take much to undo the healing that has just begun over the past couple of weeks..Any time out of the crate is a dangerous time.. I know it's hard to keep them in the crate when a dog starts to feel better but Mac still needs to be confined to prevent further extrusion of the disc and sudden relapse with potential for profound worsening of neurologic status. sturgisvet.com/smallanimalclinic/managingdiskdisease.html |
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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 4, 2013 7:42:26 GMT -7
Opphs, I missed your saying he is out of the crate most of the time. Paulinana is right, he should only be out when he is under your direct eyeball to eyeball supervision and with leash and harness on to control his speed as you are doing PT with him or at potty times until graduation date of June 19th.
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Post by Mom to Duchess on Jun 5, 2013 18:32:17 GMT -7
So glad your baby boy is doing much better.
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esse
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Post by esse on Jun 9, 2013 23:06:51 GMT -7
Just to clarify, he is only out of the crate with direct supervision!He is a pretty quiet guy, and just likes to follow me around the house.. he has pads everywhere i might sit down and he lays next to me. We are doing 3 or 4 10 minute walks outside every day. He seems to be doing very well, and has no problem with his crate time.He even puts himself back in from time to time, and i just tell him to get in his box and he goes right in. We are making him a ramp up to and out of his doggy door, for when he can be outside alone... the vet said it wasnt necessary, but it cant hurt, right?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,570
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 10, 2013 9:36:00 GMT -7
Direct supervision is with a harness and leash on and you are working with him on his PT walks. Following you around the house allows him the ability to do the unexpected in a blink of an eye…dart at the sound of a tv doorbell, or something floating by a window. Dogs always do the unexpected so we have to be one step ahead of them.
Texas A & M explains why post op crate rest is needed:
A ramp would be an excellent idea. You now know MacGyver was born with IVDD. Hopefully he will not have another episode, but that is nasty part of this disease…. there is no predicting. Some dogs do have multiple disc episodes over thier lifetime. So we do what we can to make our homes back friendly.
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esse
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Post by esse on Jun 10, 2013 18:34:17 GMT -7
Well, so now I am really confused. I am following the surgeons directions, but maybe you have more practical experience... so we will go back to crate all the time except walks.He doesn't mind at all. I also am a little confused about how he is magically as good as new at the 6 week mark? I am feeling like I want to keep him in bubble wrap for a few more months!
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 10, 2013 21:14:35 GMT -7
It's time and the limited movement during 6 weeks post op crate rest to allow a strong secure scar tissue to form over the disc. Nerves continue repairing well after that.. This explains how to ease back into a careful new normal after crate rest on July 3rd. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm Also here is info on how to make your home back friendly for advance preparations.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmI am still cautious with Tyler and he graduated crate rest on March 11th.. It does get easier with time and we did make our home back friendly for his sake. Our surgeon told us to treat him as a fragile, precious treasure and while I let him have careful fun, I did take her words to heart.. |
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