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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 9, 2016 22:16:13 GMT -7
Hello,
Unfortunately I'm a returning member as my younger Dachshund Gretta (6 years) has just had her first disk episode. I've been through one surgical and two conservative treatments with my older boy, Oliver (9 years). I had hoped Gretta would be spared.
Gretta is a miniature long haired black and tan Dachshund. My name is Sigrid.
Last Wed 2/3 I was home sick in bed and Gretta was showing signs that she didn't want to come up the stairs I have for her to get on the bed. I mentioned to my boyfriend that Oliver had acted the same way when his back started to give him trouble. Other than that she was showing no other signs.
Thursday am 2/4, she didn't want to stand up and get out of her kennel in the morning to go out an potty. I immediately knew it was her back. I carried her out to potty and she was in too much pain to go. I immediately crated her and setup an appointment with my ACVS Surgeon that had treated Oliver.
2/4 Her ACVS Surgeon diagnosed her with IVDD--most likely either a bulging disk or herniated disc. She didn't feel the need to spend any money on a CT Scan as Gretta was able to wobbly walk, and wag her tail. She recommended crate rest and meds and to watch and make sure Gretta's symptoms did not progress.
She was prescribed:
[12 lbs
Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day]
Prednisone 5mg Tabs [as of 2/4] -- 1/2 Tablet every 12 hours for 4 days [as of 2/9 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days] and then down to 1/2 tab every 24 hours for 4 days.
Tramadol 50mg -- 1/4 to 1/2 Tablet every 8 [?] to 12 [?] hours for pain (I've been giving 1/2 tablet)
Gretta was doing great until this morning, when she was in obvious pain and shivering and again didn't want to pee first thing in the am, even though I knew she had to go. Yesterday was her first day of dropping down to 1/2 tab of Prednisone every 24 hours.
I called the surgeon and they recommended to up her Prednisone back to 1/2 tablet every 12 hours for the next 5 days, and I will take her in on Thursday 2/11 for a follow-up appointment.
I've also added in 1/2 Tablet of Pepcid 10mg given 30 minutes before her Prednisone--starting today. Gretta weighs 12 lbs.
She can still wobbly walk and wag her tail, but she chooses to lay in her crate and when out to potty wants to sit down right after doing her business.
She does still have full bladder control, but has had a couple accidents in her kennel due to not going potty when I've taken her out. She has always been a bit finicky about potty and has had accidents in her kennel before.
She is still eating and drinking great--after I got her pain back under control from this morning. She is not quite her perky self--much more quiet and still, but still whines for belly rubs and attention like she normally would.
I have an ex-pen set up outside for her potty area, and at the moment her crate is the correct size and on wheels so I can move her from room to room.
I'm just frustrated this happened. She is a thin and very physically fit and muscular doxie, although was stubborn about jumping up on furniture--even though my boy Oliver no longer tries after his three bouts of IVDD. I think he knows it isn't worth it. I should have been more strict with her.
I'm praying she will recover well with crate rest and not progress and get worse. I'm also praying she won't have multiple episodes like Oliver did. He spent 6 months out of 2 years living in his crate. Thankfully he is doing awesome--fully running around with a little "skip" in his step.
Thanks, I'm just needing a venue to vent...
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 9, 2016 23:07:16 GMT -7
Welcome back to Dodgerslist Sigrid. I am so sorry to hear about Gretta's disc episode. Glad you called the surgeon and she was put back on the anti inflammatory dosage of the Prednisone for a bit longer. Are you giving the Tramadol every 8 hours or every 12 hours? It tends to work much better given every 8 hours since it is a short acting drug. More info on pain meds for IVDD: dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmAfter crate rest is over, it would be best from now on to use ramps up to your bed. Stairs are too hard on the back and should be off limits to dogs with IVDD or any short legged dog. Lots of tips here on back safely in the home, how to train them to use a ramp, training 4 feet on the floor and training a dog not to jump up. dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmI am glad to hear Oliver is doing well now, My Tyler has had 4 episodes, so I know exactly what you mean. He also has a spring in his step these days and is doing very well. Some dogs have multiple episodes while others only have one in their lifetime. I hope Gretta will only have the one episode. Are Oliver and Gretta from the same litter? Good thing you had the experience to know just what to do for Gretta. Glad you got Pepcid AC started today. Healing thoughts and prayers. |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 10, 2016 8:38:18 GMT -7
Sigrid, you are reporting pain (not her perkey self, not moving much, sitting after potty) which indicates the pain meds are not yet right. Alert your vet of the pain signs and discuss on the phone --- an increase of tramadol mgs above the current 25mgs every 8 hours --- adding in methocarbamol for the muscle contraction pain that so often accompanies a disc episode. Your ACVS surgeon is doing what many would do when a dog has mild symptoms of pain only-- giving the least invasive treatment first--- conservative treatment. Gretta is a good candidate to recover with conservative and you are playing an instrumental role because you understand how critical 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks is to getting that disc to heal. With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. That 6 weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form. You may find a couple of tips you have not already used to help crate rest go smoother. See the pink box in the far right column for lots of tried and true tips: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm  Let us know what changes to the med list the vet Rx's (drug name, mgs & frequency) to bring full pain control to Gretta. |
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 10, 2016 10:23:13 GMT -7
I increased giving the Tramadol to every 8 hours and she did great yesterday and was not in pain this morning. She has had a great appetite and is doing well going potty when I take her outside to the ex-pen potty area. She is being very cooperative and wants me to pick her up and carry her back to her kennel to rest. She misses all her cuddle time so I'm trying to give her extra petting and kisses in the crate.
I work (mostly) from home and I need to setup my pack and play upstairs in my office. Right now I'm carrying her in her kennel up to be with me while I'm working which is not ideal.
Gretta was always horrible about launching off the bed even with the stairs there. I've trained her over and over again and she would still randomly just hop straight off the bed. I knew better, although my surgeon assures me if a dog has the genes for IVDD it usually doesn't matter how careful you are, they end up having an episode.
I either need to involve a trainer for some home training or cut out bed cuddle time altogether. I don't have Oliver or Gretta sleep in the bed at night--they are in their kennels for their own safety, but sometimes in the mornings or for naps they get bed snuggle time.
I have to travel next week for work for a couple days, so it will be up to my boyfriend and house sitter to help me out, which makes me nervous. I was able to work from home for all three of Oliver's episodes, but the job I have now requires travel about once a month.
I'm pretty stressed, but as long as Gretta feels relaxed and comfortable, that puts my mind at ease.
I'm also dealing with a different medical/dental issue with Oliver, and I have an injured horse I'm treating twice a day--and my boyfriend's wonderful, beloved cat Sammy was accidentally killed in a freak garage door accident last Thursday when we were on our way to the vet with Gretta so my boyfriend is devastated.
It's been a stressful week. :-)
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 10, 2016 14:25:18 GMT -7
I am very sorry to hear about your cat. That is just terrible . I can see why you say it has been a stressful week. The change in medication seems to be keeping Gretta pain free. That is so important since pain slows the healing process. After the crate rest period is over it is very important that she does not jump on or off furniture. If you haven't been able to train her not to jump yet you should consider blocking off the furniture. This link show how you can make a blocker. It is for a couch but you would be able to modify it for a bed also. dodgerslist.com/literature/protectbackblocker.htm |
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 13, 2016 13:27:34 GMT -7
I just spoke to the vet (ACVS Surgeon, but the one working today--not my regular one)[DVM or DVM/ACVS?] and they said that the swelling in her spine should be down by now--yet I see other posts on here where Prednisone is continued for longer periods than a couple weeks.
They want me to bring her in Mon-Tues to determine if we should go the route of surgery--which I really want to try and avoid [surgery], but I don't want to wait too long and have her lose more neurological function...
Help! I'm just not sure what to do...
------------
An hour earlier:
So Gretta was showing signs of pain again last night. Not horrible, but she was whining and had that "help me" look on her face. She is also showing signs of being weaker in her hind end. She can still hold her pee and walk a couple steps when going potty. She is more wobbly and chooses to just sit down.
This morning she peed outside when I took her out, but sat down before going poopy. When I picked her up to carry her back in she pooped then.
She can still wag her tail too.
I just want to make sure I'm making the correct decision. Should she be getting worse neurologically when on strict crate rest? When should I opt for surgery?
I had the vet give me prescriptions for:
[12 lbs
Tramadol 25mgs every 8 hours
Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day
Prednisone 5mg Tabs as of 2/4: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 4 days ;
as of 2/9: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days; then taper]
Methocarbamol 75mg every 8 hours
Gabapentin 50mg every 8 hours'
Both of these to be given as needed, so I gave the Gabapentin last night and this am and the Metho this am.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 13, 2016 13:48:41 GMT -7
Sigrid, let us know the credentials of the vet when you write. Which vet gave the Rx for methocarbamol and gabapentin.... your local DVM vet OR the board certified ortho DVM, ACVS vet? Please check the methocarbamol that each dose is to be 75 mgs promptly every 8 hours. Gabapentin should also be promptly every 8 hours. These IVDD meds have a rather short effective time in the body. so that if they are not given promptly, on time, they are not likely to provide necessary relief from pain. If you were to give Tramdol 25mgs, methocarbamol 75 mgs and gabapentin 50 mgs promply every 8 hours and still see the signs of pain of not wanting to move (sitting down to poop, not their normal perky self with help me look in eyes, then you need to alert your vet and advocate for a more aggressive drug approach for a 12 pound dog: 1. Advocate for tramadol 50mgs 3x/day 2. Adovcate for methocarbamol 125mg 3xday 3. The higher end of the anti-inflammatory range for prednisone: 5mgs 2x/day. CAVEAT: It is important to do your own reading about meds so you can participate in discussions. The reason for you to not self prescribe is your vet has responsibility for the health of your dog in meds he prescribes based on his exam, the health history of your dog, how meds interact, not things we or you might know as we are not veterinarians. Vets should be open to treatment options because vet medicine is not a black and white science. References Methocarbamol (Roboxin) Initially, methocarbamol is dosed at 7 to 20 mg per pound (15 to 44 mg/kg) up to three times daily. The dose of methocarbamol should not exceed 150 mg per pound (300 mg/kg) per day.www.petplace.com/drug-library/methocarbamol-robaxin-v/page1.aspxPlumb's is the veterinary bible regarding drugs: Tramadol dosing in dogs varies, ranging from 2 to 5 mg/kg every 8-12 hours. The highest dose for maximum analgesic effect in dogs is 10 mg/kg every 8 hours. “Tramadol”. Plumb DC. In Plumb DC (ed): Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed—Ames: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011, pp 1002-1004. Anti-inflammatory doses range from 0.1 to 0.3 mg per pound (0.2 to 0.6 mg/kg) up to twice daily. Dr. Dawn Ruben Prednisone / Prednisolone www.petplace.com/DrugLibrary/prednisone-prednisolone/page1.aspx This sample med chart can help to ensure meds are promptly given and no doses missed: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/crateRRP/medchart.pdfSince you are seeing signs of pain, your vet needs to know today and the test for pain prednisone taper scheduled for tomorrow will likely be put off. It can take 7-30 days at the anti-inflammatory dose (excluding any taper days) to get the swelling resolved. Gretta has been on pred and at the lowest end of the anti-inflammatory range for 9 days. Prednisone 5mg Tabs as of 2/4: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 4 days ; as of 2/9: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days; then taper Another reason to contact the vet today is to alert them of your observation of worsening neuro function (more wobbly). Discuss moving to the higher end of the pred anti-inflammatory range to see if a more aggressive approach will help to get the swelling down faster. As nerves get pushed and pressed on by the bad disc the nerve cells die. We see death from the exterior as loosing of neuro functions. Early intervention with prednisone at the right level may be able to reverse the nerve diminishment. Once there is severe nerve damage/loss it takes the body more in terms of many months to regrow nerves to bring back functions. Time matters when dealing with the spinal cord. As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order. 1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord 2. Wobbly walking, legs cross <-Gretta3. Nails scuffing floor 4. Paws knuckle 5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog is down) 6. Bladder control is lost 7. Tail wagging with joy is lost 8. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a general DVM vet who incorrectly identifies what they observe about DPS. So when/if surgery is an option for your family get to a neuro or ortho asap. When you can get back to us, let us know the credentials of the vet you spoke with, and what adjustments to the med list were made. Can you contact the board certified DVM/ACVS ortho surgeon today to report your observations? Your localvet is telling you in so many words that he is not comfortable in treating a disc episode. Action to help with pain, with your observation of worsening wobbliness, needs attention today. Time matters when it comes to preserving the spinal cord. Time matters in getting pain in control so Gretta need not suffer with needless pain til Monday or Tuesday. |
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 13, 2016 14:20:52 GMT -7
Thanks for your reply. I had listed the credentials of the vet in my original email, so I didn't know I needed to repeat that again. :-) I'm working exclusively with an ACVS Surgeon and their office, so the last two phone conversations and last office visit were not with my regular surgeon as she was at their other office.
I did speak with my vet today (more info above), and requested to keep Gretta on the Pred 2.5mg 2x/day. They want to see her early next week and said some of her symptoms (extra wobblyness, weaker legs) could be from side effects of the Gabapentin, or could be worsening IVDD symptoms. I feel they are going to suggest surgery for sure next week.
In addition to wobbly legs, Gretta does have nails scuffing the floor and her paws knuckle. She is much weaker in her hind legs since yesterday, but she still is happy and has a great appetite, and is wagging her tail--although she spends most of her time sleeping.
Another complication is I have a business trip Wed-Friday next week so I'm worried what my happen while I'm gone. I have to leave my boyfriend and house sitter in charge of her care.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 13, 2016 14:31:59 GMT -7
Just to make sure I understand, the vet agreed to going back to the pred 2X a day. Is that 5mg 2X a day?
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 13, 2016 14:32:59 GMT -7
I am not dealing with a local vet at all. I'm dealing with an ACVS surgeons office (same one who did the surgery on my other dachshund Oliver three years ago). They treat spinal issues on a consistent basis and are the recommended IVDD office near me.
I think they just push for surgery because they are surgeons.
They are keeping her at 2.5mg every 12 hours. With Oliver the same office had me do 5mg every 12 hours.
I want to make sure I'm not waiting too long. I'm doing strict crate rest with Gretta but I stress out any sign of her regressing at all...
They could get me in today to see Gretta and schedule her for surgery--they even said they could do the surgery and keep her for a couple days while I'm on my business trip.
Ugh... I just wanted to avoid surgery.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 13, 2016 14:50:25 GMT -7
Sigrid there are general DVM vets with four years of school at VCA as well as DVM vets with extra years of training such as an ortho DVM/ACVS vet. So we like to know why kind of vet is offering treatments, etc. We don't know if the vet Rxing methocarbamol and gabapentin was a DVM or another DVM/ACVS veterinarian. With the many dogs on the forum, hope you can understand we don't want to make any assumptions as we are reading, many, many posts a day. We are a group who LOVE the detail. Do let us know what the correct med list is With mild symptoms still and aggressive pain meds have not yet been used, many surgeons would opt for the least invasive of treatments--- conservative treatment. These pages can help you sort out things and be able to convey your concerns and wishes plus get your boyfriend a bit up to speed since you will be out of town: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmFrom the link above Dr. Andrew Isaacs, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology) explains his thoughts as a board certified neuro surgeon: Unfortunately, there is no guarantee with any surgery. Therefore, I will recommend surgery only if the risk associated with surgery is less than the risk of continuing with medical management. There is always a small risk the dog may not make it through anesthesia/surgery, is permanently worse, or never improves. Because of this, an owner should never be told they have to do surgery. It is important to not be rushed into making the decision and have the opportunity to ask as many questions as needed. Surgery needs to be a decision an owner enters into recognizing the risk, but also recognizes the benefit. This way if something unforeseen occurs an owner can be comforted and at peace with the fact that surgery was the right decision and they did all they could for their dog.You may be able to avoid a surgery, IF you can speak on the phone with a vet, a general DVM vet or a specialist DVM, ACVS vet, willing to be more aggressive with prednisone and if the current pain med list is not doing the job to also be more aggressive with pain meds. A vet who has already seen Gretta, would be able to discuss you observation and Rx over the phone. Every time Gretta is out of her recovery suite, the more chance for there to be too much movement and further damage to the disc. Weigh the risk vs. benefit of being out of of the suite. If a trip is absolutely necessary, pad out the extra space in the crate with a rollled up blanket so her body does not shift when you corner or brake. There is also another option perhaps to find another vet willing to use conservative treatment for Gretta's relatively still mild signs of knuckling. Time is of the essense if the knuckling is something new today/yesterday to get pred on board up more on the higher end of the anti-inflammtory dose. Make your wishes known if you are not leaning to surgery. You own the money, you hire the vets that help you help Gretta. There may be other specialists in your areas who do not make you feel as if they are pushing for surgery. You and the vet you hire are a team, who work together. Board-certified neuros (ACVIM) and ortho (ACVS) surgical specialists can be found at University vet teaching hospitals. Find Veterinary surgeons (ACVS) and neuro surgeons (ACVIM) here: find.vetspecialists.com Member vet recommendations: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgerycosts.htm |
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 13, 2016 16:30:10 GMT -7
12 lbs
Tramadol 25mgs every 8 hours
Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day given 1/2 hour before Prednisone and 2 hours before Gabapentin
Prednisone 5mg Tabs as of 2/4: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 4 days ;
as of 2/9: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days
as of 2/13: 2.5 mgs 2x/day for TBA days
Methocarbamol 75mg every 8 hours started 2/13
Gabapentin 50mg every 8 hours started 2/12 evening
My regular surgeon I love as she does not push surgery--unless I wanted to. The specialty office I'm working with has two locations and the vets work at both, so she was not available last week or this weekend--when I call I get the vet that is there. I did speak today with the ACVS surgeon who was working today and he was encouraging me to touch base again on Monday and perhaps bring Gretta in.
I'm tempted to just increase her Prednisone on my own since I have it. I know that dosage is safe as that is what they gave Oliver during his episode, but his case was more severe as he couldn't move one of his legs.
The ACVS surgeon and office I'm using is listed in the website you posted above.
I wouldn't say the knuckling is new, but I would say it [knuckling] seems a bit worse. I just took her out to potty and she was a lot more willing to stand to pee than this morning.
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 13, 2016 23:06:20 GMT -7
Hi Sigrid,
It is best to discuss with the Vet before you change the dosage of the Prednisone. Steroids are the most powerful anti inflammatories and the dosage should only be changed by Gretta's Vet. Tell her you feel Gretta is knuckling is getting worse.
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 14, 2016 7:13:58 GMT -7
Sigrid, hopefully what you saw was due to the fact that it was morning and Gretta had laid in her crate all evening and that had weakened her a bit. However, should you see any worsening of Gretta's neuro functions before Monday, that would constitute an emergency and you would need to immediately contact an ER vet or whoever you can reach. A worsening of neuro function doesn't necessarily mean surgery is necessary as Paula explained. Here are two links that you should read that will explain when surgery should be considered: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmI do hope that all will be well until Monday when you can speak to the surgeon, who can then determine whether an increase in Prednisone is warranted. Healing prayers for Gretta. |
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 14, 2016 13:50:43 GMT -7
So Gretta is stable today compared to yesterday. She is weaker/more wobbly than a week ago when I first crated her, but with all the meds I have her on now her pain is well under control and she is her happy, silly self. She is even much more vocal about letting me know when she needs to go potty. She is still able to wobbly walk to potty, with some knuckling while she walks. I have an ex-pen for a potty area, so she can only take a few steps.
I hope to speak with her regular surgeon tomorrow to touch base--it's nice they have staff available all the time for emergencies, but I trust the advice of her regular surgeon, as she knows me and did the surgery on my Oliver three years ago.
I did increase her Prednisone dose to 5mg every 12 hours and I will let the vet know this tomorrow.
[12 lbs
Tramadol 25mgs every 8 hours
Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day given 1/2 hour before Prednisone and 2 hours before Gabapentin
Prednisone 5mg Tabs as of 2/4: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 4 days ;
as of 2/9: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days
as of 2/13: 5 mgs 2x/day for TBA days
Methocarbamol 75mg every 8 hours started 2/13
Gabapentin 50mg every 8 hours started 2/12 evening]
I live on a little farm/ranch and I'm used to having meds on hand and to trust my gut when treating ill and injured animals, and I know this was a dose given safely to Oliver who weighs a little less than Gretta. With my horses, I have to know how to give injections of medicines and what dosages to give.
Since I couldn't get my regular surgeon on the phone yesterday or today, I made a gut decision that I felt was in the best interest of Gretta.
Prayers she stays stable and continues to slowly improve.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 15, 2016 7:16:45 GMT -7
I'm glad to hear Gretta's stable, Sigrid. Please do let us know what the surgeon says after speaking with her today.
Continued prayers for Gretta.
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 15, 2016 8:39:17 GMT -7
Thank you. I just left a message for Gretta's surgeon to call me and touch base. Gretta is still stable as of this morning and in good spirits with a healthy appetite. Even though she is more wobbly than when I first crated her, she actually is holding her pee better and letting me know better when she has to go out to potty. At the beginning she was having a lot of accidents in the kennel even though I was taking her out to potty regularly.
I'm trying to stay very positive, but I tend to worry a lot. :-)
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 15, 2016 8:45:33 GMT -7
I do understand the worry, Sigrid. I'm a worrier myself. That's wonderful news about the improvement you've seen in bladder control. Sometimes they do get a bit weaker in the hind end from the lack of movement. I used conservative care on my Jeremy's second episode and he, too, became a bit weaker and I thought he was regressing but he stabilized and continued with crate rest. Once he gradually was reintroduced to movement after his 8 weeks of crate rest were finished, he soon regained his muscle tone and had no further ataxia other than what he was left with from his first very serious incident when he lost deep pain sensation and required surgery. Gretta is still a very good candidate for conservative care.
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 16, 2016 9:54:33 GMT -7
So, suddenly this morning Gretta is in pain again, even an hour after giving her all of her medicines. I'm supposed to fly out tomorrow for business and I'm thinking I may have to get her scheduled for surgery. She yelped in pain when I lifted her to go potty and didn't want to go, then yelped again when I lifted her to put her back in her crate.
This is making me feel extremely nervous that she is getting worse and not better. I just don't want her to lose deep pain sensation or become paralyzed.
I'm calling my surgeon right now.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 16, 2016 13:55:03 GMT -7
Let us know what the surgeon says when you speak to him. He may think that a change in the pain meds would be sufficient.
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 16, 2016 15:09:45 GMT -7
I just got home from taking Gretta into the surgeon. She has declined neurologically, but was still able to stand, walk a few steps and wag her tail--then she chooses to sit. She is very wobbly and will fall on her bottom from the wobblyness.
I consulted with two surgeons--the one working at the location I go to (Gilbert), and he called my regular surgeon who was working at a different location (Glendale).
They both were very concerned that the increase in Prednisone to 5mg twice a day was not helping Gretta to improve, and that instead she was getting worse. They felt there was nothing more they could offer via meds, so they recommended surgery, and wanted to do the surgery today as an emergency charge (extra $1200-3000).
My regular surgeon will be working at this location tomorrow, and her schedule was a bit more open and it looked like I would not get charged the extra emergency fee if I waited until tomorrow. They couldn't guarantee that, but thought it was likely.
So my three options were:
1. Have the surgery done today and pay the extra for emergency (Gilbert).
2. Take Gretta to the Glendale location (1 1/2 hours from my house) and have the surgery done there today with my regular surgeon without needing to pay the emergency fee. This location doesn't have the same overnight support staff as the Gilbert location, and my surgeon wouldn't be back to the Glendale location for several days after the surgery which made me uncomfortable.
3. Wait until tomorrow and have the surgery done in Gilbert by my regular surgeon.
I opted to have them keep Gretta overnight in Gilbert and monitor then do the surgery tomorrow [Feb 17]. They are prepared to do surgery at any time it appears she needs it and it would be an emergency charge whether it was now or the middle of the night.
She was still walking well enough that I think she will be OK overnight and they will do her surgery tomorrow around noon. I'm praying it will be without the extra emergency charge and that all will go well for my little girl.
I'm hoping and praying I made the correct decision. I have to fly out of state tomorrow, and I'm going to try and see if I can reschedule my flight to come back Thursday eve. Otherwise I'll be back around noon on Friday when Gretta should be able to be home. My boyfriend can go visit her on Thursday.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 16, 2016 15:27:10 GMT -7
I think you made a good decision. Keep her to the strict crate rest overnight and she should be fine until tomorrow.
With surgery, they will be able to immediately remove the offending disc pieces to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and that will take away her pain. The post-op pain should resolve quickly..
We will be anxious to hear news when you are updated by the surgeon. Sending the most positive of thoughts for a good surgery to get all the offending disc pieces removed.
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 16, 2016 21:13:21 GMT -7
Thank you! I have to trust that they will take good care of Gretta for me today and this evening. They said they would be restricting her movement and keeping her on crate rest until her surgery tomorrow.
They checked in with me before they closed and said she was stable. I could hear her crying in the background and it broke my heart. :-(
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 16, 2016 21:50:14 GMT -7
Sigrid,
Sorry to hear Gretta was getting worse.. I will be thinking of you and Gretta as she has surgery tomorrow. It's a lot of stress for you with your business trip and worrying about dear Gretta. They will take good care of her and hopefully she will be able to come home soon after you get back..
Prayers!
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Feb 25, 2016 17:51:39 GMT -7
So Gretta had surgery 2/17/2016. Here is what they found and what they did:
L1-L2 interveterebral disk rupture
Secondary spinal cord injury
CT Scan
Left L1-L2 hemilaminectomy
Left T13-L1 and L1-L2 disc fenestration
I brought her home on Friday 2/19 and she had a rough time at first, throwing up all her dinner about an hour after I gave her all her pain meds. She got through the night well and I modified her food for a few days and now she is back to eating normal.
[12 lbs]
Her Fentanyl patch was removed on Sunday and since then she has really perked up. She is still drunken walking, but her legs are getting a lot stronger and she is already wanting to push herself too far by "helping" when I go to pick her up. I'm being very stern with her to stay relaxed and not get anxious and overzealous too soon.
She is to be crate rested for another 5 weeks (6 weeks total after surgery), and we have a follow-up on Monday when I will ask if I can begin physical therapy with her.
Basically the 1 in 5 dachshunds has IVDD theory is blown out the window with me. I have two and both have IVDD, and they are not from the same litter or blood lines at all. :-) I don't have children and my puppies are my babies so I'm willing to spend the money on them.
Here's praying to continued healing and recovery for my little Gretta--she is such a sweetie without a mean bone in her body.
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 25, 2016 22:22:38 GMT -7
Hi Sigrid!
Glad to hear that Gretta's surgery went well and she has been recovering at home. It can take 2-4 weeks for the surgical swelling to go down and after that time you will have a better idea of what direction her healing will take. Great sign that her legs are getting stronger.
Please list the exact names of meds currently sent home with Gretta after being released from the hospital, their doses in mg's and times per day given? What was the start dose if on a steroid, date of taper?
Thanks for the update!
Sending healing prayers her way.
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