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Post by coolleen on May 22, 2013 4:38:46 GMT -7
Took my mini-dachshund, Biddy to the emergency vet last night because she was standing up in her bed with a hunched back. Our other dachshund went through conservative treatment about three years ago with a complete recovery, so we know the signs and what to expect. The vet confirmed it's her back but that she has no neurologic deficits at this time. The vet gave Biddy Metacam and we went home with 4 more doses to give to her. When our other dog had back issues she was on predisone and tramadol (ultimately with several months of crate rest as her case was severe). We asked about these prescriptions and were told that Metacam is the newer treatment b/c it offers the same results with fewer side affects (ie. stomach issues). Wondering if anyone has used this medicine for their doxie and were they satisfied with the results? We will also be following up with our regular vet this morning. And Biddy is on crate rest. Thanks so much!
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on May 22, 2013 6:10:13 GMT -7
Colleen, I emphasize with you having this happen to your second dog. We are in our last week of crate rest with Hitch. His incident sounds a lot like your Biddy's. he was on meds for about a week and a half. He was put on Rimadyl and Tramadol. I gave him Pepcid for his tummy thanks to advice on here. So I can't help you much with advice regarding metacam. I know there are links to meds on this site. Our vet prefers prednisone as anti-inflammatory and was disappointed that the ER vet started him on Rimadyl as you should never combine the two together, and we would have had to wait a week to wash out the effects of Rimadyl. Our other Doxie, Vinnie, went down very suddenly and very hard. He had to have surgery, and he has never gotten back deep pain. He's happy tooling around in his wheels or in his drag suit. We have adjusted!
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Post by natureluva on May 22, 2013 7:00:33 GMT -7
Hi Colleen, sorry to hear that Biddy is having an IVDD episode. You know the drill - 8 weeks of strict crate rest plus meds. It is the crate rest that heals the disc while the meds mask the symptoms and help control inflammation. There is a debate among vets regarding the use of steroids to control inflammation. I personally feel that steroids do a better job at controlling inflammation. Truth is, BOTH steroids and NSAIDs can cause gastric injury, especially if they are given without a stomach protectant. Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC 30 minutes before each dose of Metacam. If the Metacam doesn't control the inflammation and you feel a steroid would be indicated, there has to be a 4 to 7 day washout period when switching, as Sally indicated above. Just something to keep in mind. Is Biddy in any pain? Metacam is an anti-inflammatory, not a pain reliever. It does reduce pain once it starts controlling the inflammation, but this can take time. I would definitely ask for Tramadol to control any pain she may be having. Here are a couple of links to help you brush up on crate rest, along with a link on conservative treatment. There are plenty of tips in there: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htm [conservative treatment] Acupuncture and laser light therapy are excellent complementary treatments for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of inducing a state of well-being. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ We look forward to hearing how Biddy does throughout crate rest. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by Sherry Layman on May 22, 2013 7:07:40 GMT -7
Hi Coolleen! Welcome to Dodgerslist! I'm so sorry this has happened to you a second time but I can empathise. I've had two dogs go through this as well. One was a lumbar issue, he went thought several disc episodes and we didn't know about crating and he ended up having surgery after many years of episodes and no crating. The other was a cervical disc and with crating and meds he healed completely and has never had another episode...thank goodness because those are so painful! Indeed we do see more use of Metacam these days instead of Prednisone. However, "safety" is controversial and should not be taken for granted. Even in humans NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) can have terrible stomach side effects and precautions are warranted in dogs are they are so stoic and will not tell you early about symptoms...you'll know when the issue is well advanced. We advise Pepcid (famotidine) 5mg twice daily 30 minutes prior to the Metacam. Though you can purchase this medication at most any store you should still confirm with your vet that your dog has no health issues that preclude it's use. The best way to pose the question to your vet is something like "Is there any health reason Biddy should not take famotidine?". If the answer is no then give it even though you've been told the Metacam is "safe". As for the fact that Biddy was not given any pain medications, the hunched back is a sign of pain and Biddy needs medication to make him comfortable until the disc has time to heal some and his pain subsides. Tramadol, as your other dog was given, is most common and often also a muscle relaxant as muscle spasms are common and pain medications are not effective on that type of pain. Contact your vet right away and demand medication to get Biddy comfortable. You are his advocate and he doesn't deserve to be in pain so you have to be his voice to your vet. It is indeed confusing when you've been through this before and treatments change but the Metacam is for the swelling not for the pain so speak up for Biddy and get him some medication to relieve that pain. You mentioned that he is on crate rest. Be sure it is 100% strict crate rest. In the crate at all times except short potty breaks on a leash. Watch his potty breaks for signs of trouble. He should be willing to sniff and pee on his own. If he suddenly refuses to move around and sniff and go his pain has increased and you need to contact the vet right away. If his poop is black or has obvious red blood in it those are signs of bleeding in the GI tract (stomach or intestines) from the Metacam and the vet should also be contacted right away. Watch to see that he is eating and drinking normally. Reluctance for either can signal pain or stomach problems from the Metacam and you should contact the vet immediately. Here is a link to our IVDD101 page. Lots of great info here. Some applies to surgical dogs and some applies to things further down the road so don't get overloaded. Pick the information you need now. But it is important that although you've "been there done that" you become as educated as you can. www.dodgerslist.com/Please keep us updated on Biddy's comfort and any changes or progress. Hang in there!!! |
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Post by coolleen on May 22, 2013 7:13:54 GMT -7
The only pain symptom we can tell right now is her disinterest in activity/lethargy. She is not shivering, whining or wincing. Lucy, our other dog had all of those pain symptoms, but her case was much worse in that she couldn't walk and lost some feeling in her hind quarters. Biddy is still able to move around when we take her out to go to the bathroom and since taking the Metacam her hunched posture is corrected. We're hoping we caught it early enough, although I know the crate rest is the key. Thanks for the tip on the Pepcid. We gave Lucy Pepcid when she was on prednisone and I asked the emergency vet tech last night about stomach issues with Metacam and she didn't mention anything about giving her Pepcid with Metacam. I'm waiting for a call back from our regular Vet and will ask him about it too.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on May 22, 2013 8:14:19 GMT -7
disinterest in activity IS a sign of pain. It can take Metacam days-weeks to work on getting swelling down in the spinal cord…the swelling is the cause of the pain. Do be a strong advocate for pain relief….disc episode are painful! Most vets are prescribing methocarbamol right off the bat for the pain stemming from muscles spasms associated with a disc episode. Tramadol is also precrribed at the same time because it is the general pain reliever. Learn about the meds IVDD knowledgeable vets use with a disc episode so you can speak up for Biddy. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm |
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