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Post by milwfe on May 25, 2013 11:34:42 GMT -7
My name is Sarah and Izzy is our very loved four year old female dachshund. She was diagnosed with Cervical IVDD on Thursday after showing signs of what we thought was a sore shoulder starting Sunday night. She has been on Meds and crate rest since Thursday. After a shot of corticosteroid, she was sent home with...
5mg Prednisone - 1 tablet every 12 hours, reducing to 1/2 a tablet after one week.
500 mg Methocarbamol Robaxin, 1/4 tablet every 8 hours.
50 mg Tramadol Hydrochloride 1/4 to 1/2 tablet every 8 hours.
pepsid
izzy is the first dachshund we have ever had that is underweight. She is not a fan of human food of ANY kind. Which as presented a very unique, very heart wrenching situation. She refuses her Meds. I can't hide them in anything and because she has a neck injury, prying her mouth open is counter productive and painful for her. With the vets desperate permission we are grinding the Meds and putting them in a fine wet food, using a syringe to get it in her mouth. This has been the most effective answer and still results in some push out. She also refuses to drink. We syringe water as well. This afternoon she has started yelping as soon as she sees the syringe.
When we potty her, and yes despite my hydration concerns she is still urinating and has not lost control, she staggers, knuckles on her front paws, staggers, keeps her back arched moving very gingerly. She did poop today, dark, combination of solid and watery. She yelps when you get her out of the crate every time. No tail wagging. She does tremble when settling in, but not once settled.
Of course it is a holiday weekend, so the soonest we could get into Colorado Canine Orthopedics is Tuesday at 8:00 am. I am very worried about the no eating and no drinking and whether her underweight body can endure another three days until we can see a specialist. I think because of her refusal to eat, drink or be medicated we have no choice but to go the surgery route. Does anyone have any advice for getting these Meds down?
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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 25, 2013 12:32:45 GMT -7
Sarah, sorry to hear about Izzy's neck disc. These can be a challenge to get the pain in control. Vets simply have to be aggressive with pain meds. Make sure you giving Tramadol at the max of 1/2 tab every 8 hours promptly. This is a short acting med. Can you get on the phone and see about getting gabapentin added in? Vets are having very good success with that combo of three (Robaxin, Tramadol and Gabapentin) Here are the extra you can be doing to help with a neck disc: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmWill Izzy eat raw or cooked meat to hide the pill in a piece of steak or hamburger. Have you tried a bit of cream cheese or even smelly liverwurst? Tramadol is extremely bitter so that causes a problem to crush it. Izzy is definately still in a lot of pain ( ginger movments, yelps, trembles). You will need to take her to ER. There they can give a pain shot, show you how to pill her. Good video Dr. Chang shows you how: How much does Izzy weigh… Tramadol likely can go with a higher dose. You do need to ask what all the ranges of mg and times so you know all your options. Because it sounds like there can be some GI tract issues with Pred going on, I would ask for a 2nd stomach protector to be on board: sucralfate. Do learn more about this med so you can strongly advocate for the Rx: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.htmlWill she eat her kibble? Then soak it in equal parts water /broth to ensure she it getting enough liquids. Keep us posted on your ER visit and the pain issue and GI tract problems with dark and watery poop. |
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Post by milwfe on May 28, 2013 20:55:24 GMT -7
I attempted to post the details of the last few days and lost it. I will jump to today and not go through all the ER details. Izzy had her neurosurgery consult today as conservative treatment rendered no change and incomplete pain management. Today Dr. Miller at Colorado Canine Orthopedics performed a myelogram. Our worst fear was realized, there was such a large build up of spinal fluid they could not get the contrast to travel high enough to see where the pain is originating. At this moment she is undergoing an after hours MRI in a human facility. The radiographs and report should be ready by 10 am tomorrow and then pending the outcome, Izzy will undergo surgery. I will keep you updated. For now I will take comfort in knowing her pain is being managed effectively and she is hydrated. Good night sweet girl. Empty lap, aching heart!
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Post by Pauliana on May 28, 2013 21:12:41 GMT -7
Praying for your Izzy, Sarah. She is in good hands there and I send you lots of comforting thoughts and prayers for her successful surgery and upcoming recovery. Keep us posted on how she is getting along.. You aren't traveling this road alone.. We are here for you!
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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 29, 2013 10:13:38 GMT -7
Keeping your beautiful Izzy in thought and prayer! (((hugs)))
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Post by milwfe on May 29, 2013 11:47:23 GMT -7
Devastated in Colorado. It is not a disc, Dr. Miller called us this morning to let us know the MRI indicated hydrocephalus and some other big words that I was too heartbroken to remember or write down. It presented itself like IVDD, but is not. Dr. Miller was shocked to learn Izzy has never shown any neurological deficit until this occurrence. I will get all the details so that our loss might bring experience to someone else's heartbreak. We are heading up to CCO to say good bye and send her off to pain free Rainbow Bridge.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 29, 2013 12:19:26 GMT -7
I am so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you.
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Post by ppwabit on May 29, 2013 12:27:13 GMT -7
omg how heartwrenching, this made my stomach hurt, I will be thinking about you it is so hard to be strong at a time like this, im so sorry..... 
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Post by Sally & Vinnie on May 29, 2013 13:01:50 GMT -7
We are shedding a tear, and sending prayers of comfort and support.
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Post by Pauliana on May 29, 2013 13:21:36 GMT -7
So sad for you and family Sarah! Sending hugs your way..
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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 30, 2013 20:50:33 GMT -7
I am so very, very sorry...you will meet again at the Bridge (((hugs)))
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