Naomi's Spencer 5/27 conservative NECK Canada

Naomi, welcome to Dodgerslist. I'm so glad you found us but I'm so sorry Spencer is having troubles. This does indeed sound like it's his back, the stiff walking is a pretty classic sign but the other discomfort leads me to say it's his back as well.

So, first you absolutely need to get Spencer in a crate so he cannot move around, this rests his back and allows the disc to heal. Here is a link to our page on crate rest, it explains the rationale and also gives some tips on setting up the crate.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

While on crate rest he should only be allowed outside for a few short potty breaks every day and you should carry him to and from the crate. Place him in the yard in a spot you know is a favorite pee spot so he's likely to go quickly without needing to walk around and sniff for an acceptable spot. Take him out on a leash and harness (collars are horrible to the discs in the neck), set him down, you stand still so he only has the area the leash allows, as soon as he's done pick him up and return him to the crate. Here is a link to a video on how to properly carry him to support his back. And since he's so sensitive it would be good if you could place the crate on something such as a coffee table where you can sit on the couch in front of it, place your knees right up to the door and gently quide him onto your lap. This prevents you from lifting him out of the crate and positions him on your lap perfectly to pick him up for the trip out.


The metacam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and is used to reduce the inflammation in the disc but is not beneficial for pain relief. It takes time for the swelling to be relieved so in the meantime it's vital that Spencer receive medication to get him comfortable. A specific pain medication (Tramadol is commonly used) and often also a muscle relaxant are necessary to get them comfortable and keep them comfortable. Is it possible for you to take Spencer to an emergency clinic tonight to get him some pain relief? He shouldn't be allowed to be in pain. If that's not possible then when you see the vet tomorrow you need to be an advocate for Spencer and make sure you leave with pain medications. The robaxin you tried to get for him is a muscle relaxant but he also needs a medication specifically for pain. Was your vet giving the robaxin as a liquid or what is the "mixing" issue? See if you can get it as a pill quicker...my vet has prescribed this as a pill before so ask about it. Here is a link to our page on drugs, it is vital that you become familiar with any medications Spencer is taking as well as what is commonly prescribed for IVDD so you can have informed conversations with your vet and be an advocate for Spencer.
-- www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm

The metacam, as with any NSAID or steroid, is hard on Spencer's tummy. It is vital that he be on a medication to protect his stomach rather than waiting for him to show signs of stomach upset...dogs are stoic and by the time he would display signs the problem could be very severe. Pepcid (generic name famotidine) 5mg twice daily about 30 minutes prior to the metacam is what we recommend. Pepcid can be purchased at most any store. Many vets don't see this as a necessity but it is best if you ask if Spencer has any health issues that would mean he shouldn't take this medication, if he doesn't then give it.

Likely he did not poop because his back hurts and attempting to poop is painful. You can make this easier for him by giving him 1 teaspoon plain canned pumpkin daily to make his poop softer and easier to pass. I would start this as soon as you can get some pumpkin to prevent him from becoming constipated.

Is Spencer eating and drinking normally? This is something to keep a close eye on as it can indicate increased back pain as well as stomach upset.

When he poops note the color. Black indicates the presence of blood and you would obviously want to note also any obvious fresh red blood. Both require immediate attention from your vet.

Here is a link to our IVDD101 page. Lots of good info here so you need to bookmark this page and become familiar with it. This is a disease Spencer has for the rest of his life so knowing signs and symptoms, prevention of flare ups and proper treatment for flare ups is vital for Spencer's future.
-- www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm

Please do let us know what your vet says tomorrow as well as how Spencer is doing. Hang in there. We've all been through this and we'll help you get him comfy and get you both through this episode.

Naomi what was the date you started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out for potty breaks.  We use that date to keep track of disc healing and when graduation will be in 8 weeks time.

You have a vet who is very comfortable in treating disc disease… She is exactly right a disc problem is not necessarily where a calcification shows on xrays. Xrays are used more to rule out other things that mimic IVDD such as fractures, tumors, etc.   We building a directory of IVDD recommended vets… would you add yours here:  dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting

Spencer is a good candidate to recover under conservative treatment again. You  will find some very good information to refresh your mind on how conservative treatment works, the meds, what neuro functions to monitor for etc on this page. Well worth a look in addition to what Sherry has recommended:  www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

For some dogs it make take  three pain meds (gabapentin, robaxin and Tramadol)  to fully control pain dose to dose.   Pain control is the first part of healing that must  take place in a matter of an hour when the med are properly prescribed for Spencer and thereafter dose to dose. Pain control is not a one size fits all deal….so do not hesitate to give feedback and work with your vet.  Do let us know you are not seeing any signs of pain. - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, holding leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight?

Often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory  for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. On the stop of Metacam when the vet makes a guess all the swelling might be gone is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for any pain arising again.

Do keep us  posted on your Spencer.

Naomi, do take advantage of the good information on surgery we have for you. An informed owner can make the best decisions in consultations with a vet and feel comfortable they have chosen the right course of action. www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

Calcifications will never go away… they are not usually the location of where the current disc episode is happening.

Dogs who are still able to move their legs are usually not a surgical candidate because the vets want to try the least invasive method first….. conservative treatment. If after repeated attempt to go off the anti-inflammatory and pain will not subside then surgery would be a consideration. All about surgery and what to expect… very good background information. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm

We'll be here to support you whether surgery or conservative treatment.

Hi I just wanted to give you an update on Spencer . He was at the hospital in Montreal. They did an MRI and what was showing on the x-ray here was not what showed up out their. It showed he had a disk extrusion in the t-zone area not the lower back area. Now we are not aware of him having pain in this area. He was having pain in the lower back area. The neurologist said that he would not be having pain in that area from this. As well his mobility is good. She got a second opinion and they agreeded that this right now is not an issue so they did not do sugary due to it could do more damage than good. An orthopaedic surgeon looked at him as well and he was just showing some discomfort in the lower back but it is not disk related. He is on his way home now , they advised us to crate him for 3 weeks and to keep him on Gabapentin 0.3 only for two weeks. No metacam or robaxin. I am very happy that he does not need surgery and they said he could go the rest of his life and that never be a problem. He did have minor calcification but they said he was in really good shape for his breed. They also advised me to make sure that my other Doxie does not try to hump him ( she do and we do stop her) because that could hurt him. This is something I would never have thought of. So hopefully after his meds and rest my little man will be good.