Suzy's Dino 5/29 Conservative

There is a very good chance that he will regain some or all of his lost function as the swelling goes down. Don't despair! Conservative method mean 8 weeks of strict crate rest, only out to potty. This site is full of great information, and helpful tips on how to set up recovery suites or crates, and how to use a sling to help with potty times once he has bladder and bowel control back, and on and on. Get a hands on lesson from the Vet or Tech on how to express his bowel and bladder. Make sure that you have medications to reduce swelling , to control pain, to protect his stomach, and if needed, to keep him calm. If you can give us a list of medications we will be able to help you out more. We are all in this together and are here to help each other out.
Keeping you in thought and prayer.

I see the same opportunity for more nerve repair as does Stevieluv IF, if you can commit to 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.

The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.

When you get home fill us in all the details so we can help you more… names of meds, the dose in mg and how often you are to give them. If Pepcid AC is not not the list then as the vet tomorrow in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not to take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid.

Can he move his legs at all? 
Can he wag his tail if you do some happy talk to him
Is his pain fully under control dose to dose of the pain meds.  No shivering, yelping or reluctant to move much?
Is is poop normal firmness and color?

We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order:
www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html

Do read up not just on supplements but on how healing happens by going to our main website www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm  Dino is going to be dependant on your new found knowledge so you are not swayed by things that do not work nor suggestions that could harm Dino's recovery.  Take the button that says"  IVDD 101" www.dodgerslist.com/

Suzy, we have all found out we have to do our own self education with this disease…as not all vets are as fully knowledgeable as we'd like.

Know the exact names of all your dogs meds. Ask the range of dose in mg and frequency you may give. Nights and weekends you'll be happy to have this information if you need it to save an ER trip.

Read up on all the meds so you are aware of side effects you are to monitor for and why you should do. Good overview: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm

Ahead of time bone up on expressing for both poop and urine so you will get more out of the hands on top of your hands type of lesson. You will also be in a position to share what you have learned about expressing for poop. Enemas would be a dangerous thing for a dog who is supposed to keep his back quiet so the disc can heal. More on expressing urine and poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

Many of the meds typically used with IVDD are available at the pharmacy who participate in the $4 for 30 generic tabs per prescription. More on that here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/medications_used.html

Do fill us in on details so we can be of better support to you:
Can he move his legs at all?
Can he wag his tail if you do some happy talk to him
Is his pain fully under control dose to dose of the pain meds. No shivering, yelping or reluctant to move much?
Is is poop normal firmness and color?

The size of the recovery suite would be only large enough to stand up, turn around and when lying down to fully stretch out his legs. An expen can have the panels folded back to make the proper size.  Later, the pen can be used as a fence to block of parts of the house, stairs, etc.  So you have several options for recovery suites (wire crate, ex-pen, pack N play)  Even a pet stroller when you are at home to supervise and keep Dino by yourside as you move room to room.   www.dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htm

You are not being over protective. We are here for you. He should only have enough room to stretch out, or to turn around. I think he should be ok with what you have. Be patient, and be strict with the crate rest, you will only be harming Dino if you slack off. I know how hard it is, I've been there. You will find a "new" normal soon, and you all will adjust...Hugs and prayers to you and Dino.. <3

I'm new here too and my doxie was dx yesterday. We can't afford surgery either (6000.00). We are doing the crate rest for 6-8 weeks and then if he can't walk, get him a wheelchair. Eddies wheels.com has some great ones for doxies. I'm scared and pray both our dogs will have use of their legs.

Dino seems to be settling into his crate, not bad for a dog who has never been in a crate. I do have a couple questions.

For the last couple nights, usually around 3 -6 am, he will sit in his crate panting and whining for hours.
He does not show any other signs of pain, we don't think he is in any since it only happens are that time of the day. He was an extremely active dog, several walks a day and a lot of outside time. Our guess he is restless due to the fact he has been one week without exercise. Thoughts?

Second, the location of his calcification in his thoratic area you can feel a lump in the curvature of his spine. I assume it has something to do with the disc. Is the lumpy section normal with IVDD?


Thanks

Dino has been on crate rest now for 8 weeks. He has been off all meds for 3 or 4 weeks, no pain. He still does not have bladder control, but may or mat not be making progress. He wags his tail only when stretching, or when sleeping on his back the tail will move. Also while sleeping on his back his legs will move back and forth. When we test deep pain his foot will move after approx 3 seconds of pressure. Almost like a reflex kick. If we tickle his paws his will reflex kick as well.

That does not really answer my questions.

My congratulations, too, on graduating all 8 weeks, now the disc has had time to form good scar tissue…the whole purpose of crate rest! Now is the time to gradually introduce Dino back to physical activity in the AFter Crate Rest page Marjorie gave you.

When looking for neuro functions you want the legs or tail movments to be involved with a head level reaction:
-Tail wags because the eyes saw the treat or heard your happy voice
- Dog decides to pee, so they lower their leg to a squat or attemp it anyway OR they sniff and then release urine. Have you given him the sniff and pee test recently?

Can you try water therapy, you can even do that at home or at a PT clinic. The water bouyancy makes a leg movement very easy as having to deal with gravity on land. Check out water therapy: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm Think in terms of months for slow healing nerves. Off of crate rest and out of pain, Dino can be allowed to scoot around the house with a gradual built up of his front leg and chest muscles.