David's Mr Calvin's 9/20 surgery 2wks - NECK —Sarasota FL

Hello everyone! Like many of you, visited this great website previously and now we are part of the surgery club.
Mr Calvin, our 8 yr old mini-dachshund, We crate rested and he was back to normal in 2 weeks. Fast forward to September and he had another episode, this time it was worse. We crate rested and were recommended to a vet who does doggy acupuncture that worked miracles for another doxie friend of ours. Seemed to get better and responded well to a few sessions but had a major setback and was referred to a local neurologist. Again, he was widely known here and had been performing surgeries for almost 20 years.

MRI confirmed herniated disc in neck pressing on his spinal cord, causing pain and inability to walk, legs bowed, knuckling, etc. No amount of rest, needles, or meds was going to fix that, so the same day he had surgery and everything went terrific.  They did a preventive measure during surgery to hopefully avoid this issue again, no guarantees but we can hope. Mr Calvin goes for his 2 week check up next Wednesday and is on strict crate rest, carried outside for potty breaks. We have a wonderful family friend who walks him while we are at work and even has her own "cargo ship" he loves being transported down the stairs in! It's major surgery so we are being patient with his recovery as he still is sore to stand and go outside on some days, while limiting too many steps.

He has been doing pretty well except for the last night and tonight of an upset tummy, causing diarrhea and lots of washing his crate blankets, poor guy. Meds are listed below, wondering if we should be adding in Pepcid AC to help settle and protect his stomach, vet did not prescribe. We forgot to ask vet and techs, will be calling them Monday am. He seems ok now, resting and hopefully done with all that. Thanks for reading and providing such a great FREE resource for us!

☀︎2-- How much does your dog weigh? 14.2 lbs

☀︎3-- Is the surgeon a general practice DVM or a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS)? Specialist, Dr. Levine Sarasota, FL. (DACVIM)

☀︎5-- What did your surgeon direct for PT (always a supervised, eye-ball to eyeball controlled therapy) and for post-op crate rest? Finding out PT Wednesday after suture removal.

☀︎6-- How many weeks did the surgeon want for crate rest including his directives for supervised and controlled PT? Two weeks post-op crate rest then very slowly re-introduce moving, balance, more details coming.

☀︎7--Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour of pain meds and stays that way dose to dose. Your vet needs to know asap to adjust meds if there are pain signs.

No pain, sore in mornings, good and bad days it seems for potty times. Did not ween of pred. yet due to recent signs of dragging legs, no potty when outside, not interested in much.

☀︎8-- Please list the exact names of meds currently given, the start date, their doses in mgs and how often you give?

[14.2 lbs.]

Predisone- ?? mgs 2x a day (12 hours)

Tramadol ?? mgs 2-3x 1/2 tablet (as needed)

Gabepetelin? [Gabapentin] (sp) ?? mgs 2x every 12 hours.

[Pepcid AC??

Sucralfate??]

☀︎9-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? Wobbly walk to go, then rests in grass, tail wagging when we get home. Sometimes willing to walk a step, other times no interest.

☀︎10-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? No

☀︎11-- Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? Was fine until last night, runny stool, one time dark, diarrhea earlier today, now fine. Need Pepcid AC advice,