Kassie's Rosie 5/28 conservative RIP

Welcome to Dodgerslist Kassie!!  Please let your Rosie know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

A vet that suggests putting a dog to sleep because they have IVDD is not comfortable treating this disease.. It can be treated conservatively with 8 weeks of crate rest 24/7 only out to potty and medications to ease the swelling and mask the pain until they are pain free which takes a couple of weeks to a month depending on the dog.. Many dogs go on to live a happy life when they recover after 8 weeks of crate rest.  My dog Tyler has recovered and is happy and running around here like nothing ever happened.  Your Rosie needs treatment, not a death sentence so don't worry, just learn all you can about IVDD so you can protect her and make sure she gets well. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

Here is a list of discharge questions to ask your vet. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm

In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions?

-- What was the date you saw the vet and started the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty …. 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)?

-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved? If she is she needs to be on additional pain medications.  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm

You gave the names of the medications but what are the doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC.   I am glad Rosie is on Sucralfate to coat her stomach..The Pepcid AC works in a different way to prevent acid caused by the Prednisone. Ask the vet if there is a medical reason for Rosie not to be on Pepcid AC and if there isn't, it would be advisable for her to take it. It is available over the counter at any grocery store or drug store.. She would need 5mg every 12 hours, 30 minutes before the Prednisone and the Prednisone should be given with food.   

-- Can your dog move the legs at all or wag the tail due when you do some happy talk?

It isn't a good idea to have Rosie in a diaper because dogs hate to be in their waste and it can cause irritations to her skin. Also ask your Vet tomorrow to demonstrate how to express Rosie placing your hands where they should be so you can learn how. The tips in the link below will help in learning this new skill.

Helpful videos with tips on expressing both urine and poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

-- Eating and drinking OK?

-- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood?

The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

 Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here: ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs.

We are here to help you.. sending soothing thoughts over the miles. You can help Rosie, like we have helped our dogs recover...

Kassie, because she is not eating well, do add a 2nd stomach protector Pepcid AC which works in a different way than sucralfate.  Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset. Phrase the question to your vet 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. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure and in this case to know the proper order of dosing with sucralfate. This directory is in alpha order: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html

 When does the shaking happen near the next dose of methocarbamol?  How is her pain now w/o methocarbamol?

Often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain.

Rule of thumb is:
pain = swelling = more time on Pred needed.

If there is no pain on the taper then it goes to completion. Then no meds at all are needed any longer. To have a clear picture on a taper, pain meds are also stopped or back off too.

Let us know of your observation regarding pain.

Shaking, trembling ARE signs of pain. Give feedback to the vet asap this am. It is not unusual for a dog to need another round of Prednisone back up at the anti-inflammatory dose for a bit longer to get all the swelling resolved in the spinal cord. Of course pain meds (methocarbamol) would also need to be back on board to provide comfort while Pred is working on swelling.

Please read up on the typical meds used with IVDD so you are in a position to have a quality discussion and be in the know with your vet who sounds as though he may not be totally comfortable in treating a disc episode: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm

Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM highly recommends being an integral part of decision making and working closely with your vet: "Gone are the days when you simply followed your vet's orders and asked few, if any questions. The vet is now a member of your dog's health-care team, and you get to be the team captain!" www.speakingforspot.com/PDF/Medical%20Advocacy%20101.pdf

In the early days of learning our dogs have IVDD, everyone needs a shoulder to lean on while getting things figured out, dealing with emotions, getting up to speed on meds, what disc disease is, etc.  Your job in the coming days is to become a reader so you become the confident leader of the health care team.... So start on our main website with "Overview: the essentials" yellow button it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all the orange buttons and the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" to complete your education. Here is the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm We all have found it necessary to take on this self education responsibility on behalf of our IVDD dogs.

Please let us know you do have Pepcid Ac on board and what the vet says about your observations of pain and getting back on the anti-inflammatory dose of Pred plus pain med(s).

Thank you for everything! Sadly we had to put Ms. Rosie to sleep today. There was nerve damage that was effecting her brain, so we thought it was best for her because the dr. sad she looked depressed and there was no hope that she would ever be the same ): Thanks for the advise! She passed away peacefully in my arms <3