PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 6, 2013 12:56:45 GMT -7
HI Rick, welcome to Dodgerslist. Can you give us a bit more information so we'll know best how to support you.
--What breed is your dog?
-- What was the date you saw the vet and 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? We have guessed it might be April 1.
-- Is he on any medications? What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?
-- Currently can your move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk or he sees you enter the room?
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
-- Eating and drinking OK?
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood?
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Post by Rick_Guapo on Jun 6, 2013 13:01:38 GMT -7
I must admit I have not been as strict on "strict" crate rest due to the EXTREME anxiety my poor little Guapo gets when crated. He begins to pant incessantly, cries and has even scratched his little nose trying to open the crate's door. If I put any pads over the crate cushion, he tears them apart and continues his crying when crated. I can't stand seeing him like that and many times I cave in and take him out. My other dog, the female, who is very healthy (knock on wood), loooooves the crate and wants to go inside it when Guapo is in there.
PLEASE HELP! What can I possibly do to help Guapo with this "crate anxiety" issue? I have tried diazepam, natural homeopathic anxiety remedies, and such, but none seem to work. Guapo is no longer in pain from this latest IVDD episode which occurred in late March (over two months ago) and has been unable to walk all this time. I treated him with Prednisone, Tramadol, Diazepam and Metacam, and at least those meds worked to get him to be pain-free and happy again, but unfortunately he's not walking yet. Surgery where I live in Miami, Florida is EXTREMELY expensive (over $7,000) and I just cannot afford it. Plus, the neurologist says that since it's been such a long time since this episode began he can't even guarantee Guapo will be ok afterward. Guapo shows some strength in his hind legs only on his thighs, but no strength on the lower hind legs or little feet since he knuckles them and cannot walk. I bought him a wheelchair which he uses and loves to run in. However, I wish more than anything that he could walk again as he used to.
I will begin with Accupuncture next week and hopefully that works as well. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 6, 2013 15:03:46 GMT -7
Hi Rick! Sounds like you have done your best to try to find a solution to Guapo's crate anxiety. Since Diazepam or the natural remedies didn't work. I would try a different type of enclosure if he should have another disc episode. There are en pen's that we call recovery suites. Play pens? Here is a link with some ideas. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmJust to let you know for future reference: NOTE: FDA and manufacturer package inserts warn against use of a NSAID such as Metacam with a steroid such as Prednisone at the same time. When changing from a Steroid to a NSAID Vets that practice safe medicine require a 4- to 7-day washout period between the medications. When using either a steroid or NSAID, an acid reducer such as Pepcid AC is necessary. Dodgerslist follows those vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach, choosing not to wait until a bleeding ulcer or life-threatening stomach perforation happens. YES, Your Dog CAN Have a Great Quality of Life! By Sharon DuncanOften, the question of quality of life comes up when a dog is diagnosed with IVDD. Are you struggling with that question right now? Let us put your mind at ease, because your dog CAN have a great quality of life living with IVDD -- no matter whether the dog regains the ability to walk or not. Quality of life is totally a matter of perspective. There is our human perspective; and then, there is the dog’s perspective – and they are as different as night and day. Our perspective is relatively complicated. By comparison, a dog’s perspective is surprisingly simple. A good quality of life for our dogs is: Food and treats. Safe, comfy place to sleep preferably with some blankets. A family’s love. It’s that simple. Believe it or not, how your dog gets from point A to point B isn’t a big deal and doesn’t factor into what makes him or her happy. Wobbly walking is fine; scooting is good; wheels are great! No matter what level of ability your dog achieves after recovery, your dog will be happy and loving life as long as those three basic, but very simple, requirements of food, a safe, comfy place to sleep with blankets, and a family’s love are met. The real goal is being pain free. As long as your dog is pain free, he or she will move forward confidently and courageously never looking back, never having regrets, never questioning “why.” Dogs live in the “now.” They don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what tomorrow may bring. Dogs don’t know pity. They don’t know “can’t.” They don’t understand “may never.” They don’t give up. They don’t get discouraged. They epitomize “where there is a WILL, there is a WAY.” They will find a way! They don’t give up easily or quickly. They move forward in life in the best way they can. They don’t care if they can walk again. They care about your love most importantly. OK, food ranks right up near the top too! To them each new day brings the promise of another opportunity to get MORE - more food, more treats, and more love. Our challenge is clear: not to allow our perspective on quality of life to influence our decisions or cloud how we judge our dog’s quality of life living with IVDD |
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