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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jun 9, 2013 22:27:36 GMT -7
Peanut had been recovering well...we thought...
We took him to the vet yesterday, and she said there is still a delay in his back legs, especially the left one. He is still able to walk, lift his leg to pee, and run. He is usually on crate rest whenever we leave the house which, for the most part, is 8 to 9 hours a day. I am home from school now, so I am thinking he should still be crate rested? He HATES the crate, and will do virtually anything to avoid it. He has chewed things apart, barked nonstop, and refuses to get out of the crate to go pee whenever he is being moody (often, too!).
Peanut is a very stubborn rescue with a history of biting as well. He wants to run and walk, but I am really nervous now. The vet did NOT recommend medication, but she did recommend getting rid of the sofa and recliner to stop his jumping.
Any suggestions....we are terrified that we will lose him...again...
Thank you! Ramona
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 10, 2013 9:59:39 GMT -7
Romana, Peanut IS recovering well. Nerves will continue to heal…they are very slow …think in terms of months even a year+ There are no medications to heal nerves. Peanut should be allowed out of his crate except when you leave the house. You can consider furniture blockers for when you are at home, train him to use a ramp to the couch, etc. Have you seen this article on making your home back friendly: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm  |
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jun 13, 2013 18:26:24 GMT -7
Hi Paula - Thanks for getting back to me. He is on meds again, although there does not seem to be any pain. He does not pull his legs back when you bend his foot backward kind of thing. It does not look like there is any pain this time. It is hard to keep him quiet, but he is out cold right now due to the meds and the tramadol.
Peanut will only allow a pillow in his crate, which make it hard to supply him with much. He chews everything else apart; it is a real problem. He also has been trying to bite when put in his crate...a new behavior, and not our favorite. Peanut is a biter as it is...
With steroids, he needs a stomach protector. Is there something besides Pepcid that I can use over the counter? Will Pepto Bismol work?
This is very frustrating for him...and us...he just wants to be able to do what he loves...run, jump, play...he hates the crate, the meds...he is a cranky 13 year old, to be sure. He doesn't like to be babied or fussed over; he never has.
We are worried. This has been going on since February off and on. When does it stop? Is he recovering slower because of his age? I don't think surgery will be an option due to his age...
He still has control of both bladder and bowels, which is good.
Thanks for all that you are doing to help those of us who totally freak out over our babies...
Ramona
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 13, 2013 19:56:01 GMT -7
DO NOT give Pepto Bismol. ADULT Pepto Bismol's products also contain bismuth SUBsalicylate. a derivative of of aspirin. (a relative of or a drug in a same class) Aspirin should never be given with a steroid. www.pepto-bismol.com/pepto-original-liquid.php www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=26+1303&aid=1456Pepcid AC (famotidine) 5 mg 30 mins before dosing Pred. Can you list the exact names of his meds. The dose in mg and how often you are to give them. Can you clarify, did the vet specifically say there is a current disc episode going on with the vet visit yesterday? A disc episode is a painful thing. OR is the vet putting him back on meds because his nerves have not been healing as fast as the vet thinks they should…he is still knuckling his paws. There are no medications to help nerves heal. Acupuncture or laser light therapy can help nerves get kick started to regenerate. Knuckling is nerve damage. Is the knuckling something that has just happened in the last days, a new event that caused you to go to the vet? What specifically has been going on and off since February….pain, worsening of nerve functions? As you can see we are a group who LOVE the details. It helps us to know how to better help when we know the full story. |
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jun 17, 2013 18:54:13 GMT -7
Paula - Sorry for the delay. I thought I had replied and had, in fact, written you quite the response. It looks like it did not get through, though.
We have been officially told that Peanut is suffering a relapse. He is not in pain, but he has lost some feeling in his back legs again. She has put him on steroids - 2 for 4 days and then 1 for another four days, and then 1 every other day. It is the same regimen that he was on before. We are using Pepcid for his tummy and, so far, no problems. He does have some control of his legs; today, he lifted his left leg to pee, which I thought was good.
My problem, besides the whole going through this again, which he hates...is that he has no real quality of life. This was an athletic, active dog!! Since February, he has had no runs, no walks, no ball time...when will this end for him? Is this the way he has to live the rest of his life?
He is not a friendly dog, so I cannot take him to pet rehab either. He bites people he does not know because he is fear aggressive. We have tried everything in the past 8 years to get that out of him, but we have been very unsuccessful. We adore him, but we are sad at the latest development.
The vet says he is not pulling his leg back very quickly when she bends it behind him. There is a significant delay. We have seen a little improvement in the last two days. Of course, Peanut wants to run and jump like crazy, but the vet said ABSOLUTELY not.
Not sure where to go from here other than to follow her instructions. We are so sad that he is confronting this again...
Ramona
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 17, 2013 19:26:11 GMT -7
Hi Ramona, Sorry to hear it's a relapse.. and it's even harder when Peanut is feeling out of sorts anyway. Quality of Life to a dog is special treats, love, food, and a comfy place to sleep..Sure they love to run but if that is taken from them, they don't fret about it. Dogs don't care how they get from point A to point B if their basic wants and needs are met.. It bothers us far more than it does them.. : ) Some IVDD dogs have one episode in their life and others have multiple episodes. With my Tyler, I call it a careful new normal. He went down in late January and graduated crate rest on March 11th and so far so good. We don't allow him to use stairs, he doesn't try to jump on furniture but we have big pillows on the seats to avoid jumping just in case.. He plays and we go for walks and the only thing we have problems with is how excited he gets when people come over to visit. If I know ahead of time, I am able to slow him down and avoid the mad rush to the door.. We crate him in his recovery suite when we aren't home.. Did you read this article.. Making your home back friendly?? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmWhat was the name of the steroid? |
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jun 18, 2013 7:23:38 GMT -7
He is on prednisone 5 mg. Right now, he gets it 2 times per day until tomorrow evening. Then, he goes down to 1 pill a day.
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Post by ramona567 on Jul 2, 2013 19:38:06 GMT -7
It is me again, albeit with a new login. Feeling very frustrated because Peanut is not getting a lot better. He now flinches when we pick him up to take him out. He hides from the leash. I am trying to keep him very quiet, but barked for a ball for 30 minutes. He has been pooping on the floor more, too.
I am scared for him. I want him yo get rest but he hates the crate and always has. He barks and cries and tries to fight out of it. We tried treats and bones, to no avail.
I am sick over this and terribly worried about him...
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 2, 2013 20:12:34 GMT -7
Hi Ramona, Is Peanut Butter on any pain medications at all? He's flinching because he is in pain. Most IVDD dogs are on Tramadol 3 times a day and if that doesn't control the pain usually Methocarbamol is added (Muscle relaxant) and or Gabapentin is added for nerve pain.. As long as he is in pain, he can't heal. I would discuss this with your vet right away.. He would feel a lot better and could rest in comfort. As far as crate anxiety.. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. |
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Post by ramona567 on Jul 2, 2013 20:20:13 GMT -7
Paula-
Thank you for getting back to me. I did not recognize it as pain. He shows no other signs of pain at all, as far as I can tell. I will put him on the muscle relaxant some more, as well as dome tramadol. I thought he was just being willful. I feel like a heel.
We are supposed to travel in 2 weeks, too. He usually just sits. Last time, we medicated him and he at least slept.
This is such s frustrating illness...
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 2, 2013 21:03:27 GMT -7
I know it is.. Totally understand. Sending hugs across the miles..
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 3, 2013 10:20:40 GMT -7
Aug 6 will be Peanut's graduation date. Are you continuing with 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out of his recovery suite to potty?
Can you give us the current meds he take…name, dose in mg and how often you give them. Is he totally off of pred?
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jul 5, 2013 11:50:59 GMT -7
Paula -
Peanut is on 1 methocarbonal and 1/2 of a tramadol in the morning. He seems very, very stiff in the morning and is much happier later in the day.
He is starting to avoid the leash, as well as sneak away to hide in awkward places to get away from the crate. I have a bad back, too, so he slips right past me. I tried to get him yesterday from crawling under the bed, and he bit me. Not a good situation... He also refuses to come out of the crate sometimes, or he shoves himself into a smaller crate that is way too tight for him.
We are trying now to do what Pauliana is doing because he is being so difficult. He just finished the steroids. He seems better at night. After dinner, he does not do much but sleep.
I feel like I am making terrible decisions. I would feel better if I could put him in the crate. He did it the first 6 weeks, after all. He also did it for a second 2 week period. Lately, he has just been so much more difficult. He is breaking my heart. I am going to lose him...
125 mg of methocarbonal and 250 mg of tramadol are the meds he is on currently...
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 5, 2013 17:46:54 GMT -7
I'm thinking you meant 25 mgs of tramadol not 250 mgs?
Pain meds are used to give comfort while prednisone works on getting painful swelling down. So if he NEEDS pain meds he quite likely has swelling going on that needs to be addressed by Prednisone. What have you discussed with the vet about his flinching, etc. What did the vet think his pain was from?
How often do you give methocarbamol and tramadol…. only in the morning 1x a day?
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Post by ramona567 on Jul 5, 2013 20:26:02 GMT -7
I did mean 25 of tramadol.
He is going to the vet to be reevaluated tomorrow. I will know more then.
Thanks, Paula.
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jul 6, 2013 14:53:29 GMT -7
Peanut was reevaluated today. According to the doctor, he us about the same. He does have feeling, but he is weak on the right side especially. She put him on a longer course of prednisone to try to reduce any swelling. She told us that we should continue to give him 125mg of methocarbonal. I can increase that, but I should not go above 200mg of it. She also said to continue giving him tramadol, but no more than 25 mg every 8 hours. She said prednisone will help with any pain.
She also told us that this may be Peanut`s new normal. Walks are out for him, and his ball chasing days are over. Because Peanut is a difficult behavioral case, she let us know that if his back goes out, it will be time to put him down. Peanut was in rare, unfriendly form today. It would be impossible to rehab him or care for him if he needed surgery, which has always been my concern.
While I am saddened by the news, and after speaking to Hus former foster mommy, we know that we will do whatever we can to give Peanut the best quality of life possible. My first dachshund also went down at 10, but he was not as anxious as Peanut. We could take him to the vet without him freaking out. He could get care without being muzzled and fearful. He lived with both a bad back (5 years) and Cushing`s (7 years) and died at 15 of anemia.
We thank you for all of your help with him. It has been difficult to determine what is best for our baby. His emotional fragility, due to years of being SEVERELY abused, has made us treat him with kid gloves since the day we got him. We have never regretted taking this very special dog 8 years ago. I saw his eyes in a picture online at DRNA- North America, and knew he was mine at that moment. We traveled through 5 states to get him because he could not be sent by transport due to his issues. We took him and never looked back. He is my heart and joy...
I am rambling right now, so I will close this up now. Any insight you can give me would be helpful.
Thanks, Ramona and Peanut
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 6, 2013 15:16:51 GMT -7
Good job on advocating for proper pain meds. Yes, pred will help with pain….evenetually.. it may take days to weeks. So that is why pain meds have to be on board and in the right dose and frequency to give them. Absolutely no need of Peanut being in pain while pred is working on getting painful swelling down. If you can care for Peanut during conservative treatment, there would be no difference in caring for him after a surgery. What issues in particular makes you think you would not be able to care for him if he ends up needing surgery? If his back goes out it will be time to put him down,,,what?  ? Of course not! Also his new normal after crate rest should be daily walks building up to a mile if possible. Walking strenthens the core muscles which support the spine and in turn the disc.. Ball chasing would be permitted just in a different way. But that all will wait on after graduation day. Right now the focus is letting the disc heal, making sure he is not in pain. Let us know how the new prescriptions are working to put Peanut in comfort. |
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jul 6, 2013 17:06:22 GMT -7
Hi Paula
Peanut is severely anxious and fear aggressive. He cannot be boarded or cared for without me or my husband there. I would never be able to leave him after surgery. No one could care for him. Rehab would be out of the question. He cannot function around other people because he is a biter. Aggressive...we have no friends because no one can come in the house. Really. He is that bad.
We will continually try to keep him on the road to recovery, but he is not tolerating crate rest AT ALL. He bites, gets abnormally anxious (panting, wheezing, scratching...). There is no calming him down without major drugs. This is due to the high level of anxiety he has. Nothing has ever worked for him. He fights it all...benadryl, stress capsules, sprays, scents...even a full tramadol does not slow him down.
I can`t put him through that. His worst fear is pain. Somebody beat the crap out of him, and he has never forgotten. I have never had a dog who required such cases, but this has been life with Peanut for the last 8 years.
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Post by kathynpooh on Jul 6, 2013 17:54:12 GMT -7
Is there anyone in your area that does Reiki it is energy healing and it helps not only on a physical level but on an emotional level. It will help him with his emotional issues also. Do a search on the internet for animal Reiki practioners in your area. They are out there and they will help you. Some animal shelters my even be able to tell you if they have one that works with their animals.
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jul 6, 2013 19:19:44 GMT -7
I will definitely check Kathynpooh. I will let you know what I find out.
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Post by kathynpooh on Jul 7, 2013 5:54:48 GMT -7
Offered Reiki energy to Peanut last night do you see any difference today. I can offer him Reiki over distance because lightt energy has no boundaries. I just need you to let me know if it is helping.
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 7, 2013 6:48:30 GMT -7
I would think that acupuncture would help your boy. My Jeremy, a cocker spaniel, is very high strung and is also a rescue and was abused. Acupuncture can help heal the damaged nerves and also help with the pain AND can calm him down. But you need to find someone who is knowledgeable. I went to a local vet who had taken a course or two on acupuncture and Jeremy was so wound up and hyper that the vet had to sedate him, shaved leg, needle and all that. I have since learned that acupuncture does not work with sedation. I then took him to a vet acupuncturist who only did acupuncture, it was her speciality and she knew exactly what to do. I'd bring Jeremy in with a muzzle and struggling and yipping. She would put one needle into his forehead (doesn't hurt them) and he would immediately relax and lie down and she could do the rest of the needles for 30 minutes and he would lie there calmly. It was completely amazing. Jeremy had less pain in the days following the treatment and I truly believe it helped him regain motor function. I did have to bring him there twice a week for the first few weeks.
Have you tried Rescue Remedy to calm him down? I haven't tried that yet with Jeremy but will be ordering it since I've heard very good things about it and it has been recommended to me by several people. I've been using GNC Ultra Mega Relax for Jeremy which takes a little of the edge off when people come to visit. He seems to calm down quicker when taking that but still has a few minutes of craziness. It's really helping my senile cat who yowls all night - calms her right down.
I can see that you're doing so much to help this dog - bless you for that. Sometimes it just takes finding the right thing that will make all the difference.
All the best,
Marjorie
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Post by ramona567 on Jul 7, 2013 9:19:50 GMT -7
Kathynpooh, thank you for taking the time and energy to Reiki for Peanut. He had a good, quiet night last night. Could have been pain med, could have been the Reiki...we will take all we can get...
Marjorie - thank you for your advice and kind words. It is so hard to work with an anxious dog. When his foster mommy got Peanut, she had to put him in the bathroom and leave him alone (they had a piece of wood up at the entrance, so he was not shut into a room, just blocked from leaving it), for two days. He growled, barked, snapped...she herself has saved hundreds of dachshunds and Peanut is still one of her most special dogs. She has told me many times that his very soul was damaged by whatever happened to him. We still, after 8 years, keep in contact with her because he is so special.
I am going to look into both the Reiki and the acupuncture. I just want him to relax and rest. The crate was good for the first 6 weeks that he needed it as well as for about the another 2 weeks, but he started trying to climb it, pant, swivel himself around, bark, wheeze, whine...it was awful. He is still crated when we are not there because I can't take any chances. He stays in the kitchen with his puppy (our 5 year old dachsie) until we get home. He has started wheezing with that situation, too, but I CANNOT let him roam free in the house because he will jump.
I am also going to pick up that GNC UltraMegaRelax. We tried Rescue Remedy and saw a little change, before he fought his way through it. Stress tabs, lavender baby oil, Benadryl...he fights everything.
Today, he is looking pretty relaxed, though. I am sure the pred and the pain meds are doing it for him. He even grabbed a ball to chew on!!! He loves to chase balls, but that hasn't happened for him since February when he was initially diagnosed.
I don't want to be fatalistic for him, but anxiety is so hard to combat!!! I will definitely call about the ideas you kind ladies gave me. If I can get him more relaxes, I can get him in the crate more.
Thanks so much! Ramona
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Post by kathynpooh on Jul 7, 2013 10:37:33 GMT -7
I am so glad he had a good night. I will keep sending him healing energy every day. Hang in there.
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Post by kathynpooh on Jul 7, 2013 11:22:10 GMT -7
Ramona I would like to suggest book for you to read. It is a very good book with a lot of insite even for the person that does not do reiki. It is Reiki for dogs by Kathleen Prasad. Her website is animalreikisource.com. It is a wealth of information for dogs with emotional problems. Your friend Kathy and her Pooh doggie.
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Post by Ramona&Caesar on Jul 13, 2013 20:32:38 GMT -7
Very upset today...feeling very hopeless about my boy. I called someone about both Reiki and acupuncture to relieve his nerves and 1) both practitioners are worried about doing it on him because of his aggression, and 2) I have not heard any words of encouragement from anyone in charge of Dodger`s list since I talked about our options with the doctor (who also told me Peanut was not a surgical candidate).
Another vet gave me the idea of using an Elizabethan collar to curb his biting. It would eliminate a muzzle, and he can`t do much with it on. We are looking for one, or we will buy it tomorrow. Thought about a baby crib, too. Looking for one now...
When I came to Dodger`s List, I was looking for support. We clearly love our dog. We are desperate to help him. If we didn`t help him, he would have been put down.
I don`t know where to turn. I know I don`t want him in pain. Tonight, he peed on the floor and I am beside myself with worry. What if this is a sign that he is worse? Why can't he trust us to help him?
I have never loved a dog as much as I love this one. I am trying to do right by him. I really am...
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jul 13, 2013 20:59:51 GMT -7
Hi Ramona..please hang in there. I am very new to this so really can't offer any advice but you are not alone. Reading your posts I can hear the love you have for peanut. it was very touching how you knew he was yours when you saw his pic  It will be ok. I do know that some days are way scarier than others..and it sounds like you are having your share. Will peanut use an expen? Can that be an alternative to a crate? Also take time to breathe yourself. Sometimes if we step away for a couple of minutes it helps to get focused. And please post as much as you need too. It helps knowing that Fred and I are not alone in this. |
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 13, 2013 21:10:47 GMT -7
Ramona, can you tell us the details of why you feel hopeless so we can be of better support:
-- Is he in still in pain…what are you specifically observing…shivering, trembling, can't won't move much, yelping? If he is still in pain your vet has more options…Gabapentin works synergistically with Tramadol/methocarbamol Depending on his weight, more mgs of tramadol could be given.
-- What is the exact dose on the prednisone in mg and how often to give it on July 8? Is he still on pred. What is the dose in mg and the frequency to give it now…has it been reduced/tapered?
-- how much does Peanut weigh?
-- When you lift him up does he also leak urine on you? Have you found urine leaks in his bedding? What was the exact circumstances of his peeing on the floor. When on pred they have to pee alot, was it possible you just did not get him out in time… please let us know.
-- tell us about his neuro functions and if they have gotten worse/diminished. Can he still walk, is it wobbly, recently worse? Does he knuckle his paws? Slow to put his paw in the right placement?
You have a challenge with Peanut…. hang in there keep hope alive! We look forward to hearing your observations so we all can put our heads together to help Peanut.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 13, 2013 21:29:19 GMT -7
Down deep Peanut knows you want to help him. Anxiety does terrible things to both people and animals..and his fear is so deep because of his past terrible abuse.. It's too bad he fights the things that would help him but he doesn't understand and that makes caring for him harder but you have done every thing possible for him and you saved him in the first place.. Are the current meds helping at all with his pain and inflammation? Have you seen any improvement in his pain levels? We used an ex pen recovery suite for Tyler.. It felt more open than a crate, although he sleeps in a crate every night, his choice.. Have you looked into one like this in this article? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmPrednisone makes them thirsty and they need to pee more often, such as every 2 to 3 hours. Have any of the calming aids worked at all? |
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Post by kathynpooh on Jul 14, 2013 5:28:39 GMT -7
Hi Ramona hang in there . We are here for you. The reiki practitoner does not know much about Reiki. She does not have to touch the dog as reiki can be done at a distance. It is nice to be in the same room as the dog so his reaction can be observed . Can we set up a time where i can do distance Reiki for peanut . I will do the Reiki for you and peanut and you will be my eyes and tell me how peanut reacts. This way i can begin to teach you how to give Reiki to him yourself. You could also use essential oils. I use serenity on Pooh to calm him down . I just rub it on his chest. I also use deep blue over his spine area as well as balance. oh by the way these oils are so pure that they do cross the blood brain barrier that is why they work not all oils are this pure. Sending healing energy your way. Kathy and Pooh.
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? Of course not! Also his new normal after crate rest should be daily walks building up to a mile if possible. Walking strenthens the core muscles which support the spine and in turn the disc.. Ball chasing would be permitted just in a different way. But that all will wait on after graduation day. Right now the focus is letting the disc heal, making sure he is not in pain. Let us know how the new prescriptions are working to put Peanut in comfort.
It will be ok. I do know that some days are way scarier than others..and it sounds like you are having your share. Will peanut use an expen? Can that be an alternative to a crate? Also take time to breathe yourself. Sometimes if we step away for a couple of minutes it helps to get focused. And please post as much as you need too. It helps knowing that Fred and I are not alone in this. 