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Post by bellablue on Jun 11, 2013 10:00:52 GMT -7
I am new to this site, but so glad to find it. Yesterday our dachshund, Bella had surgery for IVDD. She went into surgery with deep pain but not able to move her back end at all. Last night the Dr called to say that the surgery(that was very extensive) went well and that she was doing well and could feel her legs and was wagging her tail. This morning the Dr called to say now she doesn't have deep pain and is not feeling her tail. Is this normal after surgery? Why is she getting worse?
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 11, 2013 10:08:40 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? Do know that the surgical procedure itself causes swelling and temporary neuro setbacks. it takes about 2 weeks for all the post op swelling to subside and then you can better assess the direction of healing. Dr. Isaacs explain alot of things about surgery that you will find helpful: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htmAre you ready for Bella's homecoming with a recovery suite and supplies? How about a list of questions for discharge day so all your concerns get answered int he excitement of bringing her home? www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm [Pink box on right for setting up recovery suite] www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm [starter list of discharge day questions] Let us know when Bella comes home, what the surgeon sends home for meds, what he wants for PT and crate rest. If you think of anything more, please let's do talk about it. |
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Post by bellablue on Jun 11, 2013 10:41:32 GMT -7
Bella started having problems about a week and a half ago. We took her to the vet when she started shaking and was reluctant to walk. By the time we brought her home from the vet, she could not move her back end at all but still had deep pain. The vet gave us some medication (steroid, pain med and pepcid). He suggested crate rest and wait to see how she did over the next few days. He also did a laser treatment on her back 3 times during that time. After several days, she made minor improvements (could hold herself up for 10 sec) but he really felt her best option was surgery. We took her to a surgical hospital in Akron and they quickly decided that she needed the surgery. She had deep pain on her right and slightly less deep pain on the left. The Dr said she had extensive discs issues (one herniated and a few other fibrous places, he had to remove a lot of material) He was surprised she hadn't been having pain and difficulty walking months ago. Last night, He said surgery went well and she could feel her legs and had "Happy Dog" tail wagging (indicating that the brain was sending the message to the tail to wag. All good signs. This morning, another Dr called to say her deep pain was not good and that she couldn't feel most of her tail. He said she had 50% chance of getting better (down from yesterdays 75%). It just makes me worried that the surgery might not have worked. Reading your site has helped because I see that that can happen and time and healing is needed to know for sure.
We are ready for her homecoming. We purchased a crate with memory foam in the bottom along with pee pads and blankets. We will be getting a lesson on expression if she still has no bladder control when she is ready to come home. Thanks for the list of questions for discharge day. That will be helpful as all of this has been a whirlwind and it is hard to remember to ask the right questions. We'll keep you updated on her recovery. Thank you for being here to answer questions and give support.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 11, 2013 14:25:53 GMT -7
Hi, Pauliana chiming in! Yes indeed, it does take time and you will know more after two weeks, as Paula mentioned, when the surgical swelling has gone down..It's time, lack of movement ( only out to be expressed or to potty outside when able to) and Bella's own healing powers. You are well prepared and ready.. and we are looking forward to hearing she is home and ready to heal under your tender loving care.. What is your name, by the way?  |
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Post by bellablue on Jun 11, 2013 18:14:49 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies Paula and Pauliana! Sorry I forgot to give you my name, it's Katina. Will keep you posted on her progress  |
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Post by bellablue on Jun 13, 2013 12:21:54 GMT -7
We got to bring Bella home last night! She was soooo happy to see us (and we were really happy to see her). She still doesn't have deep pain and has no control over her bladder. The vet tech gave me a great lesson on expressing. She put her hands on mine and then helped me do it. It is not as easy as it looks, but I'm starting to get better at it. It really takes a lot more pressure than you would think. The vet tech said I would probably master the skill just as she started to not need me to do it! She had a herniation of the T12-L1 and multiple partial herniations of at least 3 other disc spaces. The vet sent her home with Prednisone (steroid for inflammation), Tramadol (pain med), Pepcid (always use with steroid) and Cephalexin (for a previous bladder infection - med needed to continue for one more week) He said to keep her in her crate except for potty and physical therapy. For physical therapy he has us massaging her back leg muscles and range of motion exercises. We will see the surgeon again in two weeks. The worst part now is that this weekend we are leaving for a week long big family vacation to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. We were going to take Bella with us, but our vet and surgeon recommended that we leave her at our home vet to be taken care of for the week. The 5 1/2 hr trip to and from and the over excitement from a house filled with 17 family members wouldn't be good for her recovery. I will miss her so much and will worry about her. But I know she will be in good hands and resting is what she needs now. Thank you Dodgerslist for hope and information that has made all of this a little easier to handle. I am praying that my little baby gets better soon, but know that no matter what we have her in our life and that makes us all happy!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 13, 2013 13:45:12 GMT -7
Glad shes home and I'm sure she is too. Now healing can begin. Good that shes staying with the vet this weekend. It is too early to get her excited and resting is what she needs.
Keep us updated on her progress. We'll be thinking of her and sending good thoughts her way this weekend.
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Post by bellablue on Jul 18, 2013 18:06:54 GMT -7
Sorry, I've been gone awhile. Trying to deal with all the stuff that goes with IVDD surgery. Bella is 5+ weeks post surgery. We had an appointment with the surgeon last Friday and he does not think she will walk again. She has no deep pain in her feet, but still has it in her tail. I did ask him about acupuncture and he said it could help but not to get my hopes up. We have not decided to give up on her recovering and even if she doesn't walk we are making plans to have a happy and healthy walk and roll dog. We will keep her on the crate rest until the 6 weeks is up. But, we have ordered a cart and a drag bag that will arrive in the next couple of weeks.
The problem we are having with her now is that she has just started chewing on the skin of her belly. She chews it to like a blood blister. Our vet called in a script for a steroid in case it is an allergy or something. My question is, could she be getting some feeling back in this area and it is bothering her? She started chewing again tonight (even on the steroid) and my husband has her at the ER vet now to clean it and get it bandaged up. Has anyone heard of this and how do you handle it? How do you keep her from hurting herself?
Another question...how do you get her urine in a good place to keep from getting urinary tract infections? I have learned how to express her and we are getting her empty on a regular basis. I just want to do whatever we can to help keep her urine clean and clear. IS there supplements, food, etc?
Question #3... Is there a type of dog food that will help with her bowel movements (less and more regular)? We are feeding her on a schedule, but she still goes a lot and I can't seem to figure out any schedule with it.
Sorry for all the questions. I guess that's how this works. You go through and do what you need to until you finally need to move on to the next step. And another whole bunch of questions just come up. Thank you so much for this site and the information you give.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 18, 2013 20:29:13 GMT -7
Hi Katina!
Bella doesn't need a steroid she needs Gabapentin because she is having nerve pain that is very intense. It's a burning, jabbing, pins and needles all mixed together kind of pain.. That is why she is chewing it to a blood blister, the burning pain is so bad they bite it to make it stop. Gabapentin is very effective on this type of pain.. Please advocate for Gabapentin for Bella right away!! She could seriously injure herself.. Also ask for a soft e collar to keep her from getting to the area.. They have the soft e collars at the pet store..
Dog foods that contain grains make a lot of bowel movements.. I would go grain free, they were never meant to process grains.. Normally we don't advise changing their diet during an IVDD recovery because it makes it hard to tell which thing is causing problems, is it the meds or the food change?
To keep the urinary tract clear of infection make sure the infection is actually gone once the antibiotic course is over with. Take in a urine sample to have it tested afterwards and if it doesn't come back clear, another antibiotic is called for.. Make sure Bella is drinking enough water to keep the urinary tract healthy and also keep expressing her to make sure she is empty, as you have been doing.. When urine sits in the bladder too long it's a breeding ground for infection.
Hope this helps...sending healing prayers over the miles..
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Post by bellablue on Jul 19, 2013 13:24:56 GMT -7
I called the vet and talked to him about the Gabapentin. He called it in right away and we just started it today. He is also having us slowly take her off the ▼steroid. What side effects can I expect with the Gabapentin? How long will it take before she is not having this pain?
Does this nerve pain mean that she could be getting feeling back?
I question about Gabapentin... What is the appropriate dosage? It seems like they have Bella on a very high dose. She weighs 20 lbs and was give a prescription for Gabapentin 100mg 3 X's a day. That seems like a lot for her little body. The pills are 100 mg capsules so they cannot be cut in half. Is this a normal dose or seem like too much? We have a call into the vet, but waiting for reply. I have given her one pill an hour ago and she is sleeping.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 19, 2013 17:53:37 GMT -7
Hi Katina.. Did the Vet call back? If not call the pharmacy and ask if that is a typical dosage for a 20 pound dog. Tyler was on the Liquid version that had to be compounded for a dog. His dose was 55 ml of 100mg Gabapentin 3 times a day for the week after his surgery.. Not sure how that compares to the capsule.. I did research online and saw that other dogs were prescribed 100mg to start with 3 times a day and some went up in dosage for various pain related medical conditions such as cancer and Osteo and nerve pain.. The main side effect is sedation.. Other side effects can be dizziness or vomiting. Neither of which happened with Tyler.. It should start to kick in within 48 hours if not sooner.. It also helps Tramadol to work even better.. How is Bella responding to it so far? The important thing is being watchful of her reactions to her medications.. Keep in touch with your Vet and if you see anything you don't think is normal, call them.. www.safetymedical.net/gabapentin-for-dogs www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 19, 2013 21:05:04 GMT -7
It does seem like a large dose at 100mg 3x a day. My 20lb dog took 33mg 3x a day…so do call and confirm with the vet if that is correct for the neuropathic pain.
You CAN divide the 100mg capsule. For example you can divide the powder into four equal parts by dumping into a creased pieced of paper and with a razor blade move the powder into four equal piles. Also just as easy to get 33mg by dividing one 100mg capsule powder into three parts.
The remainder of the powder piles I stored in one of those 7 day pill boxes with a lid for each day.
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