blassom
New Member
Ollie seems to be doing better.
Posts: 19 
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Post by blassom on Jun 14, 2013 15:02:58 GMT -7
Ollie is 13lbs and his crate is big enough for him to sit up and have about 3 inches of head room. He can lay down and stretch out, but he curls up anyway. I think we have a medium size crate. I now wish I has the one with wheels. Sometimes while I go to work I put him near the door so he can see out. It's bulky to move the crate and Ollie together.  PS. The little bugger puts his paws up the side of the crate when I come near him...I think he wants out or something  |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 14, 2013 15:49:52 GMT -7
That is so cute with the paw..just makes your heart melt..is that Ollie in the pic? We just scored a medium size crate off Craig's list for $25.00 he had room before but now he can stretch if he needs too. My husband had off and changed crates..while he was doing it he let Freddie roam..under the bed he went..trying not to freak..and I formed bunny that is a big no no. How is doing with the tramadol? Freddie is 20 pounds and is on 1/2 tablet of 50mg every 12 hours. Fred hasn't yelped once so we are not sure where exaclty he is hurt. Vet said that if this doesn't work he wants us to go see a neurologist. Oh and there is a link somewhere around here how to do the wheel thing. We have Freds bolted to a wagon lol. Ok so I am posting from my phone and I have fat thumbs...bunny = hubby and formed = informed...sorry lol |
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blassom
New Member
Ollie seems to be doing better.
Posts: 19
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Post by blassom on Jun 14, 2013 17:08:30 GMT -7
Ollie isn't in pain, but I wanted to be safe. I had the vet give him what he had before. He does fine with Tramadol. I just got home from Petco. I bought a Kong and filled it with peanut butter (good for him to take his meds like that too). He has always tolerated peanut butter (no loose stools). Yes, the photo is Ollie. Craigslist is good for some things Yaay!!! I need to get my Mini a bigger crate as she likes to steal Ollie's. |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 14, 2013 18:00:58 GMT -7
Yay hubby is on dodgerslist getting his education on!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 14, 2013 18:12:03 GMT -7
Stacy, please let us know if there was any harm to Freddie's early heaing disc…any signs of pain such as shivering, trembling, yelping? I hope not. With two crates now you have the perfect holding pen while the other one is being changed or bedding made up. Welcome Hubby, my name is Paula what is yours? We are glad to hear you are wishing to do an important thing for Freddie, learn about the disease so you can be instrumental a good recovery and protect him from red flag advice from those who do not know this disease well. Try out the shortcut through IVDD, the on-line 10 min class…you'll be glad you viewed it: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/index.html |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 14, 2013 18:32:38 GMT -7
He is Shane and still reading Freddy seems ok..Shane thinks he is looking better no shivering and he never yelped to begin with. Which I don't get. Right now he is in his new crate biting his nails. He has always done that but stopped when he got hurt. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 14, 2013 19:23:03 GMT -7
Good for Shane! The biting of nails, I think I mentioned some time back, is a red flag for us. Often as nerves are healing/connecting or maybe an abnormal phantom nerve sensation, the dog feels neuropathic pain. It might be similar to pins and needles when we sit too long on a limb. Or the pain could be very intense of on fire, burning sensation. Please watch Freddie carefully. Dogs with neuropathic pains will begin to chew body parts off in an attempt to get rid of the awful pain, it has been a deadly situation for a couple of dogs. If this escalates to biting tissue, bleeding, you must fold a towel length wise, wrap around his neck and close with duct tape to keep him from hurting himself. The vet can prescribe neurontin (gabapentin) to help with this kind of pain. I do hope the attention to nails is not neuropathic, but just want you to be aware so you can act with haste if necessary. This is a reprint from the Dodgers Digest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/neuropathy.pdf This is a great little newsletter and I highly recommend a subscription of $8 if it fits your budget here: www.dodgerslist.com/newsletter.htm |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 14, 2013 19:50:07 GMT -7
OMG...how scary is this! He has done it since he was a puppy. Should take him to a nuerologist?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 15, 2013 8:05:35 GMT -7
I would just observe him for something that is new and different to what he has always done….look for increased, obsessive biting that becomes destructive, bloody, bitting skin tissue or actually chewing off a nail. We are not trying to scare you, but give you information so you are able to recognize a red flag and know what actions to take.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 15, 2013 9:41:53 GMT -7
Ok..and as scared as I get (I am very) the more I know the better. While I would love to be ignorant and pretend "oh that doesn't apply to Freddie", I won't. Knowledge makes us better mamas. If we do take him to the neurologist I will be mentioning the nail bitting where as before I wouldn't. Still hate this..he hasn't limped for a couple of days..he just now waddles a little more. Looks like he is strutting his back stuff for all to see. I'm thinking this is an improvement.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 15, 2013 19:37:03 GMT -7
I HATE LIZARDS AND THE MEAN SQUIRELL IN THE TREE!! Took Fred out to potty..I HATE POTTY TIME TOO btw..had harness had scarf..Fred sees a lizards and attacks full throttle. Scarf went flying. My instinct was to pull on the harness and he pulled back. I then picked him up and put him back in crate but he was fighting me. Bad lesson learned..went to home depot and bought 3 more cheap garden fences. they only charged me for two so I am taking it as a good sign. His potty pen is now about 6 feet around. It wasn't big enough before, he just stood there. So he peed and pooped in there tonight. From here on out I'm only using potty pen. No signs of limping but I think he is sore. No shivering or yelping. Anyway..depressing hard lesson learned..I gave him half a sedative and he is now sleeping peacefully in his crate. Grrr.. so frustrated and worried. Miss having him in my lap and snoring in my ear  |
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 15, 2013 20:33:37 GMT -7
I am glad you now have the potty fence set up and Freddie is using it for pottying.. Success! Male dogs are like that.. Tyler wouldn't go unless it was just so.. Know exactly what you mean. Is Freddie still on medications of any kind other than the sedative? We miss our much loved dogs when they are in the crate. It's a hard time for sure but as devoted as you are I know he is not missing out on love or attention or being part of the family. You are his nurse now and that in itself fosters deep bonds.. Keep on learning about IVDD on our main website. www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmIt will only help you and dear Freddie in the long run. Here is more info on pain control. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 15, 2013 21:13:10 GMT -7
Yep..he is still taking predisone (not sure how to spell it) once a day along with the famitine. we start weening him next week. The bigger pen seems to be working well..just wish we had things set right earlier..its a slow adjustment for both of us but we are hanging in. Plan on having major cuddle time when this is over |
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Jun 16, 2013 12:46:48 GMT -7
Sounds like you are definitely getting things under control:) Great job!
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 16, 2013 16:48:14 GMT -7
Finally!! Rough night good day Freddie cried to come out of his crate all night so we were up at 1am..2:15am...3:30am..and 6 am. Now..today was one of our best! The new and iimproved potty pen works great! No more pulling or tugging trying to get lizards. He did eyeball it a couple of times thinking he might jump it. Hardly any walking at all due to pen hoping tonight to get some better sleep. pee and poop look good. If it wasn't for this site we would be doing so many things wrong. Thank you so much for all of your input and advise. It is helping immensely. He is trying to make a nest in his crate by digging. He always does it before he lays down but stopped when he got hurt. Any suggestions how I get him to stop it? I'm afraid itight be too much too soon. |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 16, 2013 17:25:03 GMT -7
Sounds really good. As for making the nest, it always was a good sign to me. The only thing you can really do is try to discourage him. Never worked for me, but maybe Freddie is more obedient then any of mine were. LOL
Hope he decides to let you get some sleep tonight.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 17, 2013 6:28:29 GMT -7
Freddie and I slept like rocks!! I place his crate on the wagon next to the bed so it is level with me and I heard the sweet sound of his snores!! Been a while since I heard it made my heart smile big . When I took him potty this morning I noticed his limp is back and he kept wanting to sit. I'm not freaking..ok maybe a little.. maybe he is just sore from deep sleep..going homefor llunch and will see how it is then. Also..how are you all posting pics here? I want to show my baby off!! I tried putting them in the recovery file but doesn't do anything when I hit add photo. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 17, 2013 12:33:46 GMT -7
How wonderful to get a good night's sleep!!! The gallery seems to be working as I just upload your photo. If you still can't upload, you can email me with your captions and photos to: paula@dodgerslist.com To post a picture in the body of a post here on the Forum…. you would need to upload pictures to any on-line album such as the Dodgerslist gallery: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/260/upload-photo-dog [how to information] Then you copy the URL of the photo to paste into your forum post. |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 17, 2013 14:16:44 GMT -7
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Jun 17, 2013 14:18:16 GMT -7
What a cutie <3 <3 |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 17, 2013 17:11:18 GMT -7
Thanks!! He is my baby well cranky baby atm... |
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 17, 2013 20:12:41 GMT -7
Cranky or not, he is adorable, Stacy!  |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 18, 2013 5:52:41 GMT -7
Thanks!! He is awesome. I have some concerns and going to call vet but want your advice before I do. Fred takes predisole (bad spelling) once a day 5mg and tramadol 2xs a day. This Saturday he is supposed to start weening to every other day on the steroid. Shouldnt I start weening him on the tramadole first and if so how soon before I start to weening him from the predisole? My vet is put of town and I dont trust the vet in his place.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Jun 18, 2013 8:47:40 GMT -7
Pain medications are usually weened before, or along with the steriod prednisone. As the pain medications are decreased you will know if he still has swelling if pain returns - so if you decrease the Tramadol and he seems okay then the swelling is down or gone, if you decrease the Tramadol and pain returns then he still needs prednisone and pain medication for a longer period of time. I don't know the exact procedure, only what was done for Stevie so I can't give you any more details. A more experienced Moderator should be along and may have better advice or more details. You could ask the locum Vet for the weening procedure to be clarified, and put their advice together with what you already know to come up with a plan. Hope that this helps a bit. Hugs to Freddie |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 18, 2013 9:28:40 GMT -7
No problem giving Fred extra hugs vet still hasn't called back..I am also concerned because he still has limp off and on and he has only been taking 5 mg of steroid once a day not twice like most posts. How are your puppies steveiluv? |
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Jun 18, 2013 10:09:59 GMT -7
Stevie's graduation day is Friday June 21. The Solstice high day and our wedding anniversary. So much to celebrate this year! I put a picture of her being pathetic in the the gallery and on my thread ( with Paula's help:) )
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 18, 2013 15:04:48 GMT -7
Stacy 5mg of pred 1x a day IS a step down (taper off) of the anti-inflammatory dose of 5mg 2x a day. You do need to have the guidance of a vet in tapering off of Pred so that is not something we can do as we are not vets.
Do describe your observations of what may be pain? Limping and just wanting to sit…any shivering, trembling, yelping with the limping and being reluctant to move? Is his personality subdued due to pain? The vet needs your feedback to determine if there is pain caused by swelling in the spinal cord.
On the taper off the anti-inflammatory dose is is typical to also back off or stop the pain meds to have a clear assessment of any signs of pain. Rule of thumb: pain = swelling = more time needed on pred.
Let us know what your vet says.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 18, 2013 15:32:50 GMT -7
Vet freaked me out...again..Fred isn't showing any signs of pain..he just walks with a little waddle and will sit down. I haven't tried to make him move when he wants to sit. So..vet asked how he was doing and I said he has good days and bad...mostly good though. He said that most dogs are usually better by now and there maybe more to his injury. Grrr...he also said he is still concerned about him possibly having compressed discs in the lower neck area. While the other vet said it could be his kidney or liver showing thru on the xray. Ok..so back to weening..said to go cold turkey on the tramadole and follow the instructions for the predisole. Hubby thinks we should give him a quarter pill of the tramadole then none at all. Vet also said that Fred may need an mri but that is so not in our budget. Cry. Has anyone gone cold turkey with the tramadole or should he be weened? The last thing I want to do is more damage to my baby.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 18, 2013 17:08:04 GMT -7
Hi Stacy,
It is OKAY to just stop the Tramadol ( no weening necessary) and follow the instructions on the Prednisolone taper. If he shows signs of pain he would need to go back to the original dosage of the Prednisolone and the Tramadol and try the taper again later on, so you need to keep in communication with the Vet to let him know how he is responding to the taper of the Pred in case he has to start another course of Pred.. Don't panic if he needs to go back on the Pred to address continuing swelling, IF he shows signs of pain. It really does happen often and just means he isn't ready for the taper yet.. Some dogs need to be on it longer than others..
As far as "most dogs" being better by now, that is SO not the case. Every dog with IVDD heals on their own timetable and nerves continue to heal even past the graduation date of the crate rest..
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 18, 2013 17:19:24 GMT -7
Thank you thank you thank you!! He is deifnatley showing signs of improvement but I am scared that it is the pain med. While Fred never lost bladder control or leg movement his back legs were doing a shuffle..like the ground was too hot and then he would just plop his butt down..hate to say this but I wish he would yelp so we know exactly where he is hurt. Does conservative work for compressed discs as well? I am thinking that if he shows signs of pain going to take him straight to neurologist hoping she will have more insight even if I can't afford mri. I did get a copy of full blood work and his xrays. Such a roller coaster...
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