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Post by Pauliana on Jun 18, 2013 19:13:18 GMT -7
Hi Stacy! Here is a link that shows a video that describes IVDD and how a disc compresses the spine. The limited movement during 8 weeks of 24/7 crate rest, only out to potty, is what heals the disc compression. Medications can mask the pain as well as heal the inflammation and crate rest does the rest. Freddie still has the use of his legs and bladder control and that makes him a great candidate for conservative treatment. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 19, 2013 5:33:17 GMT -7
Thanks, been reading so much about it lately. Big day for Fred..didn't give him pain meds lastnight..keeping my fingers crossed. I was so busy watching him in crate looking for pain signs this morning I put my face soap on my toothbrush. Yuck Yuck Yuck...not a nice taste lol.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 19, 2013 10:02:08 GMT -7
Keep up the good work Stacy. Learning is what is going to keep Fred healthy now. Be sure to check out the toothbrush tomorrow. LOL
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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 19, 2013 10:41:59 GMT -7
One locum Vet said something like that about Stevie during her first bout of IVDD at 4 weeks of crate rest, something like "I had hoped that she would be showing much more improvement by now" I went home and cried and cried ( we didn't know about Dodgers List and were very alone) Then we saw her accupucture Vet who said that such a statement was BS - that she was showing slow but consistent improvement and that there was no timeline for healing, as long as we saw progress, no matter how slow. Keep your chim up - you and Freddie are doing great! ps- I put my phone in the fridge one day, so I hear about being distracted...
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 19, 2013 17:43:51 GMT -7
Yea..I think we take it harder than the puppies! Going to bypass vet and go straight to neurologist for check up when meds are done. The second vet was way more knowledable and he admitted he wasn't comfortable with continuing if this first go around doesn't work and would referr us to the neurologist. I so respect that. Phone in the fridge?? Gives cold calling a whole new meaning..lol. we do worry about our puppies.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 19, 2013 20:52:15 GMT -7
Yes we do take it harder than the pups do, in many ways.. Dogs handle life with IVDD on their own terms, not worrying about "why me" while we stress, worry and tend to their every need.. Not an easy path but our pups are so worth it.. I wouldn't trade my Tyler for a million dollars.. I put my house keys in the freezer when I took out my Iced Latte Cup.. Talk about distracted.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 20, 2013 8:18:29 GMT -7
Lol..glad to know I'm not the only one distracted..Fred is on his second day off the tramadole. So far he isn't showing signs of pain . He is however getting very demanding and wants put of the crate. I think the boss is feeling better and mad. Any suggestions on crate activities? Whenever I open it he tries to bolt out. And now here comes the barking..oh boy
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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 20, 2013 10:07:14 GMT -7
Chew sticks - as long as he doesn't have neck pain or thrash around while gnawing, peanut butter in a Kong - this was a life saver, some people will freeze peanut butter or yogurt into a Kong, just make sure that there is a hole all of the way through to prevent their tongue from developing suction and getting stuck - I shoved a barbeque skewer in and then pulled it our before giving it to the dog. i stuffed cookies in the Kong too. I kept the TV on too. It is tough to keep them busy - I'll look around for other ideas and let you know.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 20, 2013 21:14:08 GMT -7
They get to be a real handful when they feel better, that's for sure.. Distraction, favorite toys as long as they don't make him feel rambunctious..Soft music, a light towel over the crate will create a den like feeling and some dogs are soothed by that. A view out the window if it isn't too sunny or hot. We have two areas in the house where we hang out.. The living room and our office and we had a crate or recovery suite in each place so Tyler could have a change of scenery. We did every thing we could to make him feel included as he was recovering and he never did whine or cry.. I did get lots of pouty looks though! LOL
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 21, 2013 5:28:12 GMT -7
Fred has turned into demon dog. He is off his pain meds and wide awake. No pain yay!! Heis doing fabulous as far as I can tell. I haven't seen him limp but I don t really give him a chance too either. Ok..so..tried Kong it lasted maybe 20 mins..tried sheet over crate and he pawed at it..tried signing and got dirty looks and literally stomping..tried ignoring him and he was jumping on sides of crate..put him in other room resulted in louder barking.. gave him half an ace pill and had no effect...after that I hid in the bathroom lol. We just hit the 2 week mark. Going to doggie store today to see what I can find. Hope everyone is having a good Friday and I am so open for any help with my new demon doggie..he is so cute though when he throws his temper tantrums. Next time ill record it so you can see
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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 21, 2013 7:53:29 GMT -7
Wow, he is a stubborn one isn't he. I'll keep looking for ideas
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 21, 2013 8:04:20 GMT -7
I'll be hiding in the bathroom CONGRADULATIONS TO STEVIE!! Give her a hug from me and Fred and big atta girl!
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 22, 2013 9:58:51 GMT -7
Hard night..when I came back in from potty break with Fred our big dog was by Fred's crate..Fred freaked wiggled..had to put him down before I dropped him and he went after big dog. Ugh..he was quiet the rest of the night I think he was sore...but this morning very fiesty wanting out of the crate. He isn't acting like he is pain but I noticed his left leg sometimes slips still..like it is on ice. We strart going to every other day on the prednisolone 5mg.. also I have been giving him 1/2 tablet of famotidine 10mg every 12 hours. Do I ween him off of this as well or wait until the steroids are done?
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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 22, 2013 10:29:57 GMT -7
The Pepcid (famotidine) is to protect his stomach from the steriods - so keep on with it until you are done with the steroids. Pepcid doesn't require a weaning off period. The left leg weakness is most likely from some nerve damage - Stevie has the left leg weakness too, and is learning to compensate for it, she walks like a bit of a drunk. Belly rubs to Freddie
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 22, 2013 19:58:22 GMT -7
Hi Stacy,
Hope Freddie is feeling better after his altercation with your bigger dog.. Keep in mind that Freddie is feeling vulnerable due to his IVDD condition so he is acting aggressive to your other dog to protect himself. In fact it is not unusual for even dogs that are very friendly to each other to attack a dog that is sick or weakened in some way. Freddie knows this instintively.. So do make sure they are kept apart to avoid another injury to either one of them..
Sending lots of prayers and thoughts your way..
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 23, 2013 19:34:48 GMT -7
Thanks..and yep Fred now eyeballs the big dog..reminds me of Clint Eastwood..go ahead make my day..my little stuborn weenie!! Quick update today was Fred's first off day taking steroid. He seems to be ok so far..I put him in the stroller and let him sit outside for a bit. It is one of the flat ones so i felt ok with it. I am finding we are settling in a new routine with the crate..he was a bit calmer lastnight and today. Getting ready for week 3 sending hugs and healing thoughts to all of our super dodgerslist pups!
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 23, 2013 20:13:58 GMT -7
Hi Stacy,
I am glad you two are getting settled into your new routine and heading into week 3 and doing well so far. Happy he is doing well on his steroid taper..
Tell lil Clint Eastwood to make my day and keep on getting better.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 25, 2013 19:59:31 GMT -7
Thanks pauliana we are hanging in there. Hitting the big 3 on Thursday! Seems we have good days and bad days. He still walks with a strut but isn't showing any signs of pain. He now has a new nickname ... Wiggly weenie...he tries to wiggle out of my arms when I take him potty. Bad wiggly weenie!! He has also been barking...very demanding bark when in his crate. I have taken refuge in the garage because he figured out I was hiding in the bathroom. He is much calmer when I am not around or thinks I am not there. Anyway more updates to follow hoping they are all good
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 26, 2013 13:56:24 GMT -7
Thinking of you and Freddie! I want to thank you for helping the newcomers in their time of panic! You are helping so much and it is much appreciated by all of us on Dodgerslist!!
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 26, 2013 14:32:08 GMT -7
Following by example . Without this forum I really don't think Fred would be walking. You guys totally rock and I can't thank you enough. Now..back to the barking weenie..ugh..
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 26, 2013 14:34:52 GMT -7
Anyone have any suggestions how to make asuper cheap xpen for the house? They want like 80 bucks at petco.
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Post by Yvonne & Billy on Jun 26, 2013 16:03:23 GMT -7
Hi Stacy!
How's your baby Freddie doing today?
I just looked up ebay for pet exercise pen and they have a ton for less than $80. You can also check Craigslist in your area. That's where I keep looking for the pet ramp that I need to prepare my Billy for when he graduates in 5 weeks. Holding my breath!!!!!
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 26, 2013 16:48:39 GMT -7
Ebay.. I should have thought of that! Hubby is thinking about making ramps out of pvc, if he is successful I will post how he did it. Can't wait until graduation! Going to start checking the goodwill and salvation army for bed rails. We don't have a footboard so going to use them with the ramp being the only access off of the bed. Glad to hear Billy is on the mend and thanks for the idea.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jul 2, 2013 17:31:03 GMT -7
Ok..here is our update..Fred has been doing better but we had a bad scare. Well I did anyway... Fred jumped..and fell. Crappy crappy lesson. Because his crate is on a wagon it is couch level so when I take him out I put him on the couch first to get a more supportive hold on him. Even though I was holding him He saw the cat and that was it. I tried to stop him.I think I .lessened the fall but he still went down. This happened on Sunday. He is not limping or doing the tippy toe dance and doesn't seem to be in any pain. Grrrr..still upset with myself. Fred now does anything he can to not be in crate and is not being a good patient. I have all of his meds on standby and if he shows any signs of pain I plan on taking him straight to neurologist bypassing our vet. We have one more prednisolone set for tThursday then we are completly done with meds. Keeping my fingers crossed this doesn't cause any more damage. Ok..positive note...I learned something's from some posts by new peeps They are..use technology..one new member is watching pup on a camera hooked up to his phone.. another is using Skype..how cool is that!! I have a skype account and will be trying that . Fred is going to be in very big trouble. Another new member who has experience with IVDD was away with her pups when one of them suddenly went down. She had some meds on hand and knew to call vet and have them forward the meds needed to where they were. I will be packing a travel bag for Freddy when we go away Thanks for the great ideas and sharing your stories!
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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 Jul 2, 2013 19:19:23 GMT -7
The little devil!!! He sure is a tough little dude Now that he has scared you into some grey hair, maybe he will settle down(not!) Good idea with the "just in case" medication - I have done that too - I won't travel without her medication both for the epilepsy and in case of another IVDD flare up ( nonononono!!) Our vet was awesome about the IVDD meds - the epilepsy meds are a no brainer Here's hoping that he no worse off for his adventures in jumping Keep us posted! ps- by the way, you are an awesome inspiration to the new members on here! It is very kind of you to take time to offer hope and encouragement to others
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 2, 2013 19:59:01 GMT -7
Hi Stacy!
The lil rascals really know how to throw a scare into us don't they? Glad Fred is none the worse for wear.. It is indeed wonderful how we learn from each other here and it was great of you to share with us what you learned! We are a family here and our dogs are benefiting from that each and every day.
Freddie has been doing well on the Pred taper so far and I hope after taking his last Pred that he continues to be pain free.. 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.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jul 3, 2013 16:07:11 GMT -7
Enjoying the quiet while Fred eats his $5.00 bone so worth the ten minutes of relaxation!
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jul 4, 2013 7:04:10 GMT -7
Happy 4th of July dodgerlist peeps and pups! Sending healing prayers to everyone here hoping you have a peaceful healing day. Today is a big day for us. We are now half way there and last day of meds!! Fred seemsto be doing ok even with our sSunday mishap. It is going to stink leaving him at home especially knowing how much he loves bbq and his cousin pups but it is for the best.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jul 7, 2013 7:42:53 GMT -7
Quick update on Fred. He is doing very well I think his limp may go away. He now hates..hates his potty pen lol. He stopped going potty in it fir a bit..think it was to see if I would let him out. So I have been moving it in different places for fresh smells. It worked for a bit but now if he gets near a fence he tries to push it over with his face. His bum and legs are getting smaller..well not as thick. Hubby is worried about that and the fact that Fred is on the chubby side. Once crate rest is over going to get a kiddie pool and slowly start working on the muscle and bum. Saying prayers for everyone and pup on here.
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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 Jul 7, 2013 7:54:43 GMT -7
He sure is a smart dog! Don't worry too much about the muscle atrophy, they get strong again once they start their post graduate exercises Belly rubs to Fred
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