Sadia
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Post by Sadia on Jun 13, 2013 5:48:55 GMT -7
Hi everyone,
My 9yr. old Doxie, Cory, started crate rest on Tuesday for his 2nd IVDD episode. The first one was 13 months ago on his neck and this time it's on his lower back.
Cory woke up looking sad Tuesday morning, I took him out to the backyard to potty, he walked out to the yard and then just laid down in the middle of the yard, which is not like him. He's usually walking around, sniffing and going potty. My dad then picked him up off the ground and Cory started screaming and screaming, until my dad put him back down. He stopped screaming, but was trembling a lot. I then picked him up slowly and put him in an ex-pen inside the house and took him to the vet.
The vet suspects the pain is on his lower back. He got acupuncture and laser light therapy and the doctor prescribed 1 Prednisolone 5mg every 12hrs for 3 days, 1 every day for 5 days and then every other day. Also 1/4 tab Tramadol 50mg every 12hrs. and 1/4 tab Robaxin 500mg every 12hrs. I'm also giving 1/2 tab Famotidine 10mg 30 minutes prior to the Prednisolone.
Cory has been keeping quiet and sleeping a lot, he's been eating and drinking normal. At first he trembled when he stood on all fours and wouldn't lift his leg to pee as he normally does. However, he has been lifting it again since yesterday afternoon, but he doesn't seem to stand up for very long...maybe because it still hurts a bit.
This morning, he had diarrhea and bright red blood so I'll be calling the vet to let her know and ask for a second stomach protector?
Thanks in advance for your support.
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Sadia
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by Sadia on Jun 13, 2013 6:11:09 GMT -7
I spoke to the vet, she'll give me another stomach protector for Cory and said to stop the Pred until his stool is back to normal and then I can give 1/4 tab of Pred instead of a whole tab.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 13, 2013 7:40:26 GMT -7
Good morning Sadia. Thankful you've already spoken with the vet and got another stomach protector on board. What was the stomach protector she prescribed?
How is his pain doing now. Make sure his pain is controlled so he is comfortable. If you think the pain is not under control, call the vet again and she can either suggest you give the Tramadol more often or add another pain med.
Let us know how getting another stomach protector on board and stopping the pred is helping with the diarrhea.
We're thinking of you and Cory and sending healing thoughts to all of you.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 13, 2013 10:31:09 GMT -7
Sadia, sorry Cory is having the stomach issues. Often famotidine alone protects, when that is not the case sucralfate is used in addition. Sucralfate works in a different way to coat the damaged areas with a gel like coating to aid in healing. It does not sound like all the pain if fully in control. With Tramadol's short half life of 1.7 hours, it often needs to be given every 8 hours. So work with your vet via feedback as she has alot more options to get pain fully under control. Sucralfate needs to be timed when used with other meds and eating. A good page to read up on that: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.htmlAs a refresher here are the meds typically used with a disc episode to control pain: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmDo let us know what the vet says and how Cory is feeling with change in meds. |
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Sadia
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Post by Sadia on Jun 13, 2013 12:04:49 GMT -7
Hi Linda, I didn't get the name of the med. I was just told Cory had diarrhea again with a lot more blood! This time it was dark and coagulated. I won't be home from work 'til 3hrs from now, but I think I'll leave now instead to get the other med in him as soon as possible  |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 13, 2013 13:16:00 GMT -7
Sadia good idea to get that med in him asap. Let us know what it is as soon as you get home. How is he doing otherwise. Pain?  ? |
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Sadia
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Post by Sadia on Jun 13, 2013 18:44:18 GMT -7
Hi Linda and Paula,
He got 1/4 tab Sulfasalazine 500mg every 12 hrs and 3ml Barium to give an hour later. I stopped giving the Pred, but still giving the Tram and Robaxin.
I don't think he's in pain, it's just the diarrhea that is bothering him now. He just had another bout of diarrhea with a lot of blood. I'm worried. Should I take a sample and take it to the vet tomorrow?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 13, 2013 19:23:02 GMT -7
Sadia I would do some quick reading on Sulfasalazine... it contains salicylic acid and likely is akin to aspirin. Warnings are to not use steroids with aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid). Get on the phone with your pharmacist about prednisone, salicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid use. The continued bloody diarrhea does not sound good. is is black or bright red? Can you go for a 2nd opinion ER visit tonight? Gastrointestinal side effects of Solfasalazine are: hepatitis, hepatic failure, pancreatitis, bloody diarrhea, impaired folic acid absorption, impaired digoxin absorption, stomatitis, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and neutropenic enterocolitis. www.drugs.com/pro/sulfasalazine.htmlBarium would be a very good coater of the stomach lining. Read about sucralfate www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html and see about advocating for this med as it actually coats the stomach and the upper GI tract with gel to protect the damaged areas and promotes healing. It does not carry the high degree of adverse side effects of Solfa…. We have never heard of a vet using Solfa for Pred damage in the 1000s of dogs and over 10 years. Stay with the famotidine as well, as it reduces production of stomach acids which is the cause of Cory's bleeding. I would not wait til tomorrow…get ER help tonight, this is a serious situation now…. bleeding ulcers can quickly move to a life threatening situation of a perforated stomach lining. When things settle and you can, please let us know what the vet said….and how Cory is. |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 13, 2013 19:35:02 GMT -7
Sadia I agree with Paula, if he is still bleeding he needs help tonight. Are you near a good ER clinic?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 14, 2013 16:50:30 GMT -7
Sadia, can you tell us how Cory is today, we are worried about him.
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Sadia
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Post by Sadia on Jun 15, 2013 5:32:34 GMT -7
Hi everyone,
Sorry I didn't update you sooner. Cory had a bad Thursday night, had bloody diarrhea 3 times. Someone from DRSF kindly called a vet for me to ask his opinion and he said that if Cory wasn't acting lethargic, then it's just stress on the stomach.
I took him in to my vet yesterday. They ran a fecal and found a bacteria called Clostridium which they said he had last time I took him in for bloody diarrhea back in March. So they said to give Flagyl.
His poop has gotten better little by little. The last one early this morning was soft but with only a spec of dark blood.
Thanks all for your support and concern.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 15, 2013 6:35:39 GMT -7
Hi Sadia, Thanks for the update and thank goodness it seems you have found the answer. Are they giving anything to get rid of the Clostridium?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 15, 2013 7:24:07 GMT -7
Glad to hear the anti-biotic Flagl has seemingly made a difference for Cory. Did you ask about the Sulfasalazine and its containing salicylic acid with a steroid? We always like to have a better understanding of drugs we've not seen before.
Please do keep us all updated on how Cory is doing, he is such a cutie!
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Sadia
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Post by Sadia on Jun 16, 2013 18:20:40 GMT -7
Hi everyone,
Just want to let you know Cory is doing better. His poop is still soft, but there's no more blood in it.
Have a good night!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 16, 2013 18:26:58 GMT -7
Glad to hear he is continuing to improve with no more blood in his poop! Thanks for the update.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 16, 2013 18:38:51 GMT -7
Wonderful Sadia. Great news. Keep us updated on his progress.
Hugs to all of you.
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Sadia
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Post by Sadia on Jun 17, 2013 17:52:18 GMT -7
Hi, Cory's poop was firm again this morning  I did notice yesterday that when I place him on the tile floor, his hind legs slide out to the sides, especially the right hind leg. So he lifts it an d places it back to its original spot.
I told the vet all this and she said to start him on Prednisolone again but only 1/4 tab once a day and if it doesn't cause any stool problems, to increase to 1/4 tab twice a day. |
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 17, 2013 18:52:39 GMT -7
Hi Sadia!
Great news on the firm poops. Wobbly legs tend to go out to the side on slick surfaces such as tile floors. It's great his brain communicated to correct the leg placement. Wonderful sign! I had to put extra rug runners and small rugs all over the place in our house since we have tile and hardwood floors and it helped stabilize Tyler..
Thanks for the update!
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Sadia
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Post by Sadia on Jun 19, 2013 8:45:03 GMT -7
Hi everyone,
Just want to let you know Cory has had 2 firm poops since he re-started Prednisolone yesterday morning...yay!
Also, his hind legs didn't slide when standing on tile floor last night which is great!
I can tell he's feeling much better because he's starting to complain about being in the crate. Barking and standing on his hind legs at times.
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jun 19, 2013 9:14:53 GMT -7
Yay!! Good poppies are awesome! Wishing Cory a speedy recovery.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 19, 2013 9:58:25 GMT -7
Good news Sadia. Remember "tough love" now.
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StevieLuv
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Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Jun 19, 2013 10:43:11 GMT -7
Awesome update |
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 19, 2013 20:17:40 GMT -7
Wonderful update, I much agree! Yay for Cory!!
To keep him from standing up on his hind legs in the crate put a light weight towel over the top and that should discourage him from attempting it. That can also calm dogs on crate rest..
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 30, 2013 12:12:57 GMT -7
Hi Sadia Any update on Cory?
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Sadia
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by Sadia on Jul 12, 2013 10:06:09 GMT -7
Hi everyone, Cory is doing great. He has been off meds for 11 days with no signs of pain Thanks for your support. |
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 12, 2013 16:53:35 GMT -7
So happy to hear Cory is doing great off the meds! Go Cory!!!  |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jul 12, 2013 17:32:54 GMT -7
Wonderful Sadia. Thanks for updating. Is he walking well now?
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