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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 20, 2013 12:45:33 GMT -7
Yesterday Polly ran around our big back yard like a chicken with its head cut off, with our lab in close pursuit. Last night I though she was walking a little extra funny, and today she definitely looks wonky. I'm not sure it's another disc episode, but I'm not sure it isn't either.
Some of you may recall that a few weeks ago, she freaked out in her crate, and broke/extracted 6 teeth trying to get out, completely destroying her wire crate in the process. Vet says no more wire crates. Our budget, after back surgery and nearly a thousand in dental work won't allow for much more vetting for awhile. I'm agonizing over how to handle this. Here's my current plan:
Start her on Pepcid and Rimadyl, both which I already have. I know that if things get worse there will be a conflict with steroids, but... If she were in any pain, I'd rush her in. Budget be damned. She seems fine though, so I gave her the Rimadyl, and put her in her larger plastic crate (not a travel crate, more like a small play yard.). I'm going to watch and pray.
Thoughts?
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 20, 2013 15:08:23 GMT -7
Oh no!! I am so sorry to hear what has happened with Polly. You did all the right things so far.. There could be a conflict with the Rimadyl but not if she isn't changed to Prednisone.. If she continues to do well on the Rimadyl, she could continue on that. Great job on the Pepcid AC! I would speak to your Vet about it just to keep him or her aware of what's happening and get their feedback on medications.
If the crate is large you can always pad it with rolled up towels or blankets to make less space.. Hope Polly is handling that ok..
Sending healing wishes and lots of prayers for you and Polly!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 20, 2013 15:59:52 GMT -7
I'm very sorry Polly may have had a setback. You did the best thing for her by crating. Remember she may feel better because of the Rimadyl. Try to get her to the vet asap and have her examined. Hoping this is just a minor setback and sending prayers too.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 20, 2013 17:25:54 GMT -7
I spoke to the specialty center that did the surgery, and they suggested no more Rimadyl, and watch her. If she gets worse or shows any pain, bring her in for evaluation and possible steroids. I'll push for sucralfate if they start her on steroids before a washout. Our regular vet said that he doesn't think it's a big deal to switch if she's only been on the Rimadyl for a short time, but at this point I feel like I almost know more about IVDD than he does.  She is very unhappy about being crated again. I'm wondering, if she seems fine tomorrow, and I just overreacted, is it safe to let her out? How do I know? I truly hate to spend a couple of hundred dollars more at the vet just for them to say they don't know without an MRI, which I just can't spring for at this point. I won't share the expletives that are running through my head at this moment.  |
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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 17:38:28 GMT -7
Better to over react than not. You have her confined and have given her medications for the pain. Can you call the Vet and just talk to them? When Stevie hurt herself the second time we had her examined to determine that yes indeed there was pain and to get her meds, no xrays or anything. The Vet only charged a recheck appointment. We opted to treat it as an IVDD episode which really sucked in so many ways, but better safe than sorry, even it may have just been muscle damage - she graduates from crate rest tomorrow. You have miss Polly in her pen for now. My opinion isn't medical, more of a better safe than sorry approach, and is just an opinion, but I hope that it helps. Keep us posted (((hugs)))
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 20, 2013 17:56:45 GMT -7
I did call (see previous post) and of course they can't really tell me much without seeing her. They said to wait and watch. She is not showing any pain, even when I pushed on both sides of her spine all the way down. I pushed firmly, too. Not a wince or a yelp. I'm glad, but I know that doesn't mean it's not another disc.
I'm very upset, of course, but my husband (who really is an incredibly sweet man) said he can't handle me being upset as he has too much else on his plate right now, so I have to buck up. Grrrr... I want to sob and be comforted, but it's probably best if I don't let myself go down that road right now.
I had almost forgotten how annoying that high pitched whine can be. AAACK!!
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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 18:04:05 GMT -7
Oh I hear you about the whine... You will have a much better idea tomorrow about how well she is doing. Try not to worry too much ( yeah right, I know) Sorry that I misread about the Vet - I was reading too fast, I just felt so bad for both of you - been there, done that. Keep us posted  |
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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 20, 2013 19:07:55 GMT -7
I'm sorry to hear Polly is seeming to have a problem. You did the right thing by crating at once to protect the spinal cord IF this would be a disc problem.
Coming off the Rimadyl would be a good idea so if/when a vet examines her she will not have it in her system and it would not be masking symptoms. If Polly were to be showing signs of pain, then if you have a prescription for tramadol that could give some comfort til she gets into the vet in the next morning. Tramadol has a very short half life so if you gave it at night in the morning the vet would be able to see Polly in a normal unmedicated state to give the best diagnosis.
So I would continue crate rest for a few days to observe for any signs of pain (shivering/trembling after moving, an arched back, or yelping) Signs of neuro diminishment would be nails grazing the floor because the foot is not being picked up all the way, paws knuckling, legs weak and wobbly or crossing.
If this does turn out to be a disc problem, then you know the meds to use so just advocate for them from your local vet and do the crate rest for 8 weeks.
I sure hope after a few days of observing without meds while on crate rest there are no signs of pain or affected nerves and she just had some sore leg muscles from over exertion!
Please do let us know how things go and what you are observing. Hugs to Polly and you!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 21, 2013 17:52:42 GMT -7
Today I have one unhappy dog. Shes really complaining about being crated. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, and walking seems about normal. Her new normal, that is. She's never been 100% normal since surgery, so it's really hard to gauge how bad her gait is. If my husband hadn't confirmed that it was worse than usual yesterday, I'd think I over reacted. But then, I remind myself that if I had listened to my instincts months ago, we might have avoided surgery altogether. If I knew then what I know now...
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 21, 2013 19:20:11 GMT -7
Very glad Polly seems to be doing well so far. I am sure she isn't happy about being in the crate to put it mildly.. Here's hoping she isn't having a disc episode and will be out of there soon.. It is better to be safe than sorry until you know otherwise. All of us here on Dodgerslist know how you are feeling and we are here to comfort you.. Believe me, I would be just as upset as you are..
Hugs!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 21, 2013 19:44:34 GMT -7
I appreciate all the support SO much, I can't even tell you.
So the consensus is, if I read you all right, crate for another couple of days, watching for pain or neuro deficit. If all looks good at that point, Let her out?
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 21, 2013 20:21:20 GMT -7
That sounds right to me.. |
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 21, 2013 20:26:49 GMT -7
As stressful as this has been, if I hadn't spent the past 6 months reading and learning here at Dodgerslist, I don't know what I would have done. Thanks to all of you for what you do.
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 21, 2013 20:32:00 GMT -7
Thank you! You have been very helpful as well!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Jun 23, 2013 17:41:53 GMT -7
With some fear and trepidation, I've decided to let Polly out of her crate. We're supervising her very closely. She has shown no signs of pain and no noticeable neurological problems. I'm thinking that her wonky walk was due to muscle strain after her wild run. She spent four days crated. I hope we're making the right decision. I will continue to watch her like a hawk.
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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 23, 2013 17:43:29 GMT -7
Keeping you in thought and prayer I know that Miss Polly will be back in that crate faster than you can say "Oh cr&p" if she so much as wobbles the wrong way! You're a great doggy Mom! |
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