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Post by bassetbabe on Jun 24, 2013 11:31:30 GMT -7
Chelsie is a 5 year old, 40-45 pound full grown female Basset Hound who was diagnosed with IVDD on Friday, June 14, 2013. The night before, she leaped off the couch and landed in a bad position!
Since her diagnosis her daily regiment is rest, Prednisone 10 mg every 8-12 hours, Tramadol 50 mg every 8-12 hours, MethoCarbam 500 mg every 8-12 hours & she just finished one week of Amoxicillin 500 mg every 12 hours to prevent a UTI. I've also given Benadryl 25 mg PRN (typically once a day) due to her allergies. Originally her meds were prescribed every 12 hours, but that first weekend was ROUGH (shaking, not wanting to be touched, yelping when moved, unable to control bladder, jerky muscles on either side of the damaged disk and no other vocalizations-very out of character for her). After the first weekend, the Vet prescribed more of the same medication so that I could up her dosage to every 8 hours.
Back Story:
In August of 2011 she had a chest x-ray taken due to pneumonia and a "bad disk" (the Vet's words) was also found at the time. In 8/2011 I was told just to "keep an eye on it, but limit stairs and jumping." I did not realize how serious a "bad disk" could become!
I have a VERY active dog (a 2.5 mile hike in 80 degree heat with high humidity used to be a weekly activity for us, if not more often). She's also trained as a therapy dog, so she has an amazing personality! She loves interacting with children, people and other dogs.
Flash forward to now...
We are with a different Vet than the one we saw in 8/2011 and overall I'm pleased with how she's handled Chelsie's current condition. She takes my calls every other day so I don't have to transport my poor pup to the office for a quick check up. Thanks to this site, I've pushed for conservative treatment.
I'm adjusting her meds as needed...when she starts to tremble and her muscles get jerky I can tell its time for more medication. Today 6/24/13, we are at 2 1/2 pills of MethoCarbam & Tramadol, 3 pills of Prednisone. I DO NOT give them any earlier than 8 hours though, no matter how much I wish I could at times.
Her walking is only with a large scarf under the back of her torso for support. I also have a harness on her with a leash to help guide her with my other hand. She has started to get some use of her back legs and I don't have to hold her up as much as I did at first. However, the mobility of her back legs is variable-from just a bit of her own weight to completely limp. She was showing progress over the past 48 hours, but this morning had no mobility. I worry that I may have let her take too much of her own weight over the weekend.
Her "happy tail" varies depending on the amount of pain she is in. However she had very limited mobility of the tail at first and it has improved over the past 10 days.
Within the past 6 days, wet bedding only when someone isn't keeping an eye on her so that she can cue us that she needs to go outside. She will make enough noise in her Pack and Play (aka crate) to wake me up so she can go outside at night. During the first 4 days there were MANY accidents , including quite a few on me!
Eating and drinking-she seems to be always hungry and thirsty (which is out of character for her). I suspect the thirst is due to the hot weather and her medication. I'm giving her 4 small meals instead of 2 large ones, plus a hot dog each time she needs meds. I've tried cutting off her water at night so we can get some sleep, but then she wakes me up because she's thirsty.
My Questions/Concerns:
-is she on the correct meds & dosages?
-anything I can do to curb boredom, since she's typically very active?
-should I be concerned that she seemed to show increased mobility & strength in her back legs on days 7-9, but this is decreased on day 10? (no decrease in medication during this time-so that's not the cause)
-I've been told "give it 2 weeks." I like to be looking ahead....what decisions will I need to make at 2 weeks?
-how do I know when its time to consider surgery? (and I have a million questions about going down that road!)
Thank you!!! The information on this site has allowed me to be an advocate for my pup. I greatly appreciate any additional advice you can give after reading about her specific case!
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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 24, 2013 13:00:16 GMT -7
Hi my name is Maureen, welcome to Dodgers List. I am so sorry that you are going through this. Is her prednisone on a strict schedule (this is not one that usually has a variable schedule), and do you have a stomach protector on board - like Pepcid? She will be eating and drinking more because of the prednisone (steriod). Is she on 100% crate rest only out to pottly, and as few steps as possible at potty time. I know that this seems so overwhelming at first- but we are all here for you. Read as much of the information on this site as you can - it is your best way to advocate for your dog. You are doing a great job so far- Keeping you in thought and prayer  |
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jun 24, 2013 15:09:12 GMT -7
Hi Welcome to Dodgerslist. It is important to know that Chelsea can heal and good that you are being such a strong advocate for her care. With a disc episode it is important to get pain under control and not to let it resurface. Do give the meds on a regular schedule and not as you see pain, and as Maureen has said, ask the vet about the Pepcid to protect Chelsea's stomach. The steroid will increase her appetite and make her thirsty. We have a good article that might help Chelsea during her crate rest www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htmIf you see a lot of neuro loss them it would be time to see a neuro for surgery. This article tells you when to consider surgery www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm |
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 24, 2013 15:28:59 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, my name is Pauliana, what is yours? Be encouraged your dog can return to a happy life after recovering from a disc episode.. Self education about IVDD is vital both for you and for Chelsie.. Please start your reading here. www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmHere is some information about the use of Steroids for swelling and inflammation in the spinal cord. It can take from two weeks to up to a month to eliminate the swelling in some dogs, so the two weeks they mentioned to you find improvement is unrealistic.. It takes 8 weeks of conservative crate rest 100% 24/7 only out to potty with very limited steps.. Too many footsteps or too much movement can cause the problem disc that is in the early healing stage to re-tear. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm When using either a steroid or NSAID, an acid reducer such as Pepcid AC is necessary. Dodgerslist follows those vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach, choosing not to wait until a bleeding ulcer or life-threatening stomach perforation happen and Chelsie doesn't need that on top of a disc episode..
It's important to give the pain medications every 8 hours and not to vary the time or the dosage, it has to be regular or pain can get out of hand and then it is very hard to get back under control. Chelsie can't begin healing until pain in under control from dose to dose..
Ask the Vet when he intends for Chelsie to taper off the Prednisone. The tapering off of a steroid is a health necessity that also allows a peek into the status of swelling. If pain returns, your vet needs to know and likely more time on the steroid would be prescribed. No signs of pain means the steroid has done the job and all medications can be stopped for the duration of the crate rest time. There really is no way to know how long it can take to resolve swelling. Here is a link that compares the two treatments,conservative and surgery. With Chelsie losing her mobility, I would have her checked by a Neurologist for their recommendation. I hope this is of help to you in deciding how to handle Chelsie's treatment. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm. How to find a Neurologist. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/VetchkList.htmAnd finally read our success stories they will give you hope! www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory.htm. My Tyler is at the top of the list..He is well recovered and enjoying his careful new normal!! Your first vet was right.. No stairs, no jumping on furniture..How to make your home back friendly. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmSending comforting thoughts your way and healing prayers for Chelsie! |
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Post by Yvonne & Billy on Jun 24, 2013 16:37:50 GMT -7
Hi! My name is Yvonne and my Cocker Billy is just finishing week 2 of his 8 week STRICT crate rest. How scared and heartbroken you must have been to have witnessed your baby in pain like that! Hang in there! I, too, was a mess when I first started reading about IVDD and this website. It seems like you are doing everything you can for the comfort of your baby. Billy has started tapering his Preds so his drinking and peeing isn't as often as they were. I used to take him out every 2 hours. Now I take him out between 3 to 4 hours, depending on his water intake. His appetite didn't increase but his thirst sure did. I read this:"Prednisone and prednisolone have activity in the kidney that leads to the conservation of salt. This creates the classical side effects of prednisone/prednisolone use: excessive thirst and excessive urination. If this occurs, another steroid can be selected or the prednisone/prednisolone dose can be lowered. The increased salt retention could be a problem for patients with congestive heart failure." on this website: www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=622I really can't say if the meds are the right dosage but to me, the most important thing was to minimize discomfort for Billy. So keep a close eye on your baby for any signs of discomfort/pain and talk to your vet about it. From what I learned through this website, taking down the inflammation is key to eliminating pain. Boredom just might kill my Billy too! I have an x-pen so I have the freedom to make it bigger for me to sit in there with him. I even take naps in there with him too! Lol! My baby is an active boy too but if I sit inside and brush him and sing to him, he mellows out. I've been giving him raw hides and his allowance of treats in his pen so that he associates his pen with his yummies. Let me know what you do because I'm stumped too! It's really really hard but it is us parents that have to be strong and not give in. We must invest the 8 weeks for their health. For my Billy, he showed signs of improved control until day 7 as well. I immediately contacted my vet and she started him on acupuncture and 2 herbals: Double P II and hindquarter weakness. It really helped my baby boy. Lol! I was told 2 weeks too but think 8 weeks. It sounds like your Chelsie is doing better so trust that she will get better. Of course surgery is an option but unless it's a emergency surgery, I think you have the option to make that decision after trying the 8 week STRICT crate rest of conservative treatment. For Billy, my husband and I cannot afford surgery. However, we are prepared to go in debt if that was his only option. My vet suggested that we try the meds, if that doesn't work, integrate acupuncture and if THAT doesn't work for us to consider surgery since my Billy is only 4 years old. I had to read, read, and re-read for any info to stick in my head. If you keep reading, you get a little more clarity as to your option for surgery. I am really reluctant to give such an invasive surgery to my baby boy so I am trying everything in my power to avoid that. Other people swear by the surgery and go directly that route. Have hope! Chelsie will get better! Sending many good thoughts, positive vibes, hugs, and prayers~~~~ |
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