Marian, can you get on the phone with your vet and let us know you have been successful in advocating for the med adjustments Obi has not yet gotten.
Here are the things to discuss and advocate for.
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Prednisone is the med to reduce the painful swelling over 7-30 days. One course is prescribed and then the test for pain taper happens. If pain then another course of pred is Rx'd. Appears you reported pain the cause of painful spinal cord swelling, but the vet did not Rx another course of Pred.
How many mgs of Pred 1x/day was the 4-day course for? The taper days are to test for pain, they are not working on the problem of swelling. This link
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm is important reading so you understand how anti-inflammatory drugs work with a disc episode. Knowledge is how you are best able to speak with your vet and get your points across.
The IVDD pain meds have a short half life. If not Rx'd for every 8 hours not likely to provide round the clock pain relieve. Pain deters healing. Pain IS depressing! Pain make it very difficult to care for Obi (expressing, moving him to maintin his bedding, etc.) Advocate for:
-- Gabapentin be Rx'd for 3x/day (every 8 hours)
-- Methocarbamol 3x/day
-- Tramadol 3x/day at a more appropriate dose than the extremely meager 75mgs! The two references below are not so that you can self prescribe...that is the vet's responsiblity and job. Your job is to be successful in advocating for what is right.
-- Famotidine should be given 2x/day at the correct dose.
Is Obi still on Ceph? Urine has no foul odor? No dark color?
Did you get a hands on top of your hands expressing lesson? Never hurts to re-review how to express...good video and tips. Bladder expressing is for health reasons. Expressing for poop is to avoid Obi being upset with feces where he sleeps.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmSetting up his mattress in the manner explained on our supplies lists will really help with laundry. Lots of other good tips to make crate rest smoother.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmIs Obi inside of a recovery suite (wire crate, expen, etc.) This is for his protection from other dogs and from himself.
What is Obi's exact neuro function now...see list below.
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails/toes scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle under
5. Weak/little leg movement, can't move up into a stand
6. Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down)
7. Bladder control is lost
8. Tail wagging with joy is lost when you specifically do some happy talk or he sees a treat coming
9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment.
Are you in a medically related field?