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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jun 26, 2013 13:12:02 GMT -7
Amos had disc surgery yesterday as he was quickly progressing towards not being able to be helped! So far so good. They said he pottied once by himself last night but today was having a little more trouble! Will update you as I get updates! ![]() |
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Post by Pauliana on Jun 26, 2013 14:23:36 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist! My name is Pauliana, what is your name? Please let your dog know with your utmost confidence that things are going to be ok…because they will. With this disease self education is critical not just so you make sure the right things are being done for the best recovery but for your own emotions. The unknown is simply a scary place. Get ready to fight this disease now and in the future by knowing all things IVDD. There is no better place to start than on our main web page with "Overview: the essentials" and then read all you can as soon as possible. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm Add this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm In order to help you more, could you please answer these questions? -- What is your dog's name? When he comes home please be prepared to start him on 6 weeks of 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty and for surgeon directed PT? …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No chiro (aka VOM)? What did your surgeon direct for PT and for crate rest? When you know more please answer these questions so we will be better able to help you. -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, shaking, crying when picked up or moved? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. -- Can your dog move the legs at all or wag the tail if you do some happy talk? -- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? Helpful videos with tips on expressing both urine and poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood? Laser light therapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture which sends a microcurrent of electricity to and from acupuncture points (which are really big nerve bundles), can be very beneficial at helping to re-establish the nerve connections in the body. Any one of these therapies can be started right away if in your budget... they not only help relieve pain and inflammation but will kick start nerves to begin regeneration. Find a holistic vet here: ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html www.serenityvetacupuncture.com/index.php/faq_/ [one vet's overview/prices] NOTE: Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs. |
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jun 27, 2013 5:51:42 GMT -7
My name is Caryle and my dog's name is Amos. We haven't brought him home yet because he is sometimes peeing on his own and at other times they are having trouble expressing him. They said he won't come home until they can easily express him, because if it's hard for them it will be even harder for us. He was off IV pain meds yesterday and only on oral and they said he did well. They did talk to us about PT for him and have someone there who will give us a free session. We can continue on our own or there is a place closer to home we can take him. Thanks for all the info. I'll post more as we learn more! Everything I've read on your site has been so helpful!!
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Post by natureluva on Jun 27, 2013 6:30:30 GMT -7
Hi Caryle, glad to hear that Amos seems to be starting to regain bladder control. Many dogs come home before bladder control returns because they are so much more comfortable recovering in their own homes with the people they love. Expressing is easy, but takes practice. If Amos still doesn't have bladder control when he is discharged, ask for a hands-on bladder expressing demonstration, and watch our bladder expressing video here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm As far as Amos being difficult to express, there are several drugs that can be given to make expressing easier. You might want to inquire about them if the vet will not discharge Amos due to expressing being difficult. The names are phenoxybenzamine, Bethanecol, or Prazosin. Can you tell us more about his neurological functions? Can he wag his tail to joyful things yet? Watch for that when you visit him (bring along his favorite treat and a worn shirt that smells like you for his kennel)? Does he have deep pain sensation? Leg movement? Usually, when neurological functions return after a disc injury, they return in this order: 1. Deep pain sensation 2. Tail wagging ability (to exciting things, not during potty breaks) 3. Bladder control 4. Leg movement So watch for these things in the coming weeks and months. To test for a return of bladder control, do the "sniff and pee" test. Carry Amos to an old pee spot, support his rear with a sling or your hands, let him sniff and tell him to go pee. See if he can release urine on his own. If he can, bladder control has returned. If he can't, express his bladder right there on the ground so that you'll have a fresh pee spot to try with later. Periodically do the "sniff and pee" test. Here is a list of discharge questions to bring with you to the vet: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm We follow what the most knowledgeable IVDD surgeons recommend for post-op care, and that is 6 weeks of crate rest. The dog is allowed out for potty breaks and whatever physical therapy is prescribed. Here are two links to help you with crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm While Amos is on crate rest is the perfect time to safeguard your home for the IVDD dog: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm Please let us know what meds Amos is discharged with, along with the dosages and frequency of dosing, as well as what physical therapy is prescribed. The best way for you to help Amos is by learning about his disease. Here is a brief tutorial on IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/index.html . If a dvd is more your style, we have an excellent one available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm We look forward to hearing more about Amos! Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jun 30, 2013 9:04:34 GMT -7
Sorry I didn't post sooner but we've been very busy since Amos came home. Amos came home Friday around 5:00pm. The MedVet clinic was very thorough going over instructions with us. I took your list of questions but didnt' need to ask any of them as they covered them all thoroughly!! Amos has been urinating on his own since the day of the surgery which is very good! He finally pooped good yesterday and this morning. He came home with the following meds: Prednisone 5mg twice a day (8 & 8) for the first 5 days then once a day for the next 5 days then every 48 hours til gone; Tramadol 25mg every 8 hrs (or six if needed but we haven't had to do the 6) at 6am, 2pm and 10pm; Diazapam 5mg same schedule as the tramadol but it is finished as of this morning; Pepcid 5mg at 3pm daily, Ice pack for 10 min at least 3 times a day for the first 5 days then heat pack for the same. He came home with a sling for us to walk him 10-15 min up to 3 times a day to go potty. He tries to use his back legs but they are not steady so the sling is really helpful! We have exercises to work his back legs.......just like the video you have on your site. We go back Tuesday to see the Physical therapist there for more instructions and July 10th for staple removal. His appetite is good and he is drinking lots of water. We've had a hard time keeping him happy in the crate but are making him stay there. He's ok if we are in the room but we've been trying to leave as tomorrow we all have to go back to work! It's so nice to see him happy and not in pain again..............wagging his tail and giving us puppy kisses again!! Will be a lot of work the first couple of weeks but will be well worth it in the end!! Your site had been so helpful so thank you for being here!
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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 30, 2013 14:17:28 GMT -7
Caryle, sounds like the surgery hospital has done an excellent job in getting Amos ready for you to take home….love it when they answer all the questions before you can ask!!!
Sounds like Amos is heading in a very good direction of nerve healing, nerves going to the legs will come in time it is still early post op.
Please keep us updated.
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 1, 2013 7:17:11 GMT -7
He's a little lethargic today. Won't walk using his front legs with the sling. I have a call into the vet!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 1, 2013 19:35:12 GMT -7
Let us know what the surgeon said… and how Amos is doing now.
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 2, 2013 5:45:13 GMT -7
I called them yesterday and they called me twice.............actually the surgeon called the second time. When I went home for lunch he was really good............walked a little on his own and after work was good also. But later in the evening he wouldn't walk or potty again. Same with this morning. We are taking him back to MedVet this afternoon to see the physical therapist and the surgeon said she would make sure she checked him also. He seems to be in some sort of pain all of a sudden  I'll let you know what they say after we get home! |
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 2, 2013 21:07:55 GMT -7
What did the Vet say about Amos? Hope they made some adjustments to his pain medications for him.
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 3, 2013 9:50:48 GMT -7
The vet visit was good. They did a laser treatment while he was there. Also noticed some nerve pain near the site of the surgery. The surgeon also took time with him and prescribed more medications for the nerve pain. I'll have to go home and post the names..............they had to be compounded and are in liquid form. I think one was gabapentin and the other started with an A....................He is not willing to walk or potty early or late in the day.............but mid day he actually walks without any help for short periods of time. We got the full list of exercises to do for him yesterday (the tech forgot to include them the day we brought him home) So we will be working on those. The PTherapist was very upset she forgot to give them to us! I have him scheduled to see a Pet PT person here once a week and they can also do laser treatments and water therapy! MedVet has been so helpful and concerned.................I have mentioned your site to them several times as you have been a great help with us getting him treatment in the early stages! Thanks to your site I think he will recover much quicker!
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 3, 2013 19:25:50 GMT -7
Glad Amos Vet visit went well and the nerve pain was discovered and it does sound like Gabapentin that is being compounded. PT and Laser will help him a lot! www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingacupuncture.htmLet us know the names and dosages/frequencies of the new medications when you get some time. Healing prayers over the miles.. |
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 4, 2013 7:57:34 GMT -7
Thanks for the link!! The gabapentin is 100mg/ml PO Liq 1ml every 8 hours for 21 days then 1ml every 12 hrs for 21 days then 1ml daily for 21 days. The Amantadine HCL 10mg/ml PO liq is one ml once a day. He had his prednisone dose ▲upped to twice a day for 7 days, then once a day for 7 days and 1 every 48 hours for 7 days. They do seem to be helping. I think sometimes we're taking him out when its convenient for us and he just doesn't need to potty, but he has been very good letting us know when he really needs to go out. We're just trying to get him on a schedule that fits with our work hours. He is scheduled to get his staples out Wed. and maybe another laser treatment. On Thursday he'll go to a Physical therapist here who can also do laser treatments and water therapy. I'll have to ask about the acupuncture. The few times a day that he walks a bit on his own is really encouraging. After he walks around for a minute or two he is really tired. The pharmacist that compounded for us gave us a great discount. He thought it was great what we were doing to help Amos!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 4, 2013 12:21:12 GMT -7
If the pharmacists was not a veterinary establishment, please do call and specifically ask what is the name of the sweetner used in the compounding to liquid. Often regular pharmacists are not aware of the toxic danger to dogs in using the sweetner Xylitol.
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 4, 2013 12:24:06 GMT -7
Thanks I will check. He was a compounder and flavored it with chicken. He is also an animal lover and gave me a great discount as he thought it was great we were doing this for Amos!
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 6, 2013 8:37:16 GMT -7
I checked with the pharmacist and he did not use Xylitol................thank goodness. Amos seems to be doing very well! When we take him to potty he is actually walking a bit without assistance!! He seems to be coming along faster than we thought!! Thanks for bringing that to my attention! Would have been awful for us and the pharmacist is he had used Xylitol! He starts therapy this week and gets his staples out! The new meds are helping a lot with the nerve pain!! I'll update you as things progress!! I think we are very lucky he is doing as well as he is!!
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 7, 2013 16:42:32 GMT -7
Amos has been walking without support for short periods of time! Today he walked by himself without support each time we took him out to potty and once in the house!! Hopefully this is a good sign and will continue! His back legs are still a little wobbly but he is wanting to walk on his own!
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 7, 2013 20:25:23 GMT -7
You go Amos! Glad to hear he is able to walk!  |
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 12, 2013 8:15:04 GMT -7
Amos had his staples removed on Wednesday this week and the Vet said he was doing really well. We are weaning him off the tramadol and is tapering off the prednisone as well. He started therapy yesterday and they said he is doing really well for just 2 weeks out! He was running around like his old self in the therapy room!! We are allowed now to let him walk around some in the house on a surface with good traction but need to watch him. He barely needs the sling when he walks now! We are very blessed that he is doing so well!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jul 12, 2013 17:45:30 GMT -7
Wonderful that Amos is doing so well so soon. Do watch him to not let him overdo. Remember he is still has some healing to do. Keep us updated.
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Post by Caryle & Amos on Jul 26, 2013 8:29:21 GMT -7
Sorry I haven't updated you until now. Amos has been going to PT and water therapy once a week. He has done amazingly well with his recovery. We've been so diligent about not letting him do to much that it's been exhausting to us! The surgeon told us we could walk him a bit out front but to keep him off slippery surfaces. So he can walk around most of the first floor except the kitchen. We've been keeping him on a leash so he can't run off and try to jump on anything or anyone. This part has been more difficult because now he feels better but we know he shouldn't over do it! He wants to run, jump and play like he did before he hurt himself! His back right leg is still a little bit weaker but he's not faltering much at all with his back legs when he walks now! We've made a ramp for him to go in and out of the house. We used plywood and painted it with primer and covered it with a yoga mat so it won't be slippery. It's so nice now not to have to carry him in and out of the house!! He's totally off the tramadol and only on the prednisone every other day. The gabapentin is down to twice a day now and he is still on the amantadine. He doesn't appear to be in any pain at all. I've not had his shots that he needed in June so I'll have to check with the vet to see when he can get them. I've been telling everyone about your site and how helpful it was in our decision to get help for Amos early on! They've told us that was key to his recovery!! www.dodgerslist.com/forumads/Graduate.jpg |
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I'll let you know what they say after we get home!
