Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Nov 28, 2017 6:16:56 GMT -7
Our concern with having pain meds on board when the anti-inflammatory is reduced or stopped is that any pain med will mask the pain that you need to see to determine whether there is still swelling and still a need for the anti-inflammatory. Rimadyl is a NSAID and doesn't need to be tapered. While there's no harm in tapering it, half the dosage is not an anti-inflammatory dosage and will not work well on reducing the swelling and yet may throw off the test for pain. The best way to test for pain is to stop all meds.
Are you sure he was in pain yesterday as he allowed your wife to pick him up and he only yelped as you approached him? He may be sensing anxiety on your part and he thinks he's back to being painful. Try to keep a happy voice and face around him. Dogs are very good at picking up on our emotions. If he isn't showing signs of pain today, I would think that the original plan of stopping the meds should continue until you have a definite sign that he's in pain.
Here are all the signs of pain again: ◻︎ restless, pacing, can’t find a comfortable position ◻︎reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions ◻︎shivering-trembling ◻︎yelping when picked up or moved ◻︎slow to move ◻︎tight tense tummy ◻︎arched back, ears pinned back ◻︎ head held high or nose to the ground. ◻︎looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily. ◻︎ not eating due to pain of moving jaw with a neck disc or pain of back disc ◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ◻︎not their normal perky selves
The treatment that you received from that doctor was horrible. I haven't always received the best advice from vets but I've always been treated civilly. Hopefully you won't have any contact with her again. You have enough to deal with and there's no reason to have to deal with a vet like that.
Prayers for a pain-free day for Browney.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Nov 28, 2017 13:08:05 GMT -7
I do not feel he is in pain, and will not be starting the meds again. Thank you. We left him home alone today for 3 or 4 hours.(puppy was here, but no humans) This is the first time neither of us were home since he was diagnosed. He doesn't seem to be in pain, but he sure made a mess in his cage. He pooped in there and then in the process of trying to get it out of there managed to get it on every surface in there and skinned the tip of his nose trying to bury it. I don't get why he is doing that. We can get him to pee outside about 50% of the time now, but he is only pooping in the cage. Then he realizes what he has done and makes a mess trying to bury it, or get it out of the cage.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,795
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 28, 2017 13:39:26 GMT -7
Jeremy are you expressing for poop so that these accidents will not happen especially when you are away from home and can't quickly respond to his natural anxiety to find poop where he sleeps?
Expressing for poop is so that before mother nature would just let it plop out anywhere, you get there first to encourage poop to clear from the digestive tube to plop out where you desire. Most of us express with butt over the toilet: upon awaking in the morning, maybe at 1-2 pm during the day and again before bedtime. First you should make a chart of eating, poop plopping times and try to figure out when you should be expressing. You really do not need anyone to demonstrate how to express for poop. This video shows how easy it is:
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Nov 28, 2017 13:43:05 GMT -7
I'm confused by why he is doing it though?
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Nov 28, 2017 14:14:19 GMT -7
He does it because he cannot help it. No dog wants his waste in his crate.
When my Frankie was regaining bowel control he would often have accidents. He didn't even know he was going until he had already gone. He would look at in surprise. How did that get there? It seems that something like this is happening to Browney. The reason I say this is that you say "then he realizes what he has done". I think he didn't know it was coming. During this time Frankie sometimes went outside but sometimes inside as well. He started going inside less and less and now he has good control.
You can try expressing for poop during this period.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Nov 28, 2017 15:43:59 GMT -7
My dog never regained bowel control and when she has to go that's it.
Since I started to express for poop life is much easier.
Poor Browney probably feels awful when he has an accident.
I hold my dog against my body and with my left arm underneath her. Her face is pointing away from me and her butt is towards my right arm.
I express over the potty by stroking with my two index fingers and my thumb on both sides of rectum.
Go inward an inch or two and massage/pull very gently on both sides.
If no results you can gently apply an ice cube to anus for a few seconds. This can also help stimulate the muscles.
Repeat stroking and ice cube several times if needed.
Constantly praise Browney while he's getting used to this.
I do this every morning and afternoon after feeding.
Yes it feels weird at first but it does work.
Best wishes.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Nov 30, 2017 5:59:48 GMT -7
Browney is feeling much better. He is not showing any signs of pain. We are working on the potty problems, and don't quite have a handle on it yet, but we are getting there. In the meantime I figured I'd share a pic from this morning. That's creative, but at least it was easier to clean up I guess.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Dec 5, 2017 16:00:38 GMT -7
Just wanted to check in and say Browney is doing great. He definitely wants to run or jump any chance he can. We are like the big meanies that stop him from doing all the fun dog things. Haha I am also happy to say he pooped outside on his own today. That is huge.
I also got all of his records from the vet and will be going to one closer to our home that will hopefully treat us better.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Dec 5, 2017 16:12:52 GMT -7
I am so glad to hear how well Browney is doing. Pooping outside is a huge step forward. Wanting to run and jump just shows how well he is feeling.
The crate rest part is hard for us pet parents. We just have to do what we know is best for them.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Dec 11, 2017 16:18:37 GMT -7
Quick update. Browney is doing well, and is going potty outside of his crate about 80% of the time now. He is anxious to be free, and so are we. LOL PreviouslyPosted by Jeremy & Browney Dec 6, 2017 at 12:04pmSo he pooped outside again last night, and once more this morning. Also, a great side effect is the puppy also pooped outside for the first time. She has always done it on the pad before. This is great progress. Yes it is definitely hard, but I love that dog more than most any other human, so it's worth it. I know he would do it for me.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Dec 12, 2017 14:11:03 GMT -7
Great to hear that Browney is doing so well. I hope the time will go fast for you both.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Dec 21, 2017 13:46:50 GMT -7
Just checking in, Browney is doing great. Only a few more weeks until he can be free...ish.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Dec 21, 2017 14:24:55 GMT -7
Very glad to hear that Browney is continuing to do well.
He has less than 2 weeks to go before he can be gradually re-introduced to activity.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Dec 21, 2017 16:02:36 GMT -7
Believe me I know. I am counting the days.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Jan 4, 2018 17:46:40 GMT -7
So Browney should be free tomorrow or Saturday. I let him out most of the day yesterday and today. He slept in there last night and will again at least tonight. He is doing very well. If I didn't tell you he had an issue you would never know. I am home until Monday so we will be taking things very slow, but there is a lot of promise and hope.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 5, 2018 6:39:53 GMT -7
I'm glad that Browney is doing so well, Jeremy. That's wonderful to hear. Yes, do take things very slowly. He should continue with the strict crate rest until graduation day, which is 1/6, and then very gradually be reintroduced to movement again. He's most likely lost quite a bit of muscle tone which will need to be gradually built up. If he does too much too soon and has muscle soreness, it will be difficult to determine whether pain is due to sore muscles or another disc problem. He shouldn't be out of the crate most of the day yet. There's a schedule on this webpage that I found very helpful both times my Jeremy graduated from crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm There's also a list on that page of what Jeremy should no longer be allowed to do, such as going up or down stairs, jumping, etc. If you haven't seen these links yet, here are ideas on how to make your home back friendly: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmPrayers for many years ahead with no more disc problems for Browney.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Jan 5, 2018 11:21:39 GMT -7
Thank you for all the help. You ladies have been awesome.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,795
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 11, 2018 20:46:54 GMT -7
Jeremy, congratulations on Browney's graduation. You have done a heck of a job in excellent care with a heart issue to consider as well.. Kudos to you. What's the chances of getting you to share a brief caption and a photo for our Gallery. Brownie and you are great inspiration for those just starting a scary IVDD journey. Remember, too, to get your camera out for a graduation picture and a few sentences for the 2018 Dodgerslist Photo Gallery: LOGIN www.dodgerslist.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5username: Dachsie password: dodgerslist14 Or you can email (owner's name, email addy, dog's name + photo caption) to : photogallery@dodgerslist.com Oh, and don't forget to stop in and give us an update on Browney. We LOVE to know how our graduates continue to do.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Jan 12, 2018 5:06:52 GMT -7
Ok, I put one up there. Browney is doing very well with no signs of pain. We have made all kinds of adjustments to keep him safe and hope he will be well for a long time to come.
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Post by Jeremy & Browney on Sept 15, 2019 6:17:43 GMT -7
So I got an email asking to post an update. I can't believe it has been almost 2 years. Browney is doing very well. He does have some sensitivity in his back and on his side so we have to be careful when petting him, moving him around, etc. He is definitely not 100% compared to before the back issue, but I would say he is a good 90%. He can walk around fine just a little slower and his back legs aren't quite as strong when walking. He also is not as playful as he was. But he is also 14, so honestly he is doing pretty awesome. Thank You again for all of the help.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Sept 15, 2019 7:30:13 GMT -7
Yay Browney, glad he's doing so well!
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