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Post by christabella59 on Jun 28, 2013 14:04:36 GMT -7
Our "problem" started six weeks ago but my now former vet didn't feel it necessary to X-ray as he was "only limping every now and then". He assessed it as arthritis and started him on a course of cartrophen. In my mind I wasn't entirely sure so I started minimal crating etc six weeks ago but still allowed him to wander the house as after three weeks he looked great.
Last Saturday morning Denny, LH mini dachshund, got up for breaky and was perfectly fine. Two hours later I found him sitting outside the door hunched over. I called him and he dragged himself over to me. My heart broke.
Rang the vet, went straight in, they assessed (still no X-ray even though I asked). Told me to take him home, give him metacam, crate him and rest as his back appeared ok.
Sunday morning I received a call from a good friend who has a dachie with back issues and she was shocked. She insisted I get a third opinion, she made some calls and I was at a new vet within the hour. My new vet took one look at Denton, immediately xrayed him and the diagnosis was confirmed. iVDD. My heart broke.
He has deep pain sensation, all toilet functions and a waggy tail. No use of back legs and feet are knuckling. Unable to stand but tries and can stand for a few seconds if he is gently supported.
The past week his meds are Valium and Tramal twice a day and one dose of Metacam. We use lactulose in his food to soften stools. Today we commence weaning him off Valium, followed Tramal etc. We will monitor this closely. He doesn't appears to be in pain and seems alert, eating normally and drinking, just gets cranky with his crate as he thinks he is ok!
Denton is 13 years old and approx seven years he had a very minor back episode, no paralysis which resolved within a week. From that day we installed ramps and all preventative measures possible but it appears we had a little ticking time bomb.
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Post by natureluva on Jun 28, 2013 16:33:19 GMT -7
Hi there, welcome to Dodger's List! We're glad you found us. There are two treatments for IVDD - conservative or surgery. Conservative treatment consists of 8 weeks of strict crate rest plus meds to mask the symptoms. It is the crate rest - minimizing movement of the spine - that heals the disc, not the meds. Here are two links to help you with crate rest, and a link on conservative treatment: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htm I notice you didn't mention that Denton is taking a stomach protectant such as Pepcid AC to protect him from the excess acid produced by the Metacam. If the stomach is left unprotected, internal bleeding can occur. Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before each dose of Metacam. Tell the vet you want to be proactive about protecting his stomach. Since Denton still has a lot of neurological function, he is a good candidate for conservative treatment. Just practice STRICT crate rest so that disc can fully heal! Acupuncture and laser light therapy are excellent complementary treatments for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of inducing a state of well-being. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ The best way for you to help Denton 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 Denton! Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by jochs311 on Jun 28, 2013 19:54:31 GMT -7
Hi Chrissy,
We are sorry to hear about Denton. We are also a victim of a vet who doesn't deal with IVDD too well. Our Tucker (also a Dachshund) has been in paralysis since I found him like that when I got home from work 2 Fridays ago. He has been on crate rest since the 15th. He is gaining his bladder control and doing well. Two days ago Tucker went to our primary vet for X-rays and bloodwork because I demanded them! To find our vet is pretty much giving up and told us to get a wheel chair because he will not walk again. We are seeing an accupunctureist now and he loves her. We love her too!! She is wonderful and told us that he is definetly not in full paralysis! We are finally given the Meds to deal with his pain. It's always good to find a second or even third opinion if you know better. I highly recommend the accupuncture and laser therapy. Stay strong for your baby. Healing thoughts and prayers headed your way.
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Post by christabella59 on Jul 1, 2013 1:19:41 GMT -7
jochs311, thank you for your comment. I have to admit the not knowing when you know even though you are assured time and time again was the hardest part. When we received confirmation I was flooded with relief then the fear set it as I had read so much and knew what we were in for.
We had our first Physio and acupuncture last Friday and our second today. He is taking baby steps and hasn't gone backward, retaining bladder and bowel functions, deep pain sensation and waggy tail.
My most difficult is crate rest, try telling a 13 yo who has never been crated to stay there! We have a other dachie who was crate trained from a baby and loves it. It wasn't something that we ever considered 13 years ago! After a week of screaming it's finally settling down and I may possibly get some sleep shortly lol
We are now starting to wean him off the strong meds and he is doing well.
i haven't heard about laser therapy and would be very interested in further info. Maybe they don't have it in Australia?
I am so sorry that your Tucker had to go through the same issues. The saying "if I knew then what I know now resonates" in my head. I look forward to hearing about his progress and we send him lots of paw kisses and healing thoughts oxo
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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 10:38:22 GMT -7
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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 Jul 1, 2013 20:32:17 GMT -7
Denton is lovely boy  You have done such a great job of advocating for him - you should be proud of yourself! Keeping Denton in thought and prayer |
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Post by christabella59 on Jul 1, 2013 23:35:43 GMT -7
Paula, we are only doing the passive exercises as highlighted in pink with strict supervision with our amazing Physio. Things like tickling and massaging his little paws gentle stroking (not back) etc etc. Nothing that will traumatize his vertebrae. Basically keeping gentle movement of his rear legs to retain strength etc. He also has acupuncture twice a week which has been amazing. He has finally settled into his new regime and recovery suite, the crying /screaming has stopped, he is wagging his tail and looks like the baby boy we always knew. He is now lapping up the attention! Carried to the toilet and breakfast in bed, what else does a dog need lol
I haven't heard of laser therapy here but will enquire on next visit to vet and Physio. He is now off Valium and tomorrow over the next four days we begin halving his Tramal followed by metacam. He actually seems calmer and I am wondering if he reacted to the cocktail of meds.
Thank you for your wonderful support.
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 21, 2013 20:35:38 GMT -7
How have you and Denton been doing?
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Post by christabella59 on Jul 21, 2013 23:34:53 GMT -7
It's now been four weeks since my boy Denton went down and wow what a learning and rewarding experience it has been.
Ten days in we weaned him off tramadol and Valium and maintained small daily doses of metacam. By the end of this week he will also be off metacam and drug free! He has two ester c tablets each day and I must add he is pain free.
A week ago whilst taking him for potty he decided he had enough of sling, ditched it and took four steps. Once I recovered from the shock I shed a few tears lol
One month on he is standing up on his own and walks on his own (no knuckling) for potty time. Even though he does not knuckle he still has little or no response when his back paw is turned over when standing. Of course there is still a long way to go and he is crated 24/7 apart from trips to vet and Physio, Physio sessions at home and potty time. We have a wonderful Physio whom we visit twice a week, she also does acupuncture. We are also doing animal best therapy, similar to reiki.
Denton initially presented with a weak rear right leg two months ago, he was treated with cartrophen and even after three visits with three different vets no one expected him to go down with IVDD. This rear leg is now the one that is still very weak and collapses so hydro therapy is felt to be the best course of action.
He is a tough little 13 year old dachshund and we believe in our hearts that he will be able to walk freely once again even though he will be wrapped up in cotton wool and his life will be a happy new normal.
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You have done such a great job of advocating for him - you should be proud of yourself! Keeping Denton in thought and prayer 