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Post by jaybird on Jul 2, 2013 13:01:15 GMT -7
Hello! new to the forum. My name is Jay, my dog is Holly, a spayed 7 year old longhair dachshund. She has a disc issue, was seen by an ER vet last Saturday night 7/1. She has a slight vertabral collapse shown on x-ray at C5-C6. She is on the conservative plan, resting comfortably on meds, tramadol, etc. She has good mobility, urinary control, I even get a little tail wag and kisses sometimes. : )
I know this drill, I went through this a few years ago with my 12 year old dachshund Rosie- she had the ventral slot surgery and recovered GREAT, it took years off her life. She's now 15 and full of energy, so I know there's lots of hope for recovery.
Holly is doing fine, I have her in a custom pen in my kitchen, lots of comfy places to rest, water, and a place to pee if she needs to. I also have a wireless camera to check on her from work on my i-phone! technology!
Anyway- I'll be checking out the forum once in a while, and will post updates. I'm hoping she continues to hold ground, and not have to go down the surgery road, but I'm prepared to do that if needed. so far-so good
I'll post a pic when I figure this all out. Thanks all!
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jul 2, 2013 15:16:56 GMT -7
Hi Jay and welcome to Dodgerslist We are sorry to hear about Holly but does sound like you caught it early and she should recover with crate rest and meds. Can you give us a list of the meds and dosage she is currently on. We have an article on cervical treatment that should help you www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm |
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Post by Stacy & Fred on Jul 2, 2013 16:18:22 GMT -7
Hi Jay, wishing Holly a fast and easy recovery  this forum is a great place for information and support. Doggie camera..I'm so going to Google to see what I can hook up so I can watch my dog Fred from work. Great idea!! |
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Post by jaybird on Jul 3, 2013 13:37:27 GMT -7
I got the security camera from Radio Shack- it's brand name is "swanneye", it was a bit tricky to get set up, but fun to play with and all I've seen so far is my dogs sleeping : /
My dogs Holly is doing fine! she seems quite normal, but I'm keeping her in a small pen, and staying on the meds. Her prescribed meds are:
25mg Tramadol ever 8 hours,
125mg Methocarbamol every 6 hours,
12.5mg Carprofen every 12 hrs.
I've been doing the Tramadol and the Methocarbamol every 6 hours, just to make it easier to keep track. I found the Tramadol has a relatively short half-life, so I feel it's fine to do every 6 hours. She seems to be tolerating it all well, eating-pooping-peeing. She did wake up panting and not sleeping during the night, she may need a liiiittttlle bit more at bedtime, I'll ask my vet next week.
I think what has been good is she wasn't a terribly active dog to begin with. She does (did) LOVE her afternoon adventure walks, and misses following me around everywhere, digging, tearing up cardboard boxes, etc. She feels well enough to play, but I know it's far too early to relax on the cage rest and meds.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 3, 2013 14:21:37 GMT -7
Jay, do let us know you have a stomach protector on board with the Carprofen. The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not to take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID. Tramadol can have the side effect of panting. YOu can place a fan near her recovery suite but not pointed at her to help. You make find a med chart is helpful in getting her meds on time. And if tramadol was keeping pain at bay every 8 hours, it might be a good idea to go back to the prescribed 8 hours. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/crateRRP/medchart.pdfKeep up the good job on crate rest..as that is what allows the disc to heal. |
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Post by jaybird on Jul 6, 2013 6:53:02 GMT -7
![]() 1 Week update: Holly has been doing great! Not showing signs of pain, staying in her pen, she seems to actually prefer it at night. We do cheat a little on the 24/7 crate rest- gentle very supervised couch rest for short periods of TV watching next to me to avoid her stressing out- she wants to be with papa! I come home from work at noon to give meds, and a potty break- (hers). I haven't gotten the Pepsid yet, but I will today and start with the 5mg 2X a day. After reading the forum a bit more I feel very fortunate with her progress. I hope she will make a full recovery without the trauma of surgery. She wags, gives kisses, she seems normal. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and staying on the meds. Thank you all for your advice, info and support! : )  still working on posting pics- |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,610
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 6, 2013 7:42:03 GMT -7
Jay, things are going well for Holly!
The couch, a lap is really not a good idea for many reasons. Dogs to the unexpected in a blink of an eye. The couch cushions can slope cause Holly to unexpected move her back. How about putting her crate on the coffee table and pulling it right up to the couch. You'll be able to touch her through the wires of the crate and Holly will be in a very safe place to finish out her excellent progress. I don't know how many time owners have admitted they just did not believe their dog would (fill in the blank) and how guilty they felt because they did not stay one step ahead and provide the safest environment to heal in.
Holly is a beautiful girl!!
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this forum is a great place for information and support. Doggie camera..I'm so going to Google to see what I can hook up so I can watch my dog Fred from work. Great idea!! 
