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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 2, 2018 1:03:09 GMT -7
[Original thread: New - responding to welcome message] Hello, My dog is Peewee, she weighs 17.5 lbs. She is on: (1) Methocarbamol 500mg tabs (1/4 tab) 3x/day, 8 hrs apart. (2) Novox Caplets 100 mg tabs (1/4 tab in a.m. 1x/day and 1/8 tab in p.m. 1x/day, 12 hrs apart. (3) Gabapentin 100 mg capsules 2x/day. No steroids. [Moderator's note: please do not edit17.5 lbs. Novox as of 2/1: 25 mg am 12.5 mgs pm for ? days then stop to test for pain/neuro loss Methocarbamol 125 mg tabs 3x/dayGabapentin 100 mg 2x/day]Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. This wasn't suggested by the vet, are you saying to give her one?
Peewee is a dachshund and my name is Laurie. I did not get a specific diagnosis of IVDD but she mentioned she was parallelized, she didn't have deep pain sensation, and her spinal cord was still intact. She suggested surgery by a specialist but she didn't do an x-ray. She mentioned a slipped disc, compressed disc, or pressure on the spinal cord. She is a general DVM. We saw her 2/1/18. She did say to keep her in the crate and carry her to potty and put back in crate. Peewee cannot walk nor put her back legs down and stand at all. She will try to crawl and drag her back legs.
★5 She doesn't seem to be in any pain now. She definitely shivered, trembled, reluctant to move, tight, tense tummy, arched back, had her head held high before the meds. She does tremble a bit when I take her out. I don't know if she is in pain or scared. When she is in the crate she doesn't tremble. It may be I am not supporting her correctly?
She is eating and drinking. She did poop and pee on 1/31/18 in the xpen on her bed. The poop was normal. She is eating and drinking today, 2/1/18 and she has peed with me supporting her outside. She hasn't had a bowl movement today, 2/1/18 but she didn't eat until tonight around 7 p.m. so I don't expect one until the morning?
★7 No, she can't wobbly walk nor move her legs. I don't think she can wag her tail but she is sleeping now and I don't want to wake her. I will follow up on that.
She can't squat. I support her back end to potty. She did wimper when she wanted to go out.
Thank you in advance for any and all help!! God Bless you all!
Lauriehow to upload photos online
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Mary & Mila
Helpful Member
FEMALE— DACHSHUND
Posts: 218
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Post by Mary & Mila on Feb 2, 2018 4:59:22 GMT -7
Hello Laurie, hi Peewee, Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Mary. I don't want to scare you, but from you are saying - that your vet is saying your dog has lost deep pain sensation? I would be going to the ER with this right away, TIME is very important, you say your vet is a general DVM - get Peewee assessed ASAP by a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) DPS is best accessed by a specialist and if surgery is an option, then it would be best to see one since surgery is performed with 24 hours after deep pain sensation is lost. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS. So if surgery is an option for your family get to a neuro or ortho asap . I wouldn't be happy to just let my dog on crate rest if neuro function is diminishing.... 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 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 9. Deep pain sensation (DPS), the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. For those dogs who have lost DPS, do know nerve regeneration can take place and that function may return. As Peewee can still wee by herself it may not be 100% of the above, but don't take the chance, get to the specialist asap. I can't emphasize that enough! find.vetspecialists.com/www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htmYour other question you asked was about the stomach protector, it is very important to help protect your dogs tummy lining when taking meds to treat IVDD. Just ask to vet in the following question: is there a medical/health reason for my dog not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive against not eating, vomit, diarrhea, bleeding ulcers by giving doxie weight dogs 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory. Please keep us updated on how you and Peewee got on. Mary
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 2, 2018 5:11:51 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Laurie. I'm sorry to hear that Peewee is experiencing a disc episode. We're here for you and Peewee and will help you through this. IVDD is often diagnosed by calling it a slipped disc or compressed disc. Did the vet mention whether this was a neck or back disc? Is surgery an option for you? If not, don't despair - conservative treatment of 8 weeks of strict 24/7 100% crate rest is a viable treatment and we've seen many dogs recover on conservative care. Trembling when lifted and moved to do potty is a sign of pain. Please contact your vet ASAP this morning to advise of this so Peewee's pain meds can be adjusted. Gabapentin works best when given three times a day as it has a short half life so do advocate that the vet increase that to three times a day (every 8 hours). Also Tramadol can be added as a general pain med. Also speak to her about adding Pepcid AC today. Novox (Rimadyl) is notorious for causing GI problems. As the vet is Peewee has any health issues, such as heart or liver problems, that would prevent her from taking Pepcid AC and if not, do get it on board. 5 mg 30 mins. before the Novox and then every 12 hours thereafter for as long as he's on Novox (2x/day). Did she say how many days the Novox should be given? Usually when a dog has lost use of its legs, a more powerful anti-inflammatory is prescribed - a steroid such as Prednisone. Usually a switch from a NSAID to a steroid requires a 4-7 day washout period. However if a vet deems it a medical necessity to make such a switch, it can be done by adding TWO stomach protectors - Pepcid AC AND Sucralfate. Please speak to the vet about the possibility of switching to a steroid to get the painful swelling down quicker. It's that swelling pressing on the nerves of the spine that causes pain and can cause the nerves to be damaged so the sooner the swelling is brought down, the better. You mentioned that Peewee peed with you when supporting her outside but you also mentioned that she peed and pooped in her bed. If she indeed doesn't have deep pain sensation (which sometimes the expertise of a specialist to determine), than she also doesn't have bladder control. The only way we humans can tell if a dog has bladder control is to carry them outside, support their hind end but not under the belly, let them sniff and see if they can release urine on their own. If they can, they have bladder control. If not, you'll need to learn how to express her bladder. Without bladder control, the bladder fills up until reflex causes it to overflow. That's not healthy for the bladder as it can stretch the bladder tone out of shape and urine lying for too long in the bladder can lead to a urinary tract infection. Please let us know if Peewee can pass a sniff and pee test. Is she able to wag her tail when spoken to in a happy voice or when someone she knows walks into the room? Let us know you are on the same page about crate rest. The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the crate rest part. With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. That 6 weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form. Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmSTRICT means: - no laps - no couches - no baths - no sleeping with you - no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times. Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog's back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on! www.dodgerslist.com/literature/slingwalk.jpgProper way to lift and carry Peewee. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/liftcarry.jpg Please let us know what the vet says after speaking to her this morning about adjusting pain meds, adding Pepcid AC and the possibility of switching to a steroid. Healing prayers for Peewee.
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 2, 2018 17:22:36 GMT -7
Hi Marjorie,
It is her lower back Is surgery an option for you? No, we can't do surgery. She didn't do an xray, not sure why. I think it may be because we said we couldn't afford the surgery. But I put on the form we were there for an xray. I have never been to this vet before.
I did mention it [Trembling when lifted] and she feels it is more that she may just be anxious or scared rather than in pain. She doesn't seem in pain at all when I put her in her confined area.
She said going to ▲[gabapentin] 3 a day is fine. She started out with two to make sure she would tolerate it but since she isn't vomiting, no diarrhea, I could do 3x/day.
[Moderator's note: please do not edit 17.5 lbs. Novox as of 2/1: 25 mg am 12.5 mgs pm for how many days? then stop to test for pain/neuro loss Methocarbamol 125 mg tabs 3x/day Gabapentin 100 mg ▲3x/day ✚Pepcid AC 5 mg 2x/day]
She said we could add it but she hasn't had any experience with animals having these issues from the Novax. We will start it ✚[Pepcid] today.
She didn't want to put her on steroids due to there being more side effects. She wants to see Peewee in a week from 2/1/18 so we will discuss it then. I asked her about acupuncture and she said that would be fine to start now. I also asked her about supplements to help with the healing process and she didn't feel there would be a need if Peewee isn't vomiting and doesn't have diarrhea.
Yes, she did pee in her bed again and poop. When I picked her up, she peed more and I took her outside and supported her and she did have another bowl movement. She didn't have to pee anymore I don't think. I did push on her bladder while out there but nothing less and her tummy/bladder didn't feel large.
No, she hasn't wagged her tail at all even when she is excited to see me.
Yes, I will upload pictures of how I have her ex-pen setup. I read somewhere about vinegar and water to spray her back end with for the pee? Does it need to be plain vinegar or is apple cider vinegar off with water? I know I have apple cider one here but I can buy the other if it makes a difference.
We are pretty tight with money right now. My husband is on unemployment and I drive for Lyft. I just started so I am not making much. I wish we could do surgery but it sounds like we needed to do it at the very latest yesterday. I will look into acupuncture and whatever else you all suggest that we can afford to do. I really appreciate all the help!
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Post by Rachel & Obi on Feb 2, 2018 17:58:45 GMT -7
Hello,
I just wanted to offer you some encouraging words and hope. 2 weeks ago, our Obi went down, I had to express his bladder and things looked bleak. By following the advice of everyone here at DodgersList for the past two weeks, working with the vet to get Obi treated with laser therapy treatments (he’s had 7), he is now able to wobble walk well. Healing does occur, even if the outcomes are different, but don’t give up hope. As I am learning, it’s all about TIME.
Listen to the advice of those here at DodgersList, keep positive for PeeWee and hang in there.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 3, 2018 7:42:35 GMT -7
Yes, please do give the Gabapentin 3x/day (every 8 hours). Usually it's when they're moved, such as being picked up to be moved, that they show signs of pain. When they're still lying in their crate, it doesn't hurt as much. If you're unsure as to whether she's in pain or not, look for a second sign of pain, which will confirm it. If the Gabapentin doesn't completely get her pain under control from one dose to the next, do speak to the vet by phone about adjusting the pain meds. Signs of pain to look for: ◻︎ 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 I'm glad you're getting Pepcid AC on board. Give 5 mg 30 min before the Novox and then every 12 hours thereafter for as long as Peewee is on Novox. Do know that NSAIDs have severe side effects just as steroids do. All meds have their dangers. Steroids are a stronger, more powerful, anti-inflammatory and when a dog is completely down like Peewee is, most vets will choose a steroid to get the swelling down quicker. A switch to a steroid can be made with the addition of both Pepcid AC and Sucralfate. So please do speak to her about that today. Any time out of the crate is a dangerous time for a dog going through an IVDD disc episode. Transport to a vet is risky as there is a chance of too much movement. Most vets who understand how strict the crate rest must be will understand that it's too much of a risk to bring the dog in to the office for a follow-up exam. It's unlikely that she'll see much nerve healing in just a week anyway. You can call her to give her status updates on pain and neuro function. So please do speak to the vet as to her reasons why she feels it's urgent that you bring Peewee in to see her on 2/1 and ask instead that phone consults be done instead. Vet visits should be kept to the only urgently needed ones. That being said, one thing that is urgent for her to go in to the vet for - today - is for you to get a hands-on-your-hands demonstration on how to express her bladder. She's not peeing on her own in her bed or when she's lifted but rather her bladder is overflowing and reflex is causing the urine to come out. She needs her bladder expressed by you to keep it from overflowing and to prevent a urinary tract infection. Be sure to secure her crate in the car and pad it well with rolled up towels/blankets to prevent her from jostling around too much when you stop or turn the car. She'll need to be expressed every 3-4 hours, possibly even more often, until you become proficient at it and she stays dry between expressings. Expressing can take some practice. Here's our page on how to express for your review prior to your demonstration by the vet. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmAcupuncture and/or laser therapy are helpful to give nerves a jump start in healing, if that is within your budget. If you can find someone to come to your home to do that, it would be best, again to avoid transport. IVDD is usually diagnosed based on breed and symptoms. X-rays are not used to definitively diagnose IVDD and are only used to rule out fractures/tumors. Vinegar and water are used to clean up her crate but not directly on her. Use baby wipes to clean her. The best thing to use to clean urine is decaf green tea. Brew up a pot of decaf green tea, let it cool, dampen a cloth or sponge and gently wipe her legs and belly with it. Green tea neutralizes the acidity of urine to help prevent urine scald and leaves a nice fresh scent. More tips here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmPlease do let us know what you're observing as far as Peewee's pain, what the vet says about switching to a steroid (with the addition of both Pepcid AC and Sucralfate) and how your lesson on expressing goes. Hang in there, stay strong and stay positive!
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 5, 2018 4:25:47 GMT -7
Hi,
Sorry for the late reply, I work nights driving so I don't get to bed until 4 a.m. and back up at 11 for her pills. I did learn how to express her bladder. I will also call tomorrow and see about switching to steroids. I may switch vets altogether soon because the one I wet to doesn't seem to informed on the matter. I will definitely at least let her know I will be doing a phone update as opposed to bringing her in. They are 30 mins away and that is a long way for her to travel.
I will keep in touch. Thank you!!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 5, 2018 12:00:36 GMT -7
Laurie, at this point in time, 5 days after injury to the cord, it may not be worth the risk to move to the most powerful of the anti-inflammatory drugs. At the first vet visit when a vet see neuro loss, then is the time to use a steroid that likely would get swelling down faster than the lessor non-steroids (NSAIDs). Now 5 days later there is risk that may not be worth the risk of GI tract damage with a switch from Novox to a steroid ---Is all pain in control with two pain meds 3x/day? A third, Tramadol, can be added if you still see pain. --- Once nerves have been damaged (loss of bladder control, dragging legs, etc,) there are no meds to fix nerve damage. The body has to do that work on it's own.
When Novox stops the pain-masking pain meds will also stop so that you can monitor for pain surfacing. Pain would indicate Novox needs to be back on board right away to work on the painful spinal cord swelling. Also pain meds, Pepcid AC would also be back on board for the length of the next course of Novox.
For how many days is PeeWee to stay on Novox, the anti-inflammatory drug that was Rx'd on 2/1? This is VERY important information to us.
How are you doing wth expressing...is her bed staying dry? Do you express every 4-6 hours or ?
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 6, 2018 22:43:28 GMT -7
Okay, I just got another vet to transfer her to the steroids. We stopped the Novax. Her last dose was 2:30 a.m. 2/6. The original vet was going to re-evaluate her on 2/8. She will begin the steroids in 5 days. She will be on those for 3 weeks. [Moderator's note: please do not edit 17.5 lbs. Novox as of 2/1: for 5 days then 2/6 stop to test for pain/neuro loss Novox damage as of 2/5: not eating drinking! STEROID name? 5-day washout: as of 2/12 ?mgs ?x/day for 21 days, then taper to test for pain/neuro loss Methocarbamol 125 mg tabs 3x/day STOPPED Gabapentin ▲200 mg ▼2x/day Pepcid AC 5 mg 2x/day Amoxicillin]
The new vet says she isn't feeling any pain. She said that Peewee should have at least turned her head at one point during the deep tissue exam and her checking her spine but only her pupils dilated a bit. She does believe steroids is still the best for Peewee. Peewee stopped eating and only drinks very little for the last 2 days. The new vet feels it is due to all the meds. She increased her ▲gabapentin to 200 mg every ▼12 hrs. and said she really didn't need the muscle relaxers because she was very relaxed, not tense at all. She did xrays today and also gave a script for amoxicillin because she thinks she has a uti. She took a sample and did blood work as well and will get back to me. She says Peewee has no deep pain sensation and she really doesn't believe she will ever regain any movement or control again.
She did show me different techniques to expressing her bladder today. I wasn't pushing firm enough for sure. She has diarrhea right now so I am checking every hour before I go to bed and every time I get up at night, which is a lot. Peewee wouldn't drink much water for the last two days either but tonight when we got back from the vet she drank quite a bit. The vet also gave her fluids while we were there. She thinks she will begin to eat once she isn't on so many meds.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 7, 2018 8:01:35 GMT -7
Laurie, not eating and diarrhea are red flag signs of GI distress. For some dogs, Pepcid AC isn't enough to protect against the side effects of Novox. Please contact the vet ASAP this morning to strongly advocate for the addition of Sucralfate as a second protector. Sucralfate works in a different way than Pepcid AC. It helps heal damaged areas of the GI system. Sucralfate will require timing with other meds…so do your homework so you can discuss things with the vet: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.htmlPlease continue to give the Pepcid AC every 12 hours. Now that the Novox has been stopped, there is nothing working on the painful swelling. If there is still swelling pressing on the nerves of the spine, you'll most likely see signs of pain return. If so, you'll need to immediately notify the vet and advise of this so the pain meds can be adjusted. I agree with the vet that the diarrhea and not wanting to eat are due to the meds but only the Novox, not the pain meds so do speak to the vet about adjusting the pain meds if there are now signs of pain. Novox is known for causing GI distress. Peewee may not have shown any muscle tension due to the fact that she was on Methocarbamol. If no pain returns in the next couple of days, it may be that the swelling has resolved and there may not be a need to start a steroid in 5 days. Once the swelling resolves, which can take 7-30 days, then there is no further need for any meds. The only way to tell for sure is to stop all meds in a couple of days as a test for pain/swelling, which you would need to speak to the vet about. You don't want Peewee on these meds for any longer than necessary. Please let us know how the change of meds goes. Here's more info for your reading so you can become more familiar with the use of NSAIDs and steroids during a disc episode: dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmIs the new vet a general DVM or a specialist (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)? It can be very difficult even for a vet to determine deep pain sensation. Don't become discouraged by her saying that she doesn't believe Peewee will ever regain any movement or control again. We have seen so many, many dogs surprise their vets, including my own dog. I was told by a neurologist that Jeremy would never walk again but he did. No one can say whether a dog with nerve damage will heal or not, how much healing will occur or when it will occur. Nerves are very slow to heal but they can heal. I hope expressing is going better for you now. It took me awhile to get used to it. It's a learning curve for each of us. Please keep us updated today on how Peewee is doing and what the vet says after speaking to her about adding Sucralfate to heal any damage the Novox may have caused.
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 7, 2018 16:33:31 GMT -7
Hi All,
Thank you for being so helpful. I am learning so much from all of you. I have calls in to both vets for the Sucralfate. Of course the new vet (general DMV but works with many IVDD dogs) is off today. Thank you for that. There was some blood in her stool yesterday. I did just give her the Pepcid AC, thank you. Hopefully that will help some. I don't see any pain. She isn't showing any interest in the food or water so far today. Should I get some Nutrical or something like that for her? I will ask the vet as well when I hear back. The original vet did fill the Tremidol but I didn't pick it up. Should I? Sorry my hours are so off from normal peoples hours.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 7, 2018 16:51:37 GMT -7
Please keep calling the vets about the Sucralfate. If they don't call back in an hour, call again. GI problems can worsen very quickly. Was the blood you saw red or black/dark? Black/dark blood in the stool is not good. In medicine, melena refers to the black, "tarry" feces that are associated with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The black color is caused by the hemoglobin in the blood being altered by digestive chemicals and intestinal bacteria. I wouldn't start Nutrical or anything else until you speak to a vet. I'm not familiar with Nutrical but I do know that Sucralfate works well at healing the digestive system. Sucralfate is not merely a physical barrier to stomach acids. It thickens the stomach mucus to prevent bicarbonate from being swept away too quickly, which in turn encourages more acid-neutralizing bicarbonate production. Sucralfate also stimulates healing blood flow to damaged areas. This med also increases the body's hormone which plays a role in healing of damaged stomach tissues. www.readabstracts.com/Health-care-industry/Mechanisms-of-gastroduodenal-protection-by-sucralfate-Acid-secretory-responses-and-parietal-cell-sen.html#b#ixzz1yG2OloZI [Dr. W.D.W. Reese on Gastric Mucosa] Good that you haven't seen signs of pain return yet. Possibly the swelling has resolved. If you do see any pain return, then start giving the Tramadol and let the vet know. I do hope that you can get the Sucralfate on board soon and that Peewee starts eating and feels better. Please continue to keep us updated.
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 7, 2018 20:06:01 GMT -7
Hi! Yes, I went and picked up the ✚Sucralfate 1000 mg. She gets 1/2 (500 mg) tab dissolved in 5 cc water x3/day. 2 hrs before food and other medication.
[Moderator's note: please do not edit 17.5 lbs. Novox as of 2/1: for 5 days then 2/6 stop to test for pain/neuro loss Novox damage as of 2/5: not eating drinking! STEROID name? 5-day washout: as of 2/12 ?mgs ?x/day for 21 days, then taper to test for pain/neuro loss Gabapentin 200 mg 2x/day Pepcid AC 5 mg 2x/day ✚Sucralfate 500mgs 3x/day Amoxicillin]
I just gave her the first one about 30 mins ago. Her diarrhea had slowed way down but there isn't anything in her system. The bladder extraction is going very well. I have extracted a good amount 3 times so far today. I wasn't able to fill the Amoxicillin today as no pharmacy around her carries 100 mg so I will need to go back down to Temecula to get it tomorrow. If she isn't eating still, they mentioned they would like to hospitalize her. They said it could still be a couple days for her to start eating and they want to give her fluids and food if need be. I can force some can food in her but not sure I should do that. I might tonight in a couple hours just so she gets a little bit in her. If you are still around here tonight, any suggestions on food?
Oh, regarding the color of the blood, bright red. It was a spot on her pad at the vet office and the vet saw some when her temp was taken.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Feb 7, 2018 21:14:31 GMT -7
I wouldn't force her to eat. She could struggle and injure herself.
Do try to get her to drink fluids.
God bless.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 8, 2018 5:57:18 GMT -7
Good job on getting the Sucralfate, Laurie. My vet always tells me to give my Jeremy some boiled white chicken meat (no skin) and white rice, if you think that would entice Peewee to eat. As Julie said, do try to get her to drink fluids. Try some chicken or beef broth but be sure it doesn't contain onions.
Great news that you're doing so well with expressing Peewee!
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 8, 2018 11:12:04 GMT -7
Hi, I did get some chicken and she still won't touch it. I have given her 3 doses of the sucralfate but she still won't eat or drink. I have a call to the vet to see if they want to give her fluids and maybe hospitalize her for a couple days to get her eating and drinking. Still not showing any signs of pain and no accidents in her pen.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Feb 8, 2018 13:55:02 GMT -7
Hmm, if she's still not eating or drinking I'd say going in and getting some fluids and checked out is a good idea.
Don't want her to get dehydrated.
God bless, healing thoughts coming your way.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 8, 2018 14:53:03 GMT -7
Check her for tacky gums or
skin on the neck when you pull it up it doesn't fall back reasonably quickly or stays "tented"...
these are signs of dehydration. Take her to DVM to have her checked for dehydration via exam and/or blood test.
At home you might offer her some slightly warmed (more fragrance that way) meat broth to interest her in lapping some up.
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Post by Rachel & Obi on Feb 8, 2018 14:58:15 GMT -7
Just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you and PeeWee. Hang in there! Sending hugs!
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 8, 2018 15:09:35 GMT -7
Thank you all! She is dehydrated. I left her with the vet today. They are going to do IV fluids and take her off the pain meds to see if she is in fact in pain or not and if she will want to start eating. She had a slight fever but her lab work all came back good. The blood work did show she was slightly dehydrated but she is more dehydrated today. Praying she can come home tomorrow and be ready to eat and drink. I tried, chicken, wet food, broth, turkey meat. She just had no interest and yesterday she didn't even get excited when I came home from the vet with her meds. I will feel better tonight knowing they are making sure she gets what she needs to get back to eating and drinking and if she needs meds, or changed meds, whatever. I will keep you all posted. Thank you for all your advice, thoughts, and prayers! God bless you all!
Oh, and we had no wet bedding at all yesterday nor this morning. I expressed her at 3 a.m. before going to bed and at 10 a.m. The vet didn't get much out of her there and said I got it pretty good.
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 8, 2018 21:33:05 GMT -7
Just a quick update on her stay at the hospital. The vet took her off her pain meds and she isn't showing any signs of pain as of 6 p.m. today. She received her last Gabapentin at 10 p.m. on 2/7/18. She has perked up quite a bit from the fluids but still not eating. They will call me in the morning.
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 8, 2018 22:01:03 GMT -7
Hi Laurie, thanks for the update on Peewee. Good sign that she isn't in pain so far, if she remains pain free that means the swelling and inflammation is gone.. Glad she is getting fluids and I hope she feels well enough to eat very soon. Keeping you and Peewee in my thoughts and prayers.. Try to get some rest yourself..
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Post by Laurie & Peewee on Feb 9, 2018 11:22:03 GMT -7
It is with a heavy heart that I am informing you that Peewee passed away last night. They think it was an embollism PTE or something like that. I want to thank all of you for jumping in right away to offer your help, support, and advice! You are a wonderful bunch and thank you for being there for so many people in our desperate time of need!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 9, 2018 11:47:13 GMT -7
Laurie, I can't believe what I'm reading. I'm so very sorry for this unexpected turn of events. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. One thing for sure is you gave PeeWee the best care and attention. PeeWee well could sense your love and devotation. Carmen, one of our members, has written a wonderful essay dealing with the unexpected loss of her Josie and the 5 stages of grieving. Grief is brutal, it is powerful and deserves your attention and time to process: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/grief.pdf Hope this will help you. Warmest of ((hugs)) and condolences to you.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Feb 9, 2018 13:58:32 GMT -7
Laurie, I'm so shocked and saddened. Peewee was obviously loved greatly. God bless you for your tender care and your many efforts to help Peewee. We never have them with us long enough. Sending you a warm hug.😥
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Feb 9, 2018 14:11:25 GMT -7
I know what a shock this is to me so I can only imagine what a devastating shock it has been to you, Laurie. I'm so very sorry for your tragic loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. My prayers are with you. God speed, little Peewee. Rest in peace.
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Post by Pauliana on Feb 9, 2018 21:44:45 GMT -7
I am shocked and heartbroken also to hear about Peewee passing away, none of us expected that.. Sending comforting hugs and a lot of sympathy to you, Laurie! You did everything you could do to help her and Peewee knew that.
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Mary & Mila
Helpful Member
FEMALE— DACHSHUND
Posts: 218
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Post by Mary & Mila on Feb 10, 2018 14:15:59 GMT -7
Hi Laurie,
I'm so very sorry to read about little Peewee, I can't imagine how shocked and heartbroken you must be. Just know that you did absolutely everything that you could for Peewee and she would have known how very loved she was, sending you thoughts and hugs,
kindest regards
Mary
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Post by Rachel & Obi on Feb 21, 2018 21:36:33 GMT -7
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your furry friend. Thinking of you.
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