Julie's Perry 2018 Conservative--Shih Tzu

Julie, i am just so proud of you! Your tenacity to not give up an keep pursing a solution to this expressing challenge has paid off for your little Perry.

Julie, since nerves can take longer to heal than a disc, you may or may not see anything yet. Have patience with nerve healing. So it is not realistic to even be discouraged at this point in time.

I believe that ACEpromazine maybe/might be the better of the two than trazadone. ACE will relax his muscles so that he won't be fighting you. trazadone relieves anxiety. Give ACE 1 hour before expressing for its full effect.

Discuss with your vet about ACE since you express every 6-8 hours now (?) now that pred is tapering.. ACE I read effectively lasts for 4 hrs, but has a rather long elimination from the body. Or if trazadone needs to be at a higher dose.

Here is a thought, if Perry is now not liking being expressed, perhaps that is a signal that some nerve repair is starting. Can you take him outdoors just for the "sniff and pee" test. When some sensation in the bladder is returning dogs do not like their bladder pressed on...as they can feel it.

Lots of dogs go through several tapers before all the swelling in the spinal cord is gone. It can take as long as 30 days on the full dose (taper doses don't count) for the swelling to be gone, so try not to be discouraged.
Maybe try to get Perry used to the figure 8 sling by putting it on and treating then taking it off after just a few minutes, repeat leaving it on a minute longer a few hours later. This is how I got Frankie used to a Gentle Leader when I first adopted him.

Let us know how the latest taper is going.
Healing thoughts for you both.

Yes it does get confusing because first was emergency vet then regular vet.

-- First Prednisolone 5mg 2x daily- 3/18 to 3/25 [8 days]  with robaxin, tramadol, and gabapentin 3x daily.
-- Taper tried from 3/26-3/27 of Prednisolone 1x daily and pain meds 2x daily. Started seeing shaking and shivering and generally not comfortable.
-- 3/28 to 4/1 [5 days] Prednisolone 2x daily at 5mg and pain meds 3x daily.
-- 4/2- again trying taper of Prednisolone 1x daily and cutting pain meds to ▼2x daily.
-- So Perry has been on prednisolone a total of 14 days.

Am done with clavimox as urine scald and UTI are cleared up.

[Moderator notes please do not edit
17 lbs
Prednisolone as of 3/18: 5mg 2x/day for 8 days then 3/26 taper to test for √ pain/neuro loss
                             as of 3/28: 5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then 4/2 test taper for pain/neuro loss
Gabapentin 100 mg ▼2x/day
Tramadol 75 mg ▼2x/day
Robaxin125mg ▼2x/day
Pepcid AC 5 mg 2x daily
Trazadone 25 mg 2x/day to relax @ expressing]

Am trying not using the trazadone starting today as it wasn't really helping with expressing.

Julie,  I am so excited for you and Perry.  Such fabulous news!!!!!  Just the good news we needed tonight!  
Perry is full of surprises!!!  Doing the happy dance right along with you!!

That is wonderful.  I am so happy to hear it.

Julie, as many times as we hear about nerves being able self heal to bring back function, it is just as exciting each time! Will look forward to what your observe on the next "sniff and pee" test!

Julie, 
So happy that Perry has finally turned a corner, I can imagine you doing the happy dance!! 
Delighted for you both.  
Hugs, 
Mary 

No pain meds, no problem! I'm doing my happy dance now.😀

[Moderator notes please do not edit
17 lbs
Prednisolone as of 3/17: 5mg 2x/day for 7 days
                   as of 2/23: 5mgs 2x/day for 3 days, then 3/26 test taper for √pain/neuro loss
                    as of 3/29: 5mgs 2x/day for 6 days, then 4/4 then taper to test for pain/neuro loss
Pepcid AC 5 mg 2x daily
Trazadone 25 mg 2x/day as needed]

And we have a tail wag when getting a treat! Woohoo!!

Now that Perry's feeling better I'm wondering what to do to keep him from getting bored?

Also, since his rear legs are working again I'm thinking of covering the top of the pack and play when I go out.

I'm a little worried about escape attempts!

Julie, you can have local hardware store, cut you a piece of plexiglass or other material a tad bit larger than the size of pack n play. Ask they drill a few perimeter holes. This way if you want you can secure the topper with string, if you have the belief that Perry could climb up the sides and get out like Nala did with your gait!
Also great idea from Romy to drape a blanket down over the side to level of his eyes. The topper would then also keep the blanket from sinking down in the middle where Perry could grab it an pull onto his mattress????

Please keep the updates coming. We'd love to hear about how you handle blanket draping with a pack N play. You are doing a marvelous job with Perry and he is reaping the benefits!

Julie, really does sound like bladder control IS returning when he holds urine til in an appropriate spot--- the pee pad and does not wet anywhere else!!!

Continue to stick to 100% STRICT rest 24/7 for the balance of the 8 weeks, I really believe Perry is going to not only heal his disc but also show an impressive self healing of his nerves in such a short time of 8 weeks. Your tenacious spirit to never give up during those challenging times is paying off! Keep up the good work!!

Julie, this is the first time I've been on the site on anything but my phone - just able to really look around and read others' stories. You have been so supportive of me and Em the last couple of days, I'm so happy to read that your little guy is recovering! Thank you for your helpful advice. Sending healing thoughts to Perry.
Wendy

Julie,   I am glad Perry is doing well but I do remember how hard it was to keep Tyler calm when he started to feel better.. 

Have you tried any of the natural calmers?  If they don't work for Perry, do you still have some of  the Trazadone  or Acepromazine?  Here's a link to the emergency crate training that has lots of tips for crate/pack n play anxiety..   dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm#Emergencyconfinement

Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives such as Acepromazine, Trazodone, etc. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price.

Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is.

Dogs: Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml www.adaptil.com/us/Products/ADAPTIL-Calm-Home-Diffuser with dog pheromones

Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below:

1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed

2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.

3) Bach's "Rescue Remedy Pets" is a liquid 5-herb combo to help with relaxation (Star of Bethlehem – Orithogalum umbellatum, Rock Rose – Helianthemum, Cherry Plum – Prunus cerasifera, Impatiens – Impatiens gladulifera, Clematis – Clematis vitalba)