Holly's Frank 7/1 conservative

Holly, welcome to Dodgerslist. I'm sorry to hear Frank is having a disc episode.

Do know it is in the cards for Frank to get back to enjoying life and all the activities he did before the episode after having completed the single most important part of conservative treatment. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No wheelchair, no laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.

The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.

In the early days of learning our dogs have IVDD, everyone needs a shoulder to lean on while getting things figured out, dealing with emotions, getting up to speed on meds, what disc disease is, etc.  Your job in the coming days is to become a reader so you become the confident leader of Frank's health care team.... to discuss confidently various issues from medications to recognizing if suggestions of activity would be harmful to the healing disc.  All that takes being a reader. Start on our main website with "Overview: the essentials" yellow button it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all the orange buttons and the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" to complete your education. Here is the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

We love to be able to better support you, can you give us a few more details:
-- What is your dog's name? Your name, too.

-- Is there still currently pain nearing the next dose of meds or at any time - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? Let the vet know. Often if tramadol is not given at minimum of every 8 hours it may not control pain…you vet has lots of options, but needs your feedback to tweak pain meds to get it just right for Frank. Let us know if you are seeing any pain.

-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Please include the all important stomach protector such as Pepcid AC. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way: "Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not 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 anti-inflammatory.

-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm

-- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine…that is proof of bladder control or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up indicating loss of bladder control?

-- Tell us more detail about the anal sphincter.  Is the anus always open not closed tight?  Or are you meaning that poop just plops out in his crate?  You can express for poop if he does not have bowel control. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm#poop

-- Eating and drinking OK?

-- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood?

-- If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html

We look forward to learning more about Frank.  Hang in there this is a bump in the road of life, but both you and Frank can get over the bump and get back to life after 8 weeks of crate rest.