ts123
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Posts: 28 
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Post by ts123 on Jul 10, 2013 18:00:58 GMT -7
Back again! You may remember me from a few weeks ago. Our dachshund had the neurological condition (Cerebellar Hypoplasia) and after a severe regression where the cervical IVDD was obviously combined with a severe neurological issue we were dealing with, we made the decision to let him cross Rainbow Bridge.
3 weeks later and while out of the country yesterday, my mom e-mailed me telling me our other dachshund, Dior, wasn't acting herself. Full movement but not running around, didn't want to eat, whined when my mom went to touch her. I told her to immediately try to put her in a crate. She is a puppy mill dog as well with significant anxiety issues and normally, she poops/pees within 2 minutes of being in a crate, scratches nonstop, etc. My mom put her in and she didn't move an inch, just laid down. I knew something was immediately wrong.
Our vacation was over and we flew home today and Dior barely came over to me, very depressed, will not look at me when I call her name, etc. Got her into our vet asap tonight and vet says dealing with another neck issue. She loves cheese whiz and wouldn't even lift her head up to try to get it. Confirmed not a back issue.
She does have full movement, tail wags, eating again, had large bowel movement today (she did not have one at all yesterday). Still depressed and just does not want to be around anyone and doesn't really want me to pet/touch her at all. Vet prescribed 2.5 mg of prednisolone 2x a day (for 1 week and then taper), tramadol 2 or 3x a day depending on pain which we will monitor (1/3 of a pill but don't have mg's in my head right now - said we could do a half if needed) and then methocarbamol as well.
My mom says she is moving around a bit more today than yesterday, but I know it doesn't mean anything and that rest, rest, rest, is needed! She's a 12 year old (13 in August) dachshund. I'll go back to reread through everything but wanted to just stop in and post.
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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 10, 2013 18:40:52 GMT -7
Good job on getting Dior crated so quickly, I am so sorry that you are having to deal with IVDD again. Don't forget the Pepcid to protect her stomach - you can pick it up at a drugstore.
keep us posted - keeping you in thought and prayer :0
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 10, 2013 20:40:33 GMT -7
Welcome back to Dodgerslist sorry to hear your other Dachsie Dior is having an IVDD Neck episode.. Yes rest and more rest and also pain relief as you know. Tramadol is a short acting drug and works best at every 8 hours.. and Methocarbamol works very well with on neck episodes at every 8 hours as well. Not wanting to be touched and being depressed means pain is still an issue and she may need more adjustments to her pain meds, so let the Vet know if you don't see evidence that pain is under control dose to dose.. I know you know the drill and will take wonderful care of Dior and get her through this..
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ts123
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by ts123 on Jul 12, 2013 13:47:49 GMT -7
Quick question. I spoke to our vet. We aren't seeing a tremendous improvement, but she did lift her head up to me today. Anyways, she is still very depressed and lazy. Still has full body movement, tail wagging, eating and potty habits all normal. We are not 100% sure if this is a side effect from the drugs or if she's in pain. We did up her to 1/2 a Tramadol 3x a day (she was at 1/3 a Tramadol 3x a day) just to be safe to ensure she's not in any pain.
Our vet said that if we do not see improvement this weekend as far as how she is acting, she may want to switch Dior off the methocarbamol and switch to valium (diazepam). Can anyone give me any thoughts on valium? It appears that valium also acts as a muscle reactor.
She wants her to stay on daily dose of pred for several more days instead of tapering off.
It's just very hard for us to tell if she's in a pain or if this is a side effect from the meds.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 12, 2013 15:12:31 GMT -7
Is Dior on a tummy protector since she is on Prednisone? When using a Steroid , an acid reducer such as Pepcid AC is necessary. Dodgerslist follows those vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach, choosing not to wait until a bleeding ulcer or life-threatening stomach perforation happens. Ask your vet this way: Is there any medical reason why Dior can't take Pepcid AC? Valium® (Diazepam) Diazepam is used as a sedative, to treat convulsions, and as a muscle relaxant. It can be used to treat muscle spasms associated with inter-vertebral disc disease. Diazepam is not FDA approved for use in veterinary medicine, but can be prescribed by a veterinarian as an extra-label drug. Common side effects include weakness, drowsiness, and loss of coordination. Rarely aggression or unusual behavior can occur. Diazepam should be used with caution with geriatric animals, animals with decreased kidney or liver function or animals with respiratory depression. Diazepam has sedative properties, and combining with other drugs that have sedative characteristics should be done only with extreme caution. Diazepam may interact with other drugs such as certain antibiotics, narcotics, propranol, digoxin and barbiturates. The effects of Diazepam may be much stronger then expected if used with Cimetidine (Tagamet®). If antacids must be used, separate the medications by at least two hours. www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/diazepam.asp www.marvistavet.com/html/body_valium.html |
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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 12, 2013 19:30:26 GMT -7
I'm sorry your Doir is having a neck episode. I did not catch your name… mine is Paula. -- How much does she weigh? -- being drugged/sedated would not make her avoid being petted. Along with being depressed and not her perky self, I would say she is still in pain, too. Are you doing all the extra things to help with a neck disc? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm You might ask to add Gabapentin in to the mix to fully control pain. Let us know how she is doing today |
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ts123
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by ts123 on Jul 13, 2013 5:49:58 GMT -7
Yes, she is taking Pepcid. She is feeling much better now (appears back to her normal self) because we had to take her out of her crate in the middle of last night. Going absolutely nuts, peed and pooped in the crate, thrashing her way through it, jumping around like crazy in it, nonstop trying to dig her way out of it, etc. I know, sounds weird to be excited about pee/poop in a crate but that means she is feeling better. We moved her into our very small office and she is much more calm. We have the babygate up of course so she can't run or go on a little walk around the house. She stays more put in that little area and is nice and calm.
We'll keep her on the same meds for a few more days and then begin to taper pred to see how she reacts and then of course keep her confined to this small area for several weeks. Keeping are other 2 dogs separated from her of course.
Yes, we are doing the things for cervical IVDD except for the laser therapy.
Thanks!!
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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 13, 2013 11:41:10 GMT -7
ts123, the very small office is still way too big. What can you do to come up with a solution that provides not much more than enough to stand, turn around and when lying down to fully stretch out her legs. Can you add an expen to the baby gate to create a recovery suite area? Expens are quite flexible and useful in many ways even after crate rest is over. Here is just one idea of what you can do with one. |
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ts123
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by ts123 on Jul 22, 2013 19:42:06 GMT -7
Just thought I'd give a quick update. Dior is doing well! We weaned her off meds this weekend. She is still on a small dose of Tramadol just to go slowly but so far, so good! Tomorrow she will be off all meds completely. She wants to run around the house so badly but can't. Several more weeks to go. Anyways, thanks for all the support!
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