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Post by jenbug72 on Jul 14, 2013 8:36:33 GMT -7
Hi my 8 (almost 9 year old) tweenie (20lb--yes, he needs to loose a couple of pounds) dachshund, Butters, started having pain and difficulty walking on Monday, 7/8/13. My husband took him to the vet and by the time he got him there his back right leg was starting to cross towards his left leg/very wobbly walking. Vet believes he has ivdd based on symptoms--no diagnostic tests done. She put him on strict crate rest, he is getting methocarbamol 500mg, carprofen 25 mg, tramadol 50 mg, 5mg pepcid a/c twice a day. I'm so lucky to say that he has improved so much in just a couple of days and he stopped walking like a drunk sailor by day four on his potty breaks (in an x-pen). He is not 100% but so much improved from the first couple of days. I am taking him to acupuncture/cold laser therapy Monday with a new holistic vet. The vet also wants to do Veterinary Orthopedic Maniputation (vom) at the same time as the acupuncture/laser therapy. I saw on your website that it is not recommended and I have seen other websites/vet sites that recommend it but there are different lengths of time to wait after the onset. So, it is a little confusing as what to do--since the vet is recommending it and says she has had success in the past with combining all three treatments. My question is at what point in his recovery do you recommend he have vom treatment or do you not recommend it at all now that he has ivdd? I do not want to risk his recovery by having something done I shouldn't, but also realize that I am not a vet and do not want to not get it done if it will help him. It is confusing due to conflicting information out there. Any information you have is much appreciated. Thanks, Jen
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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 14, 2013 8:59:26 GMT -7
Hi Jen, my name is Maureen. Welcome to Dodgers List, I am sorry that you and Butters are going through an IVDD episode. Here is a link to the information on Chiropractic (aka vom), and why it is not recommended. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiro.htmHere is information on crate rest and why 100% rest, only out to potty is so important. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help chili-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. …. 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. So we will use 6/15 as the day you have started STRICT rest. 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. 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. I hope that this helps- please keep us posted, we are all here to help each other. keeping you in thought and prayer. |
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Post by jenbug72 on Jul 14, 2013 13:06:16 GMT -7
Thanks for the reply. I am doing the strict crate rest and most likely will not have the vet perform the VOM. But, I guess I am still a little confused by why she is suggesting it, if it is so dangerous? I know that this website doesn't suggest chiropractic (aka VOM) and I read the article as to why, but when I read the literature about VOM at www.vomtech.com/whatis.htm they specifically state that VOM is NOT the same as chiropractic. I am wondering if anyone has tried VOM and what they think of it, or if there has been any other research done into VOM or is it just not being recommended based on the recommendation of the vet who wrote the article posted on this website. I am just trying to do all I can to have him recover 100%. Thanks again for any help:) |
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 14, 2013 20:09:49 GMT -7
Hi Jen,
I'm also Jen. Sorry to hear sbout your Butters. I highly recommend accupunture! My Tucker goes twice a week. He has had great progress in 4 weeks! He also gets laser and B12 with his visits. You should look into it. My Tucker was paralyzed when I came home 4 weeks ago. He was unable to move his rear legs and now with his Meds and accupunture/ laser treatment he is wobbly walking a bit even after our primary vet said get a cart he is 100% paralyzed. Please stay with the crate rest only out to potty. In time things get easier:)
Sending healing thoughts your way.
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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 14, 2013 21:17:49 GMT -7
"VOM delivers its force with a hand-held device. It looks a bit like a spring-loaded doorstop." We just can't recommend any manipulation, any force to the back with and IVDD dog. The disc is of utmost important to protect. If that disc is further damaged that will transfer to the spinal cord and loss of neuro functions. What works is 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty and vet visits for acupuncture, laser light therapy or exams.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Jul 15, 2013 10:26:36 GMT -7
Here is a video of VOM in case you haven't seen it done before. You can see they put the device right on the spine. The decision is always yours, or course, but Dodgerslist feels, as Paula has said, that we can't recommend any manipulate or force to the delicate spinal cord on an IVDD dog.
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Post by jenbug72 on Jul 15, 2013 18:11:03 GMT -7
Thank you all for your help and information. Butter is doing great with his recovery I still have him on crate rest and he is walking really well when he is on a potty break. After much thought and research and after feeling the small amount of pressure that the device puts out on my own arm (it felt like someone had lightly pressed my skin) I decided that I would let the holistic vet perform the VOM treatment and it went great, it didn't hurt him and he seemed very relaxed after. I am not suggesting all dogs have it--it is a personal choice, but since he seems to be almost 100% again I felt comfortable with it. He also had b-12 acupuncture and cold laser therapy. Afterwards he seemed more relaxed and like he felt better. I am planning on continued holistic therapy along with conventional treatment. Again thanks to everyone for responding and I hope every dog gets better:)
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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 16, 2013 8:29:19 GMT -7
Thank you for sharing your experience - I am so glad that Butter is feeling better  |
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