|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 14, 2013 11:40:20 GMT -7
Dasher is a 12 year old daschund who was seen last night at about 6 pm by vet and possibly diagnosed with a ruptured disc. His vet gave him liquid gabepentin and tramadol. It was an er visit and he is supposed to be seen again Monday morning. He can wobbly walk, dragging back left leg and he eats and drinks. His tail wags but he did wake up this morning in his own uine.
|
|
|
|
Post by jenbug72 on Jul 14, 2013 12:26:47 GMT -7
I am so sorry about your dog. I would suggest reading the instructions on strict crate rest, if you haven't already as the crate rest has really helped my dog.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335 
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jul 14, 2013 14:54:34 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgers List, my name is Maureen, what's yours? I am sorry that Dasher is going through an IVDD episode. Do you have him on strict crate rest? Is his pain under control? Can he pee and poop okay? Here is a great place to start reading www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm Here is some info on healing and pain www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmHere is some infor on crate rest www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm I know it can seem overwhelming at first. If you can ive us a list of all of his medications and the doses we will be able to better assist you. You are not alone, we are here to help you any way that we can. Please keep us posted. Keeping you in thought and prayer  |
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 14, 2013 15:08:34 GMT -7
Stevieluv is absolutely right that reading is necessary to know the enemy and win with this disease…great links she gave you! Dasher was not prescribed anything to deal with the swelling/inflammation going on in the spinal cord only two pain medications. Swelling causes pain and if enough swelling will cause loss of neuro functions such as a wobbly legs and loss of bladder control. Please get back with ER and request a steroid (the most powerful of anti-inflammatories). NSAIDS are non-steroid anti-inflammatories and might be used if there are not no neuro deficits by some vets. Steroids or NSAIDs do require a stomach protector of Pepcid AC (famotidine) 5mg of Pepcid AC 30 minutes before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. IF he leaks on you when lifted or you continue to find urine leaks in his bedding he may have lost bladder control, meaning you will need to express him to avoid a serious bladder infection. YOu wlll get more out of a hands on top of your hands type of expressing lesson from the ER vet today, if you believe he has lost bladder control by viewing this information. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm If he can still sniff an old pee spot in the grass and then release urine, that would be proof he still has bladder control. Let us know what you observe. -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Tramadol has a very short half life of 1.7 hours and may not control pain well unless it has been prescribed at minimum of every 8 hours. Pain is the first phase of healing that has to be in control in about 1 hour after prescriptions are customized to Dasher's needs. Let us know what you are observing and theexact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? |
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 14, 2013 15:22:16 GMT -7
Dasher is on 25 mg if tramadol every 8 hours, .6 ml of gabapentin every 8-12 hours. As well as neomyc-pollym-dexameth for ear problems and cephalexin 250 mg twice a day for ears. He has been crated since this am. His er visit was last night. He can pee and poop, he eats with enthuism and can wag his tail. He is walking on knuckle right side before he was crated. He doesnt seem to be crying out in pain today but he does shiver slightly. Its hard to tell with Dasher because I think he has an extremely high pain tolerance. He has constant ear problems and behaves as if nothing is wrong. He has appt first thing tomorrow morning.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 14, 2013 15:47:04 GMT -7
OK, thanks for the specifics. Having bladder control is good news. msimser, what is your name, mine is Paula? Shivering is NOT good news…that is a sign of pain. Does he shiver after moving, or nearing the next dose of pain meds? That would show pain meds are wearing off too soon. Are you giving the max of both meds at every 8 hours. Pain has to be the first thing to be controlled. You will want to make sure Dasher does not get prescribed any NSAIDs. He is already on a steroid (dexamethosone) for his ears. It is a dangeous thing to mix NSAIDs with steroids. Do you own reading so you are not blindsided with meds you don't recognize. You are Dasher's advocate and that requires doing some homework…great page to get an overview on meds, might even be worthwhile to printout as a reference at the vet visit. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm |
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 14, 2013 15:55:56 GMT -7
Is it ok that he is laying on his side? He also puts his head up. Sphjnx like. Im not 100% sure he is shivering. With his ear meds you said he is on a steroid?
Ive been laying by his crate all day. When he has to pee he isnt crying when I take him out of crate. He has 2 daschund siblings that are also keeping a constant vigil. My name is Mandy and Dasher and the others are my Moms dogs. She is out of town until late tonight and extremely upset. Im worried she may upset him because she is so upset.
Dasher is 1.5 hrs away from his next dose of pain meds and not shivering.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 14, 2013 16:53:50 GMT -7
neomyc-pollym- dexameth You can read more about Dex here as well as all his other meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html
Not moving much is also a sign of pain. Would you say he is his usual perky self? If not that is a sign of pain as well.
He is lying down in one position all day? Again another sign of pain… reluctance to move, to shift positions.
Please review our web page so you will be in position to help your mom understand his disease, how to care for him, meds, etc. and ready to have a good knowledgeable discussion with the vet
|
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 14, 2013 16:58:25 GMT -7
Yes. He is pretty much in one position. He is sitting up looking at us now. Im afraid to move him to take him to the bathroom.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Jul 14, 2013 17:34:34 GMT -7
Hi Mandy! Here is a video that shows how to lift and carry Dasher. He should be carried to his potty spot outside. He should only be allowed a very few steps to potty and then carry him back to his crate. Keep his back straight as you carry him.  Tell your Mom to hide her upset from Dasher or he will feel more frightened. It's hard we have all been through this but had to hide our emotions in order to help our dogs recover..Tell her the most important thing is to read about IVDD in order to help Dasher.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmSending healing thoughts and prayers to Dasher! |
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 14, 2013 17:47:31 GMT -7
He has appt tomorrow morning. He can stand up from his position on his side. Is that a good sign? It scares me he does it because I worry its putting pressure on his disc. Ive been taking him to pee every few hours. Just gave him his tramadol and he was very excited to get yogurt( a spoon).
I worry he is trying to hard to move. He doesnt whine, cry or shake. But like you say he isnt moving around a lot and that is a sign of pain.
|
|
|
|
Post by jochs311 on Jul 14, 2013 18:21:23 GMT -7
Hi Mandy, I am so sorry to read about Dasher. Please be sure he is on 100% Strict crate rest. Only out to potty. It's good that he is still wagging his tail and has some movement still. If he is shivering that is a sign of pain and maybe you should talk to your vet about putting him on a higher dose of Tramadol This is a stressful stage of recovery but I promise with the crate rest and getting into a routine things will get easier. The best thing you can do right now is read as much ad you can and then read it over again 4 weeks ago I came home to our Tucker in paralysis and dragging himself. Today his progress has been great with the crate rest. One thing I highly recommend is accupuncture. Tucker goes twice a week. Good luck and we look forward to hearing about Dashers progress. Sending healing thoughts your way! |
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 15, 2013 17:14:15 GMT -7
Dasher saw his own vet today and she is very optimistic. It was very reassuring. She recommended crating him with very limited mobility like you've been saying.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 15, 2013 18:17:48 GMT -7
Mandy, did your vet prescribe an anti-inflamamtory? If yes, did you also get Pepcid AC on board? Could you give us the exact name, the dose in mg and how often you are to give it?
Can you tell us about his pain level today. Does he move a bit more in his crate, such as changing positions? Any shivering or yelping, does he have tight tense tummy muscles?
|
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 15, 2013 18:40:25 GMT -7
I didnt take him because my Mom is back but he got anti inflamatory meds and she asked about pepsid and they said it was ok. I dont have his exact dosage. He is moving around, no shivering, no hard tummy. When he goes out to pee he appears to have mobility back entirely on his left back leg and the right seems tender. Im not going to say he isnt in pain, because he never cries out or complains. He never lost his appetite and his spunky little personality seems to be coming back. He is definately moving around inside of his crate and seems to be giving his daschund brother and daschund sister orders like he did before thd injury. If anyone can keep him from moving inside its my mother. He has laser treatments tomorrow and Thursday scheduled.
|
|
|
|
Post by jochs311 on Jul 15, 2013 19:01:03 GMT -7
I would really recommend 100% crate rest only out to potty. It's great that he seems to be feeling better but it could just be the medication masking the pain that makes him feel good. You don't want to do more damage if he is out with his pack. I know first hand my Aussie misses Tucker being able to hang out with him but I worry that he could go backwards from the progress he has made. The disc needs to be able to heal before he plays and is out and about. When you can please let us know what medications he is on. If on a steroid Pepcid is key to protect his belly. Good luck in your recovery Dasher! Your doing good |
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 15, 2013 21:32:20 GMT -7
I think my Mom said it was laser treatment he was scheduled for.
How will laser therapy help him?
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 16, 2013 11:01:41 GMT -7
|
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 20, 2013 16:54:05 GMT -7
Its been a week since Dasher injured himself. He had a set back on Wednesday morning. We got him immediately to his vet. She upped his gabapentin from .6 ml to .9. He is still crated, he eats, he pees and poops and his tail wags nonstop. He gets laser therapy 3 times a week and Monday he accupuncture. I dont live with my Mom and she doesnt use a computer. I will keep you updated as often as possible. Dashers vet is amazing. She is very optimistic about recovery.
|
|
|
|
Post by jochs311 on Jul 20, 2013 18:53:55 GMT -7
That's wonderful news Mandy! I'm so happy Dasher is on the right track for recovery. You and your mom are doing a great job. Keep up the great work.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 21, 2013 10:28:37 GMT -7
Mandy, sorry to hear about the setback, what exactly were the signs, pain, neuro deficits? Is he pain free now, today?
What is the name of the anti-inflammatory… the dose in mg and how often does your mom give it?
|
|
|
|
Post by msimser on Jul 21, 2013 10:35:20 GMT -7
I think he is having another setback today. I am trying to call back.
He has been crying all day today. What can we do? Should we take him to er today or wait for his laser/ accupunture appt tomorrow morning at 7:40?
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 21, 2013 11:22:28 GMT -7
With pain you do not wait. By crying you mean he is yelping for example after moving or nearing the next dose of meds. Or do you mean crying such as for you to give him attention, a treat?
We can be of better support if you, give us an update on the med list in my last post. What is the exact name of the anti-inflammatory. Has there been a recent change in it's dose or frequency.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Jul 21, 2013 11:22:31 GMT -7
Hi Mandy.. So sorry to hear that Dasher is having a set back.. Take him to the ER Vet..They can give him a pain shot and be sure to take his meds along or write them down along with the dosages and frequencies so they are aware of what he has been taking and they can then prescribe an increase in dosage or safely change meds.. Keep in mind that NSAIDS can't be given along with Steroids without a 4-7 day washout.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm
Make sure you are aware of the names of the NSAIDS and Steroids and that info is in the above document healing swelling.. Prayers for Dasher.. Please keep us posted as you are able.. You and your Mom aren't alone.. |
|
