Brian 's Doctor Poo 7/8 conservative

Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours?

The halmark component of conservative treatment is 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks. Anything short of 100% STRICT rest puts Dr. Poo at risk for further damage to his spinal cord. So you can be instrumental in helping him recover IF you have a good command of what disc disease is and how to do crate rest. Dogs whose owners read do a whole lot better because knowledge is the key to understanding the enemy and winning!
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm {Good overview of all parts of the healing process]
www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm [pink box on far right--- how to set up your recovery suite]

We'd like to be of better support to you….can you fill us in on these important details:
--  The biting of nails needs to be very watching for escalating to chewing off toes. Gabapentin is the med that addresses neuropathic pain. An e-collar is used to prevent access to the lower body parts.  

-- I'm sorry you did not receive adequate instructions about 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty til yesterday …. 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).  The neuro diminishment of stumbling can reverse as the nerves heal with time.

-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy?

-- 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.

-- 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

You  can learn more about surgery and where to find board certified surgeons here and when to  consider it: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm

We look  forward to learning more about Dr. Poo with your answers.

Brian, Tramadol is extremely bitter. Once they get a taste of it they will be forever suspicious. I would refrain from syringing tramadol or any of his pills. Pill him instead, then you know he got the entire dose and there is nothing for him to taste. Follow up with the yummiest treat you can think of after each pill.

How many mg of Pepcid AC, how many times a day?

chicken/rice mixture should be only for a few days when there is GI upset.  This is not balanced with the necessary vitamins and minerals that are needed for the repair job his body is doing.  Best to transition  him back on his kibble

Hi Brian,
I'm Jen. Sorry to hear about Dr. Poo. Have you tried to hide his Meds in treats like cheese or hotdogs? There is also a product out there made by Greenies it called pill pockets. Maybe try those. Our Tucker never even noticed his Meds in hotdogs. Just cut them big enough to put a pill in the middle
Positive thoughts sent your way.

Have you tried a pet pill gun?  It allows you to place the pill far enough back in the throat for it to be swallowed.  Rub his throat after inserting the pill so he'll swallow it.  It works well for one of my cats and saves those fingers.

Also, I've heard that this works but have never tried it.  Grasp the top of the dogs muzzle and use that hand to push his jowls down around his top teeth. The dog will open it's mouth and can't bite since his jowls are around his top teeth. With your free hand, quickly place the pill as far back in his throat as you can.  Rub his throat to encourage swallowing.

Good luck!

Marjorie

You might want to see if you can give Gabapentin for the biting of nails and paws. It works well for nerve pain and can be used with Tramadol!

I'm glad he's going for acupuncture tomorrow night. Be sure to tell the acupuncturist about the nerve pain and loss of appetite. The acupuncture should help any pain or discomfort he's experiencing (along with the Tramadol and Gabapentin) and help him feel better all around. You may have already done this but if not, try warming his food. It will bring out the smell and might tempt him. I wouldn't add too many herbs to his food right now as it might turn him off. He may just be avoiding the food to avoid getting those dreaded pills and might be suspicious of anything different. I hope the acupuncture helps him. I'll be keeping an eye out for your update.

Marjorie

Good morning!  

Please call the Pharmacist and make sure they compound it without Xylitol that is toxic to dogs.. The human liquid Gabapentin has Xylitol in it so it needs to be compounded with that in mind..

Just came back from first acupuncture with electrical stim and laser light therapy....he immediately cleaned out his food bowl and wanted more!!!!

Thinking we may switch to this vet permanently, she is so much more proactive. Took him ogg Rimadyl for a while, put him on methocarbamol, sucralfate and gabapentin and increased his tramadol a little bit to get the pain under control so he can concentrate on healing...amazing instant results!!

Only took him off for a few days to get his tummy back on track

That's wonderful news. So glad he's eating again. I know how scary that is when they stop eating and how relieved you must be.

Thanks Anisah for clarifying about the Rimadyl stop just for a few days.

Many vets are finding good success with pain control for spinal cord swelling  in adding gabapentin to Tramadol.  I am concerned however about the pain that seems to be neuropathic as evidenced by biting of his legs.

What is the dose in mg for the gabapentin 1x day?  This med has more options than 1x a day.  Get with your vet and ask for guidance to use it every 8 hours for better neuropathic pain control.  www.vasg.org/g_drugs.htm#GABAP

I'm delighted to hear you are serious to learn all you can about this disease. Kudos to you guys. 

The gabapentin at 1x a day is simply not aggressive enough. This med's half life is about 5-7 hours. My 13 lbs doxie was taking it 3 times a day at 33mg each dose… just to give you an idea. Can you get on the phone today and strongly advocate for increased gabapentin?

Your veterinarian should discuss with you the purposes and need for any spinal x-rays. Usually they are used to rule out other disease that can mimic disc disease at the initial exam such as broken bone, infectious spinal area, tumors…. Xrays show hard tissue best not the soft tissue of a disc nor the spinal cord. Anesthesia is necessary for a good picture. The dog's main defense against further damage is dependent upon adequate control over the trunk muscles – this defense is eliminated with anesthesia. So if meds and rest are proving to help, then use of xrays would be highly questionably at this point.