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Post by krwelch85 on Jul 18, 2013 14:22:05 GMT -7
charlotte is my 7 year old doxie and today is day 1 of her crate rest. she had a previous ivdd episode 2 years ago which required surgery due to a complete loss of function of her hind legs and deep pain sensation. after 8 weeks post-op crate rest she regained full function of her hind limbs. yesterday i noticed her back was arched and she was showing signs of going down again. we took her to her neurologist who thought it was most likely a repeat episode. she still has full function of her hind legs and most of her reflexes are still intact. she is on 4-6 weeks strict crate rest and tramadol for pain. looking for support and ideas on how to keep her entertained since my 10 month old cant have playdates for awhile. any info would be appreciated!
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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 18, 2013 15:16:38 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Maureen, what's yours? Welcome to Dogers List, I'm sorry that Charlotte is having another IVDD episode. 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 Chalotte-- 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. Can you give us some more information so that we may better assist you? What medications is she on - type and dosages? Is her pain fully controlled? Does she wag her tail when she is happy? Can she pee and poop okay, and does her poop look normal? Here is another great place to start reading, because being a reader is going to help you get all of the information that you need www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmWe will also be able help you with ideas to help alleviate boredom.  |
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Post by krwelch85 on Jul 19, 2013 17:38:18 GMT -7
thanks for the reply! my name is katie. today she seems to be doing ok. i can tell she isnt feeling well because she wants to be in her crate (i.e. no whining, pawing at the door, etc.). she is still walking ok, wagging tail, eating, and going potty (she hasnt pooped since yesterday). her back was arched this morning, but its not as bad once shes had her pain meds. she has been whimpering when i touch her even lightly. she has started nibbling on her tail and hind legs, but not as bad as she did during her first epidode.. shes on tramadol every 8-12 hours as needed for pain. i was wondering though if she shouldnt be on anti-inflammatories or steroids. ill be making a call to the vet in the morning.
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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 19, 2013 20:18:55 GMT -7
Katie, what is the dose in mg for the tramadol? Are you giving Tramadol at the max of every 8 hours promptly? She should not be having pain nearing the next dose. Her pain meds are not YET right. And she is not on an anti-inflammatory to work on getting the swelling down. Tramadol masks pain but does nothing to help get the swelling down. Why did the neuro say he was not prescribing an anti-inflammatory (steroids or NSAID?) She needs to have gabapentin on board pronto for the neuropathic pain…evidenced by biting her tail and leg… this can easily turn life threatening as body parts are chewed off. Do you have a towel lengthwise folded and closed with duct tape to prevent her from reaching lower limbs and body until you can get an e-collar. Read up on the meds that are used with a disc episode and advocate strongly to get t hem on board. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm [the anti-inflammatory] www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm [the pain relievers] She may be constipated or it can just be painful to poop because her meds are not right. Pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. The amount of water in the diet makes all the difference. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with a teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon pumpkin to kibble and no extra water 1x a day. Note alternatives: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potoato. |
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Post by krwelch85 on Jul 22, 2013 13:25:28 GMT -7
i was having some issues straightening out her medications, but i think all the kinks have been worked out. i called her primary vet about initiating an nsaid and the receptionist said i would have to get it from the specialist. i called the specialist and they said to get it from her primary vet or come in for a recheck (even though she was seen 4 days prior) and pay another $90. so i called her primary vet who started her on metacam. i didnt ask for gabapentin at this point because she hasnt been chewing her hind legs or tail since that one night. so her current meds are:
tramadol 50mg 1/4 tab every 8-12 hours
metacam 1.5mg/ml 12 lbs dose daily.
she doesnt seem to need the pain med every day and if she needs a dose its usually in the morning and one dose lasts her all day. it seems like she has good days where shes alert and wagging her tail and other days where its obvious that shes not feeling well. she is pooping normally and even arching her back with no issues when she goes. im wondering if this is just a mild ivdd episode or just arthritis from her previous injury.
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