|
|
Post by shortysmom on Jul 22, 2013 22:31:01 GMT -7
My boy's name is Shorty, he's a mini shorthaired dachshund, black and tan. Five days ago, my husband drove home to the perplexing sound of silence. See, usually my boy can tell the sound of my husband's car going over the speed bump outside before he even hits the driveway and he starts howling. Well last week, my husband was not greeted. He ran inside to see what the matter was. Shorty was sitting there quiet as can be with a horribly guilty look on his face. He ate something. This something caused a blockage in his throat. My husband was coached through the doggy Heimlich maneuver, which didn't really work. Shorty was breathing but had what my husband called "an adams apple sized ball in his throat". I came home and we rushed him to the vet. While waiting for the vet, Shorty, refusing to give up his prized whateveritwas to the vet, swallowed it. The vet said that while they could do xrays, it wouldn't tell them what it was or whether it would pass, only where it was so they could perform a surgery. This would require anesthesia and Shorty has so many allergies (grass, wheat, gluten, flea meds, etc) that I was apprehensive to put my 7 year old dog through such a surgery. She said it was for the best to monitor him to see if it would pass.
He has been eating and drinking regularly (okay we're spoiling him a bit - the first day all he'd eat was ham. (dachshund kryptonite) and he eliminated regularly the first three days, and pooped the second and third day. On the fourth day he woke up, came down stairs with me to pee (I always carry him down the stairs so I didn't notice anything wrong till we were on the grass), tried to lift his leg to pee, fell over and peed on himself and cried. It was horrible. I felt helpless. We waited in the emergency vet clinic for TWO HOURS thinking the foreign object might have created a blockage in his intestines that some how did nerve or spinal damage. I was in tears all Sunday. The Vet finally took us in and took xrays. She showed us the spine how on a few of his invertebrae the gaps were too close together. She didn't use the words IVDD, and didn't write the diagnosis down for us. She quoted us an MRI fee of $1000 to see if surgery was possible, and a surgery cost $7000. She said that because he still has some control over his back legs, can eliminate, and wag his tale, that it's very likely he'll do fine with crate rest and medication. She said because it's already been so long, there would be no difference between IV steroids and staying overnight or administering them orally at home. She told us he must be in a crate when he's not attended to, but otherwise, as long as he's not bothered with he can be with us on the couch. We are to carry him everywhere, his feets are not to touch ground unless he has to pee. There is nothing to jostle him or startle him in our house, as it's just my husband and I and our cat Ember. (Who is now trying to get us to carry HER around as well.)
He doesn't seem in a lot of pain, occasionally when I try to pick him up he will groan, but he isn't shaking like he was during the choking incident, and he isn't crying except when he cant be by our side. (Then he yowls miserably.) His tummy is tight but we think that's the lack of pooping, and he only puts his nose up when he doesn't want something - like water, or food, or to pee.
Last night he peed the bed, mostly I think because he didn't realize he had to go, and I probably gave him too much water before bed. I carried him downstairs and he peed the rest right away in the back yard. He has been eating, but is no longer pooping. (2 days! We're panicking!) Does anyone have any advice to help him go? We cant use natural laxatives or mineral oil because that will give him diarrhea which is one of the bad signs that he has a blockage in his intestine from the foreign object. A vet tech said try the "match trick" ? But the idea of this makes me very nervous.
The meds we were given are as follows : prednisolone 1 ml every 12 hrs for 5 days, then 1 ml every 24 hrs for 5 days, then 1 ml every 48 hrs for 5 days. and 5 mg of famotidine daily. Any help would be much appreciated!! I want to give him his best shot at recovery!
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
|
Post by Marjorie on Jul 23, 2013 6:15:46 GMT -7
Welcome to our group. My name is Marjorie, what's yours? I'm so sorry that you and Shorty are going through this. I know how frightening it is. It does sound like Shorty would be a good candidate for crate rest. But crate rest is just that - 24/7 - only to be carried out to do his business and then carried back to the crate. Your vet's suggestion that he can stay on the couch with you, even supervised, is not a good one. Even when a dog has recovered from IVDD, they shouldn't ever be allowed on the couch, bed or chairs. You never know if a noise outside might startle them and they might jump down. Certainly with a dog that is currently having a disc problem, that can't be allowed. Also, the crate is a good firm support for your dog's back. Consider the crate like a cast. He's safe and sound in there and it's truly the best place for him. It takes a full 8 weeks of crate rest for the disc to heal properly. Some vets try to cut that short but Dodgerslist takes the conservative approach as too many relapses are seen if less than 8 weeks are done.
It sounds as though Shorty may still have pain - groaning when being picked up, tight tummy. And you don't mention that the doctor gave any pain medication. Please contact your vet immediately and discuss the need for pain medication. He shouldn't have any pain at all. Healing cannot start until the pain is completely under control. No pain from dose to dose of medication. Please let us know what your vet says. There are people in this group who are very educated in medications and they will help you stabilize Shorty's pain.
You can try adding a teaspoon of pumpkin to Shorty's food to help him poop.
Become educated about IVDD. Read, read and then read some more! Dodgerslist.com has much information with videos that will help you to learn all you need to know about IVVD. And of course, don't hesitate to stop by here and ask away. Please be detailed in your postings as we love details! Keep us posted.
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
|
Post by StevieLuv on Jul 23, 2013 7:02:01 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Maureen, what's yours? Welcome to Dodgers List. You are in the best place to learn about IVDD and give Shorty his best chance for recovery. Conservative treatment does work, and you are off to a good start! Margorie made some very valid points with regard to crate rest and pain control. 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 Shorty-- 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. 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. His medications are prednisone that reduces swelling, and famotidine to protect his stomach from the steriods right? Did the Vet give you anything for pain control? Marjorie is right in that he is still exhibiting signs of pain with the groaning and tight tummy and reluctance to pee and poop. Call your Vet and ask (demand!!) pain relief for your boy. Tramadol, or methocarbamol or gabapentin, or a combo of all of those if needed will control pain. Pain control is necessary for proper healing. A good place to start reading about IVDD is www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmLift and carry In the early days of learning our dogs have IVDD, everyone needs a shoulder to lean on while getting things figured out, dealing with emotions, getting up to speed on meds, what disc disease is, etc. Your job in the coming days is to become a reader so you become the confident leader of the health care team.... to discuss confidently various issues from medications to recognizing if suggestions of activity would be harmful to the healing disc. All that takes being a reader. Start on our main website with "Overview: the essentials" yellow button it will give you the degree of understanding you need right away…. as time permits continue to read all the orange buttons and the blue button "Disc Disease 101 core readings" to complete your education. Here is the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmEveryone here has been, or is going through this. You are not alone anymore and we will help you all that we can. Keep us posted and read, read, read, Educating yourself is the best way to become the best advocate for Shorty's care. YOU are the head of his health care team  Keeping you in thought and prayer |
|
|
|
Post by shortysmom on Jul 23, 2013 11:30:42 GMT -7
wont the pumpkin effect our ability to discern in the blockage is causing him intestinal issues though? The vet made me very frightened to use any type of natural laxative because she said I wont be able to tell if there's a problem with the foreign object he swallowed not passing his intestines if I do. I'm going to their office today to ask for a pain medication that you recommended. Shorty spent his first night on the floor in a temporary crate. For now all we have is a pop-up crate that we can zip up with him in it to keep him from trying to move around. I put the pad from the dog bed in it. I hand feed him water and food so I can control his intake. Last night I had to help him eliminate on a tree. It just seems like he tries, and you can see his tummy muscles move, but nothing comes out. I forgot to mention that the vet pointed out that he also has kidney stones he needs to pass in his bladder as well that we discovered on the xray. Wish me luck today!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 23, 2013 14:56:21 GMT -7
If the item can be digested, that is broken down by the stomach acids, it should be able to pass out of his body. If it is too big or something that can't be digested then, surgery may be necessary. Pumpkin is not a laxative. Pumpkin is a high fiber food. 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. The proper way to express for both urine and for poop is here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm Did you get a hands on top of your hands type of expressing lesson and any caveats regarding his stone problem and expressing? Did the ER vet xray include the stomach/intestines to identify the "object"? -- Is there still currently pain signs - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Shorty is not on any pain meds just an anti-inflammatory and a stomach protector. -- How much does Shorty weigh? -- Currently today can he still wobbly walk with back legs? move the back legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment. The information highlighted in PINK pertains to a dog who can't walk. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm-- Have you found more wet bedding today or leaks on you when lifted up? Those are signs that bladder control is being lost. -- Do you know which kind of stones he has. Would be good to read up on that here: www.marvistavet.com/html/bladder_stones.html |
|
|
|
Post by shortysmom on Jul 23, 2013 22:03:17 GMT -7
Aloha from Hawaii, sorry I wasn't so forthcoming the first time, I was just so worried about Shorty I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jacqui. Today I got a prescription for 10 days of Tramadol. I have 5 10mg tablets. He is to take Tramadol 1/4 every 12 hrs. Thank YOU for your advice! I didn't realize until he felt better that he was just "hiding the pain". He passed out and is much calmer and his muscles are loose now. I also got a can of 100% pumpkin and will be mixing 1 tsp with his watered kibble (origen)for dinner tonight. A little background: Shorty is 12.5 lbs with great muscle tone according every vet we've ever seen. We've kept him active walking and running since he was a puppy. He has always been trained to use the stairs we have on our bed and high furniture. I saw Dodger's list when I first got him, read the 1 in 4 statistic and we've prepared him for this hoping he'd never have to go through it. See, he started out with all odds against him. He has food allergies (hence only 5 star grain free). We got him for free when he was about 6 mos. old because his food aggressive brother cut his eye and it was bulging out, and he was almost hairless. They asked us to come get him because they didn't want him to die. We took him to two different vets who both said he is a poorly bred animal with no food drive and will never be trainable, one suggested we put him down right there. At 6 mos. I could close my index finger and thumb around his stomach. We force fed him Nutro at first, then discovered the food list. Shorty can wag his tail (he was depressed and wouldn't wag or vocalize for the longest time, then sunday when we got back from the vet I asked: who wants ham? And he wagged like crazy)and he can move and stand on his wobbly legs. Today (after a night of crate confinement) he hasn't leaked or wet any bedding. He even eliminated on his own for my husband during the day! He put him out sideways to a tree he went on in the past, Shorty sniffed, and went! (Hooray! Maybe last night he was passing the kidney stone!) I don't know what kind of stone it is, but it was pretty tiny on the xray and the Vet said it was completely passible and to look for boughts of UTI-like peeing patterns. Pee-stop-pee-stop. Another bit of background: I used to have a wire-haired fox terrier named Mele with epilepsy. She lost the use of her back legs during an attack at age 7, then again at 12, then right before she passed away at a ripe age of 17. I got in contact with her vet from waaaaaay on the other side of the island (she moved since then) to have her consult on Shorty's case. I am confident Dr. Asato is the only reason she ever walked again. She switched her from Phenobarbitol to other medication with some homeopathic helpers, switched her diet, taught me to massage her, swim her in the baby pool, and we got her acupuncture. I currently don't have the funds to acquire top of the line treatment that Mele got, but I can employ what she's already taught me when it's time AND she said she would like to see Shorty's xrays (which I insisted I get a copy of) to consult. I am very excited about this because she's a great vet, I might have to drive 2-3 hrs away to see her, but anything's better then waiting 2 hrs at the VCA. The xray showed no mass moving in his stomach or intestines but that doesn't mean it isn't there, just that it wasn't in the "sight" of the xray according to the tech. No more signs of pain, he tenses when we pick him up to potty, and he hasn't yelped since day 4. NO I haven't had any hands on training with manual eliminating, but I read online and watched videos. My vet cautioned not to press too hard, but use my fingers to press to the middle in a gentle squeezing motion so as not to pop his bladder. I have tried the massaging to method to help him poop, but he doesn't go and just thinks I'm nuts when I try. On Friday my dad comes back into town and will get me my sister's old playpen to use for Shorty, until then we're stuck dealing with his temp tent - it closes and has good ventilation and we keep it on the floor. I would just like to say, I'm so greatful to have all of you helping us, I live in Hawaii and despite all the hype there really isn't great vet care available. There's one company that does emergency care, they're super busy, and they aren't always the most informative. Thank you thank you thank you! p.s. I have his xrays and I'm uploading them to a file post website so here they are: www.dropbox.com/s/qknniaayzzi8acz/1.2.840.114387.1504622158.52340.19983.42146.74513241363981.jpgwww.dropbox.com/s/aj23oh1mjdgayi0/1.2.840.114387.1853503666.37153.18217.33436.161138723307861.jpg |
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 24, 2013 10:57:54 GMT -7
Jackqui, sounds like things are going well at your house….not really any signs of pain, passed sniff and pee test and can move his legs.
Now that he does have bladder control returning, do a quick express check after he pees on his own. Do that until you are confident he is fully able to void the bladder on his own.
The tensing at potty time could be he has learned it used to hurt after moving so he tenses up in anticipation. So put on your detective hat and see if there are any other pain signs such as not moving so much nearing the next dose of pain med (tramadol) that would indicate he still suffers with pain. Tamadol has a very short half life of 1.7 hours and is likely not to control pain fully unless given every 8 hours. So if you see pain, get on the phone with the vet and discuss a prescription change to give it more often. There is also more room to move with a larger dose than the 12.5 mg (1/4 tab).
|
|
|
|
Post by shortysmom on Jul 24, 2013 11:28:19 GMT -7
I'm a little bummed this morning, I'm not sure if we suffered a setback last night. The pumpkin worked! But it worked during the night and he voided his bladder as well. I think because the object he passed was so large he couldn't help it, (it was also pretty hard), so I'm wondering if we should just give him a do-over on this one. He has always been kind of difficult to make go potty on our terms, anyways, and I wonder if it was just something that happened with tensing all his muscles to pass the object. Any thoughts?
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 24, 2013 12:05:36 GMT -7
The pressure of the item passing could have placed pressure on the bladder to cause him to void his bladder.
Can you explain what "do-over" means. If you have concerns, best is to call the vet who is familiar with the blockage issue.
|
|
|
|
Post by shortysmom on Jul 24, 2013 22:51:54 GMT -7
I'm really confused why some of my responses are disappearing... ?
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Jul 25, 2013 4:36:14 GMT -7
If you click on "Reply", there is a preview page that comes up and you have to click "Create Post". If you don't click on "Create Post", your post doesn't go through. Unless you want to see a preview of your post, it's quicker to click on "Post Quick Reply" at the bottom of your posting.
|
|
|
|
Post by shortysmom on Jul 25, 2013 22:10:10 GMT -7
I think that's what happened. Do over means I don't feel the need to bring him into the emergency vet because he voided his bladder since I think it was caused by the blockage. Now that the foreign object is gone, Shorty has pooped on his own, and peed on his own (although not completely, he gets tired on his feet.) He's okay in his little crate, and actually seems to like it because it feels safe. Does anyone have any suggestions for safe toys or activities in his crate? I gave him a KONG once, and he didn't like it because it made his teeth squeak when he chewed it. He basically hid it and never touched it again. He wants to start moving around, but the confines of his crate now prevent him from that. He does like being outside, and smelling smells and hearing birds and interacting, it's really picked his mood up. (I bring his crate outside with me when I garden.) I cannot express in words how much your simple guidance has really effected our lives so far. I think if we hadn't had your input my husband wouldn't have taken the crate rest as seriously, and perhaps he wouldn't be as good as he is today. He does stand and adjust himself in his crate occasionally. He's so much better than he was, and he isn't depressed anymore!
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Jul 26, 2013 4:09:02 GMT -7
I'm so glad to hear that Shorty's doing well and is comfortable and calm in his crate. Nice to hear of him getting some fresh air in the garden, too. I've been taking Jeremy outside on days it's not too hot and I know it's really improved his mood. Here are some things you can try to keep Shorty amused: dawgbusiness.blogspot.com/2013/05/injured-dog-recovery-and-rehab.htmlIf he gets too excited or moves around too much with any of these, please discontinue. I tried the muffin pan game with Jeremy and it was too stimulating for him. He gets way too excited when treats are around! But some of these might be helpful with Shorty. |
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 26, 2013 12:30:17 GMT -7
I'm writing this not just for our members but for over 100 a day guests who we never get to "talk" with. Many of the training ideas would be doable and as Marjorie says if your dog is moving too much that is not a good one for him. Just be sure not to follow the idea that they are out of the crate, sitting on a the couch. This trainer is not aware of the need to model staying inside the recovery suite with an IVDD dog and models and demonstrates some inappropriate concepts for a conservatively treated dog.
The focus of crate rest is not entertainment but letting the disc heal. Just as a basis of comparison…most dogs need some 16-18 hours of sleep per day, people sleep 8-9 hours day. What are they doing in the crate? Laying around and sleeping!
|
|
|
|
Post by shortysmom on Jul 28, 2013 2:08:40 GMT -7
Shorty was really good today, he feels his legs back stronger and stronger. Sometimes when I pick him up he kicks me with his back legs! He is, however, very very stubborn about pottying and not walking. He wont go without his harness on, and when he puts it on we have to keep him in a very confined area because he wants so bad to go back to his old ritual and walk, and spin to poop. We aren't letting that happen, but he actually growled at me tonight for keeping him from walking and then tried to take off in the other direction. We have a vet apt at 12:30 tomorrow, more then. Such a stubborn boy!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Hester & Hope+Dashel on Jul 28, 2013 9:29:41 GMT -7
Axel loves this toy. You can put peanut butter (which is Axel's favourite) or treats in each little hole, and he spends probably an hour more sticking his tongue in every little hole trying to get the very last bit out. It's not meant for chewing, but for a flexible area to stick treats, and then you can wash it with soap and water after he's done.  |
|
