Sara's Libby 3/13 Conservative; graduation date: May 8

Hi Sara, Welcome to Dodger's List! We're glad you found us.

When a dog's disc ruptures, it causes swelling on the spinal cord which in turn causes the nerves that run through the spinal cord to become damages or blocked. This causes the dog to lose neurological functions such as leg movement, bladder control, and tail wagging ability.

It sounds like Libby has lost bladder control since you said her crate was wet. When a dog loses bladder control, we manually express their bladders for them until control returns. To do this, go to your vet asap and get a HANDS ON bladder expressing demonstration. Have the vet place your hands directly on Libby's bladder and express her bladder there in front of the vet so he/she can check your work. Watch our bladder expressing video beforehand here:  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm  You will need to express her bladder 4 to 6 times per day until control returns. If you still find wet spots or urine squirting when you pick her up, you will need to express more often, maybe every 2 to 3 hours. This is due to the steroid which causes more frequent urination.

Are you protecting Libby's stomach from the excess acid caused by the steroid? If not, ask your vet (or tell them!) if you can give 5 mg of Pepcid AC 30 minutes before each dose of steroid. For some reason, some vets aren't proactive about protecting the stomach until after an internal bleed occurs. This will show up in the poop as dark/tarry looking or bright red blood. Speaking of poop, you can express poop too - watch on our expressing video in the link above.

Libby is not on any pain medication. If you see signs of pain - panting, shivering/trembling, lack of appetite, reluctance to move, yelping, nipping, or a tight-feeling tummy (like a drum), ask your vet for the general pain reliever Tramadol.

Here are some links to help you with conservative crate rest, which consists of 8 weeks of strict crate rest plus meds to mask the symptoms. It is time and limited movement that heals the disc while the meds control inflammation and pain:

www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm

www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htm

If you are not already getting it, we highly recommend acupuncture and laser light therapy for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of relaxing the dog. I firmly believe acupuncture helped my Goosie regain his bladder control more quickly, and his movements were stronger after his treatments. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/

The best way for you to help Libby is by learning about her disease. Here is a brief tutorial on IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/index.html . If a dvd is more your style, we have an excellent one available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm

We look forward to hearing more about Libby. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have. We've helped thousands of IVDD dogs and owners here on Dodger's List, so you're in good company! Best wishes, ~Lisa

Sara,

It is natural to feel overwhelmed and lost when dealing with your beloved Libby and IVDD, I know because I have been through it with Tyler.  You are not alone, however, because you are among friends here and with people who are dealing with IVDD up close and personal.

I know when Tyler went down and lost his ability to walk, I cried plenty.. It was so hard to leave him at the Purdue Small animal hospital, but it was the right thing to do. They put him on the road to recovery..  That evening I found Dodgerslist and read up on what was happening to my dear dog. The excellent moderating team here on Dodgerslist got me through the turmoil day by day, after he came home from the hospital. Reading the stories of others going through the same thing helped me beyond measure, as well. All I can tell you, is read, read and read some more. The more you know about IVDD, the better able you are to help your Libby..

Now the only problem we are dealing with is keeping Tyler from overdoing it. He not only can walk, he tries to run and we have to slow him down.. Take one day at a time, Libby will get better.. If your current vet thinks he can't do anymore, find another Veterinarian that is experienced with the treatment of IVDD. It isn't hopeless at all.

Take care... Pauliana

Sara, I've been reading the good things you are reporting.... staying dry, tail wag  next you should see some leg movements developing! You are doing a good job of care.

I can see that Libby, does not want to fail you and feels the need to perform her duties. That can make her very anxious now that she needs to be on crate rest.  You might try some mild calmers to take the edge off and help her relax.

Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best.  It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives.

Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P.  www.petcomfortzone.com/  [pheromone diffuser]    with one oral calmer from below:

Oral calmers:
ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed  www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets  or tinyurl.com/atxc8l3  


Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of  L-Theanine. 
 www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php  [Composure]
 
Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation  
www.bachrescueremedypet.com
www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/bach.htm

Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)  with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy.  Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. It can make some dogs hyper.

Be aware you might be inadvertently training for unwanted behavior.  To dogs rewards are:  food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact, approaching the crate, petting.  So anytime you see unwanted behavior ignore it, turn your back, leave the room if you have to. Anytime Libby is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward.  Soon she will learn which of the behaviors receive reward.

Consider some of these ideas:

--  Many members have found a pet stroller to solve the whining problem because the stroller can be wheeled from room to room as you go about your activities. Pet strollers, however, should only be used when you are directly supervising. More details on strollers:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htm

-- Put a garment  you have been wearing and have not washed in the crate.

-- Spend some time wearing your dog out with mental stimulation with tricks that do not make the back move such a nose touch a paw or a food bowl.  Of course the training takes place inside the crate.
 www.clickertraining.com/15tips

-- At night, try placing the crate on a sturdy bedside table to sleep next to you.

--  Make the crate or ex-pen more cozy by draping a blanket over part of the top.  Play classical music or one of the wildlife TV shows.

Are you doing range of motion and leg massage for Libby?  The info highlighted in pink and red numbers pertains to Libby.

Staying hydrated after treatment will help to minimize possible mild muscle soreness and overall tiredness. Many dogs will fall asleep during the treatment and sleep well after a treatment. Eat a light meal a few hours prior to the visit to avoid possible side effects of nausea, dizziness.

Please let us know how the session goes.

Hi Sara, thanks for the update on Libby. Sounds like she's doing very well! Glad to hear she is getting acupuncture. My dog also relaxes during his acupuncture sessions, and he is not the type to do that! Acupuncture is quite amazing.

It is clear that Libby's disc is healing. Continue with the strict crate rest so that it fully heals. It is the strict, limited movement that heals the disc while the meds mask the symptoms. Discs take longer to heal than even bones. After the 8 weeks of crate rest are up, you can slowly reintroduce her into activities: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm Here is a link to help you safeguard your home for the IVDD dog: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm

We look forward to hearing how Libby does in the coming weeks! Best wishes, ~Lisa

Libby went to the vet today he called her a miracle, she is now down to ▼2.5 mg of prednisone and pepcid every other day until Wednesday and our last vet visit is next Saturday. We are still going to the acupuncturist and when she is allowed to we will start hydro therapy. I am so blessed to have you guys and your knowledge around!

Libby has bladder control fully and has had no more accidents. Her tail wags a bunch of the time now especially when we happy talk her she is standing on her own with no help from a sling when we go potty. All around she is doing very well.

Libby is walking completely on her own now she has a little tick in her left side that I have been told she will always have. Libby started swimming last week and is doing well. She still gets tired easy so we make sure we go slow an take our time. We have an ex-pen set up for her and her brother Bentley for when we leave that way they cannot jump up and down off the couch while we are not there. We have ramps going to the couch, off the pouch and next to the bed and both our pups use them a bunch! I want to thank everyone here for their support through all of this. It is hard to believe just over three months ago my vet told me I would have to put my sweet Libby down. I am glad I didn't believe him and fought for Libby instead!! Thanks again from both Libby and me!

WOW! You did it. Way to hang in there for your very special friend.