lea
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Post by lea on Jul 25, 2013 9:25:30 GMT -7
On 7/11, Pheona, a doxie, lost the use of her little hind legs. She still had sensation, which seems to be the only good sign at the time. She stayed crated at the vet until the 7/20, at which at no time crating was mentioned when we picked her up, only how to express her bladder and to do gentle therapy with her, twice a day. She was on 0.5 MG Prednisone every other day. First thing Monday morning we were back at the vet with a bad case of diarrhea. We weren't aware she had been eating cottege cheese and chicken. Needless to say Pheo ate her regular amount of dog food. And we were in over our heads. On 7/22 she was prescribed Pro-pectallin and 0.75 cc Cimetidine for upset stomach. She wags her tail, when shes excited, also when we express her bladder. She can support her weight when going potty, left seems a bit stronger than right. She does seem to have some sort of sensation when she needs to poop, still no control. It seems I am rambling abit.I am equally uniformed on boards as I was on IVDD |
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 25, 2013 9:51:11 GMT -7
Lea, welcome to Dodgerslist. Can you fill us in on a bit more detail? -- Are you now doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty …. 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)? -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? Pred is not a pain medication. So if there are signs of pain, hyo need to advocate strongly for pain meds. More detail here so you have a basis to discuss things with your vet: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? Has it been indicated when pred will start to decrease/taper? Because there is pretty good chances pred did damage to the stomach lining, please advocate for a 2nd protector on top of Cimetidine. You should read more about sucralfate here: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html-- 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-- Lots of good tips on expressing for both urine and for poop here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm Does she stay dry in between expressing sessions. You would likely need to express every 2-3 hours while on pred. What is your schedule? -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness now, 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 |
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lea
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Post by lea on Jul 25, 2013 13:54:04 GMT -7
She was crated from the 7/11 to 7/20 at the vet. And then back in the crate on the 24, when I was introduced to Dodgers list. Unfortunately crating was never mentioned when we picked her up on the 20th.
She is not in any pain, or she is not showing any symptoms of pain.
We have been expressing bladder every 2-3 hours, not leaking. However she will peepee before we make it outside if shes really excited.
Poop not normal. More like cottage cheese. Haven't been able to establish the poo schedule. She is eating and drinking. Still not sure what she should be eating and how frequently she should be eating at this time due to her tummy issues.
0.3 cc Pro-pectalin every 8 hours
0.75 cc Cimetidine every 12 hours
0.5 MG Prednisone every other day until gone
Since Pheo isn't able to walk we are doing the recommended excercises as indicated by the vet and on your suggested link.
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StevieLuv
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Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Jul 25, 2013 17:08:11 GMT -7
Hi Lea, my name is Maureen. Good job getting Pheona back into the crate! Good to hear that she isn't showing any signs of pain. Adding canned pumpkin to her food can help firm up her stools. Did your Vet give you Sulcralfate to help with that too?
How nerves heal - order of recovery
Here is how nerves typically heal... in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord:
1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
4. Leg Movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run
Hope that his helps a bit. Keep us posted!!
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 26, 2013 10:32:12 GMT -7
Lea, if her stools are still loose, then that is due to the damage prednisone has/is doing to the GI tract system. I would agree with StevieLuv on getting a 2nd stomach protector on board. Sucralfate works in a different way by bandaiding the damaged area and promoting healing. Read up on sucralfate here: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.htmlI would also recommend you do read up on Cimetidine (Tagament) vs. the newest version (Pepcid AC/famotdiine) it does a better job. Ask your vet in this particular way--- Is any health reason why Pheona may not take Pepcid AC? If there is none then switch to Pepcid AC rather than Cimetidine. We give our doxies 5mg of Pepicd AC 30 mins prior to Pred and therafter every 12 hours. For extra protection give Pred with a meal. It looks like the Mar Vista Vet page has recently updated their directory and has removed Cimetidine: You can read about Pepcid AC here: www.marvistavet.com/html/famotidine.html Ask, there may also not be a reason to give Pro-Pectalin anti-diarrheal once sucralfate and Pepcid AC are on board to address the root cause of the problem….stomach protection from acids. |
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lea
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Post by lea on Jul 29, 2013 18:49:55 GMT -7
After only
one dose of Pepsid AC I am happy to announce poop is back to normal;)
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lea
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Post by lea on Aug 26, 2013 12:18:24 GMT -7
Crate rest almost over. Pheona is doing great is able to go to the bathroom by herself, which has made things alot easier. Was just wondering what I should do after crate rest is lifted? Therapy should I look into a set of wheels for walks? Or would that hinder his back legs getting stronger?
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 26, 2013 13:44:27 GMT -7
Aug 29 is graduation day! You are to be commended for committing to all 8 weeks so the disc could heal. Nerves will continue to heal long after crate rest…think in terms of months. StevieLuv gave you the list re: the order nerves return in. So now you can be looking for some signs of leg movement. Have you seen her move her legs at all. Has she tried to squat at potty time. As she adjusts herself in the crate have you seen any leg movements such as pulling them up near her body or trying to push. If you are seeing some leg movements, it might be better to spend money if there are limited resources on underwater treadmill and hold off on a cart. You can do sling walking in the yard which gives you control over how much weight to let her legs bear. With a harness and leash plus sling that would be good control for PT and practicing leg movements. A child's $10 wading pool is another helpful way to give her legs a chance to more easily move with the buoyancy of water All activity whether scooting in the house or walking in water or sling walking should be slow and incremental to watch for any signs of pain and let her regain stamina. Look to the column on the far right for a schedule to ease her back into activity, garments for protection and making your home back friendly, water therapy, etc.: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm |
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StevieLuv
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Post by StevieLuv on Aug 29, 2013 11:10:27 GMT -7
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lea
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Post by lea on Aug 30, 2013 6:13:35 GMT -7
Pheona is doing great. Every couple of days I can really tell she gets stronger and stronger. I do keep her in her cage when I am not home.Which by the way she loves, she waits for her chew bone. I think she just likes it to taunt our other dogs. I do have a question what is a Spinal Walker? Im not exactly sure where Pheona stands in her recovery. Contemplating on a set of Eddie Wheels for playtime in the yard. She seems to be extra wobbly at night. Thanks for all the help and support, it does seem like your on your own with this at times. |
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 30, 2013 8:32:58 GMT -7
Lea so wonderful to hear Pheona is progressing nicely. I would give her more of a chance without a wheelchair to get her legs more developed and less of a wobble. Her legs will be freshest in the morning and more tire in the evening so that would be why you see she is more wobbly. You may want to investigate underwater treadmill or doing some water walking in a $10 child's wading pool if it is still warm where you are. The column on the far right has the link to our water therapy at home info: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm#afterrestCan you take some video of her to up/load at youtube or take a still picture and upload to our gallery? how to here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/260/upload-photo-dog |
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