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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 3, 2013 19:01:44 GMT -7
Clearly the swelling isn't gone yet. Many people have to go back up on the dosage after a trial taper, so you're not alone in that. You know how important it is that he be pain free dose to dose.
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 3, 2013 19:06:58 GMT -7
Hi Hester,
That was your signal that it's not time to taper yet so I am glad you got permission to restart the Prednisone for another course.. Some dogs need to be on it for two weeks to a month and the only way to see if it has stopped the swelling is to try a taper.. It would be wise to start him back up on the Tramadol also and be watchful for continuing signs of pain and let the Vet know what you are observing.
So sorry to hear about your Dad, and his perforated bowel and send prayers his way and to you and your Mom too..You do have your hands full and I sympathize.
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Post by Hester & Hope+Dashel on Aug 3, 2013 20:21:17 GMT -7
I just put Axel out to potty, and I am freaking out. His right rear leg is still working, but it seems extremely painful to him. He doesn't want to put it down at all, and limps really badly even when he takes a few steps. He peed and pooped all in the same area, and when I went to pick him up, he squeaked even before I touched him. He's trembling like crazy, and this is with Tramadol in his system as of 9pm (it's 11:15pm now).
I'm so upset that he's getting WORSE! We haven't taken him out or anything unnecessarily, he hasn't jumped or fallen or slipped. Yes, he could've done something to himself when we've been at the hospital, maybe someone rang the doorbell and he twisted around in his crate barking or something, I really have no idea what. Is it possible it's because of the reduction of the prednisone? He was doing so well yesterday, all perky and his legs were working just great when he went out to potty. No trembling or anything!
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 3, 2013 21:13:12 GMT -7
Hi Hester!
Is this the 10mg Tramadol? It may not be enough for him.. My dog is 13 pounds and they gave him 25mgs every 8 hours. It would be a good idea to increase the dosage as well as the frequency.. Call the emergency line and tell them the pain Axel is in and see what they can do for him..
I am wondering if he is having muscle spasms or nerve pain in the leg that is bothering him.. Gabapentin works well with hard to control pain as well as nerve pain and Methocarbamol is for muscle spasms.. Both of those work well with Tramadol..
Hopefully the Prednisone will kick in and get back to work on the inflammation..
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Post by jochs311 on Aug 3, 2013 22:08:33 GMT -7
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. Caring for two family members has got to be really stressful. They say God only gives us as much as we can handle. The big guy must know how strong you are.
I don't think the 10mg for Axle is cutting it for pain. We had our 16lb Doxie on 50mg Tramadol twice a day. A lot of people are on a 50mg 3 times a day or every 8 hours. His pain needs to get under control for the healing process to start. I know its tough but you have to get him on a schedule. If he hasn't been getting his Meds regularly I'd probably wait to taper the prednisone if its not been given regularly. I know it may not fit Ito your schedule right now but if it does I recommend Accupuncture.
Again I'm sorry for all you are going through. Stay strong for both your Dad and Axel. They both need you. Healing thoughts and prayers sent your way. Don't give up.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 4, 2013 10:47:57 GMT -7
Hester, I'm so sorry to hear Axel is in pain.
As of 7/31 you were reporting that his pain was still not fully under control. Based on that we advised you to seek additional pain meds/increase in dose of Tramadol. Did you get Tramadol on board 3x a day and maybe methocarbamol as well for the type of pain stemming from muscles so often associated with a disc episode?
Since pain had never been under control, there clearly was still swelling going on. So it was deinatley NOT the time to try a pred taper on 8/2…taking away the very med that works on swelling/inflammation in the spinal cord.
Can you get with the ER vet today rather than waiting til Tues for a Tramadol prescription of 3x a day PLUS an increase to the current 10 mgs. 10mg's Tramadol 2x a day is NOT doing the job. My 13 lbs dog took 50mg of tramadol 3x a day to get the pain under control. So your vet has still many options to get pain managed. Did you discuss adding in methocarbamol?
Axel is simply being way under medicated with only 10mgs Tramadol 2x a day…a disc episode is very painful. The number one thing to get in control is pain… as pain will slow the entire healing process.
Hope you Dad is ok now. When things settle please do keep us updated on Axel's pain meds, if the pain is now under control.
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Post by Hester & Hope+Dashel on Aug 4, 2013 19:41:54 GMT -7
Axel had a much better day today. No squeaking or screaming, and his belly seemed soft every time I pet him to test for that. His back legs were trembling this morning at breakfast, but he has stopped trembling now as the day has gone on. He seemed pretty perky this afternoon, which is a nice change because he has been pretty low since we started crating him, so I'm hoping he's feeling better.
I'm confident that he's feeling okay. I have left a message for our regular vet that I want to bring him in for a check up on Tuesday if possible. He has done the full body shake in his crate and when I put him out to potty without stopping himself, and his ears are up and his eyes seem bright. He seems interested in what's going on in the house, and is very vocal when we leave the room and leave him behind, so we've been moving his crate around the house as we move from room to room, which makes him happy.
My Dad is out of immediate danger, thankfully. They pulled the gastric tube out of his stomach today, and he will continue his IV fluids and antibiotics for the next few days and hopefully all will go well.
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Post by jochs311 on Aug 5, 2013 17:03:56 GMT -7
I'm glad to hear things are looking better for you Hester.  |
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Post by Yvonne & Billy on Aug 5, 2013 17:21:41 GMT -7
I love good news! Hugs to you and your fur-baby~~~~ Many prayers for your father.
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Post by Hester & Hope+Dashel on Aug 15, 2013 20:24:16 GMT -7
Today is Day 2 of our second attempt to taper Axel on his prednisone and it seems to be going well this time. I was so nervous and am watching him like a hawk when I put him down to potty. He seems SO much perkier. He wags his tail all the time in his crate, great big sweeping tail wags, and when he goes potty his legs are all working. He seems a little clumsier than he used to be in the back end, and sometimes his back legs point in opposite directions, but it's SO much better.
He is off the Tramadol completely, and doesn't shiver.
It's been 3 weeks of crate rest, and he's starting to really want out. Thank goodness for the toys filled with peanut butter!
I'm really hoping for the best for him, and after the 8 weeks are done, I know it'll be hard to let him run around in the yard without cringing every time he does something.
Focusing on the future - how do you reintroduce your dog to physical activity? He'll be weaker, I'm sure, and I don't want to inflame anything ... so how do you get him started on going on walks and stuff again? Hope has not been interested in walks without Axel, she refuses to go, and I've noticed that they're both a little pudgier. Nothing significant, but I always am very careful to keep them as slim as is healthy.
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 15, 2013 20:53:36 GMT -7
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Post by jochs311 on Aug 15, 2013 21:07:00 GMT -7
I'm happy to hear Axel is in good spirits. He still has a bit to go in his crate. Id switch the peanut butter for carrots in his toys since he is not active at the moment. You could even purée them or juice them and freeze them in his toys. Here is a link to reintroducing your dog to life after crate rest. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm |
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Post by Hester & Hope+Dashel on Aug 15, 2013 21:15:57 GMT -7
He gets carrots too, but he's such a GULPER! If I give him a baby carrot, sometimes he doesn't even CHEW IT!
The peanut butter is less than half a teaspoon, smeared all over a toy with pockets, and it takes him about 1-2 hours to get it licked clean to his satisfaction. However, you're correct, it's not great for him especially since he's so inactive. He gets it in the middle of the day when he's really bored. ha ha.
Thanks for the links! 5 more weeks to go... oh boy.
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Post by janlynn on Aug 16, 2013 12:30:46 GMT -7
Hester - I have read through your posts. You were not kidding! Chopper and Axel DO seem like they are from the same litter! Both melodramatic and drama queens. I totally understand your frustration in all of this. You have to be a detective because you really don't know if he is hurting or using that same yelp for attention. Chopper has done it a couple of times to us already. We could not believe it and we know for a fact it was not due to pain. - Just one of those things - you know your dog and how they are. But it is very scary because you don't want to be wrong. I hope he is feeling better since your last post. Sorry to hear about your dad too. That makes it all the harder to keep pressing on. Chopper got into depression for a whole year after our Persian cat died right before her 18th birthday. He still only favors his kitty toy to this day and it's been almost 3 years - still can't believe that either!! They do have a way of guilting us. Those eyes! My husband always let Chopper walk up his chest and they just kiss each other - A LOT. Now that Chopper is on crate rest, I let daddy carry him to his pad when he is home, but Chopper tries to look up and kiss daddy's face as he carries him. That's when we had some repeat yelps. So now daddy is on STRICT orders to hold Chopper up higher to his mouth so that there are no sudden jolts to kiss daddy and re-injure his neck. And to make sure the back is straight. It's not that far to walk to the pad, but because they adore each other, we really have to control our reactions and how we do things or Chopper tries to be as he was before the injury. My husband got so upset last night that he is afraid to even carry Chopper to his pad. But we can't let on with that emotion either or it upsets Chopper and he could bring back his anxiety-related seizures. So dramatic, but he is the most adoring and loving little guy we ever had. I pray both Axel and Hope are managing ok. PS - After I posted here, I saw your reply on my post. |
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I would cut back on the peanut butter, it is very high in calories and he is inactive. I would put veggies that he likes in the toy..
