|
|
Post by Heather & Pinto on Jul 27, 2013 18:12:37 GMT -7
Hello! My name is Heather and on 7/24 I came home to my Doxie Nina greeting me standing and wagging her tail then I went to take her out and she was not wanting to really walk/stand but she could. She had been having diarrhea for a few days and I just thought she was trying to hold it in as she does not like to go in the house. I picked her up and brought her outside but she didn't do anything just sat in the grass. I knew something was wrong and thought IVDD so I put her in a carrier and brought her to the vet. They did a fecal exam to make sure she didn't have something causing the diarrhea that came out negative. They took X-rays and said that there was slight narrowing between her vertebrae. They also said that she had a lot of excess gas built up and that her liver is on the small side of normal. They gave her pills for the diarrhea and pills for any pain and said strict crate rest for her back. She never cried out in pain when I picked her up or when the vet was examining her. Later that night she seemed completely normal walking fine wanting to run jump and play. She has seemed completely normal and her diarrhea has cleared up. I was wondering if her signs of IVDD could have just been the built up gas. Thanks for any insight anyone can offer.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 27, 2013 19:55:15 GMT -7
Heather, it really takes a good diagnosis from your vet. You can always go for a 2nd opinion. Pain meds could be masking a suspicioned disc problem making her feel great. This is why with a suspected disc problem and the dog is on meds it is absolutely necessary to be doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times for 8 weeks. So until you have a different diagnosis, assume you are dealing with a disc problem. This page will help you to understand disc disease…it is a great overview that makes speaking with a veterinary professional more productive: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm--Do you see any of these signs after moving or nearing the next dose of meds - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mg's and frequencies? Is she on Pepcid AC to protect the stomach when any NSAID or steroid is given? -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? |
|
|
|
Post by Heather & Pinto on Jul 28, 2013 6:18:42 GMT -7
Hi Paula,
We have been doing the strict crate rest since I came home Wednesday afternoon and she wasn't herself. She has never yelped, no shivering or trembling or tight hard tummy. The only symptom was when I first came home and she didn't want to stand. Even the vet said that she was moving fine by the time we were taking her home. She has been eating and drinking fine and her poop has returned to normal. The vet prescribed
Tramadol 50mg 1/2 tab every 6-8 hours as needed for pain
Carprofen 25mg 1/2 tab once per day.
Thanks for the quick response! And thanks for the info it is because of Dodgers List that I took her straight to the vet!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 28, 2013 11:20:36 GMT -7
Heather, we follow the proactive vets about stomach protection when using any NSAID such as carprofen. Nina does not need another problem of bleeding ulcers on top of deal her current condition. The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason for my dog not to take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID. This directory is in alpha order and what I use to look up each and every med my dog is on: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmCan you tell us how often you are actually giving 25mg of Tramadol? |
|
|
|
Post by Heather & Pinto on Jul 28, 2013 14:26:25 GMT -7
I will ask the vet about Pepcid first thing tomorrow. We were giving the Tramadol every 8-10 hours but as she doesn't have any signs of pain we haven't given her any since 10pm last night and she has been fine. Still wants to run and jump and play when we take her out of the crate to go to the bathroom. Still no yelping, no shivering or trembling or tight hard tummy.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Jul 28, 2013 14:54:36 GMT -7
Glad to hear her pain is under control. Disc episodes can be so painful.
|
|
|
|
Post by jochs311 on Jul 28, 2013 18:26:03 GMT -7
Hi Heather, My name is Jen. I'm sorry to hear you are having a disk episode with Nina. It's really tough. The best thing to do is to make sure she is on strict crate rest. Even though things seem good with her and pain is under control. She needs time to make sure her disk heals. If she is restless in her crate because she wants to go go go there are things you can do to calm her. Although she seems that she is back to normal you don't want her to to push it and make things worse. Positive thoughts and healing prayers sent your way.
|
|
