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Post by Jennifer & Max on Aug 10, 2019 9:59:59 GMT -7
Max - crate rest post op Hello! My 4 year old cockapoo had surgery on 8/7/19 for a ruptured herniated disc. He is not able to walk or stand by himself but is able to utinate and poop. The biggest struggle is keeping him calm in his crate. He desperately wants to get out and cries. He finally has settled but I’m sure it won’t last. Any tips are appreciated. Thank you. |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,534
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 10, 2019 10:15:59 GMT -7
Welcome! Hi, my name is Paula, what's yours? Wonderful news that he does have the neuro function of having bladder control. That bodes well for more nerve repair to take place. Often there is a temporary setback until all the surgical caused swelling subsides. Then you can better see the direction of nerve healing. Tell us more about all the meds he is on right now. The exact name of each. how many mgs for each dose and how often you give. What were the surgeon's directives for at home PT or from a clinic? How many times a day do you do? Any similar to the ones demoed in video below?
Appropriate physical therapy will help maintain the muscles with lost nerve connection. Therapy keeps muscles in optimal condition while in wait to receive regenerating axon terminals.
Post-op PT for the paralyzed IVDD dog: For how many weeks does the surgeon want for post op crate rest which would include the directed PT he gave you to do? CALMERs 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 (ACE, alprazolam or trazodone). Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Place a DAP pheromone diffusor at floor level where the recovery suite is: --DOG Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml www.adaptil.com/Use diffusor with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) 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/behavioral-health 2) 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 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com BE AWARE of training for unwanted behavior 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 try speaking in your dog's language so he understands to calm down. Turn your body sideways, avoid eye contact until he calms and settles down. Preferable is to start teaching what you do want before there is too much practice in doing the unwanted behavior. Anytime your dog is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward of a calm loving "good sit/lie." Soon your dog will see they get rewards by quietly sitting, etc. |
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Post by Jennifer & Max on Aug 10, 2019 11:59:35 GMT -7
Hi Paula! My name isJennifer. The rehab exercises are very similar to the video you shared- I’m supposed to do them 3-4 times a day. Medications are Diazepam 5mg every 8 hours, Gabapentin 100mg. Twice a day, Prazosin HCI 1 mg, twice a day, Rimadyl 25mg 1/2tablet twice a day.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
16 lbs
Rimadyl 25mgs tab: 12.5mg twice a day
diazepam 5mgs 3x/day
gabapentin 100mgs 2x/day
prozosin 1 mgs 2x/day
no GI tract protector Pepcid AC on board with the Rimadyl! ]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,534
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 10, 2019 12:19:26 GMT -7
Jennifer, stomach acids are increased with stress. Max is understress of having his routine changed with the Rx'd post op crate rest. Then add in Rimadyl, an anti-inflammatory drug, which also increases stomach acids...that is often too much for most dogs and they can develop GI tract problems that show up as begining red flag signs of nausea, not eating well, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, black or red blood in diarrhea and deadly perforated stomach lining. We here at Dodgerslist follow those vets who are proactive in stomach protection. Proactive vets don't wait til there is lip licking of nausea, not eating, vomit, diarrhea leading to serious bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in stool due to the extra stomach acids anti-inflammatory drugs cause. Pepcid AC (famotidine) blocks the production of acid. The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) with a disc episode is (0.44mg mg per pound every 12 hours.) Pepcid AC has a very limited potential for side effects. Ask if your dog has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a “no health” issues answer, then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine). HEALTH ISSUES: “Mar Vista Vet reports: Pepcid AC has a very limited potential for side effects, the reason of release to over-the-counter status. The dose of famotidine may require reduction in patients with liver or kidney disease as these diseases tend to prolong drug activities. There have been some reports of exacerbating heart rhythm problems in patients who already have heart rhythm problems so it may be prudent to choose another means of stomach acid control in heart patients.” marvistavet.com/famotidine.pmlIt is still quite early in the nerve healing department. You are doing a good job of caring for Max. Keep up the good work on the at home PT. Give Max lots of sweet talk, kisses each time you take him out to potty...he'll know how much you love him and that things are the way it is supposted to be...cause his pack leader is acting like all is good! |
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Post by Jennifer & Max on Aug 10, 2019 12:25:08 GMT -7
Max weighs 16 lbs- would that change the dosage of Pepcid AC?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,534
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 10, 2019 12:29:40 GMT -7
16lbs X 0.44mgs famotidine = 7mgs of Pepcid AC (famotidine).
You can purchase the 10mgs Pepcid AC tablet and give either 1/2 tab (5mgs) or round up to giving the full 10mgs Pepcid AC tablet.
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Post by Jennifer & Max on Aug 10, 2019 12:46:19 GMT -7
Thank you! I had the 10 mg so I gave him half a ✙[Pepcid AC] tablet. Thank you for your help!
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
16 lbs
Rimadyl 25mgs tab: 12.5mg twice a day
diazepam 5mgs 3x/day
gabapentin 100mgs 2x/day
prozosin 1 mgs 2x/day
✙Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day]
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Post by Marina & Mubi on Aug 12, 2019 9:15:56 GMT -7
Hi Jennifer & Rigby, I have a cockapoo mix as well. I totally know what you mean when your dog whimpers and looks at you with those sad puppy eyes when he first returns home to realize that he'll be stuck in the crate for longer than normal. My dog's demeanor has definitely been different for the last 3 weeks since her surgery due to being in the crate. It's been difficult to try not to reward those behaviors to calm them right when they begin to feel nervous/anxious, but when I wait until my dog is calm, I'll visit her crate throughout the day to give her a massage, some additional PT, or some treats (e.g., a few blueberries for antioxidants). I'm sure your dog enjoys his brief outings to relieve himself though! |
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