Welcome to Dodgerslist. We are so glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you!
Please know that there is absolutely no reason to even think of putting her down. IVDD is not a death sentence. Struggling with quality of life questions for your dog? Re-think things:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htm
Julie has given you good advice. You are doing the very best thing for Bailey by keeping her on Very strict crate rest. Many dogs recover from IVDD with Conservative treatment. Surgery is not the only option for treating IVDD. We have some info on when to consider surgery here:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm
The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmSTRICT means:
◼︎no laps
◼︎no couches
◼︎no baths
◼︎no sleeping with you
◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times.
◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc
◼︎At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
Things will get better. There is no reason for your Bailey to be in pain. Vets have many ways of addressing pain. Please get the tramadol as soon as you can. Tramadol is a good general pain reliever. It often takes more than one pain med to eliminate the pain of IVDD. If the tramadol does not relieve her pain, let the vet know. There are other meds that can be added. Pain will only slow the healing process.
What is your name? I am Romy.
For how many days has the Metacam been prescribed?
How many mgs of Metacam are there in one mL of the liquid?
All anti-inflammatories, like Metacam casuse excess stomach acid which can cause serious stomach damage. Pepcid AC can be used to prevent this damage. Ask the vet if Bailey 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).
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory.
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html
Currently can Bailey wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
Can she specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control – OR- do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted which are indication of an overflowing bladder and loss of bladder control?
Overflowing bladders need to be expressed to avoid UTIs. Review video then get a hands-on-top-of-your-hands expressing lesson.
If Bailey has bladder control, carry her to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog’s back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
Knowledge is the power to fight the IVDD enemy and win!! The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to get up to speed on IVDD soonest possible. Begin absorbing the must-have overall sense of meds, care and how the treatment works. Your dog will be depending on your ability to learn - excellent video series here:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/theater.htm PRINT OUT this link and tape to your fridge:
--use the printout as your roadmap to avoid dangerous detours in your dog’s care
--make notes/highlight to keep yourself on track
--follow all the links in the next days to become the IVDD savvy pet parent your dog needs.
Healing thoughts for Bailey