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Post by graceandrose on Jul 24, 2013 8:28:49 GMT -7
Hello. I commented on Facebook and you asked me to join the forum to tell you about our little hurt girl. Rose is 6 years old and we also have Grace who is 8 years old. On Thursday, my grandson squeezed Rose and she instantly screamed with pain. She rested through the night and on Friday and Saturday just seemed to not want to put much weight on her back legs. On Sunday she seemed better and was running around as usual. By Monday am she was unable to move her back legs at all. We took her to the vet Monday am and he took an xray. She had two ruptured/herniated disks in her mid/lower back. He said we could do surgery, but sug gested meds and home PT first. She weighs 14 pounds and is on Prednisone 5mg and Methocarbamoni 500 mg. We have had to carry her around as she cannot walk. She is urinating and pooping but with no control of her own.
Any info would help.
Michelle
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 24, 2013 8:59:24 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. With a disc problem it takes 8 weeks of strict crate rest to let the disc heal. Otherwise the weak scar tissue forming can easily be re-torn and the pain, more vet bills, the cycle of healing has to start all over again. The crate acts as a cast for the back. Crate rest means 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty - carried in and carried out. 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). You mention home PT prescribed by the vet. The only PT that should be given during conservative care is very gentle, passive PT, such as shown on this webpage: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htm Only the exercises numbered 1-4 and highlighted in pink should be done while on crate rest. Can you give us a bit more in essential information about your doxie: -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant to move much or slow to move, tight tense tummy? -- What are the exact names, dose in mg's and frequency of all meds? Please include the must have stomach protector such as Pepcid AC … 5mg 30 mins prior to anti-inflammatory med. most of us have started the habit to learn the meds given our dogs before they go in the mouth by asking the vet, Googling, etc. Being informed makes you a good monitor of meds and knowledgeable to ask pertinent questions. This is a wonderful veterinary website to bookmark: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html-- Have you been given instructions in expressing your dog's bladder? This should be done every 3-4 hours. If your dog's bladder becomes too full, it will run over and will stretch out of shape. The bladder might not return to its normal shape so it's really important to express the bladder. Also any urine left in the bladder for extended periods of time can cause a UTI. -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, 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 Owners can be instrumental in helping their dogs recover. It takes being a reader as not all vets know this disease…but you certainly can know just one disease. So that you can have an informed discussion with the ortho, please read up on the two pertinent pages: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm |
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Post by graceandrose on Jul 24, 2013 9:52:32 GMT -7
Thank you for your information. She does not seem in pain. No tight tummy, but really can't stand up on her own or move her back legs. She wants to dry to drag them to reposition herself at times. We have a crate, but I only put her in it when I am gone. I keep her right by my side in a blanket when I am home. I mentioned the names of meds in my original post. I did not know about giving her Pepcid ac? I have been instructed how to express her bladder and this has been working well. She gets carried out when we take Grace out if not more often. Poop is normal in color and texture. Yes she is eating and drinking fine. Thank you so much for your info!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 24, 2013 10:32:16 GMT -7
I'm sorry - I picked up the name of Grace and thought it was yours. My apologies. What is your name? The safest place for Rose to be is in her crate. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and is safe. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmWhen Rose is feeling better, she may not be as content to lie beside you and we wouldn't want to hear that she had a fall or moved too much and caused a re-injury. Please let us know how often you're giving the meds to Rose and dosage given each time. I couldn't tell from your first post how often those dosages are given each day. The Pepcid AC - 5 mg - is to be given half an hour prior to the Prednisone to protect her tummy. Please check with her regular vet to make sure Rose has no other health issues that would prevent her from taking the Pepcid AC. Please keep us updated as we would love to continue to help Rose on her road to recovery. |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 24, 2013 10:39:16 GMT -7
Michelle, what breed is Rose? Michelle, opphs, I see Rose had surgery so I've edited my response: she will need to be on strict rest inside her recovery suite and only out to do the PT the surgeon has directed. She has nerve damage from the bad disc which has caused loss of neuro functions of the legs and loss of bladder control. That nerve damage can self repair. Can you tell us specifically if she can wag her tail when you do some happy talk to her or she sees she is going to get a treat? Please read about nerve damage and when surgery can be consideration…this is important information: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmCortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. Rose does not need another problem on top of what she is dealing with. Always keep your vet in the loop about every thing you give your dog. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not to take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. Please let us know you are committed to 100% STRICT crate rest inside a recovery suite 24/7. And when you have pepcid AC on board. Being out of pain and staying that way dose to dose of the methocarbamol is a big step in the healing process. How often are you giving 5mg of Pred and how often are you given Methocarbamol and what is the dose of methocarbamol you give each time? Does she stay dry in between expressing sessions? While on pred you likely would need to express ever 2-3 hours. Let us know how you are doing with expressing. |
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 24, 2013 18:32:57 GMT -7
Hi Michelle,
My name is Jen. I'm so sorry to hear about Roses Disc episode. Please make sure the 100% Strict crate text starts now. Only out to potty. Keep a look out for pain shivering, tight belly, yelping, reluctant to move. She will only be able to start the healing prosses if pain is under control. You also want to make sure she is taking something like Pepcid to protect her tummy from the prednisone. It's really tough on the tummy. Our Tucker was unable to use his rear legs 5 weeks ago. I came home from work and found him dragging himself to greet me. It's an awful feeling. Tucker has been doing accupuncture/ laser therapy 2 times a week since the second week of his crate rest. It has done wonders for his progress. I highly recommend it if its in your budget. Tucker is now wobbly walking a little. Even after our primary vet to us he will never walk again. Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.
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Post by graceandrose on Jul 28, 2013 11:28:19 GMT -7
We went ahead and took Rose to Specialists in Vet Surgery in Estero, Florida on Wednesday. They did surgery on her spine that evening. She is home and doing well, on crate rest. She gets the staples out on Friday.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 28, 2013 13:55:02 GMT -7
I'm so glad that Rose made it through surgery OK, Michelle and that she's doing well. Here's some info on what to expect after surgery, physical therapy, etc. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm#restPTPlease keep us posted on her progress. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 28, 2013 14:19:55 GMT -7
Glad she is home!
What were the surgeon's directives for PT and for crate rest?
What meds was she sent home with if any?
Is her post op pain fully controlled? She is not reluctant to move, no yelps, no shivers?
Eating and drinking ok?
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Post by graceandrose on Jul 28, 2013 17:59:00 GMT -7
Rose is the little black doxie and Grace is the red doxie in my picture. Dr. Eisele did a myelogram that showed spinal cord compression at T11-13 vertebrae on the left side. Her activity is limited since she cannot move her back legs at this time. His PT directions are to stand her up with her tail or assistance 5-10 minutes every 6 hours. Her meds include: Fentanyl patch 12mcp/hr (comes off today), Clavamox 125mg tabs every 12 hours, Tramadol 50 mg every 6-8 hours and Rimadyl 25 mg tabs every 12 hours. Her pain is controlled no yelps or shivers. Drinking okay eating a little. She still can not control her bladder and has not pooped yet.
Thank you Marjorie . . .the information was quiet helpful.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 28, 2013 19:16:55 GMT -7
Michelle, So glad your Rose is home and doing well with her medications and in no pain. Now she can heal in comfort. Did her Vet or Vet tech teach you how to express Rose? If not go back and have them teach you with a hands on hands demonstration.. More details in this excellent article: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmSending healing wishes across the miles.. |
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Post by graceandrose on Jul 29, 2013 9:49:33 GMT -7
Five days post op and Rose seems to be tolerating it well. She pooped this am ! We had to leave Grace and Rose home alone for a few hours. They did well. Thanks for all your support.
Michelle
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 29, 2013 10:26:52 GMT -7
HOw are you doing with expressing…is she staying dry in between expressing sessions. Glad to hear you could take a well d eserved break and leave the house…. and all was fine!
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Post by graceandrose on Jul 29, 2013 14:15:33 GMT -7
Not a lot of luck with expressing. She mostly just pees where ever she is. We take her out when we take Grace out and try expressing, but no luck. I watched the link you sent but still haven't had a lot of luck. She is a tough little girl. My heart breaks when I see those staples down her back!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 29, 2013 14:59:29 GMT -7
It would be best to take care of Rose's potty needs alone without Grace around. I found expressing outdoors did not work well for Clark. He was busy sniffing the air, watching things going in in the neighborhood….all causing his tummy muscles to tighten up so I could not feel the bladder.
Rose needs to be expressed so she is not overflowing everywhere. Do not hesitate to go back to you local vet and express in his clinic where the vet tech can check your work and give you more pointers.
Overflowing is not good for two reasons:
1. Overflowing happens when the bladder is stretched to the point reflexes kick in. Reflexes can remove all the urine and continued overstretching will ruin bladder tone permanently
2. The urine remaining becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and a UTI. In a few day infection can already be present. Can you bring in a sample for a urinalysis to rule out a UTI.
Let us know if you do some happy talk to her whether you then see her tail wag. That is the first sign of nerve repair you can watch for.
Staples look foreboding, don't they.. all that metal? Amazingly they come out with removal at the vet's and the dog doesn't give any reaction to it.
Let us know how the additional expressing lesson went.
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Post by graceandrose on Jul 29, 2013 15:59:22 GMT -7
What are the signs of a UTI?
She is beginning to wag her tail when she sees my husband. (and me sometimes!)
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 29, 2013 16:47:42 GMT -7
Discolored, foul smelling, blood tinged urine and urinating small amounts frequently (if able to voluntarily urinate) are signs suspicious for a UTI. Great news about that tail wag!  |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 29, 2013 16:49:29 GMT -7
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Post by graceandrose on Jul 29, 2013 18:56:26 GMT -7
:)I am so happy I found this forum! You have all been so comforting!
Thanks!
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 29, 2013 21:58:46 GMT -7
Hi Michelle!
Rose and Grace are so adorable!! Once Rose's staples come out, it will begin healing and her fur will grow back you won't notice it.
With practice and a lesson or two more, you will have expressing down in no time.. It just takes time and practice..
Wonderful news about the tail wags! Thanks for letting us know how she is doing and let us know the results of her Urinalysis..
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Post by graceandrose on Aug 3, 2013 9:17:48 GMT -7
Ten days post op and Rose had her staples removed yesterday. She is wagging and taking steps and peeing outside by herself! What a wonderful recovery she is making!
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 3, 2013 19:22:07 GMT -7
Hi Michelle,
Very happy to hear of Rose's excellent recovery so far! Keep up the great care you are giving her and thanks for the update!
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