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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Jul 29, 2013 19:15:21 GMT -7
--What is your dog's name?
Oliver
--What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD?
Mini Long Haired Dachshund, Oliver had his first episode in September 2012, which led to surgery on October 16th 2012, with 8 weeks crate rest and nearly 100% recovery.
This episode seemed to start slowly and he never went down with paralysis as he did in October.
-- What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?
6/22/2013, crate rest started 6/21/2013
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?
No signs of pain at all--he thinks he is 100% fine.
-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?
No meds currently. The vet had me give Prednesone, Methyl..., and Tramadol for about a week this time around.
-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
He can walk normally, wag his tail normally, etc.
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
Only when he was on the Prednesone.
-- Eating and drinking OK?
Yes
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood?
Yes, normal.
Oliver is an avid swimmer, and on Friday June 21, 2013 when I was drying him off after swimming, he yelped in pain as I rubbed his back. I had noticed for a couple weeks that he seemed to be a bit "stiff" in his back legs when running around. Sometimes he would grunt as if uncomfortable when I picked him up. I was suspicious that something was off in his back.
I immediately called the surgeon's office who had done his surgery back in Oct. and they had me start him on meds Friday night (I had some on hand). I took him in to see the surgeon Saturday. She found a different disk than the one she had done surgery on (lower closer to his tail) that was definitely inflammed and he was showing pain.
She also identified that he has arthritis in his back hips.
She recommended the weeks of meds to stop the pain and decrease the inflammation, then 4 weeks of crate rest, and two additional weeks of limited activity.
I have kept him on crate rest in a soft sided pen that I used later in his recovery after his original surgery in 2012, rather than the tiny crate he was in when he was paralyzed in 2012.
It has been 6 weeks, and he is not showing any sign of pain--and he is going stir crazy!!! When carrying him in and out to go potty, he is so strong that he is squirming in my arms, and he has always been an avid "jumper when excited". He is no longer allowed to jump up and down on furniture, and I continue to train him to not jump into the air whenever he is excited, but it is as if he has springs in his legs.
Do I need to continue to keep him on crate rest for another two weeks? I'm trying to take him out swimming for exercise every day, but I am not able to do this every day as I should.
Just looking for feedback/thoughts. When he went down back in 2012 he did not have this amount of energy during recovery as he was just regaining the use of his back legs, etc. This time around he is a bit crazy.
Thanks!
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Post by jochs311 on Jul 29, 2013 19:41:03 GMT -7
Hi my name is Jen what's yours? I'm sorry to hear about Oliver. I have a kitty named Oliver  love the name. Sounds like he is feeling good. I'd recommend doing the last of the crate rest. It can't hurt. Our Tucker has only a couple weeks left and he is going stir crazy too. He is only wobbly walking though. 6 weeks ago he was in paralysis. I'm glad to hear he us in good spirits and ready to go swimming again positive thoughts sent your way. |
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 29, 2013 20:18:51 GMT -7
Jen is so right.. please continue with the remaining two weeks of crate rest. I do know how hard it is when they are feeling better but that is just when they can get a little too crazy and can do the unexpected and hurt their healing disc.. Two more weeks would give the disc the rest of the time needed to heal completely..
Sounds like Ollie is rarin to go though but tell him to hold his horses for just a little while longer.
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Post by Sigrid & Gretta on Jul 30, 2013 10:44:35 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies. I'm worried he is going to hurt himself with his "bouncing" he does in his crate and when I take him out to potty (I have a child's floorless playpen to restrict the amount of space he has to walk around).
I don't think I will ever be able to break him of him thinking it is ok to stand on his back legs and bounce no matter how many times I tell him "no" and "down" and try to contain his energy...
Is swimming him still ok? He loves to swim. I think his arthritis is acting up in his back hips due to lack of movement/activity (the vet said this might happen). He is quite stiff and I'm hoping the swimming will help.
Any suggestions on how to stop them from jumping in place when excited?
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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 30, 2013 11:50:00 GMT -7
Hi zranch, my name is Paula what is yours? We are a friendly group and like to use first names. Until all 8 weeks of crate rest have been completed from the date of 6/21 it is 100% STRICT rest 24/7 only out to potty. 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. Limited movement is what allows the disc to form good secure scar tissue there are no meds to heal a disc. If the early healing disc tears he may be permanently paralized. It is easy to choose to protect the spinal cord and for arthritics to do safe ROM and massage for his rear until he has graduated on Aug 16th. The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs and can be used for the arthritis during conservative treatment once a dog is off all meds and pain free. Only the information highlighted in PINK pertains. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/massagepassiveexercises.htmOn our supplies list there are a couple of suggestions to for a blanket down over the recovery suite and one to lower the ceiling height. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmUsing 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. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] 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 [Composure] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. Other brands may be available in your area… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label. |
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love the name. Sounds like he is feeling good. I'd recommend doing the last of the crate rest. It can't hurt. Our Tucker has only a couple weeks left and he is going stir crazy too. He is only wobbly walking though. 6 weeks ago he was in paralysis. I'm glad to hear he us in good spirits and ready to go swimming again 
