Jeannette, welcome to Dodgerslist care and support Forum! Sorry that Layla is suffering with a disc episode.
Sounds like Layla IS in pain. Call the vet and see about putting on a full complement of pain meds normally used during a disc episode. Note pain meds do not stay in the body long and the reason they are Rx'd for promptly every 8 hrs. Discuss that, too, with your vet.
—Methocarbamol works on the pain of muscle spasms.
— Tramadol is the general pain reliever.
— Gabapentin works on nerve pain.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Look for your dog to be acting their normal, perky self when pain is fully under control round the clock.
SIGNS OF PAIN:
◻︎ shivering-trembling ◻︎ yelping when picked up or moved
◻︎ slow to move ◻︎ tight tense tummy
◻︎ arched back, ears pinned back ◻︎ head held high or nose to the ground.
◻︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
◻︎ slow or reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions
◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily.
◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain
◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
◻︎ not their normal perky selves
Is the mattress and Layla inside of a recovery suite? (wire crate, 8 panel expen, etc.)
Find out if Layla has any health issue to prevent take Pepcid AC (famotidine) to suppress the extra acids prednisone causes.
STOMACH PROTECTION
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.
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).
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.pmlSince both the stress of changes in routine and Prednisone will cause extra stomach acids, we follow the proactive vets who use Pepcid AC (famotidine) when any anti-inflammatory is in use.
The usual dose during a disc episode is Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours.
Give the anti-inflammatory with a meal as added protection.
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out of the recovery suite for a very, very few footsteps at potty time is how the disc will heal itself. Great ideas on setting up the suite, tips and supplies to make the next 8 weeks of rest go smoother:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm Avoid tickling the paw pads. That is a test to find out if the last neuro function still exists (deep pain sensation). By definition, she has DPS because she can wobbly walk.
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1.
yes Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord
2.
yes Wobbly walking, legs cross
3.
yes Nails/toes scuffing floor
4.
yes Paws knuckle under
5. Weak/little leg movement, can't move up into a stand
6. Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down)
7. Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors.
8. Tail wagging with joy is lost
9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy.
Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS. So if surgery is an option for your family get to a neuro or ortho asap.
A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htm#surgeryVSconservativeBoning up on IVDD and fully committing to Layla's care of restricted movement, means that for Layla conservative treatment can be an excellent choice of treatment.
Keep in mind the key word in the name of the disease is DISC.
#1 Take a look so you can visualize just why the need to be strict about crate rest for the DISC is so important in preventing a surgery
#2
The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to read and learn as quickly as you are able. Calm your mind by being “in the know” how long each the 4 phases of healing is expected to take. What treatments for which phase? At what point would a surgery be considered? This is the page to bookmark and return to in the next days to have a full understanding of the now and the future of living many happy years ahead with your IVDD dog. Here is the link to bookmark: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm