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!
It is important to know that disc disease is not a death sentence! Struggling with quality of life questions for your dog? Re-think things:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmI am sorry that Chevron may be having another disc episode.
I know that a neurologist has diagnosed Chevron with IVDD. Did a DVM vet diagnose Chevron as having another episode? What a vet usually uses to diagnose IVDD is the symptoms the dog is showing and the breed of the dog. As you know, dachshunds are prone to disc disease.
An x-ray alone cannot prove a dog is having an IVDD episode. The normal disc, and most degenerating discs, are invisible (as are the spinal cord and nerve roots) on plain x-rays. Only if the disc has calcified will it be evident on plain x-rays. Calcified disc are quite common and many calcified discs never cause a problem.
Other than the x-ray what are the other indications of a disc episode, You mention that your Chevron has no neuro symptoms. Is he in pain? These are the signs of pain we look for; ☐shivering, trembling ☐yelping when picked up or moved ☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move ☐tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position ☐Arched back ☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ☐head held high or nose to the ground ☐Not their normal perky selves? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way between doses. If not in control your vet needs to know asap.
Were any meds prescribed at the last visit?
Since a disc episode is suspected immediately crate Chevron until the neurologists visit confirms it. Too much movement during a disc episode can cause nerve damage. The limited movement enforced by crate rest is how a disc heals to form secure scar tissue.
Surgery is not the only option to treat IVDD. Conservative treatment has worked for many dogs
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.
STRICT 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.
You are not alone. Everyone here on Dodgerslist has or had a dog with IVDD. We know what you are going through.
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 the conservative treatment of IVDD as soon 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:
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. Use the “search box” to easily locate topics over at our Main
www.Dodgerslist.com website:
