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Post by Carie & Chewie on Nov 18, 2019 16:23:27 GMT -7
Unfortunately Chewie has relapsed.chewie is 15 lb yorkie . been awhile [Carie's Chewy 7/2018 Conservative- Yorkie] but this time instead of left front paw it is right front paw . He would not put pressure on and was knuckling and between his shoulder blades was stiff and hot. Vet came to house did acupuncture and started him on Pepcid Gabapentin and prednisone . 8 weeks crate rest. Pepcid 1/2 tablet 30 min prior to steroid Prednisone 2.5 mg twice daily for 5 days than once daily for 7 days then every other day Gabapentin 25mg twice daily [Moderator's Note. Please do not edit prednisone as of 11/9 (??): 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then 11/3 test taper for √11/18 pain!/ √11/18 neuro! as of 11/18: ▲2.5 mgs 2x/day for ? days, then test taper gabapentin 25mgs 2x/day Pepcid AC ?mg 2x/day]
At the fifth day of the prednisone once a day he started to favor the paw and knuckle so we are now up to ▲ prednisone 2.5 mg twice a day until vet calls me tonight to see how long to do twice daily to for another taper test Bowls are raised food is soft and home made has bolsters in pen What are your thoughts on meds? He is showing no signs of pain since we gave the steroid twice today . No longer knuckling or favoring. As sling as he gets the steroid he shows no sign of pain or anything. But when we tapered in the 5 th day of once a day he started knuckling and favoring again. But as soon as steroid kicked in within an hour he was fine agiain
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Post by Julie & Perry on Nov 18, 2019 17:18:16 GMT -7
Sounds like Chewie just wasn't ready to taper off the Prednisone which means there's still swelling to resolve.
It can take from 7-30 days to resolve swelling.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 18, 2019 18:13:56 GMT -7
Carie, conservative treatment is all about the disc healing to form secure scar tissue (that takes 8 weeks from orig date of injury). It does not sound as though the disc retore due excessive movement or did it? What do you believe? It rather sounds like on the pred taper test for pain/neuro, the answer was that 5 days on pred showed it was not long enough to get the swelling around the spinal cord fully resolved. It is pressure of inflammed tissue that can cause pain and neuro diminishment. The proof was how immediate pain resolved and neuro issues resolved upon being back up at the anti-inflammatory Pred level again. Nerve damage within hrs is addressed by a steroid CAN INDEED turn around quickly as you witnessed. It is when nerve damage has been allow to exist for hours before getting anti-inflammatory on board, that nerves die and can take many months to regenerate. It would be good to get firmly in your mind how anti-inflammatory drugs like Pred work. Then you are in an educated position to discuss things with your vet. Here is the link I recommend you look over: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmGood job of having a plan B to execute if pain or neuro issue should re-surface on the pred taper when your vet can't be contacted to advise. Hours matter when there is neuro dimishment. Would you give us a hand. It is time consuming and rather difficult to construct when meds started and other details when no dates are provided. I hope I did not make any mistakes. Our best comments are made when we have accurate information. MED LIST QUESTIONS - Chewy's weight?- Start date of first course of pred 2.5mgs for 5 days — guessed it may have been on 11/9 - Pepcid AC ?mgs 2x/day How many mgs are in one whole Pepcid tablet?
Let us know what your vet says tonight on the phone.
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Post by Carie & Chewie on Nov 19, 2019 18:31:59 GMT -7
Chewie is 15 lbs All meds started 11/9 4mg Pepcid A.C. twice daily Vet said to go back to giving steroid twice a day for 5 days then try to go back down to once a day and see how he does
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 20, 2019 7:49:55 GMT -7
Carie, have our fingers crossed on as the pred taper begin on Saturday that no pain will surface.
As the taper begins on Saturday, which does your vet want the stop of pain masking gabapentin or backing it off? Should pain reveal itself when he is closed on Sunday, do you have a Plan B worked out ahead of time with the vet. Maybe extra pills to tide you over til Monday or a script to fill at 24hr pharmacy? Plan B is less expensive than a trip to ER.
Please keep us posted and hoping to hear no neuro diminishment, no pain surfacing as the pred taper goes into effect.
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Post by Carie & Chewie on Feb 24, 2020 10:45:30 GMT -7
Chewie has been off all Medications for 3 weeks [as of Feb 3].
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 15lbs prednisone as of 11/9 ): 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then 11/3 test taper for √11/18 pain!/ √11/18 neuro! as of 11/18: 2.5 mgs 2x/day for ? days, then test taper √ Pain as of date?: for ? days, then test taper gabapentin 25mgs 2x/day Pepcid AC 4mg 2x/day]
His 8 weeks of crate rest stopped feb 17.
Been following the out of crate rest routines. Been doing great with the five one min walks a day. Yesterday took him for two two min walks.
But last night [2/23/2020]did not seem like he wanted to do the last one one.
Still in crate only out potty.was following guide until Last night .Seemed to move slower not a full limp but looked like harder slower time walking. It is week 2 in the program and was to start a five min walk today but since he seems sore last night I have only taken him out to go potty and have him resting. When to start back again and what should I do. He’s been perfect up until last night. Been following the guide off your site for done crate rest now what. He is not painful to touch. He can walk. Just seems slower and not as quick to move. Please help. Has continued acupuncture at home with vet. Due to come next Tuesday.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 24, 2020 17:53:49 GMT -7
Carie, with any doubts, always best to crate, rest and observe him. And, if concerns then a visit to the vet.
Things are quite confusing for us. Could you fill us in: The disc episode thread are posting on is for a disc episode that started on Nov 9, 2019 with a graduation date scheduled for Jan 14, 2020
Did Chewie have a setback to his healing disc (pain or worsening neuro showing on the test for pain taper) before he could graduate on Jan 14, 2020?
Did that disc episode happen on Dec 23 with a GRAD date on Feb 17, 2020?
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Post by Carie & Chewie on Feb 24, 2020 19:56:04 GMT -7
Yes Chewie had a setback to his healing disc (pain or worsening neuro showing on the test for pain taper) before he could graduate on Jan 14, 2020 so It had to be extended . But he made it!!!!
Vet said cervical are tough and sometimes takes 12 weeks . Had to be on the steroid longer to get swelling down . Prob too much movement as it is incredibly hard to keep a dog not moving his neck but we did it ....
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Post by Julie & Perry on Feb 25, 2020 0:11:28 GMT -7
Woohoo! Yes, cervical discs are notoriously hard to heal. But with hard work and time it can be done. Congratulations to you and Chewie!!
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Post by Carie & Chewie on Feb 25, 2020 13:20:18 GMT -7
Need to do you out of crate guide slower. His strength isn’t there yet. Sometimes will stumble. But continues to walk right after but it makes my heart stop. So scared.
I think this part is harder. Knowing when too much exercise is too much. it seemed safer when isolated . But now letting him walk and exercise and be out. So nervous.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 25, 2020 14:14:05 GMT -7
I am very happy to hear that Chewie is now feeling better. Cervical discs are tough because almost every time the dog moves any part of the body the neck also moves. You are right that slow and steady is the way to go now. He must build up strength and stamina and dogs will do this at their own pace. Almost all of us have felt nervous after the crate rest is over and our dogs begin to return to activity. We are afraid it could happen again. There is a great conversation about this here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/410/living-fear-ivdd
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