Maradith's Jude 7/29? Conservative

Hi,my name is Maureen, What's yours? Welcome to Dodgerslist, I am sorry that Jude is having an IVDD episode.
There is so much to learn here, and becoming a reader will help you in dealing with IVDD and becoming the best advocate for Jude that you can be.
So here are some links and information to get you started:
1. Lift and carry
2. You can also use unsalted/ low sodium chicken broth to help maintain hydration. If you are using pedialyte it should probably be the unflavoured type ( we use that in parrots too!)
3. If she cannot control her bladder or bowel then you can learn to express her. A hands on lesson from the Vet or Tech is ideal. Once you can do this, you are better able to control the where and when of elimination. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm
4. Pain is NOT an option!! If she still is in pain then you need to call your Vet and demand better pain control for her! What is her dose of Tramadol and how often are you giving it? Tramadol has a very short half life (doesn't last long) and can be given every 6-8 hours if needed. Ask your Vet about adjusting the dose or timing, or adding another medication such as gabapentin to her pain control regimen. Info on On healing and pain
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm

Is she on 100% crate rest?
100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help Jude- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. …. 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.
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 safe. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.

Here is another good place to start reading www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

Can you give us a list of all of her medications and their dosages - that will help us to help you

I hope that this helps to get you started. We are all here to help, and we are all in this together - you are not alone anymore. Please keep us posted!!
Keeping you in thought and prayer:)

Hi! I'm Sabrina, my dachshund Charley is in the midst of his first IVDD episode. Dodger'sList has been such a blessing - I would be totally lost without it. I'm so sorry you and Jude have to go through this, too. )))Hugs!(((

Hopefully your vet will be proactive with the dosage/possibly additional pain meds so that Jude is out of pain as soon as possible. But do read up on the pain control link so you know what to advocate for if it comes to that.

Are you handy with DIY projects or do you know someone who is? My husband made me a "dolly" for Charley's crate out of a piece of sturdy wood and four caster wheels (he got them at Walmart for under $3 each) so that I can roll Charley's crate from room to room. That keeps the crate level and makes it so much easier to keep him close to us.

Jude is so lucky to have you. Well done for researching so that you know not to take her for chiropractic work. 
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiro.htm

More )))hugs((( - hang in there.

Can you put in a call to yopur Vet today and ask about increasing the frequency of the Tramadol? A stomach protector should also be on board - Pepcid AC is available over the counter at the drugstore - We follow proactive vets and give our approx 13-20 lbs doxies 5mg 30 mins prior to Prednisone. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "Is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?"
I'm glad that you are finding this site helpful

Hi, I am Pauliana, what is your name? 

Yes Robaxin is for the pain of muscle spasms.. Tramadol is a general pain reliever and is more effective given every 8 hours. It's a very short acting drug, as Maureen mentioned above.. I wouldn't alternate them but speak with the Vet about changing the frequency to 3 times a day.. Glad she seems to be feeling better but if she seems to be in any pain at all, that slows down the healing process.  Disc episodes are extremely painful and it takes communication with your Vet to get the pain meds right as well as the dosages and frequencies.. If one medication doesn't work then there is another one that will. So watch carefully, if she isn't pain free dose to dose, adjustments need to be made until she is..

While on Prednisone she will be very thirsty and also have to pee more frequently like every 2 to 3 hours, that is likely why she was sitting in her urine.. She either has no bladder control and overflowed or needs to go outside more frequently.. is there anyone home during the day to take her for potty breaks  (or to express her)while you are at work?  The way to tell if she has bladder control is to gently carry her supporting her front end and back end to a favorite pee spot and see if she sniffs and releases urine.. If she does, she has bladder control, if she doesn't, then she needs to be expressed. Also it would be a good idea to take a urine sample into her vet to have her tested for a UTI. 

By the way it is Pepcid AC 3) minutes prior to Prednisone which should be given with food.. It is faster acting than Prevacid which doesn't kick in for several days while Pepcid kicks in within 30 minutes..

I know how upsetting this is, I have been through it with my Tyler..but you can be instrumental in Jude's recovery by learning all about IVDD so you can advocate for her and help her get back to her happy life..

Sending comfort your way...

I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself... My name is Maradith
I feel so much better prepared for the visit to the vet this afternoon! I know what to ask him about and for specifically. I'm happy to say Jude is at least feeling better this morning. When I picked her up to take her outside, there was minimal crying, thank goodness. And she is more herself. She hasn't had anymore accidents but she hasn't gone to the bathroom when I've taken her outside either :/. She did a little sniffing around then just and looked at me lol.

Hi Maradith!

Glad the Vet appt went well.  You will get the hang of the expressing. It takes practice and time.  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

Any changes to Jude's medications? 

Take care!

When I first started expressing Jeremy, I didn't think I'd be able to do it but with some practice, it got a lot easier. If Jude is tensing up, you can use a warm towel to relax her, which might help. The bladder is like a balloon that keeps slipping away. As the urine releases, the bladder gets smaller and moves around. Sometimes if it slips away, you have to gently feel around for it. It might be back by her hip area. You should express until the bladder is flat so no urine lays in the bladder, which can cause a UTI. Keep trying - you'll get it!

I quickly learned where I was expressing was part of the tensing up problem with Clark. Outdoors there is too much going on, too many smells that made him tighten his tummy and I could not feel the bladder. Can you express indoors on either a pee pad or on the shower stall floor with a traction mat? The warm towel from the dryer Marjorie mentioned can also help to relax them. Keep us posted on your expressing today….you will be successful… it is just a matter of practice.