|
|
Post by Melissa & Roscoe on Aug 1, 2013 10:35:15 GMT -7
 Hoping someone can help me... I have had my boy on crate rest since I'd say... October 2012. He is not overweight (Tweenie @ around 12-13LBS.) We go through "episodes" it seems with him. 2-3 months of STRICT crate rest, then he is better for a week or 2, then bad again. SO strict crate rest AGAIN for 2-3 months, then he is better again. The cycle continues. He has been in great shape for I'd say... the past 2 months or so. No problems & We have kept up as much as we could with picking him up to get on the couch, picking him up to put him down. He has jumped on/off the couch a only few times while we are trying to train him to use his ramp (yes - I know this is most likely the cause of the flare up again.) Yesterday, he started limping again and of course holding up his right paw and hobbling 3-legged when he is outside to potty. I have changed the way we do things since this started. He eats/sleeps in his crate (to keep up with the crate rest because I just can't trust him to NOT jump when he is alone) and he stays in there during the day while I am at work. But I HATE that he is not just getting "better" obviously. The wavering back & forth is not only horrible for HIM, but I'm so stressed and sad that I just can't fix this!!!! He has been to the vet several times (herniated disc & pinched nerve was the original diagnosis,) except for the most recent (again- it just started back up again yesterday) Does ANYONE have any words of wisdom, experienced the same frustrating & saddening pattern, etc. etc. etc. I have yet to even go there with surgery because of $ (of course I will do whatever I need to do to get him better) but we were HOPING that the crate rest & meds would work, however we are pushing up on a year here..... ANYONE? Anytime he goes outside, I pick him up (carefully & hold him parallel to the ground) & set him down. Lift him up/down from couch, etc. I am NOT careless with him. I do have a 6 yr old who unfortunately isn't as responsible with him ( I mean, she's 6....) so I do my best to not leave them alone together because she can't pick him up the way that I need her to, or she gets riled up and then he jumps off couch, etc. Again, I am quite positive the reason for the flare up is due to him jumping while we are trying to train him to use ramp. Sometimes I just can't beat him to the ramp if he's excited & he will skip it entirely & just jump on couch I'm mostly wondering, if the crate rest didn't solve the problems... and we are pushing up now on a year of this.... is surgery the next step? (I am just asking for suggestions/advice.) ANY thoughts/advice would be GREATLY appreciated! (FYI, I have called 2 vets today and in the process of getting him seen asap, however money is a bit of an issue...But again, I will do whatever I have to for him. When this FIRST started last year, I honestly felt like I received better feedback, and better information from the good folks on I Love My Doxi page than I did from the vet.... Everyone on doxi page told me right away what was probably happening, and sure enough, after vet visit....They were right & They seemed more informed than my boys "doctor!" ) PLEASE help 
|
|
StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335 
|
Post by StevieLuv on Aug 1, 2013 11:03:21 GMT -7
Hi, my name is Maureen, welcome to Dodgerslist. I am sorry that your little guy is having such an ongoing disc problem. I totally understand - my Stevie has 8 bad discs, and has had 2 IVDD episodes this year - one in January where she was paralysed. that led to the 8 weeks of crate rest and then she re-injured herself 5 weeks later, so back into the crate for another 8 weeks. She has been out for almost 6 weeks this time, so fingers crossed. Had you been able to do any rehab exercise with your boy previous to this? ( What is his name by the way  ) There are exercises that we can do with them that help rebuild core muscle strength, which strengthens the spine. Water therapy in a kiddie pool or bathtub for instance. It is really hard to have a back safe home when you have little kids and a jumping bean doggie, that is for sure. They feel good and just go for it! Have you tried furniture blockers to keep him from leaping onto the couch? Here are some ideas for you www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmIs he crated right now? I know that the thought of undergoing crate rest AGAIN is enough to send you screaming into the streets, but it is the safest thing for him, until you get him to the Vet for diagnosis and medications if he needs them. Please keep us posted! Keeping you in thought and prayer |
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on Aug 1, 2013 12:58:34 GMT -7
Melissa is this you from the FB page.
First is Roscoe in any pain right now or on any medication. Let us know what the vet prescribes this time.
How severe were his past episodes? Holding up his right leg (front or back?) is this the way the other episodes started?
I think it might possibly be time for a neuro consult since it seems you have tried conservative treatment several times and it has not worked. A neuro may not do surgery right now as he is not down and still walking but he may be able to do an exam and tell more what is going on.
|
|
|
|
Post by Melissa & Roscoe on Aug 1, 2013 13:26:39 GMT -7
Linda, yes it's Me from fb! He seems to be in a little pain.... He's a pretty tough lil guy so it's hard to tell. Last time he didn't "seem" to be in pain which really confused me, but THIS time, when I pick him up to get him in/out of crate he is doing some moaning.... His last episodes I guess in retrospect weren't as severe as they could've been (so I've found.) No paralysis. He still had control over his bowels, etc. It started then and now with him holding up his right front paw, kind of holding it up, "limp" is the best way I can describe it. Then from there, it just gets worse. It seems since he IS on strict crate rest, when he lays for long periods of time, he acts almost as if his front right paw has fallen asleep? So he holds it up and when I set him down to go potty, he hobbles around 3 legged with his back legs wobbly. He is not currently on meds, however I JUST faxed a request to my vet to refill his Prednisone, Tramadol, Methocarbamol & Acepromazine (he HATES) being in his crate like this. We also have a Rottweiler who LOVES her little brother so being that she is OUT of a crate and he is IN, I think that's a big part of why he's so anxious being in there. PLUS, he's a mamas boy and of course loves the attention and affection, so I'm REALLY hoping they will fill the meds without seeing him so I can try to get the healing process started. I will check into the neuro consult. THANK YOU!! |
|
|
|
Post by Melissa & Roscoe on Aug 1, 2013 13:58:13 GMT -7
Hi Maureen! Thank you!! As I mentioned before, I felt that I received MUCH better information from good people like yourself & Linda, than I did from his Vet. My lil guys name is Roscoe. I am sorry to hear about your Stevie girl as well! It's heartbreaking to not be able to help them and see immediate progress! Stevie sounds like she has gone through the same reoccurring problems as Roscoe It's reassuring to hear your experience of her problems and recoveries! Especially when you mention that she was paralyzed but DID/IS recovering! Congrats on the 6 weeks! I will keep my fingers crossed for you both! I had NO idea that there were exercises we could do with Roscoe! I thought, the more I moved/touched him, the more of a chance there would be to damage or injure him further! So THANK YOU for that information! And your right, with our VERY energetic 6 year old & my VERY curious Roscoe, it is nearly impossible to leave the room without him trying to jump down to follow, etc. I have also never heard of furniture blockers! From the name of them alone, it sounds like something I NEED to invest in! We could REALLY benefit from something like that! He IS crated now. Only coming out to potty and sit with me on the couch (when my 6 year old is occupied because she just can't sit still herself, which means HE won't sit still) but yes- crate 24-7, out to potty and only sit with me for an hour or so (probably more for ME than HIM! ) Again, this is breaking my heart. He is my first doxi and I am a LOVER for life because of him. THANK YOU Maureen! And hugs to Stevie! Praying she stays on the right track! I can't thank you BOTH (Linda & Maureen) for the GREAT information you provided & for taking the time to offer your help and suggestions! AGAIN! I'm SO very Thankful!!!! Will update asap! |
|
|
|
Post by Linda Stowe on Aug 1, 2013 18:24:44 GMT -7
|
|
|
|
Post by Yvonne & Billy on Aug 1, 2013 19:21:39 GMT -7
Hi Michelle,
My name is Yvonne and my four-legged son has been on crate rest for 6 weeks now. I just wanted to say WOW for your efforts. I did a mere 6 weeks and I can't wait for his graduation but on and off for a year?!?! That's no easy feat! AND with a 6 year old on top of it?? I'm singing a fanfare for you! =)
You are an amazing mommy~~~
Wishing you the best for you and your Roscoe!!!!!!!!
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
|
Post by PaulaM on Aug 1, 2013 20:43:57 GMT -7
If all the other disc episodes involved holding his front paw up flamingo style, it is a good chance there is a neck disc invovled and this is root signature pain. Was that ever mentioned? And it may be the same disc acting up again. That would be one reason for surgery is repeated problem at the same disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back/neckfrom moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. In addition to not having him on the couch with you there are other things you can be doing to help with a neck disc. Very good article on that here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmLet us know what the vet says and the meds prescribed. |
|
|
|
Post by Marissa & Ruby on Aug 3, 2013 7:54:02 GMT -7
Hi Roscoesmommy,
My name is Marissa and I can only imagine how difficult it is to have these episodes of flare ups just after you have all worked so hard to get Roscoe through crate rest. It has actually been one of my biggest fears with Ruby. My Ruby has been on crate rest for 4 weeks with 4 more to go. She is doing well, but I always have a nagging fear that we are doing all this work with her to heal and all it will take is one wrong jump or twist to put her back to square one.
I completely understand how tempting it is to want some cuddle time with Roscoe on your lap or on the couch (because before she got hurt, snuggling up next to me was one of Ruby's favorite things to do), but please follow the strictest rule as Paula has laid out above. Once he is on your lap or the couch, there is always a chance, even if it is the smallest of chances, that he could move the wrong way or jump off. You are doing everything right and it takes a lot of stamina on mommy's part...Roscoe knows how much you love him. Just tell Roscoe he will get all the cuddle time he needs after the full eight weeks are up.
Hang in there!!
|
|
) There are exercises that we can do with them that help rebuild core muscle strength, which strengthens the spine. Water therapy in a kiddie pool or bathtub for instance.
