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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 4:39:03 GMT -7
When I got up this morning, he almost immediately started whining when I woke him up. It could be that he’s already tired of the pen and now more aware of it because his meds make him feel better?
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 22, 2020 6:05:04 GMT -7
Yes, whining could be from boredom. When they start feeling better, sometimes crate rest can become a challenge. To determine if he still has pain, you need to look for some other signs of pain. Is his back still hunched? Signs of pain to 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?
What course of meds are you now giving him? How many mg of Tramadol is he now getting 3x/day? Have you increased the Gabapentin to 200 mg 3x/day? If not and you still signs of pain other than the whining, you luckily have that option.
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 22, 2020 6:06:49 GMT -7
If you determine that Zeus is no longer in pain and is starting to be restless in the crate, here are some tips to help calm him. If these do not help, it may be necessary to have the vet prescribe a mild sedative. Try to keep a happy voice and face around Zeus. Dogs are very sensitive and pick up on our feelings very easily. Tell him everything's OK and that he's getting better every day. And you believe it, too! To calm your dog in the crate, it would be a good idea to cover the top with a towel. That should mellow him. It also creates a den like feeling that dogs love. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives such as Acepromazine, Trazodone, etc. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price. Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is. Dogs: Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml www.adaptil.com/us/Products/ADAPTIL-Calm-Home-Diffuser with dog pheromones Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. 3) Bach's Rescue Remedy is a liquid 5-herb combo to help with relaxation (Star of Bethlehem – Orithogalum umbellatum, Rock Rose – Helianthemum, Cherry Plum – Prunus cerasifera, Impatiens – Impatiens gladulifera, Clematis – Clematis vitalba) Be aware you might be inadvertently training for unwanted behavior. To dogs rewards are: food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact, approaching the crate, petting. So anytime you see unwanted behavior ignore it, turn your back, leave the room if you have to. Preferable is to start teaching what you do want before there is too much practice in doing the unwanted behavior. Anytime your dog is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward. Soon your dog will see they get rewards for four feet on the floor, quietly sitting, etc. Consider some of these ideas: -- Many members have found a pet stroller to solve the whining problem because the stroller can be wheeled from room to room as you go about your activities. Pet strollers, however, should only be used when you are directly supervising. More details on strollers: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htm--Caster wheels can be added to a wire crate so the crate can be wheeled from one room to the next so your dog can stay with you. -- Put a garment you have been wearing and have not washed in the crate. -- Nan Arthur, CDBC, CPDT, KPACTP writes: "According to the book, Stress in Dogs, by Martina Scholz & Clarissa von Reinhardt, the most well-behaved dogs get 17 or more hours of rest and sleep per day. Teaching self-calming exercises can also help your dog to relax more. You can make something as simple as eye contact a very rewarding behavior that also acts as a way for your dog to “ask permission” when he wants something. When dogs have a focus and an understanding about how to behave to get what they want, they are much calmer overall. To do this, each time your dog looks at you, say, something like, “Yes!” or use a clicker to mark the second he looks at you, and then give your dog a high-value food reward. Wait for your dog to look up at you again, say, “Yes,” and reward again. Do this exercise 10 or so times and then say, “All done,” and put the treats away. Come back later and do it again until you can see that your dog is really starting to make automatic eye contact in hopes you will say, “Yes,” again and give him his reward. " [NOTE: treats should be subtracted from the normal daily kibble ration so as not to gain weight during crate rest.] -- If your dog won’t get too excited seeing what’s happening outside, during the day try putting the crate on the coffee table or the dining room table so there will be a view out a window and a better perspective on what is going on in the house from on high. -- Play classical music or one of the wildlife TV shows. -- Fill a Kong with soft dog food and freeze. Put part of the dog's total daily dinner kibble in the Kong to lengthen time to consume dinner. Good low cal snacks are carrots, apples, or frozen green beans, licking a frozen low sodium broth ice cube. Good thick low salt/no fat chicken broth is full of cartilage-building proteins and amino acids. Freeze it up into cubes for easy access as you need it. Fun and keeps the body hydrated: place cubes in a bowl for licking. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 6:43:27 GMT -7
Novox as of 1/20: 37.5mgs 1x/day for 14 days, then 2/3 test stop ▲gabapentin 100mgs 3x/day Robaxin 125mgs 2x/day famotidine 5mgs 2x/day ▼Tramadol 50mg half tablet 3x/day
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 14lbs Novox as of 1/20: 37.5mgs 1x/day for 14 days, then 2/3 test stop to reveal any: _pain / _neuro gabapentin 100mgs ▲3x/day Robaxin 125mgs 2x/day tramadol ▼25mgs 3x/day famotidine 5mgs 2x/day]
He isn’t showing signs of pain EXCEPT his hunch back and not putting weight on his hind legs (can’t use them). But he seems to be comfortable and not yelping when picked up. He’s sitting up in the kennel now, he wasn’t doing that before. Whines when I leave the room now. He has almost complete hearing loss so it’s hard to let him hear calming stuff like my voice.
He’s also not wanting to voluntarily take his meds anymore. I tried pumpkin (he’s been taking it with that, no problem) but doesn’t want it at all. I put it in peanut butter and he kept licking the pills dry and dropping them in his kennel. Finally I did jet puffed and he didn’t appear to get the pill out of that but I had to rush to work because of that fiasco this morning. My sister joked because he’s back to his stubborn self and being more like himself lol. But it isn’t helping me care for him. I’m just paranoid about the whining.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 22, 2020 9:09:50 GMT -7
Emily to give a vet recommendation, you would go to this link where the directory is: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-postingGood that you are finding things that help Zeus be able to relax and fall back to sleep during the night. Imaging if he awakes he can feel he could do with a potty break so he does go when you take him out You may find giving a 50mg dose of Tramadol at the nearest bedtime schedule will help Zeus sleep. Tramadol does have sedating properties. What date and why did tramadol get reduced to 1/2 tab at 25mgs? Arched back could well be still sensative, a bit painful. It is not til the test stop on Feb 3, that pain meds would be backed off or full stopped as a way to best observe for any hint of pain. Prior to that seems one ought to assume a disease that is known to be a painful thing ought to be treated as such. If Zeus could talk and confirm he's in no pain with the arched back, that would be one thing. As you write it sure it difficult to always know what is bothering Zeus. So this is where we come from here on the Forum about pain… We side with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines: "We can’t always know that our patient does hurt, but we can do our best to ensure that it doesn’t hurt" Chap 4, p.8. Recognition and assessment of acute pain in dogs. www.wsava.org/WSAVA/media/PDF_old/jsap_0.pdf
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 10:35:11 GMT -7
Verbally the vet said I could give Zeus Tramadol three times a day so I’m giving him 50mg (half tablets) 3x a day or 25mg each of the three doses a day.
Is that okay?
Any tricks to get him to continue taking his meds?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 22, 2020 10:57:17 GMT -7
OK, I must have gotten the wrong idea with the 1/21 report: The Tramadol says 50mgs twice a day but he verbally approved me to give it 3x a day
To be short & precise… then you are reporting: Tramadol 50 mg tab. Dose 1/2 tab (25mgs) 3x/day
You might run by the vet about his waking up, still having an arched back. Discuss giving the max analgesic dose a try to see if the arched back reduces and if it helps him sleep thru the night.
The usual in controlling pain is to Rx at the higher end of the mg range for a 14 lbs dog of tramadol 50mgs dose AND promptly every 8 hours.
Put the pill into the well of a small mashed banana ball, a cream cheese ball, liverwurst ball, Gerber Lil' meat sticks, or inside of a sticky small marshmallow and sealed completely so no taste is on the exterior. His meds are quite bitter. Wash your hands off all dust after splitting pills so you don't contaminate the outside of his treat/med ball. Use the three treat method. Prepare 2 treats with no meds inside PLUS the med ball. Give plain treat while holding med ball in front of eyes. The idea is your dog will be greedy after the first treat to get the 2nd. Immediately hold the 3rd plain treat so he will hurry to swallow the med ball to get to treat #3.
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 15:26:16 GMT -7
That’s correct with the Tramadol and the pill thing worked until he outsmarts next again lol. Which will happen, I’m sure.
He’s doing good still but I noticed he yelped when I massaged his back (not hard) and touched in his tummy area.
Okay, yes. He’s in pain. He’s showing multiple signs. I just gave him a full 50mg tablet of ▲Tramadol instead of 25mg. Is there anything else I can do for him? He’s already taking a ton of meds. But this is KILLING me. He’s whining and can’t get comfortable at all. He won’t let leave the room and even if I stay, he’s still breathing with a whine.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 14lbs Novox as of 1/20: 37.5mgs 1x/day for 14 days, then 2/3 test stop to reveal any: _pain / _neuro gabapentin 100mgs 3x/day Robaxin 125mgs 2x/day tramadol ▲50mgs 3x/day, owner Rx'd 1/22 famotidine 5mgs 2x/day]
He was sleeping so well on the first day or two of this injury 😢
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jan 22, 2020 15:36:32 GMT -7
The 50mg of tramadol every 8 hours may relieve his pain. It should work within an hour. Let your vet know you had to give him the 50mgs. You should let the vet know if he continues to show signs of pain. Perhaps he will consider increasing the Robaxin to 3x a day. Another possibility is Amanadtine. This is often used along with other pain meds to give an extra benefit and we are seeing many surgeons using it with gabapentin and tramadol. You can read more about this: www.marvistavet.com/amantadine
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 15:43:33 GMT -7
But how many meds are too many for his small body?
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Post by Julie & Perry on Jan 22, 2020 15:44:35 GMT -7
Hang in there Emily, you are on the right track. Sometimes you just have to tinker with the meds (with your vet) until you get it right.
I've also heard good things about amantadine added to tramadol and gabapentin.
It does seem like a lot of meds but they really are all necessary at this point.
Things will get better. We've all been there.
Hugs to you both.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jan 22, 2020 15:51:20 GMT -7
It is important that Zeus be pain free. Pain will only slow the healing process. The medication he has been prescribed including 50mgs of tramadol, is typical for an IVDD dog his weight. I do not believe he is being overmedicated at all.
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 16:32:05 GMT -7
He’s continuing to cry after that 50mg Tramadol. He will try to sleep and it seems like his body jerks every once in a while. I can’t stop crying. I feel so helpless.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Jan 22, 2020 16:41:28 GMT -7
Check with your vet about adding amantadine. Research it so you can talk about it with your vet. Hang in there. It will get better. www.marvistavet.com/amantadine
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 17:29:57 GMT -7
I gave him his muscle relaxer [Roboxin] over 30 min ago and he’s still twitching and crying. He can’t sleep. He’s sitting up and jumping up and crying out. Would someone please help 😩 I’m halfway tempted to rush him to a vet
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 22, 2020 18:07:26 GMT -7
Emily, I did a little research so you can understand more about the meds that Zeus needs and needs to be given at an adequate dose in mgs and freqency. All of his pain meds have a short half life. That means if not prescribed by the vet himself for every 8 hrs, pain is not likely to stay in control round the clock dose to dose. EAch of his pain meds deals with a different kind of pain. To have one of the pain meds under medicated can cause that type of pain to surface nearing the next dose. Make sense? CAVEAT: do not self prescribe yourself. That is the vet's job to take into account the health, the age and that organs may process stuff slower requiring less of a med. Your job is to bring to the table and disccuss the if the usual or more close to it is doable for Zeus.
So for a 14lbs dog the "usual" for Tramadol would be 50mgs 3x/day for Robaxin (methocarbamol) would be 125mgs 3x/day
Methocarbamol's half life is very likley short in for dogs too. This explains why we see the med lists for each dog on this Forum often reflect the "usual" of every 8 hrs for tramadol, methocarbamol and gabapentin..
Half-life can be complicated regarding how long the medication takes to eliminate from the body via liver or kidneys, how long it stays at a level that is effective. Here a very simplistic idea of how that might work. Imagine a med that has a half-life of 30 minutes, for example. If starting out with 30mgs of it, 30 minutes later there will be 15mgs remaining, and in another 30 minutes only 7.5mg remaining and so forth.
The safety in using the many medications with IVDD is a vet who practices safe medicine by taking a blood test to know how the organs are acting and can handle the meds. The other very important safety factor is the owner who knows each med, what to monitor for and alert the vet with needed updates. The owner is the eyes and ears for the vet to know how his Rx is working or not working.
So you gave Tramadol 50mgs 1 hr ago and just gave Robaxin 30 mins ago? ---Robaxin peaklevels occur approximately 2 hours after dosing. -- Tramadol could take an hour to reach effectiveness and then from that point the half life is 1.7 hrs! -- What throws the timing off is if pain has been allowed to surface. Then it is more difficult to get back in control
It may take an ER trip for a quicker acting shot to get things back under control. Bring all pill bottles so the ER is fully knowledgeable if you need to go that route.
Keep us posted, please.
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 22, 2020 18:10:58 GMT -7
I understand that and I’ll call the vet again tomorrow but he’s having muscle spasms now that the roboxun may not be helping - it hasn’t quite been two hours yet but it will be soon and he’s still crying out in pain and twitching. I don’t know how any of us will sleep tonight and my heart rate won’t come down. Watching him in pain is terrible. This isn’t just that he’s in pain - he’s constantly crying out in pain right now.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 22, 2020 18:24:35 GMT -7
Could you go to ER for help of a more quicker acting shot? A warm towel from the dryer may be something he'd like to snuggle up to? Warmth can provide maybe some relief as you wait to see if the meds will kick in finally?
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 23, 2020 4:27:40 GMT -7
We put ice on his back to help with swelling, it did okay I guess. We only left it there for about 15 min. and it was protected within a rag with us nearby.
My mother-in-law rushes over canine CBD oil - I understand that Dodgerslist can’t recommend it because there’s not a lot of research but I was desperate. That did okay too. He got quiet enough for us to go to bed - putting his kennel in the spare room with a sound machine because we have to work. He cried until his midnight medicine dose. We brought his cage into the room with us and took him potty - but he was still crying so we had to put him back in the spare room. I think it’s a mixture of pain and also not being crate trained. Expens wouldn’t help him either - he just hates being confined. And he’s got about 80% hearing loss from old age so calming measures using sound are difficult.
I’m calling the vet again this morning about his meds. I truly hope this gets easier because from the moment we got home last night until the moment we went to bed, he was crying out beside me (in his kennel) on the couch.
Still no movement with his legs but his tail is wagging some and bending when he potties.
Any advice on getting an old dog who is extremely stubborn, used to a kennel please let me know.
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 23, 2020 5:26:58 GMT -7
Emily, take a look at my post of yesterday with the list of calming tips. Some of them may help. Sometimes just covering the top of the crate helps calm a dog. The oral calmers and diffuser listed there work well with some dogs. If these tips don't work, you may need to get a mild sedative from the vet. It's better to have Zeus sedated so he can rest and heal than to have him restless and keeping everyone else up, too. More tips on emergency crate training here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htmI do hope that the adjustment to the meds will get the pain under control round the clock today.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Jan 23, 2020 8:27:19 GMT -7
I would ask your vet for amantadine and a mild sedative.
Once Zeus is calm and not in pain you'll see a different dog.
My Nala had a problem with chronic pain but once her meds were right she turned around.
I'm praying for you both.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 23, 2020 9:34:24 GMT -7
Emily, good points both Julie and Marjorie make. While Amantadine is not a pain reliever, many neuros (ACVIM) are finding it useful to control pain for many dogs. Something to definately bring to the table for discussion. Mar Vista Veterinary info for veterinarins: www.marvistavet.com/amantadine.pmlAs Marjorie brings up— check with your vet about using a calmer difusser with an oral calmer. Discuss if a nighttime sedative is in order. WHY CDB OIL is likely contraindicated during a disc episode.Knowing in what respect the research lacking with CDB oil for dogs is helpful in deciding whether to use with your pet. With IVDD the big gun meds are in use for a disc episode. Read about meds humans should not take with CDB oil due to reseasrch because CBD can change the way a person 's body processes certain medications. Raises up the level or diminishes the med level. Research for dogs is on-going and may in the furture line up with the meds for humans that are contraindicated with CDB oil. "CBD and Drug Interactions: What You Need to Know" www.healthline.com/health/cbd-and-drug-interactions-what-you-need-to-know
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 23, 2020 10:57:26 GMT -7
Can he take any of this with his prescriptions:
Use a diffuser with one oral calmer from below: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. 3) Bach's Rescue Remedy is a liquid 5-herb combo to help with relaxation (Star of Bethlehem – Orithogalum umbellatum, Rock Rose – Helianthemum, Cherry Plum – Prunus cerasifera, Impatiens – Impatiens gladulifera, Clematis – Clematis vitalba)
I’m seeing so many conflicting things about CBD oil.
Im still waiting to hear from the vet. He said this morning that I can raise ▲Tramadol to 50mg twice a day. He will call me about upping Robaxun, sedative, and Amantadine later (hopefully).
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 14lbs Novox as of 1/20: 37.5mgs 1x/day for 14 days, then 2/3 test stop to reveal any: _pain / _neuro gabapentin 100mgs 3x/day Robaxin 125mgs 2x/day tramadol ▲50mgs 2x/day famotidine 5mgs 2x/day]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 23, 2020 12:19:42 GMT -7
Emily, it is always helpful to us owners to understand the "why" behind an Rx so we can be on board and not have unanswered questions lingering. Why is Tramadol with a half life of 1.7 hours can only be used for Zeus every 12 hrs and not every 8 hrs. Elderly dog whose liver is slower to metabolize, etc.?? When is the last time Zeus had a blood panel to know the health of his organs?
Likely the calmers with L-Theanine, colostrum would not be a problem. We just feel it is in the best interest of the dog go always keep your vet in the loop about anything that goes in your dogs mouth (supplements, etc.) especialy since Zeus is on meds.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Jan 23, 2020 13:53:19 GMT -7
Emily, hang in there. Keep working on the meds until they're right.
Continuing to pray for you both.
Hugs.
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 23, 2020 16:51:50 GMT -7
Okay you guys - sorry for the confusion. I finally spoke with my vet directly and have gotten further than I have since seeing him in person to get the meds. Here’s our new medication list:
▲Tramadol - 50 mg - full tablet - 3x a day Novox - 75 mg - 1/3 tablet - 1x a day ▲Robaxun - 500mg - 1/4 tablet - 3x a day (have been approved to do 1/2 tablet 3 times a day IF Zeus can handle it and not be so drowsy ** side note about this below Famotidine - 10 mg - 1/2 tablet - 2x a day Gabapentin - 100mg - 1 capsule - 3x a day (have been approved to do 2 capsules three times a day but have only given him 1 capsule 3x a day)
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 14lbs Novox as of 1/20: 37.5mgs 1x/day for 14 days, then 2/3 test stop to reveal any: _pain / _neuro gabapentin 100mgs 3x/day Robaxin 125mgs ▲3x/day tramadol 50mgs ▲3x/day famotidine 5mgs 2x/day]
My new options from here would be to up the dose of the Robaxun or Gabapentin but I don’t want to do that yet. After giving these doses above, Zeus is much more comfortable this evening. Only whining when he figures out he’s alone in the room so I’m going to try to have his kennel stay next to ours tonight if he doesn’t cry. He appears to be a little uncomfortable and doing a heavy sigh when breathing (while awake) but once he finds a comfortable spot in his bed, his lights are out. The reason I don’t want to up the Robaxun and Gabapentin yet is because he’s kind of acting zombie like.
We are still doing the CBD oil. I know there’s varying opinions on it but when we have it to him last night after he was crying out in pain for HOURS, his pain seemed to get a little better and by the morning he was much better. I also feel like I’ve seen a change in his anxiety. Again, I know there are risks but for right now, I don’t want to risk having another night like last night. Of course I forgot to mention this while on the phone to my vet. My vet did say that he has no experience with amantadine and would have to research it more before selling it from his business but seemed interested to hear it brought up.
Hopefully this post will be a breath of fresh air for you advocates - it’s been extremely exhausting to keep having to call the vet for more doses and more meds and then to have a night like I did last night.
As far as Zeus is with movement - he’s still got the hunch in his back, not using hind legs, but his tail is wagging more and it’s still “shaping” when he pees or poops. Also, Zeus attempted to hunch his back to poop outside which is a normal thing for him so that was interesting to see. Appetite is good (eating slower than he was though) and still drinking fluids. Doesn’t appear to care he’s in the kennel except when we leave.
I think that’s all the updates I have for now.
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 23, 2020 17:02:57 GMT -7
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jan 23, 2020 18:39:16 GMT -7
Emily, now finally at last the three pain meds are balanced in the right way of mgs per dose and all on board promptly every 8 hrs. THANK GOODNESS for Zeus!
Your vet is rightfully cautious to learn more about things you bring up before prescribing. We LOVE it when vets are open to learning more and willng to look up stuff, call a colleague from their University for more information. etc. That is how it is supposted to work! Fingers crossed this adjustment to the meds works dose to dose for Zeus.
Do let your vet know about the CDB oil. The main reason CDB may becontraindicated is that in people it is well known via studies that CDB can slow or speed up drug metabolism. That change in metabolism rate can alter how your your Zeus processes the medications he is on. With a young dog not taking any meds, CDB may well be a wonderful thing regarding anxiety and safe. But an elderly dog on the big gun meds that are finally working don't want anything to mess that up. Again there really needs to be the research for dogs that has been done for humans.
Hope you all will find a good night's sleep awaiting you. Please do update us in the morning that all pain masked right up to his next scheduled morning dose. FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!
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Post by Emily & Zeus on Jan 24, 2020 5:09:07 GMT -7
Guess what!?!? Zeus slept through the night!!!!! He only woke up to take his meds (which my alarm didn’t go off and we were an hour late with but he did not wake us up in discomfort and I’ve fixed my alarm now). When he’s awake, he is heavy sighing but he’s always done that so I’m hopeful it’s just his attitude.
I’m going to make another call to the vet today to update them and tell them about the CBD oil. I haven’t gone as high on the Gabapentin and Reboxan as I possibly can go but just raising the dosage higher than it was seems to have made a difference. I also feel much more rested. He slept in his kennel, on a kitchen chair pushed up to our dresser and right in my face lol which also comforted him.
My mother-in-law and mom are coming over this weekend to sit with him while we do stuff around the house. He still doesn’t like waking up and not seeing someone next to him unless he knows we are going to work but anything out of routine he’s never liked. Anyone who’s reading this that might be trying to get through this too - I’ve noticed that he becomes more comfortable to take a nap if I lay next to the kennel like I’m going to sleep too. He’s like “oh, she’s sleeping too so I know she will be here for a bit”.
Hopefully this is a good sign for a good weekend, we could sure use lots of rest in our house - ALL of us!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Jan 24, 2020 6:15:44 GMT -7
I'm so very glad to hear this, Emily! Great job on advocating for Zeus and getting his pain under control. Wonderful news!
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