Tina's Bruno 3/11 Surgery4wks-Cocker Spaniel

The one symptom I keep going back to is the tense tummy. Is that common with arthritis, too?

If you have any concern that it could be IVDD and not arthritis you might want to crate Bruno out of an abundance of caution and then ask your vet if it might be IVDD instead.

Hi, Tina. Is the vet who just examined Bruno experienced in IVDD? Did he only examine for loss of neuro function (turning off feet to check whether Bruno can turn them back) or did he also check for pain in the spine? A dog can be having a disc episode and only exhibit pain but not any new loss of neuro function.

A disc episode usually does not let up with the pain or without protective confinement may increase as the nerves continue to be damaged by the bad disc. Arthritis joint pain usually eases up with some exercise after getting going from a night of inactivity or a daytime nap where the body's joints have been in one position.

Any time a dog is on a NSAID such as Previcox, he should also be taking a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC (Famotidine). Ask the vet if Bruno has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a “no health” issues answer, then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine). i.ibb.co/DCN9611/91x-Aj-s00z-L-SY355.jpg
Doxie weight dogs: 5mg Pepcid AC (famotidine) every 12 hours. NOTE: Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory. www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html

Is Bruno's pain completely under control now with this course of meds?

Pain should be completely brought under control within one hour of giving meds. If not, the pain meds need to be adjusted. Is he still showing signs of pain now? Not wanting to get up could be a sign of pain in that movement causes pain.

I looked back through your earlier posts and I see that you went to both a regular vet and a neurologist. Was this the neurologist you saw yesterday? The fact that she saw back pain and the amount of sudden pain that you saw is very suspicious of IVDD. Yes, it could be from the arthritis but it could also be from IVDD. It also concerns me that she didn't sound certain of arthritis in that she said to bring him in if he starts to wobbly walk or dragging his feet but at that point, nerve damage would have already been done. Any time an IVDD episode is suspicioned, a full 8 weeks of strict crate rest must be done to protect the spine against further damage and allow a possible damaged disc to heal.

Also, Methocarbamol, which is a muscle relaxant, is usually given for the pain of muscle spasms caused by IVDD and not usually seen for arthritis patients. Please fill in the list of meds currently being given.

Current weight?
Previcox ?? mg ??x/day for how many days?
Methocarbamol ??mg ??x/day
Pepcid AC ??mg ??x/day

I'm so sorry to hear this, Tina. Do know that many dogs do recover with conservative care of 8 weeks of strict crate rest so don't despair if surgery is not an option. If the vet wants to switch from a NSAID to a steroid due to the neuro loss, such a switch can be made without a 4-7 day washout period with the addition of TWO stomach protectors - Pepcid AC AND Sucralfate.

We'll be anxiously awaiting word. Bruno, you and the vets are all in my prayers.

Tina, when you hear more, do update us on how Bruno is doing post op. We'll be thinking about you both!

I'd give the pepcid ac 2x daily.

Give 30 minutes before the previcox and then 12 hours later.

As I understand it, pepcid works for 12 hours and you want 24 hour protection.

Thank you. He seems to be pain free. He’s just tired and grumpy (his usual self). The vet gave us some recommendations for therapy. We are researching people/places right now. I’ll make sure the Pepcid is taken every 12 hours.

My only problem right now is that he doesn’t want to come out of his cage. He needs to go to the bathroom though. The vet said he was walking right after surgery and yesterday, but today he came out not wanting to walk at all. Which upsets me a little, but I need patience.

You'll need to try to determine whether Bruno is not wanting to walk or not able to walk. Not wanting to walk or move is a sign of pain and if that's the case, the vet hospital needs to be advised so pain meds can be adjusted.

Other signs of pain to be aware of: ◻︎ restless, pacing, can’t find a comfortable position
◻︎reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions
◻︎shivering-trembling ◻︎yelping when picked up or moved
◻︎slow to move ◻︎tight tense tummy
◻︎arched back, ears pinned back ◻︎not their normal perky selves

The swelling caused by surgery can sometimes cause a worsening of condition. It can take up to two weeks for that swelling to resolve so until then it can be hard to determine neuro function.

Healing prayers for Bruno.

Tiina, if Bruno shows any more signs of being reluctant to move or walk, walks slowly gingerly or any of the other signs of pain Marjorie listed, then immediately contact the surgeon today to report your observations. He is only on one pain med (gabapentin) so there is the option to add in other pain meds to provide full pain relief. It can take 2 weeks for all the surgical caused swelling and the pain swelling causes to subside. The anti-inflammatory Previcox will be working on bringing swelling down over the course of time. Pain meds work in a matter of an hour or less

Please let us know what the vet prescribes to provide full pain relief if you continue to see reluctance to move.

Suggestions please. Bruno is destroying his cage every time I leave the house. I could leave for 2 minutes and his cage would be destroyed. During the day when I’m home, he’s fine.

Here are some tips to help calm Bruno in the crate. As Julie advised, if these do not help, it may be necessary to have the vet prescribe a mild sedative.

To calm your dog in the crate, it would be a good idea to cover the top with a towel. That should mellow him/her. 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)

Consider some of these ideas:
-- Put a garment you have been wearing and have not washed in the crate.

-- Play classical music or one of the wildlife TV shows.

If a dog is jumping up at the sides of the crate, you can lower the ceiling of the crate. Cut a piece of cardboard the size of the top of the crate, punch holes in the corners and tie the cardboard down into the crate to the level of the top of the dog's head when standing. Or cover the top of the crate with a blanket or towel, bringing the blanket/towel down to the level of the dog's eyes so when he/she jumps up, he won't be able to see anything. That may discourage him/her from jumping up.

www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm

Wonderful news on graduation from post op crate rest.

Glad to hear no pain.... and that includes no arthritis pain as well!

Lot's of great ideas in increasing physical activity as well as great tips in living with an IVDD dog. Take a look at "After crate rest, then what?"   www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm

We look forward to hearing how graduates continue to do over time. Periodically stop by to let us know how Bruno is doing.  It helps to give inspiration to those just beginning a scary journey to know there is light at the end of the tunnel.