Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name's Marjore - what's yours? So glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you.
I'm so very sorry that you weren't given correct instructions on how to treat IVDD.
In order for a damaged disc to heal, a full 8 weeks of strict crate rest must be done, not a mere 2 weeks. When too much movement is allowed before a damaged disc has healed and formed secure scar tissue, the disc can re-tear, tear more or even rupture, causing more nerve damage. It would appear that either there was problem with another disc a month after the first incident or the original disc ruptured due to allowing too much movement too soon and caused paralysis. What you need to do now to care for Lucy in the future is to learn all that you can about IVDD in order to avoid incorrect medical advice.
And yes, you are being too negative about Lucy's prognosis.
Nerves are very, very slow to heal, think more in terms of months, even a year or more. My own dog, Jeremy, had surgery and still it took 6 months before he was able to walk again. Take no one's word about when healing can occur or how much healing can occur. Also take only the word of a Board-certified neurologist as to deep pain sensation as it can be very hard to detect. There is still hope that healing can occur.
We do need more information in order to provide you with support. You say that crate rest is almost finished.
Has there been a full 8 weeks of very strict crate rest done since Lucy's condition worsened and her hind legs went down? That must be done before allowing Lucy to very slowly be reintroduced to movement again. Movement must be very gradually reintroduced after 8 weeks of strict crate rest. We can give you more information on how to gradually reintroduce movement once the 8 weeks of strict crate rest are completed and tips on how to make your home back friendly so please do check back with us about that.
It will help us work together with you and avoid offering ideas that could cause harm or lead the discussion in the wrong direction delaying help for your dog — please share a bit more detail with us:
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Is there still currently pain? ☐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? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way dose to dose. If not in control your vet needs to know asap to adjust meds.
Neuropathic pain is not common but you should be aware of it. This kind of pain is abnormal, phantom pain sensations with severe spinal cord damage. Signs are obsessive licking of paw, leg, genitals, tail. Escalates to biting, life-threatening chewing off parts. Immediately put on an e-collar (or lengthwise folded towel around neck and duct taped closed) to prevent access to lower body. Contact vet immediately for Gabapentin or stronger Lyrica (pregabalin) for neuropathic pain. More info:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/neuropathy.pdf❖2
When was the last date that the steroid was given?Please know for the future that when a switch needs to be made from a NSAID to a steroid, such a switch can be made without a washout period but definitely two stomach protectors should have been added, both Sucralfate and Famotidine (Pepcid AC).
Have there been any GI Tract problems? —Eating and drinking OK? No nausea/not eating, no vomit? —Poops OK? Normal firmness & color -no dark black or bright red blood indicating bleeding ulcers? No diarrhea?
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The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc.
100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form.
Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! —>
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmSTRICT means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times. ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc ◼︎At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
Please no chiropractic treatment now or in the future. Here's why that must be avoided with an IVDD dog:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htmCarry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog’s back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to a minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
i.ibb.co/K7HNj10/slingwalk.jpg❖4
How are you doing expressing Lucy's bladder? Do you find wet bedding or does she leak on you when picked up?
❖5 Currently can Lucy wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
❖6 What is your name?
Knowledge is the power to fight the IVDD enemy and win!! The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to get up to speed on IVDD soonest possible. Begin absorbing the must-have overall sense of meds, care and how the treatment works. Your dog will be depending on your ability to learn - excellent video series here:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/theater.htm PRINT OUT this link and tape to your fridge:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm use the printout as your roadmap to avoid dangerous detours in your dog’s care
make notes/highlight to keep yourself on track
follow all the links in the next days to become the IVDD savvy pet parent your dog needs. Use the “search box” to easily locate topics over at our Main
www.Dodgerslist.com website:
www.dodgerslist.com/index/searchBOX.jpgThe guest board is a temporary Guest courtesy to get immediate help until you can register. I encourage you to register and login. That way all the features of the Forum are available to you, making it faster to reply and get an email alert about replies. It also makes is far easier for us to track your dog and give the best assistance. Illustrated what to expect during registration:
www.dodgerslist.com/forumads/RegisterFORUM/register.htmHealing prayers for Lucy.
