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Post by Melissa & Zero+Bowie+Huck on Apr 20, 2020 21:19:50 GMT -7
Understood. Yes the Gabapentin and Methocarbamol came with a range of doses at 3x/day and our vet just responded that she is good with adding back these two with the Buprenorphine. The Buprenorphine is given transdermally, alternating ear flaps, every 6-8hrs. We will continue that and start at the lose dose of ✙Gaba (100mg) and ✙Metho (125mg) right now. I should also mention he is on Prednisone (2.5mg) 2x day for 5 days then a slow wean (I’ll have to get the bottle to get the actual instructions) and also Pepcid (5mg 2x/day). Thank you!!!!!!
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 10 lbs 13 y.o. 4/15 surgery prednisone post op: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then further taper. Buprenorphine ?mgs/one mL?, ?mg (0.5mL dose) alternating ear flaps, which? 6-8hrs ✙gabapentin 100 mgs 3x/day ✙methocarbamol 125mgs 3x/day Pepcid AC (famotidine) 5mgs 2x/day ]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 21, 2020 6:27:25 GMT -7
Melissa, which do you actually apply the buprenorphine every 6 hrs or every 8? does the container indicate how many mgs buprenorphine are contained in one mL?
gaba and metho are every 8 hrs?
What is your assessment about pain, fully in control now with your surgeon having adjusted meds? Hope to hear Zero and you got a good nights sleep.
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Post by Melissa & Zero+Bowie+Huck on Apr 21, 2020 8:49:41 GMT -7
Good morning! I’m grateful to report that we did sleep well. Thank you! Since yesterday was the first day we started Buprenorphine and because of his symptoms, we did the 6hr interval. The concentration is 3.0mg transdermal. We only did 100mg of Gabapentin and 125mg of Methocarbamol and that’s usually at an 8hr interval but perhaps we’ll adjust that to 6hrs depending on his comfort level today and/or go up to 200mg of Gaba if truly needed. He seems good and comfy, had a great breakfast, peed like a champ and is watching morning news with me and my coffee. Thank you all so much!! Such an incredibly supportive forum. Oh and the Buprenorphine dose is 0.05mL not 0.5ml.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 10 lbs 13 y.o. 4/15 surgery prednisone post op: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then further taper. Buprenorphine 3mg/mL transdermal: 0.15 mgs (0.05mL dose) alternating ear flaps 4x/day ✙gabapentin 100 mgs 3x/day ✙methocarbamol 125mgs 3x/day Pepcid AC (famotidine) 5mgs 2x/day ]
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Post by Melissa & Zero+Bowie+Huck on Apr 29, 2020 9:43:41 GMT -7
Hello all! So the good news is as of this morning, 4/29, two weeks since Zero's surgery, he started taking steps in his hinds. He had briefly tried the last few days but today it was very noticeable! He's still potty'ing perfectly on his own and is back to his old, happy self.
Our new worry is his front legs and their strength/stamina. We are slowing weaning off Prednisone (the prescription called for 2.5mg 2x/day for 5 days then 1.25mg 2x/day for 10 days then 1.25mg 1x/day for 10 days, starting on 4/16, the day after his surgery) so we are worried that now his neck symptoms are rearing their ugly head given the Pred isn't masking things as much. We've reached out to the surgeon with this worry but wanted to see if you all had any experience or insight given this scenario. It's discouraging as he needs his fronts to help support him, especially since in a couple of weeks we'll be wanting to start standing/strength work, etc.......Thank you!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 29, 2020 17:44:15 GMT -7
Melissa, please let us know what the surgeon suspicions. IF this would be a new disc episode in the neck, then that disc will need 8 weeks of rest before PT for the hind legs can start.
Hope to hear back the assessment might be more strain to the front legs has been happening because back ones had been non working. Please keep us posted.
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Post by Melissa & Zero+Bowie+Huck on Apr 30, 2020 11:33:10 GMT -7
Hello! So the surgeon is worried that the front leg symptoms are due to worsening of his neck disc issues but that he would not suggest anything different then meds and rest. He will see him in a week and half (Tuesday, May 12th) for a recheck and staple removal and we'll discuss our journey moving forward then. Zero is definitely more stable today on his fronts and his back legs are getting stronger by the day which is encouraging! He is comfortable and his spirit is great. We are still holding out hope with your assessment that his fronts are just extremely fatigued because of his hind situation. Only time will tell. I think unfortunately whichever way we went with surgery, i.e. neck vs back, we would be concerned the next area's surgery would follow. I will remain positive for Zero! Thank you Paula! We won't be doing any PT in the near future.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Apr 30, 2020 13:58:22 GMT -7
I hope that it is only his front legs compensating for the weak back legs and not a neck disc issue. Until you know for sure strict crate rest is the safest thing to do for Zero. Very good news that he is stronger today in both legs and is comfortable and happy.
Since Zero had disc issues in both the neck and back there is a risk of problems in the area that was not operated on. It doesn't necessarily mean surgery. We have seen a number of dogs who have had surgery for one disc issue and were treated successfully with conservative treatment for a subsequent IVDD episode.
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Post by Melissa & Zero+Bowie+Huck on Apr 30, 2020 15:05:09 GMT -7
Thank you Romy!! Fingers crossed as we hope very much too!!! He is on strict rest regardless. The only question I now have is should I be pushing to NOT be weaning off the prednisone, i.e. do a fresh, new course at the higher dose until some front leg symptoms get better?
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Apr 30, 2020 15:27:35 GMT -7
The vet thinks the weakness may be related to the neck disc. In that case, since you are currently treating her conservatively, any diminishment in neuro function when a taper starts means that the dog should be back on the full dose.
If it seems that the legs are simply compensating it is not neuro diminishment and the pred taper can continue.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on May 11, 2020 5:26:18 GMT -7
I'm so sorry to hear this, Melissa. Just click on one of our boards (Conservative or Surgery) and then "Create Thread" which is in the upper right side. If you have a problem, just post right in this thread and a moderator can start a new thread for you.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on May 11, 2020 14:41:48 GMT -7
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