Jackie, sorry to hear Molly having some pain. With pain only it can be a challenge to diagnose as other things like a sprained muscle etc. are the same symptoms. Usually a vet goes by the breeds that can be prone to IVDD (spaniels and corgies) and the past history of the dog to help pinpoint the diagnosis. The reason an exray does not proove a disc episode is because only showing hard tissue. Xray may not even give the suspicion of a mild episode because discs and spinal cord are soft tissue.
So until it is proven not to be disc episode related, best to act like it is one.
Bone up in the two classes of anti-inflammatory drugs. Deramaxx can't be used in close proximity to a steroid since you started a non-steroid yesterday (5-7 days washout is needed) This washout is needed also when switching between different brands of anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAID <-> NSAID
Plus, with mild symptoms of pain only often a non-steroid like Deramaxx would be chosen.
Anyway do bone up so you are prepared to speak on the phone and ask the right questions making sure Molly is protected.. Blood work is always prudent when using anti-inflammatory drugs to check the health of organs.
Link about Deramaxx use with a disc episode plus a business sized card to d/l and print out during vet calls to keep all the meds straight.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmPEPCID AC
Proactive vets don’t wait til there is lip licking of nausea, not eating, vomit, diarrhea leading to serious bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in stool due to the extra stomach acids anti-inflammatory drugs cause.
Pepcid AC (famotidine) blocks the production of acid. The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) with a disc episode is 0.44mg mg per pound every 12 hours. Pepcid AC has a very limited potential for side effects.
Ask if your dog 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).
RECOVERY SUITE Principals
Let us know you are on the same page about crate rest.
100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong disc scar tissue to form.
Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm PLUS further guidance on conservative treatment on our "All Things IVDD page:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmSTRICT means:
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
Carry your dog to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very, 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 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!
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i.ibb.co/K7HNj10/slingwalk.jpgQUESTIONSMolly's weight? 11 years old?
