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Post by Diane & Bugs on Apr 19, 2020 15:13:24 GMT -7
 [Original subject line: Dog home from second disc surgery. ]
QUESTIONS I see the questions but I believe I can fast tract all for you so you can see what has transpired. 4 year old Terrier Mix, BUGS, with Poss Dachshund, unsure. 1st IVDD surgery Sept 4th 2019 L4-5, Second Ivdd Surgery T-12-13. Both performed by same neurosurgeon post MRI. Dog is underweight now but always maintains a trim fit physique. This last surgery there developed severe gut issue and resulted in an Ileus. Bugs was on steroids and antiinflams without stomach support (antacid), he was given Cerenia (anti nausea)- he was not eating and started to regurgitate. He was staying over the weekend 2 days waiting for surgery Monday AM. Ileus then required multiple X-raysand NG tube placement. Fluid was removed from stomach which helped him. But not steroids or antiinflams given and only pain meds. His stomach continued for 2 additional days to cause issues. Finally surgery was done 5 days after admittal. Surgeon said surgery was successful and to FU in 10 - 14 days for staple removal. Dog is currently about 10 - 11 lbs he is on 25mg Tramadol 3x a day, 60mg Gabapentin 3 x a day, both of these with food. Metronidazole 1.7ml 2 x a day, Famotidine 5mg 2x a day, Cerenia 8mg 1 x per day, Sucralfate .5g 3 x per day. [Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 10-11lbs Tramadol 25mgs 3x/day gabapentin 60 mbs 3x/day metronidazole 1.7mg 2x/day famotidine 5mgs 2x/day sucralfate 500mgs 3x/day Cerinia 8mgs 1x/day ] He is eating and drinking fine, no nausea , no vomit. He has not pooped yet. He was not eating most of the 5 days at the hospital. ☆ 4 What breed? BUGS is a High Kill shelter rescue. Unsure his breed but If I had to guess, Jack Russel, Chihuahua and Dachshund. My name is Diane ☆ 5 specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD? YES, Doctor is a board certified Neurosurgeon. ☆ 6 What was the date you saw the vet? Took BUGS in April 10th Friday , date of SURGERY April 15th Weds
--SURGICAL -- How many weeks did your surgeon direct for post-op rest? - 10-14 days until suture removal. -- What did your surgeon direct for clinic or at home PT? at home PT☆ 7 BUGS can urinate on his own☆ 8 Currently can your dog wobbly walk? Barely . move the legs at all? YES or wag the tail NO. |
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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 19, 2020 20:55:20 GMT -7
Diane, welcome to the forum. Just to clarify....
Was the Wed 4/15 surgery for a disc episode?
Bugs is a very cute boy. And obviously getting great care from you!
Sucralfate and tramadol, both, can cause constipation. With all his stomach issues, you might call your vet to verify if pumpkin can help with possible constipation.
Plain pureed canned pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. NOTE: alternatives are really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potatoe.
--To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal and soak overnight. At mealtime add one teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day.
-- To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day to kibble.
Give a teaspoon of pumpkin for every 10 pounds of body weight once a day.
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Post by Diane & Bugs on Apr 20, 2020 7:05:17 GMT -7
Thank you Paula.
in answer to your question YES BUGS surgery was due to a disc extrusion at T-12-13 that was shown on MRI.
Thank you for the Pumpkin information, the Doctor has told me about this and to add it. I have some here just in case. But I think I will go ahead and add it today. I have only had him home now for 36 hours approx. He did not eat the entire 5 days in the hospital and is eating now at home.
BUGS is on a raw diet so he gets meats that are all natural and very very wet, no kibble here.
update: yesterday afternoon he was able to wag his tail lying in his bed. It was the best ever, brought us to tears.
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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 20, 2020 13:41:44 GMT -7
Diane, Bugs must be very happy back in his home with you with that wag.
How are his back legs doing? Still pretty weak and wobbly walking at potty time?
What did the surgeon direct for at home PT. Sometimes when a dog can wobbly walk then the PT could be the walk to and from the potty place. Let us know what your surgeon directed.
For how many weeks does the surgeon want him on crate rest which includes the supervised PT he directed? Some want 4 weeks and others say 6 weeks. All depends on what the surgeon saw during the surgery.
Hope to hear back the additional pumpkin has helped.
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Post by Diane & Bugs on May 21, 2020 11:28:33 GMT -7
Sorry so long to get back to the list but it's been a rocky road.
Bugs is as of 5/22 5 weeks post surgery for T11. He has had a bit of a rough go initially with an ileus and now has a UTI. First on Clavamox but has a bad bug on C&S so , 6 days later, now on Zenequin.
Bugs is progressing we very well. Stopped all pain meds yesterday. They did have to add Prednisone a few weeks ago due to pain, but that is all calmed down now and rear end getting stronger every day.
He has a complete and full appetite and regular diet, all urination and poops on his own. We are slowly increasing the lengths of his walks. He now trots right out and he loves being out again.
He is only out in a harness and no neck leads.
I stopped going to the neurologist surgeon due to too many balls dropped. I am now following up with his regular vet who saw him yesterday and commented just how well Bugs is really doing. We recheck the UTI this saturday.
He has no symptoms of one but C&S showed it.
He is kept in a a large pen during the day when he is not with me and he enjoys his naps. I also make sure he gets outside alone time with his harness and a cushion. He is not free to roam. This is hard as this is now lizard season and they re his favorite targets.
I have a question regarding canine discs and the addition of Collagen via grass fed bone broth to the diet. IS there any indication that this will help disc material? I know it will with joints.
Will appreciate any feedback. Thank you
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Post by Romy & Frankie on May 21, 2020 13:21:30 GMT -7
Bugs is doing very well 5 weeks post surgery with his rear end continuing to get stronger. The UTI should only be a small and temporary bump in the road to recovery.
Is he still on the pred?
Slowly building up his stamina by increasing the length of his walk is definitely the way to go.
We have some information here on supplements and the IVDD dog:
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