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Post by Jeanette & Brinkley on Jun 8, 2020 5:14:28 GMT -7
After many phone calls to various neurologist vets, found one who gave me a over the phone consultation. He said that he could only give me recommendations without examining Brinkley, basically he thinks that the Gabapentin is too high for Brinkley, and the Pred was too low.
He thought that we should reduce the ▼Gabapentin and ▼tramadol by half and increase if necessary until we get the right balance for Brinkley and we should up the ▲Pred to 30mg per day for 7 days, 27.5 for 7 days onto 25mg for 7 days then taper to get the inflammation down. He said to speak to our vet about this, which we did, our vet wants to see him next week to check he is ok.
We started the new dose of Pred on 3rd June, together with1 tramadol in the morning and 1 Gabapentin at night. We also continue the zitac 3 times per day for his stomach.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 23kg/50.71 lbs born with stomach issues true crate rest started 5/7 (work of previous doses of pred as of 4/20 negated!) Prednidale as of 5/7: 12.5mgs 2x/day for 13 days, then 5/20 test taper for: √ pain!/ _neuro as of 6/3: anti inflammatory dose:30mgs 1x/day for 7 days as of 6/10 anti inflammatory dose: 27.5mgs 1x/day for 7 days as of 6/17 anti inflammatory dose: 25mgs 1x/day for 7 days as of 6/23 ? dose: ?mgs ?x/day for ? days gabapentin ▼200 mgs 2x/day tramadol 80mg tab: ▼ ?mg 2x/day Zitac (cimetidine) as of 5/16: 200mg 3x/day]
This has made an amazing difference to Brinkley, we have no down time where he makes no movements, he is able to stand and go potty himself with no support from us, which means he can go when he wants rather than holding it for up to 18 hrs. He is still on strict pen rest but seems pain free with no lip licking, panting, or major reluctance to move. He stomach is ok with no signs of blood in his stool and he is eating and drinking.
I really hope this is the turning point for Brinkley’s recovery, fingers crossed.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 8, 2020 7:56:24 GMT -7
Jeanette, so very glad to hear of the positive change in Brinkley with the med adjustments. This neuro surgeon is truly a gem. You did a fabulous job in not giving up, but dogged pursuit of getting help for Brinkley in that 2nd opinion consultation! We want to have accurate information about those med adjustments. Could you help us? —1. ?mgs of a full tramadol tablet How many mgs tramadol are you now giving 2x/day? —2. ? mgs of a full gabapentin tablet/capsule How many mgs gabapentin are you now giving 2x/day? —3. ? mgs in a full Prednidale tablet After the 25mgs for 7 days, what is the next dose in mgs? CAUTION points. — Knowing that 100% STRICT rest 24/7 is how a disc heals. PLUS knowing it is especially difficult to safely transport a large dog, vets who know IVDD, take phone updates. — What is the great value of the the appointment with your family vet next week that is worth the risk of a vehicle transport? What is it that you would not be able to convey over the phone to tell the vet how Brinkley is (pain, spirit, mobility, eating, etc.)? 〰️It is not until the Prednidale taper test starts on what might appear to be June 23 with a dose that is below the anti inflammatory level that there is anything to report about existence of painfully inflamed tissue. HELP Would you consider helping another trying to find an IVDD knowledgeable vet by adding to our directory the neuro surgeon you consulted with: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting Vet recommendations: Name of Vet Name of Clinic Street Address City State or country: Phone #: Type of vet (family DVM, board certified neuro or surgeon, acupuncture, etc.) Comments:
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Post by Jeanette & Brinkley on Jun 27, 2020 11:20:22 GMT -7
Been a very busy few weeks with Brinkley, he is now off all pain meds and is tapering his Pred 25mg half a tablet a day. We started cold laser therapy 11 day ago 17th June, purchased a home system as we could not get any treatment within a 1 hour drive. We go back to the vet on weds 1st July for a exam so he can drop down his taper dose and get a referral for hydrotherapy.
Brinkley progress has been very slow but it is progress, he is still in pen rest, but can now adjust his position by himself, can walk on his back legs everyday at any time with the aid of a sling to support his front legs and today he stood up and walked 8 steps completely by himself so his front legs are getting stronger. A few weeks ago he wouldn’t stand to go potty and hardly moved at all most of the day, I really hope we are moving in the right direction, it’s been a long heartbreaking few months and I know we still have a long way to go.
Thank you for all the advice and support you have given us, we wouldn’t have got this far without it.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jun 27, 2020 12:31:35 GMT -7
Great news on all of the healing that you've seen, Jeanette - very happy to hear it! Graduation date (8 weeks from the first day of strict crate rest) is 7/2. However, Brinkley should not go off of strict crate rest until he has been completely off of all meds for at least 5-7 days. Until all meds have stopped completely and gotten out of his system with no sign of pain returning, you won't have proof that all of the swelling is gone. Until you have proof that all swelling is gone, you will need to keep restricting movement of Brinkley's spine with strict crate rest. There should be absolutely no reason for the vet to have you transport Brinkley to his office for an exam in order for him to continue the taper of the Prednidale. That should be done by a telephone status update, advising the vet as to whether there is any sign of pain/swelling. Even after graduation from crate rest, once you have proof that the swelling pressing on the nerves of the spine has resolved, you need to very gradually reintroduce Brinkley to movement again so his stamina and strength can gradually be built up over the period of several weeks. So please don't be too quick to start hydrotherapy. Take it slowly. More about how to do that here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmPlease continue to keep Brinkley's steps to a very, very few at potty time. The less movement of the spine, the better. What date did the taper of the Prednidale start? How long before the taper will finish and Brinkley will be completely off of Prednidale?
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Post by Jeanette & Brinkley on Jul 19, 2020 23:58:36 GMT -7
Writing this is unbearable, my most beloved boy Brinkley has passed away.
Totally devastated, I have no words to describe the pain I feel right now. He went down in April with cervical Ivdd, taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back with his recovery. His mobility seriously declined over the pass week until no part of him could move at all only his eyes, we carried on fighting for him, but today he was fighting to breath. We did everything possible to save him, everything! But this last issue was a fight none of us could win.
Give all your fur babies hugs and kisses from me, thank you for all your support over the past few months.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 20, 2020 4:56:40 GMT -7
I'm so very sorry to hear this tragic news, Jeanette. My heart breaks for you.
It sounds as though Brinkley may have developed Myelomalacia, which is another disease that can develop when the spine is severely injured. Is that what the vet diagnosed? There is no cure for Myelomalacia and there is nothing that can be done to treat it or to prevent it.
My prayers are with you as you grieve for your beloved boy. RIP, Brinkley.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 20, 2020 9:40:18 GMT -7
Jeanette, my heart breaks to read this news. May Brinkley now rest in peace. Clearly he had the most wonderful home with so much loving care from you. May the grieving process heal you to find that Brinkley is forever with you in your heart. And you find your beloved Brinkley brings you smiles again as you think back on all his funny antics and the many years of joy you two shared.
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