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Post by Stacey & Amelia on Jun 11, 2020 19:26:59 GMT -7
Amelia 7 year old wirehair dachshund 15lbs
" Mom" Stacey
Yesterday 4/10 she was not her normal perky self. Her "Dad" went away for work and I though she just was a bit depressed. As the day progressed I could tell something was bothering her. She has seasonal allergies and usually shakes her head to relieve the ear itch. She was unable to shake her head and appeared to be in pain when she tried. I iced her neck and watched her, limiting her movement. This morning 4/11 she seemed a bit better but I wanted her to be check out by the vet. He agreed her neck seemed to be what was bothering her. X-rays relieved her disks look ok, but her neck is sensitive to touch and she is not looking side to side. Vet was concerned that her injury could get worse if not treated.
She does not appear to be in a lot of pain. Just uncomfortable
3 weeks very limited activity.
He prescribed OstiLox (meloxicam) 10ml 1.5mg 1 daily
Gabapentin 100mg 1 tablet 2x a day
methocarbamol 500mg 1/4 tablet every 12 hours
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
15lbs
Ostilox (Meloxicam) as of Je 11: 1x/day for 7 days, then 6/18 test stop for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 100mgs 2x/day
methocarbamol: 125mgs 2x/day
no Pepcid AC on board yet]
No Pepcid- I will go get it
Eating and drinking fine, going to the bathroom fine
No specific diagnosis general DVM
Thanks in advance
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 11, 2020 21:48:31 GMT -7
Stacy welcome to the forum. Being uncomfortable IS unacceptable pain. The two pain meds gabapentin and methocarbamol are under medicated. They do not last long enough in the body unless the vet prescribes them for promptly every eight hours. X-rays do not prove or disprove a disc episode. X-rays do not show soft tissue of discs nor of the spinal cord. X-rays are used if the vet is highly suspicious there is another disease. The x-rays are used to rule out those suspicions. These are the extra things you can do at home to help with a neck disc. They won’t hurt if it does turn out to be a back desk. Here’s the link www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmDo you specifically have her inside of a recovery suite? A wire crate, a playpen, a pack and play, or ex-pen? 100% strict rest 24 seven. Only out of the recovery suite for a very very few footsteps at Pottytime. Water and food bowls are inside of the suite QUESTIONSHow much does Amelia weigh?
What country are you in?
Could you use write out the date as Month, Day because our two countries use a different system of noting a date that becomes confusing. Did OstiLox start on Je 11? For how many days is Amelia to take it? |
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Post by Stacey & Amelia on Jun 12, 2020 18:37:25 GMT -7
Hi,
Thank you for your response. Amelia is 15lbs We are in the United States Started ✙Pepcid this morning
As of now the medication given is for 1 week. We are back at the vet June 18th for a follow up and meds will be extended/adjusted. She started all medication on June 11th. I have her in a playpen and have committed to staying home 24/7 while she recovers. The meds have made her very sleepy, which is a good thing because she does not like being in the playpen. Confined spaces stress her out. I adopted her in New York City but she came from a rescue in Tennessee that drove her and others crated for 14 hours. From this she has a fear of crates.
She is eating and drinking well and no problems going to the bathroom.
gabapentin and methocarbamol are both 2x daily 7days
Ostilox (Meloxicam) 1xdaily 7 days
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
15lbs
Ostilox (meloxicam) as of Je 11: 1x/day for 7 days, then 6/18 test stop for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 100mgs 2x/day
methocarbamol 125mgs 2x/day
Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day]
Will follow advice from the literature
Thanks again
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 12, 2020 19:23:03 GMT -7
Stacey, how is Amelia doing with head movement and feeling uncomfortable. What did the vet say/do about getting full pain control by adjusting the two pain meds for every 8 hours? The brand name OstiLox is a new one for me. Thought maybe you were outside the USA where they write the date differently: Yesterday 4/10 she was not so that was just a typo!? heh heh? What is the detail on the Pepcid AC? You giving 5mgs every 12 hours? On June 18 the OstiLox will have as it's first test stop for pain. Not going to be much for the vet or you to know anything about the test results as that might take a couple of days if pain is going to surface. I encourage you to read what the test stop is all about, what your job is, what you and the vet will work out ahead of time as a Plan B, and not to be discouraged if pain would surface on the test. More on this topic here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm Let's talk more if you have any questions. This is important info to have under your belt so you can advocate successfully for the safest care of Amelia's healing disc. Transport to a vet involves risk of too much movement of the spine with potential to then damage the early healing disc. The benefits of the strict rest treatment needs to be weighed against what benefit there is to a vet appt rather than a phone update. Vets who are IVDD knowledgeable understand the most important care is the rest part and thus will take phone updates about pain not being covered so they can adjust the meds, get updated on your dog with phone updates. Things like a urinalysis or learning to express a bladder for a paralyzed dog are VERY valuable healthwise and worth the transport risk. You're doing the single most important part of conservative care - the 100% STRICTrest 24/7 to let the disc heal. |
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Post by Stacey & Amelia on Jun 12, 2020 21:45:50 GMT -7
Hi,
Yes, a typo on the date. Sorry about that.
She is doing much better today. I don't feel that she is as uncomfortable as she was yesterday June 11th. She is able to move her neck and perked up when I brought her meals.
5mg of the Pepcid, every 12 hours
Vet was ok with every 8 hours [for which med(s)?], as long as I felt she needed it.
Understood about the transport. Will give them a call to change to a phone appointment.
will read all the info.
Thank you so much again
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jun 13, 2020 4:50:43 GMT -7
I'm glad to hear that Amelia is feeling better, Stacey. The goal with pain meds to get the pain completely under control, with no sign of pain from one dose of pain meds to the next. With your saying that Amelia is not as uncomfortable as she was leads us to believe that she does still have some discomfort, just not as much as before. If you do still see any sign of discomfort or pain at all, please do advise the vet so the pain meds can be adjusted again. Pain hinders healing so have no patience with it.
Which med were you referring to when you said "Vet was ok with every 8 hours, as long as I felt she needed it"? The Pepcid AC?
Giving 5mg of Pepcid AC every 12 hours is fine. It should be given 30 mins before the Ostilox.
Both Gabapentin and Methocarbamol work best when given 3x/day (every 8 hours) so if you see any sign of pain or discomfort and if you've been given the OK to give either of those every 8 hours, please do so or advocate for 3x/day.
Healing prayers for Amelia.
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