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Post by Cole & Pluto on Jun 23, 2020 7:45:54 GMT -7
[Original subject line:IVDD Diagnosed 6/20 - 6 yr old Dapple Mini - in the neck ]
i'm new here. thank you for all the help and support. Below are my answers. thank you!
☆ 1
1 reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow, ginger movements
2 shivering, trembling
5 can’t find a comfortable position, appears restless
7 nose to the ground
9 Not their normal perky selves?
A. Pluto was experiencing a few of these symptoms, #1, #2, #3, #5, #7 nose to ground, #9
☆ 2 How much does your dog weigh?
14lbs
1. Carprofen 1/2 tablet - 25mg every 12 hours
2. Gabapentin 25mg every 12 hours
3. Methocarbamol 1/4 tab every 12 hours 500mg
C.. PEPCID AC: NO not at the moment
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
14 lbs
Carprofen as of 6/19: 25mgs 2x/day for ? days, then test stop for _pain/_neuro
gabapentin 25mgs 2x/day
methocarbamol 125 mgs 2x/day
needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/carprofen! ]
☆ 3 eating and water intake are good and normal 2 times per day; no vomit
Poops and pee are normal - going on his own and no signs of pain for him or yelping - going approx. 2-3 times per day; diarrhea?NO
☆ 4 Mini dapple doxie - Pluto - Cole
☆ 5 diagnosis of IVDD?Yes. a bit of an odd visit due to Covid - they took him in and i had to say in my car. they took x-rays and came back and said he has one of the listed things above i don't remember and prescribed crate rest and meds. If anything worsens to bring him in immediately. Further, this is not my regular vet as i'm out of state visiting family and this was a recommended vet to me. I'm getting his records and x-rays sent to my normal vet for second verification and extra care recommendations. -- Is the vet a general DVM?DVM
☆ 6 6-19-20 date we saw the vet - CONSERVATIVE started same day.
☆ 7 He seems to be able to pee and poo on his own normal w/o discomfort
☆ 8 He can walk hes slow but stable - legs still moving well - tail does wag.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 23, 2020 8:12:39 GMT -7
Welcome Cole! Glad you have joined us here on the Forum. And thank you for viewing " Shortcut Thru IVDD" its a good intro to IVDD. I'll be pointing out information to further enhance your IVDD knowledge. If you want to get a headstart, this is THE PAGE to look at. Follow all the buttons there for a more in-depth IVDD knowledge. Vets can not know every disease in detail, but you can know alot about just one very important to you disease! I am concerned about pain not being fully covered with your mention of he walks slowly. Pain meds do not stay at a good level when only Rx'd for 2x/day. So if you are seeing he moves gingerly, slowly, advocate for full complete pain relief by the two pain meds (gabapentin and methocarbamol) to be Rx'd for promptly every 8 hrs. Have no patience at all with any hint of pain. There are even more adjustments a vet can make by adding in another typical pain med used with a disc episode. NECK discs are just a more painful thing. Extra things you can do at home to help with a neck disc: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmLet us know for how many days he is to take Carprofen. Owner knoweledge is important in caring, protecting, monitoring things. Please take a moment to get up to speed on how carprofen works with a disc episode. What your job is on the STOP of it. Why to have plan B worked out ahead of time when the Test stop of carprofen happens. LINK TO READ: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmTAKE NO CHANCES, please get the acid suppressor Pepcid AC (famotidine) on board today. 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 like carprofen 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. Pluto's 15lbs means he'd take 5mgs Pepcid AC every 12 hours. 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).
HEALTH ISSUES: “Mar Vista Vet reports: Pepcid AC has a very limited potential for side effects, the reason of release to over-the-counter status. The dose of famotidine may require reduction in patients with liver or kidney disease as these diseases tend to prolong drug activities. There have been some reports of exacerbating heart rhythm problems in patients who already have heart rhythm problems so it may be prudent to choose another means of stomach acid control in heart patients.” marvistavet.com/famotidine.pml Pluto is a a very good candidate for conservative treatment with mild symptoms to recover by healing his disc for 8 weeks of STRICT rest. Be sure you stick with the 100% STRICT rest 24/7 only out of the recovery suite for a very, very few footsteps at potty time. Eats in suite, use phone updates rather than a car transport into ordinary vet checks. Vets who know IVDD take phone updates cause they know STRICT rest is key to getting the disc to heal. Bookmark a thread to receive an email alert when someone has replied Go to the CONSERVATIVE Board where Pluto has been moved too. 1. Look for your dog's thread and checkmark it. 2. Look for the white ACTIONS button towards top. 3. Select “Notification Options" from the pull down menu — check mark “NEW POST” change from never to INSTANT email — press the SAVE button. Click the “x” to close the window 4. Next choose the “Bookmark” See the tiny book symbol now! **  |
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Post by Cole & Pluto on Jun 23, 2020 13:59:00 GMT -7
hi paula.
thanks so much for all the info.
a few more bits of info.
1. his walking seams normal i think i may have understated his ability to walk. while on meds he does not show symptoms of pain... i.e. yelping, hanging head, shaking, while on his meds he's would look to be "normal" to anyone who didn't know him or know of his condition.
2. i went right to the store and got the ✙pepcid ac and will administer right away with next meal.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
14 lbs
Carprofen as of 6/19: 25mgs 2x/day for 14 days, then JULY 3 test stop for _pain/_neuro
gabapentin 25mgs 2x/day STOPS 7/3
methocarbamol 125 mgs 2x/day STOPS 7/3
Pepcid AC 5 mgs ?x/day ]
3. i wanted to ask about how much movement is ok while in the crate? he's pretty good in the crate as he was crate trained for the first year of his life. but he's whining and scratching to get out sometimes (i've been just kind of ignoring it for the most part). He's also sitting up in the crate, holding his head up, licking paws, shaking his head (once in a while, which is concerning w/ the neck) and itching sometimes and is not showing signs of pain. just curious how concerned i should be with all his moving around in the crate. other than that he's comfortable and is taking naps. I took him and the crate outside today and we sat in the back yard together for some fresh air and i think that was good for his spirits.
3. i have a 13 mo old baby in the house and she's a bit crazy with toys and running around just want to know if its ok to have his crate out in the same family/play room while he's recovering or is it ok to put him in a side bedroom for some peace and quite time too? he has always been great with the baby so she doesn't normally bother him.
4. Let us know for how many days he is to take Carprofen - looks like they gave me a 2 week supply of all 3 meds with "no refills". Should I ask about whats next when the meds run out?
Thank you.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 23, 2020 14:53:09 GMT -7
Excellent that Pluto is showing no signs of pain now.
I am glad that you are now giving Pepcid AC. Our IVDD dogs have enough problems without adding stomach issues to the mix. Are you giving him 5mgs every 12 hours?
Limited movement is critically important. This is what will help the disc to heal. A recovery suite should only be large enough to allow the dog to stand up, turn around and stretch out the legs when lying down. If the crate is larger than this pad out the extra space with rolled up blankets or towels. If your recovery suite is the right size than do not be too concerned about him moving. There is no real way to keep him from sitting up and other small forms of movement in the crate. This simply means that Pluto is not in pain.
Taking him in his crate to the backyard and letting him get fresh air is definitely good for his spirits and is not a problem.
If the baby running around gets Pluto excited and wanting to move it is best to keep him in a quieter place. If he just watches her it is fine for him to stay in the family room, so he won't feel isolated.
Carprofen for two weeks is a fairly typical dose. That may be all the time needed to heal the swelling in the spinal cord which causes pain. When the pain meds are stopped at the same time, it will become apparent very quickly if more time on all meds is needed. If no pain is seen no meds of any kind are needed for the IVDD only the rest of the 8 weeks of crate rest. |
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