PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 13, 2020 7:16:52 GMT -7
Lindsay, thank you for the very warm fuzzy, you make our day! You make us so proud of you! We hope for each member to do as you have done. Take seriously the idea of doing reading up on this disease. It makes such a really HUGE difference in your mind set emotionally to understand things. Your dog benefits when you have a positive outlook because the dog can smell your emotions. Helps in decision making, Helps in communicating with your vet. Knowledge is the power to fight this IVDD enemy and win. Heads up to other members wanting to go to the NEW Dodgerslist Website
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Lindsay & Amber
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FEMALE - spaniel/poodle . . 10/10Torn Knee ligament 4wks rest
Posts: 69
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 16, 2020 9:42:59 GMT -7
We are 2 weeks post surgery now and ive seen some great improvement. I know she is capable of running and jumping now. So we moved amber to a crate from a pen to prevent jumping up.
She is off amantadine as of 12:00 pm GMT on tuesday.
She was great yesterday but she seems a bit more unsettled today. Panting more, more stiff when walking, head dropped more when walking and breathing heavier. She is also Limping more this evening. I suspect she is in more pain but its also very warm today and she is no longer on diazapam to.
Shes on 200mg gabapebtin 100mg paracetamol Every 8hrs
[9.08 kg / 20.02 pounds] Prednisolone taper doses Paracetamol 100 mg 3 times a day Gabapentin 200 mg 3 times a day Clindamycin untill the end of the course. ]
Prednosilone every other day untill end of this week.
Clindamycin untill the end of the course.
Shes at our local vets tomorrow evening for a check up. So im going to run it by them unless anything changes and ill give the neurology team a call.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 16, 2020 9:56:02 GMT -7
Often it can take about 2 weeks for the surgical caused swelling to reside.
I would call and report the red flag signs you are seeing to the neuro hospital and not wait on doing something tomorrow at family vet that a phone call to hospital can help with today with suspected pain signs. Some dogs just need longer on pain meds after such a major surgery. Never have any patience with pain... it deters healing.
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Lindsay & Amber
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FEMALE - spaniel/poodle . . 10/10Torn Knee ligament 4wks rest
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 17, 2020 9:15:00 GMT -7
thank you for replying i think sometimes I second guess myself when really i knew she was in pain. I gave her what amantadine i had left which was just a bit short of her normal dose and picking up more in the next hr.
I spoke with neurology and they advised another week on ✙amantadine at least and to call up next week to see how she is getting on.
Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction. Looking forward to starting PT next week so I can see what i can really do to help her gait and strengthening her left leg.
[9.08 kg / 20.02 pounds] Prednisolone taper doses Paracetamol 100 mg 3 times a day Gabapentin 200 mg 3 times a day ✙Amantadine 3.6 ml 2 times a day Clindamycin untill the end of the course. ]
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Post by Julie & Nala on Jul 17, 2020 15:28:37 GMT -7
Good for you Lindsay for reaching out when your intuition said Amber was in pain!
You're doing a great job looking out for her well being.
Sending you healing thoughts and prayers.
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Lindsay & Amber
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FEMALE - spaniel/poodle . . 10/10Torn Knee ligament 4wks rest
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 19, 2020 11:33:30 GMT -7
Thank you! She is doing much better today!just shows what a big difference it makes having the correct pain relief in place!
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 21, 2020 2:51:25 GMT -7
Hope its ok to share!
We spoke to ambers neurologist and discussed that amber may need pain relief long term for chronic pain. Due to the fact that her spinal cord is still compressed and a further surgery may not be any more successfull in decompressing it further. Im honestly not all that suprised after seeing amber off amantadine last thursday. Also the fact that her spinal cord has been decompressed enough for the pain medication to help is a plus in my books as pre surgery even with medication the pain seemed to be increasing.
We are for the time being keeping amantadine and stopping the steroids by reducing them further over next 7 days. 2.5mg for 3 days the same every other day untill we run out and reducing paracetamol by 100mg a day. To see how she is with this.
In terms of her neurological function she is doing great. Using both back legs to bear weight, gait is improving but still off. Im hoping at PT i can find out what proper positioning of her back legs looks like so i can work on this at home.
She is now allowed 3- 5 5min walks a day. Remaining time to be on crate rest. Im just wondering what the risk of re injury is at this point post surgery we are going into week 4 today and amber slipped and her left leg went out underneath her as we are getting ready to go out for her 5 min walk. Ill be carrying her to the door from now on.she seems no worse off from her slip. She was like a mini bulldozer on her 5min walk so excited to be out. I think we will be revisiting loose lead walking. Walk being the optimum word. She has always liked to do everything at a million miles and hr.
Also wondered what peoples thought were on nail trimming at this point. The nails are to long on her left due to less use and its not helping her gait at all.
Thanks in advance!
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Mary & Mila
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FEMALE— DACHSHUND
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Post by Mary & Mila on Jul 21, 2020 3:36:53 GMT -7
Hi Lindsay, Just reading about Amber, great that she seems to be doing so well so soon after her surgery. From what you say regarding her slip thankfully she doesn't seem to have had any injury resulting from it because I think you would know pretty quickly. How is she with having her nails trimmed? I'd recommend asking the vet or vet nurse to do it, unless she will allow you to, if so go carefully and slowly, also I don't know what type of floors you have in your home but trimming the hair between the paw pads is also a good idea as it gives more traction and grip for the paws, thus preventing slips and slides ....again perhaps by a vet/vet nurse. Water therapy is very good and effective exercise for rehabilitating dogs too, you could check to see where your nearest canine hydrotherapy centre is or you could use a warm bathtub at home or on a warm day a dogs paddling pool, which usually have non slip bottoms on them. I used a hydro centre for my dog and that summer we used a paddling pool out the back. I've added a link below with some more info on post op exercise. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy/wishing you both the best Mary
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Lindsay & Amber
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FEMALE - spaniel/poodle . . 10/10Torn Knee ligament 4wks rest
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 21, 2020 10:30:13 GMT -7
Thank you ive trimmed [fur] around her paws and paw pads/toes her back paws it was on my list but i was waiting untill i felt she was healed enough but this was a big prompt to do it.
We have carpets. But where she slipped is an area which doesnt have as much grip as gets a lot of foot traffic. We are going to pop a rug down untill the carpet gets replaced.
She will let me trim her nails and i have in the past but i dont feel as confident doing this as trimming her fur. So might ask her vets to trim her nails at her next appointment.
Will definitly look into the paddling pool idea we already have one as my other dog loves water and the sooner we can get started on hydrotherapy the better im going to ask about hydrotherapy at her PT appointment on friday. Walking with her is a little scary as she wants to do more than she is ready for. In particularily jumping up.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 21, 2020 10:45:14 GMT -7
Lindsay, only time will tell if her body can maybe reabsorbs some of the disc material enough so that it is no longer compressing the cord. Meanwhile pain meds can help her enjoy good days of being pain free...just as humans take pain meds for same reason.
With some neuro deficit that means she does not have as good leg control on smoother less traction areas. Adding a rug runner or other carpet can give her the traction she needs.
It is important to have her nails the proper length so they do not touch the floor when in a normal stand. Nails too long impede proper paw placement and can affect their gait and can be painful!
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 22, 2020 0:50:18 GMT -7
Thank you we are going to pop a rug down and im going to trim her nails a bit today.
Ill ask her vet to do them properly next tues to as im sure they will do a better job than me. Im really happy with her progress so far and she is completly pain free at the moment which is fantastic. Her neurologist and PT seem to think she will improve even further as the left back leg gets stronger she has lost significant muscle tone on that leg but its getting better every day.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 22, 2020 7:36:22 GMT -7
Lindsay, if you are seeing Amber is wanting to jump up on her back legs, sounds like time to modify her behavior in an effort to protect her discs. Dr. Wong, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology) says: "The most important things you can do to minimize the likelihood of a disk problem and maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome are the following:
🔹 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Jumping onto furniture and running up and down stairs are two examples of 'high impact' activities that are relatively easy to avoid."
Southeast Veterinary Neurology. July 19,2020. www.facebook.com/pg/southeast.veterinary.neurologySo this is how you can retrain Amber to keep all four on the floor! No sitting up or standing on back legs. sit down rather than jump
Keep all four feet on the ground
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 23, 2020 6:34:00 GMT -7
thank you we will definitly work on the videos will definitly benefit us. Thankfully she doesnt jump up on us per say and asks permission to be on the furniature, and has an excellent send to and stay on your bed / blanket/ mat cue. But its a different situation in her excitement around others especially with all the crate rest she has had.
Im finding it very tricky just to keep her safe from things that are out of my control..ie the neighbours dogs, amber deciding to jump things that i intend for her to walk by. She did agility prior to her diagnosis because she has always loved to jump so we do need to work generally on 4 feet on the floor and walk dont run.
Im constantly worried because every time she does something she shouldnt. Ie climbing up to my shoulder today and wiggling all over in my arms when then neighbours dogs came running sets her back. Most times she bounces back the next morning but she is limping so much more and her right leg is stiff this afternoon its just scary to see.
As usual though she is non the wiser that anything other than an exciting visit from her best pals happened and is sleeping peacefully.
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PaulaM
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 23, 2020 7:43:27 GMT -7
Lindsay, maybe til graduation day on Aug 12, you could do the walks in a protected from other dogs area. Maybe your backyard? By graduation day, Amber may be by then accepting of your commands to calm down, sit or whatever it takes to keep her back safe.
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 23, 2020 8:33:03 GMT -7
Thanks Paula i can do that! I know ive been on here a lot but it has certianly been a learning curve for me! Still learning to this day so i really appreciate all the replies.
Thought id pop in a video if its allowd to show what stage amber is up to right now. As i realised no one has really seen what she is looking like post surgery.
This is her after a 5 min walk so limping more than at the beggining.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jul 23, 2020 13:05:13 GMT -7
She looks good in this video. Maybe a very small hitch in the back leg but really very good.
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 30, 2020 9:50:21 GMT -7
Just thought id share a little update about amber. She is doing really well. She has had her first physio appointment including some lazer light therapy. At her assesment they advised she still has some rear end weakness mostly her left side and is placing her weight on her right and turning her left knee out. Now that it has been pointed out to me i can see it.
So ive been making sure to work on her PT exercises. Weve moved on to using a balance cushion and raised platform and stabalisation and balance exercises. Plus ive been managing to get in her 3 walks a day. Im being extra cautious and we have a pretty good routine going.
Shes off steroids. Dropping ▼amantadine down to once a day and on her last 7/8 days of paracetamol and possibly antibiotics to. Got my fingers crossed its successfull with the reduced amantadine this time.
Still have to wait a little longer to start hydrotherapy. But surgery site has healed lovely. Clean and tidy line most of the scabbed area has gone just a few areas still healing.
All good news. Now if only i could have a doggy stair lift installed we would be all sorted haha.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 30, 2020 10:42:18 GMT -7
Lindsay, yes, Amber is doing well in such a short time post-op! Keep up your work with PT exercises. I fully expect in time, which Amber's body alone will dictate, to hear you report more nerve healing and better coordination between muscles and brain directives. Keep up the good work and your positive outlook!
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 30, 2020 12:57:35 GMT -7
Hi im back again i know i just posted a really positive post but i have a quick question as weve had an unexpected development. Can dogs who have deep pain sensation still bite at limbs affected by nerve damage / neuro defecits.twice this afternoon amber has bitten at her back paw / toes (left) Harder than i have ever seen her do before enough to break the skin. It cant yet be the lack of amantadine because she is still within 12 hrs of her last dose. Another though is it could be the lack of steroids and she is itchy but cant quite feel how hard she is biting. Not sure whether to contact her local vets or neurologist. Ive prevented her from getting to her foot for the time being. At first i just thought she had maybe scuffed it on a walk but i she has now had a go at another toe.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jul 30, 2020 13:20:52 GMT -7
Yes, dogs can feel neuropathic pain when limbs are affected by nerve damage. Amber can be feeling abnormal nerve sensations that range from mild pins and needles to quite painful burning, on-fire feeling that makes her bite to stop the pain. This can become serious rather quickly. If you have an e-collar, please put the collar on right away. If not, you can make one out of rolled up towels secured with duct tape. Let your vet know about this as soon as possible. There are two medications that work on this. Gabapentin and Pregabalin. The vet may want to adjust the dosage of gabapentin or prescribe Pregabalin (Lyrica) which is a stronger medication. We have some more information about neuropathic pain here: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/10/neuropathy/
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Jul 30, 2020 13:45:48 GMT -7
Thank you ill contact the neurology team tomorrow. Shes actually generally had a really good day in terms of ability to use her left leg she has definitly been walking better. However i know that says nothing about the level of pain or abnormal nerve sensation she she is experiencing. Ive got an inflatable collar for her but was a little concerned it may be uncomfortable for her back wearing it. But i can pop it on and see how she goes.
Thank you for sharing the link it that has definitly helped me understand.
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Aug 2, 2020 4:43:56 GMT -7
Hi just a quick update. I now believe amber biting at her left leg may have been allergy related. But cant say for definite without allergy testing. She had started showing more allergy symptoms since stopping steroids on monday. And id given her 1 piece of chicken on the day she did the damage to her left back paw. Last night she had 2 small pieces of chicken and her reaction was instant her ear swelled up was bright red and she was so itchy she was trying to throw herself all over not great for her spine we prevented it as best we could with rolled blakets and pillows in her pen and a cooling mat under her to helpn with irritation. We called her local vet to ask if we could give piriton as we have in the past and within half an hr she settled. We are going to keep her on piriton untill her follow up appointment with her local vets next week.
[9.08 kg / 20.02 pounds piriton chlorphenamine antihisimine]
Amber has showed symptoms of allergies in the past and we had just started proper investigations starting with her ear swabs the week before her Surgery. Hopefully we might be able to get this resolved to and she will really be back on the path to healthy. Poor little soul is not having a great time healthwise atm. Other than that she is a happy enthusiastic little dog if a bit on the drowsy side.
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 2, 2020 7:02:34 GMT -7
My Jeremy has allergies so I know how hard it can be to pinpoint the causes. Do keep a close eye on the biting until you know that this isn't neuropathic pain. We have had some tragic stories here. Please keep us updated on this.
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Aug 2, 2020 7:45:12 GMT -7
Thank you! I will do. Im keeping an inflatable collar on her and im going to ask her vet to double check her paw to next week. Not taking any risks just in case . We are very lucky and there is someone home with her at all times
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Aug 3, 2020 3:23:10 GMT -7
Im feeling a little fed up to be honest. Amber is on piriton still wanting to bite her back paw. Shaking her head. She threw up yesterday and didnt want her food in the morning. I cant even get to speak to a vet at her local vets never mind an appointment untill the end of the week. I dont really feel qualified to decide whether this an allergy or neurological and i cant even get her paw checked out so now im worrying about that to. We are out of antibiotics for her ear infection and have no ear culture back to determine whether the infection is cleared. Her neurologist is going to call tomorrow as out of the office today, different practice, and im beginning to feel like a nuisence calling all the time.
Ive since given her amantadine and head shaking paw biting has stopped for the time being but it does make her drowsy. Eeee she is such a worry.
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Mary & Mila
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Post by Mary & Mila on Aug 3, 2020 4:47:38 GMT -7
Hi Lindsay,
Sorry to hear about Amber's current issues. Allergies in pets are most uncomfortable for them, sounds like there's not a lot more you can do and you now need to wait until you can get specialist advice.
Keep a close eye on her just in case, as you are doing, especially with the back paw, we are unfortunately very aware of how awful neuropathy can be, though it sounds like allergies.
I hope her ear issue clears soon as well, try not get too despondent, in the bigger scheme of things the back issue is healing up nicely and from that great video you posted Amber is doing well.
Before you know it things will be back to normal, never worry about calling vet offices when it's about your dog, that's what they are there for. They deal with calls all the time, I called when it was my dog.
Kind regards
Mary
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Lindsay & Amber
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FEMALE - spaniel/poodle . . 10/10Torn Knee ligament 4wks rest
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Aug 3, 2020 8:17:16 GMT -7
Thank you thats really reasuring to hear. I really do just want whats best for her and its just that eveything has happened at once i sometimes feel like i dont know whats what. Little bit scary that she would bite through her skin on that back paw! And odd that she is primarily targeting that paw aswell. Likely just a coincidence but im keeping my eyes on her she can be determined even in an inflatable collar.
But your 100 percent right there are many positives. Her walking is getting better every day and she is getting stronger.
Good news ambers ear culture came back clear! Going to increase her piriton and hopefully we will be on the right track! Fingers crossed!
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Aug 5, 2020 0:03:52 GMT -7
Ive managed to speak to ambers neurologists who recommeded i take her into the vets to get her paw checked out and in the end thet were able to see me yesterday. By which point amber was looking pretty unwell wouldnt leave her crate head shaking all the time and wanting to bite her paw and lick others . Piriton wasnt working.
Her vet said the cause is allergies I decided on cytopoint injections and it made a difference in a matter of hours. She is much nore comfortable today.She has made her paw sore but it is healing and i think to her it feels pretty painfull because when i touched it she barked at nothing on the tv. I suspect that the nerves still are healing in that leg as she improves by the day. It has been amazing to watch the transformation in her walking over the last week. Even her vet noticed the difference.
Shes on 2 doses of amantadine for the week nearly finished her paracetamol and hopefully we can drop amantadine down again next week. Then we will be down to just amantadine and Gabapenton. Nearly there now!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 5, 2020 9:46:03 GMT -7
Lindsay, those allergies can be a tough thing, good to hear the injection is helping Amber's paw.
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Lindsay & Amber
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Post by Lindsay & Amber on Aug 14, 2020 20:44:24 GMT -7
Just thought id post a little update since we have passed the 12th of august but dont want to distract from anyone just starting out on this journey. Cant believe its been 6 weeks for us.
Amber is allowed out of her crate now when supervised and we have a plan for increasing her activity 5 mins per week and to remain at the same length for a little longer if she is struggling with the length of the walk. She has a post op check with neurology in a week which im pleased about as ive been told to still keep an eye on her for issues with unusual nerve sensation. Her physiotherapist confirmed improvements in her walking. Weight being distributed more evenly but still weakness in left. We have been cleared to start hydrotherapy. Medication is still a work in progress. And Litte clip of how amber is getting on when walking. Unfortunatly i havent managed to capture her at her best last week. Left leg is a little weaker this week as shes back on reduced amantadine.
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