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Post by Kim & Daisy on Jul 6, 2020 17:14:39 GMT -7
[Original subject line:Daisy Mae- my fighter ]
Hi everyone!
I have 4 soon to be a 5 yr old Daschund. Recently this past weekend [7/4ish?] she started dragging her butt. Not being able to use her hind legs. We rushed her to our vet and then to a specialist after that at Purdue University. The suggested that she would be a great candidate for surgery, but very hesitant since nothing is for sure to make her feel better.
Also, can't afford the high cost right now. Per doctor report hind limbs -cp is absent, very weak motor present, weak withdrawal, painful on spinal palpation around T8-9 and panniculus cutoff T-L. Diagnosis from vet is T3-L3 myelopathy- likely IVDD.She is still urinating normal and pooping. She is currently still in great spirits and I'm honestly just looking for hope for my baby. They have her on 3 medications. Gabapentin 100mg 2x a day,Rimadyl 25mg 1/2 tab every 12 hrs, and Robaxin 500mg 1/4 tablet every 8 hours. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. She is my world.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
16lbs
Rimadyl as of 7/4?: 12.5mg 2x/day for ? days, then a test taper for: _pain / _neuro
Robaxin 125mg 3x/day
Gabapentin 100mg 2x/day
needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/! Rimadyl]
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,529
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 6, 2020 19:42:08 GMT -7
Welcome Kim! Is she home or at Purdue? Is she pain free on the meds? Dose to dose no break through pain? If pain, call the vet and get the meds adjusted. How much does she weigh? Never give up. Stay strong. Very good chance she'll be back enjoying a pain free life after this disc episode. The VERY best thing for you and for you Daisy is to get up to speed on caring for her, understanding what the meds are to do and knowing what to expect and when. The details you need under your belt about the 4 phases of healing: dodgerslist.com/healing-the-disc/Easing your mind about the future for Daisy if she needs more time to heal nerve: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/hope-quality-life/The SINGLE most important care is the 100% STRICT rest to allow that disc to heal. Check out the supplies and tips to make this healing time go smoother: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ |
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Post by Kim & Daisy on Jul 7, 2020 16:47:11 GMT -7
She is 16lbs and is not at Purdue she is at home.
Very hesitant about giving her pepcid. I'm not sure how much to give and my doctor never mentioned it. Should I call my doctor and ask?
Kim & Daisy
Also wanted to add, she doesn't seem in pain until the morning. She showed some pain this morning when I took her outside. Im not sure what else to do. Just praying for a speedy recovery for her.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,529
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 7, 2020 17:07:27 GMT -7
One reason for pain is gabapentin 2x/day. It last at a more even level if 3x/day. Call report what you observed that you thought was pain. Tell the vet your observations, let him diagnose as pain. Discuss going to every 8 hrs with gabapentin. What did you observe that made you believe pain? For how many days i the Rimdly Rx'd for? 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 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. 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 |
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Post by Kim & Daisy on Jul 7, 2020 17:37:08 GMT -7
Ok i will ask about increase for the gabapentin.
All meds were given for 2 weeks dosage.
She has no health issues, so since she is a 16lb daschund, how much should I be given her of pepcid? I'm going to try and call the vet again about this. I notice she isn't eating as much as normal. Is this normal? She still is eating and drinking.
I do have to work Monday thru Friday from 8am to 5pm. My husband does come home at 3pm though. But I have only been giving her each med 2x a day. I wasnt sure how adjust this for the one that us 8 hours. I don't want to wake her up in the middle of the night to give her a pill. Any suggestions and help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Also any tips for giving her medication? She spits them all out and I have to shove them in her mouth towards the back of her throat. Sometimes she still spits them out. I have tried cheese, lunch meat, and pill pockets. She really hates me right now for doing this but I know its for the best for her.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,529
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 7, 2020 18:07:18 GMT -7
MEDICATION CHART **  A medication chart is useful to see patterns, have dates and specific facts handy as you discuss things with the vet. D/l a sample and a blank form to use with your dog's meds dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/med-chart-printable.pdfWith the 3x/day meds, see if between you and your husband you can maybe use a schedule like: 7am — 3pm — 11 pm to keep you from having to set an alarm to get up in the wee hours of the morning for a pill. PILLING Put the pill into the well of a small mashed banana ball, a cream cheese ball, liverwurst ball, Gerber Lil' meat sticks, or inside of a sticky small marshmallow and sealed completely so no gabapentin dust from your fingers transfers taste to the exterior pill treat. Gabapentin is VERY bitter. One taste and your dog will have to be retrained to trust you by giving empty pill treats randomly during the day when she's doing something you like: eye contact, lying quietly. Praise her. Perhaps by real pill time she will have some trust back. May take more than a day to retrain for trust. Use the three treat method to pill Prepare 2 treats with no meds inside PLUS the med ball. Give plain treat while holding med ball in front of eyes. The idea is your dog will be greedy after the first treat to get the 2nd. Immediately hold the 3rd plain treat so she will hurry to swallow the med ball to get to treat #3. Dawn & Ollie of dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7402/dawns-ollie-relapse-conservative-pancreatitis highly recommend this pill paste (Vetoquinol Care Pill Wrap). Ollie now has no problem taking his meds. Shop on-line for best price- under $15. Best technique in pilling a dog, I've come across
PEPCID AC
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) with a disc episode is 0.44mg mg per pound every 12 hours.
16lbs dog x 0.44mgs Pepcid AC = 7.04 mgs Pepcid AC
So yo can round down to give a 5mg Pepcid AC tablet every 12 hours.
Hope these ideas help you out. |
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