Welcome to Dodgerslist, Regina. We are so glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you.
This could be the start of another episode. Some dogs have more than one and some never do. There is no way to tell in advance. The most important thing you can do for Taz is to immediately start Very Strict crate rest. Assume this is another disc episode until or unless the vet says otherwise. Crate rest for a dog being treated conservatively is much stricter than post-op crate rest.
The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form.
STRICT means:
◼︎no laps
◼︎no couches
◼︎no baths
◼︎no sleeping with you
◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times.
◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc
◼︎At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best.
Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
We have more information on crate rest here:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog’s back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to a minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
All anti-inflammatories, including Meloxicam, cause excess stomach acid which can sometimes lead to serious stomach damage. To minimize the chances of this a stomach protector like Pepcid AC is used.
Ask the vet 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)
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory.
You mention that Taz doesn't seem to be in pain. A disc episode is typically painful. The signs of pain we look for are
shivering, trembling
☐yelping when picked up or moved
☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move ☐tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position
☐Arched back
☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
☐head held high or nose to the ground
☐Not their normal perky selves?
At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best. If you start to see any of the signs above let the vet know as soon as possible so that pain meds can be prescribed.
When pain meds are right, full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way between doses. If not in control your vet needs to know asap to adjust meds
Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
Knowledge is the power to fight the IVDD enemy and win!! The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to get up to speed on IVDD soonest possible. Begin absorbing the must-have overall sense of meds, care and how the treatment works. Your dog will be depending on your ability to learn - excellent video series here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGTcmjenJIkUNy9ke7IvPlFIMKFfjBSen
- PRINT OUT this link and tape to your fridge: dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/emergency-fridge-flyer.pdf
- use the printout as your roadmap to avoid dangerous detours in your dog’s care
- make notes/highlight to keep yourself on track
follow all the links in the next days to become the IVDD savvy pet parent your dog needs. Use the “search box” to easily locate topics over at our Main
www.Dodgerslist.com website.
