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Post by Kandy on Jul 12, 2020 17:12:16 GMT -7
QUESTIONS
☆ 1 pain? No
☆ 2 ?
24 lbs
7/04/20 started the following meds:
Sucralfate/Slurry 1/2 tablet 1 gram tablets every 8 hours for 7 days on empty stomach and not with the other meds DONE WITH THIS MED
Omeprazole 10mg every 12 hours for 7 days DONE WITH THIS MED
Gabapentin 100mg (60 capsuls) every 8 hours until gone
Methocarbamal Tablets 500mg 1/2 tablet every 12 hours
Prednisolone 5mg 1 1/2 tablet every 12 hour for 7 days.
Then 1 tablet every 12 hours for 7 days. STARTED 1 TABLET ON 7/11/20
Then 1/2 tablet every 12 hours for 7 days.
Then 1/2 tablet once daily.
Then 1/2 tablet every other day until gone.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
24 lbs
Prednisolone as of 7/4: 7.5mgs 2x/day for 7 days; 7/11 test taper _pain /_neuro
methocarbamol 250 mgs 2x/day
gabapentin 100mgs 3x/day]
☆ 3 --Eating, drinking and pooping okay. May need to add a little pumpkin to one of his meals each day. He struggled a little today. Was nauseous twice during the 1st week.
☆ 4 I have a full size Dachshund. His name is Nacho. My name is Kandy.
☆ 5 I took Nacho to the vet on the same day that he showed signs of pain. It was late at night so we went to Desert Ark Veterinary Hospital in Avondale, AZ. We saw Dr. Gina Sarnelli. She took an X-ray and saw that Nacho had a compressed disc in his lower back near his pelvic area. Nacho has been on strict crate rest since July 4, 2020.
☆ 6 I have an appointment with Dr. Ann Chauvet on 7/11/2020. Dr. Sarnelli at Desert Ark Veterinary Hospital recommended her. She is a neurologist.
☆ 7Nacho can sniff and squat and release when he urinates.
☆ 8 Nacho can walk, move his legs, and wag his tail. However, I've noticed that sometimes his back right leg seems a little wobbly.
I'm prepared to do whatever it takes for my little guy to get better. Surgery is an option. I would appreciate any and all advice and recommendations you can make.
Thank you
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 12, 2020 20:42:42 GMT -7
Kandy, welcome to the Forum. WOW, your Nacho is a good candidate to continue with conservative treatment til graduation day on Aug 19. The reason is he has such good neuro functions, that likely a surgeon would not want the risks of surgery with a dog who CAN walk even if maybe a bit wobbly. Neither conservative treatment nor a surgery will heal the mild neuro deficit of a wobbly leg. The body self heals nerves. Please add to your knowledge about these two treatments (Surgery, Conservative treatment): dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/?highlight=conservativePREDNISONE TAPER TEST Your vet has Nacho on the test for pain prednisone taper that started on 7/11. Your job is to monitor for new pain or increase in neuro diminishment. Either of those would make it clear that all spinal cord swelling had not yet been resolve with a 7-day course of Pred at the anti-inflammatory level. The truest test is of course to stop or back off both of the pain meds that have you blindfolded to pain. Please ask your vet which she wants backing off of the two pain meds ( methocarbamol and gabapentin) or a full stop on Monday. The faster you have accurate information, the less delay in getting back on pred if indicated. Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = back up at anti-inflammatory Pred dose 2x/day, pain meds and stomach protection of Pepcid AC (famoditine)Have you already gone to the Dr. Chauvet appt on Sat 7/11 or was that a typo?
For Nacho, really the single most important care you can give is the very STRICT rest so as not to jar the healing disc with risk of damage to the spinal cord. What is the main reason to seek a neuro consult and the risk to the disc of a car transport for a dog who can walk?
Hope you will be able to register and login for the extra features of the Forum and so that we can more easily track Nacho -- Need help registering? How to best view this Forum on a cell phone? Details are here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/5965/mobile-best-logins-posting-issues |
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Post by Kandy & Nacho on Jul 12, 2020 21:27:29 GMT -7
Have you already gone to the Dr. Chauvet appt on Sat 7/11 or was that a typo?
I'm sorry that was a typo. I have an appointmet on 7/14/2020.
What is the main reason to seek a neuro consult and the risk to the disc of a car transport for a dog who can walk?
The reason I want to do a neuro consultation is because I wanted their opinion. I belong to a Dachshund social media group and everyone recommended that I consult with one. I'm just want to make sure that I'm doing everything humanly possible to help him get better. I was reading about the success rates with surgery and the odds are very favorable. Nacho is 7 years old and still has many good years a head of him. I want him to be as happy and healthy as possible. I bought a carrier to transport Nacho in during the car ride. I was hoping to secure him in there with lots of comfy bedding and sit with him/the carrier in the backseat while my husband drove us.
Thank you for all of the information you've provided. I greatly appreciate it.
Kandy
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 13, 2020 4:29:43 GMT -7
Kandy, please do carefully read all of the information contained in the link that Paula gave you about the two types of treatment for IVDD - conservative and surgery: dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/?highlight=conservative
correct link: dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/?highlight=conservativeNot many vets would choose to do surgery on a dog that can still walk. Surgery involves risks, even transport to the vet involves risks. You are already doing what is needed to help Nacho's spine heal - strict crate rest for a full 8 weeks. Carry him in and out to potty with only a very few steps allowed at potty time. A trip to the vet and examination at this time is dangerous and could involve too much movement of the spine resulting in more damage. Nacho has minimal nerve damage with only a little wobbliness in one leg. Your current vet has given correct meds which have his pain under control. Nacho just needs to be tapered off of the meds now and continue with strict crate rest. As Paula mentioned, please do speak to the current vet about stopping or at least tapering off the Gabapentin and Methocarbamol so a true test for pain can be done. Having pain meds on board during the taper of the Prednisolone will mask any pain that you need to see to determine if there is still swelling and still a need for the original anti-inflammatory dosage of the Prednisolone for a bit longer. Pain = swelling = more time on all meds. You need to keep a close eye out for any sign of pain returning and immediately notify your vet if you see pain so Nacho can be returned to the original dosage of the Prendisolone for another week or so. It can take 7-30 days for the swelling to resolve. Here's the link again about the inflammation phase of IVDD: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/healing-swelling-inflammation Correct link: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/healing-swelling-inflammation/Signs of pain to be watching for: ☐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 Why was the Sucralfate and Omeprazole stopped? Nacho needs stomach protection for as long as he's on Prednisolone, even during the taper. Please speak to the vet about resuming a stomach protector to be continued until Prednisolone is finished. Please be sure to read all of the links that Paula gave you so you can learn how to fight this disease. That will give you a firm footing in knowing what is best to do for Nacho. Healing prayers for Nacho. Please let us know if you have any questions and also keep us updated on your conversations with the vet. |
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Post by Sarah Walters on Jul 14, 2020 14:18:42 GMT -7
Hi there! I think it’s amazing that Nacho has such a dedicated parent.
You’re doing great things.
I do want to add that with having multiple doctors involved in one medical case for your pet may result in conflicted information. Even advice from us on here.
You should choose the person with the most experience specifically to your pet’s needs. The neurologist would trump the general doctor. And having personally received Neuro care for my baby boy from Anne Chauvet, she would never recommend surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. She treated my baby like he was her own! ❤️
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