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Post by mdavis410 on Aug 8, 2013 12:53:58 GMT -7
--What is your dog's name?
CJ, will be 5yrs October 5th.
--What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD?
Mini Daschund. I took CJ to the vet on 7/9/13, after a couple days of him struggling to get up stairs to the door. That morning he wouldn't even walk and was sitting in the living room shaking. He could walk fine but was sore I could tell. The vet took X-rays and said that there was some inflammation between 2 disks. He got a cortisone shot and was prescribed 3 rx's. The vet said to 'limit' his activity, but did not really mention to keep him in a crate. I carried him up and down stairs and out to go potty.
-- What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?
On 7/25, CJ had a follow up visit and he was doing fine. The vet said that there was still a delayed response in his back left leg and to continue the rx's and again 'limit activity'. I continued with the same as before. The weekend of 8/2-8/4 my family went camping. CJ is a outside dog and was in his element. He was so happy and walking great, I feel horrible now...but I did take him on 2 short walks while there. Came home and he was walking fine, no limping but refusing to do the stairs as before. 8/6 was CJ's most recent follow up visit. We went to the appointment and he was fine. I dropped him off at home and took my daughter to dance. When I got home, I took him out of his crate and put him at his food bowl, and he was wobbly. When I took him outside to potty he fell over 3 times trying to make a bm. Not sure if the vet poking at him would make anything flare up? It was very hard watching him fall while going to the bathroom, since then (evening of 8/6/12) I have been keeping him in a crate. I got him a bigger crate yesterday, and keep water in it and put lots of soft padding.
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?
He was shaking a bit last night but has not at all today. He is reluctant to get out of his crate at times, but so far today has been good.
-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?
Prednisone 5mg - 1 Tablet Every Other Day
Tramadol 500mg Tablets - .5 Table 3 Times Daily
Methocarbamol 500mg Tablets - .25 Tablet Twice Daily (Today will finish this RX)
-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
CJ can wobbly walk, moves legs to wobbly walk, and wag tail. He can pee and bm on his own. But when he makes a bm he wobbly walks while doing it.
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
Not yet.
-- Eating and drinking OK?
Yes as normal.
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood?
Yes
CJ started with a 'delay' in the back left leg; now both legs are dragging at times. Does it get worse before it gets better? Anything else I can do to help him at this point besides crate hime and give him his medicine?
Thank you in advance for any advise!
Megan
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 8, 2013 17:49:26 GMT -7
Dear Megan, welcome to Dodgerslist. 100% strict crate rest for 8 weeks is required, only to be carried in and out to potty with very few steps being taken during potty time. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). The crate acts as a cast for the back. Movement can cause the disc to tear again, causing the rupture to press into the spine, causing more nerve damage. IVDD does not get worse before it gets better - the goal is to prevent it from getting worse with crate rest. You listed Tramadol as being half a 500 mg tablet 3 times a day. I think it may actually be 50 mg instead of 500? Reluctance to move can be a sign of pain. Or it can be that he remembers that it hurt when he moved yesterday and he's afraid of moving right now. Please monitor that and if it continues tomorrow, please let your vet know so he can determine whether the medication should be adjusted. Please ask your vet if there is any health reason why CJ wouldn't be able to take Pepcid AC. Pepcid AC is given to protect him from the excess acid produced by the Prednisone. If the stomach is left unprotected, internal bleeding can occur. Please get your vet's permission to give 5 mg of Pepcid AC (generic is famotidine) 30 minutes before each dose of Prednisone. Tell the vet you want to be proactive about protecting his stomach. You mentioned buying him a bigger crate. The crate should only be big enough for CJ to stand up, turn around and lie down with his legs out straight. Here's some more info on setting up CJ's recovery suite: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmDogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet. ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html Owners can be instrumental in helping their dogs recover. It takes being a reader as not all vets know this disease…but you certainly can know just one disease. So that you can have an informed discussion with the ortho, please read up on the two pertinent pages: www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsurgery.htmIt's obvious how much you care about CJ. Hang in there and know that we're here for you and will help you in any way we can. All the best to you both. |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 8, 2013 18:22:37 GMT -7
Megan, often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. CJ has not been given a real chance to heal his disc without 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out at potty times. His disc has been subjected to retearing, continued pain, more meds, more vet visits, increased damage to the spinal cord as evidenced by his now dragging his legs…..a vicious cycle. On the taper the dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose and that is the time to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for pain. To have a clear picture on a taper, pain meds are also stopped or back off too. You mention shaking yesterday and reluctance to move… both are signs of pain that you need to let your vet know about. Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on Pred needed. If there is no pain on the taper then it goes to completion. Then no meds at all are needed any longer. Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Your vet is not proactive so please phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not to take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. This directory is in alpha order and the one I use personally to learn about my dog's meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmlBecause your vet is not comfortable in treating a disc episode, it will be your self education that will be instrumental in CJ's ability to heal. We are glad you have joined us…. do avail yourself of our treasure trove of IVDD care and information for the IVDD dog. This is a great overview of meds, how healing happens, all critical things to know: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmLet us know what the vet says and any changes to meds. |
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Post by Yvonne & Billy on Aug 8, 2013 18:38:22 GMT -7
Hi Megan,
My name is Yvonne and my baby boy Billy just graduated from his 8 week crate rest.
I just wanted to say that with 100% STRICT crate rest, things will get better. When my Billy was doing his crate rest, it seemed harder on me! Ha ha ha But now that it's over, it was so worth it. Also, I feel acupuncture really helped Billy so it might be worth looking into that.
I wanted to send you good vibes and positive, healing thoughts for you and CJ. You are a trooper!
Many many hugs,
Yvonne
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