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Post by Becky & Charlie on Jul 24, 2020 19:41:49 GMT -7
[Original subject line:Charlie the Corgi ] ☆ 1 Charlie is 27 lb Pembroke Corgi, she is 6 years old She has epilepsy and takes 32.4 mg Phenobarbital 2x/day (since age 6 months, welo-controlled, seizures now rare) She had a back pain episode last June (still ambulatory) and successfully recovered on crate rest and prednisone. We blocked her from stairs, made ramp for dog door and porch, and try to keep her off furniture, but this June [was early June (6/7?),] a guest accidentally let her down and up a staircase and she had a relapse Of pain/not wanting to walk (though still able) about a week later. She went on Crate rest with A shot of dexymeth??..something and 10 mg Prednisone 6/13/20 and did 7 days, then 7 days of 5 mg then 7 days of 5 mg every other day. She seemed to be doing well but then whimpered when carrying and setting down for potty, so she went in [Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 27lbs 6/13 dex shot 6/13 Prednisone for 7 days then 6/20 taper test for: _pain/_ neuro; 7/3 final taper dose. 7/23 disc relapse Banamine (NSAID) shot on 7/23 Rimadyl as of 7/23: 25mg 2x/day for 7 days, then 7/30 stop test: _pain/_neuro Phenobarbital 2x/day needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/Rimadyl ]On 7/23 and had an in jection of ban...mex? (Can’t read vet’s writing) and got 25 mg of Rimadyl 2x/day for the next week. She was shaking a lot in the vet office and seemed in much worse pain than at home. ☆ 2 Charlie is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, my name is Becky ☆ 3 Vet is a genera DVM, we live in Montana and heather closest specialist would be the vet school in Pullman, WA about 5 hours. He felt along her spine and she yelped in two places and he suggested that it is a disc problem and that we should start thinking if surgery is an option for us. Given the travel, COVID and expenses (I think we could do $2,000, but it seems from reading that it would likely be much more), I am desperate to try to recover her with confined management, but I don’t want her to have future pain! ☆ 4 What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks? We originally started strict crate rest 6/13/20, but we had to transport the dog to the vet for a recheck and injection 7/23, so I’m not sure if we start our timer over. We have been following the 6 ft leash space for potty with minimal steps, though her crate is big enough to turn around and sometimes she turns twice before sleeping and/or sleeps on her back with all four paws in the air. Is her crate too big? We also put her “cuddler” style bed in on top of the ortho foam pad because when we had the pad and blanket or towel, she just kept moving trying to make a bed out of it and I thought that was worse for her. ☆ 5 She whimpered when I set her Down to potty and back in crate, prompting my joining the forum [7/24]. Sometimes lays with nose facing away from us, I think indicating that she is not feeling as well. She was okay until the evening potty, so I think the shot has worn off and the rimadyl is not helping yet or causing pain relief. ☆ 6 She can walk when we go out potty and move her legs. She does seem less stable than when she was healthy. ☆ 7 She maintains excellent bladder control. ☆ 8 Eating and drinking OK? Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood Eating fine (loves food always), drinks okay, though perhaps a little less than typical, she is still drinking. Poops fine, no blood.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 24, 2020 20:24:58 GMT -7
Becky it is important to verify what the ban...mex shot was. Is it written legibly somewhere else on the bill, etc? Important to know that a steroid shot was NOT given and followed up with non-steroid Rimadyl. Call the receptionist to verify the name of that shot. IMPORTANT reading regarding INAPPROPRIATE US OF NSAIDS with STEROIDS: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ With a walking dog is it not likely a surgeon would want to operate. They would choose to try the least invasive method first- conservative treatment. I live in NW Montana and did the 7 hrs drive to Pullman and can say my dogs got very good care there with surgery because it was a situation that warranted surgery. She is in pain because there are no pain meds on board!! Rimadyl (non-steoroid anti-inflammatory) can take 7-30 days to resolve swelling. Most dogs require three pain meds. First thing in the am. advocate for the three pain meds be Rx'd and for promptly 3x/day (every 8 hours). —Methocarbamol works on the pain of muscle spasms. — Tramadol is the general pain reliever. — Gabapentin works on nerve pain.
MED LIST Not sure if the sequence things have the correct dates, please check over and advise. Getting the squence correct makes all the difference in being able to comment accurately.27lbs 6/13 dex shot 6/13 Prednisone for 7 days then 6/20 taper test for: 0 pain/ 0 neuro 7/23 disc relapse (whimper pain, neuro deficits less stable) reason for vet visit? ban..mex shot on 7/23 Rimadyl as of 7/23: ?mg ?x/day for how many days, the stop test: _pain/_neuro Phenobarbital 2x/day needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/Rimadyl
What do you believe caused the resurfacing of pain on 7/23? Too much movement at potty time, was it the guest who let Charlie down on the floor? Had you continued 100% STRICT rest in a recovery suite all along since the start of the disc episode on June 13? At the end of the prednisone taper she was fully off all meds and not showing any pain at all? For how many days is she to take Rimadyl? For the duration of Rimadyl Pepcid AC should be on board! Let us know when it is on board. Charlie does not need bleeding ulcers on top of dealign with a relaxed disc episode? 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.”
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Post by Becky & Charlie on Jul 24, 2020 21:18:04 GMT -7
I am 99.9% sure it wasn't a steroid, because a year ago when she had her first crate rest the emergency vet tried to do NSAID and my vet changed to steroid but made sure not to do them together--he was very specific about that and also [vet] asked how long she had been tapered off the Prednisone before he gave the Rimadyl. I believe the injection was for pain relief this time, but it is so hard to make out on the written bill. I will ask when he opens in the morning.
I appreciate the info and its amazing that you run this site and are from MT! I am very hopeful we can manage this well.
Rimadyl is 25 mg 2x/day for 7 days and then he wanted to see how she was doing. **I will ask about stop test and PAIN MEDS and Pepsid tomorrow AM.** Vet did not do pain meds when she was on the steroid either, but the dex shot seemed to perk her up and she did not whimper or have pain behavior again until 7/23. Knowing she is not feeling good is the worst and I will be more proactive when it comes to asking for pain medicine. I do know that the emergency vet last year gave us those three pain meds but told us not to give the Gabapentin unless needed (I think because of her epilepsy--she said if we did have to give it to watch her carefully after).
I do not know what caused the resurfacing of pain on 7/23, but I worry it was a nail trim that we did at home. My husband held her carefully horizontal while i trimmed, but we asked the vet if that was it and he didn't think so--now I'm not so sure. We have been very strict about steps at potty time, always on leash and not letting her wander, she did try to pull 2 times after tapering from the prednisone at about 5 weeks. She normally wears a collar, not harness, but if you recommend it we can try to find a more simple harness--I was worried about getting her current one on and off and she seems to try to back out of it.
The guest letting the dog down the stairs (and back up...sigh.) was early June (6/7?), and we didn't notice any change until 6/12/20 she seemed a little lethargic and we took her to the vet the next day after she didn't improve and we recognized similar symptoms to her first problem 1 year ago.
I also was hoping to hear back from a different vet in the area to see if cold laser would be useful (our vet said we can try but he doesn't know much about it), but after her experience going to the vet yesterday, I don't think any transportation is a good idea. I'm willing to purchase some kind of light therapy devices like the Equine/Canine "Gospel" light if that might help, but I don't think we could afford (nor are we trained) for home laser, and I don't know of anyone in town that does visits. If there are any recommendations for things we can do, I'm all ears. I'll update when I talk to the vet tomorrow.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 25, 2020 7:02:21 GMT -7
Becky, thanks for the extra information. It is not always possible to pinpoint exactly what caused pain to resurface. Any extra movement to the weak and early healing disc can cause more bulge as the cracks/tear increases, more pressure to the spinal cord. The cord reacts with painful inflammation. The priority during conservative treatments to get the disc to heal. --- all trimming of nails must to wait til graduation day. She is not going on walks so nails should not be much of an issue with the very fewest of footsteps allowed at potty time. --- From now on the collar becomes a necklace to hold tags. If you want to attach a leash it must be attached to a harness. Learn more about how to select the proper fit in a harness for the IVDD dog: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/19/harness-with-leash/ TIP: Use the orange search bar at the Main Dodger WEBSITE to access an unsurpassed treasure trove of first-rate IVDD information www.dodgerslist.com I had typed in the word "harness" At potty time set up an expen in the grass that provides approx 6 foot diameter. That way she has both the physical and the visual to know there will be no sniff fests going on. Use a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) is she is any bit wobbly. A sling would be used there just in case to keep your dog's back aligned and butt from tipping over. If no expen, then you stand in one spot. The 6 foot leash restricts her footsteps. A sling is used if she is wobbly. ** GABAPENTIN This med was originally developed for seizures. Since then, it has been found to help with various causes of nerve pain (neuropathic pain, disc episode pain, etc) IF this med is used for disc pain, discuss with your vet if better to back off rather than a full stop when the 7-day Rimadyl course comes to the test stop on 7/30. My go-to place for y homework on each med my dogs take is the Mar Vista Vet drug directory: www.marvistavet.com/pharmacy-center.pml Owner knowledge is an important ingredient when using meds. You play the role of nurse at home with a need to know for monitoring things. You play the role as the captain of your dog's IVDD health care team with the need to be knowledgeable to discuss and understand things with the vet you have hired. Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM has hit it on the nail especially with IVDD. Each of us needs to be self educated so we can team up to work with our vets. "Gone are the days when you simply followed your vet's orders and asked few, if any questions. The vet is now a member of your dog's health-care team, and you get to be the team captain!" READ MORE: www.speakingforspot.com/PDF/Medical%20Advocacy%20101.pdf 1) This is a good spot to start : dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-place/ 2) Then click on the rest of the "KNOWLEGE" pull down menu items. LASER Therapy -- With a walking dog, there is not a need for laser therapy -- If there is pain, getting the pain meds corrected is the right way to go. Laser/acupunture would be as last resort as an adjunct to pain meds. And you would seek a mobile vet to come to your home. -- all vet visits must be carefully weighed against the reality of risk to an early healing disc of too much movement during a vehicle transport. Vets who know IVDD will take your phone updates, adjust meds over the phone, etc. Only the things that can't be handled with a phone call make a vet visit worth the risk to the disc. Examples could be going for a urine sample and urinalysis if suspicion of a urinary tract infection, going in for another hands on lesson in expressing the bladder. BEST WAY TO REPLY I recommend you reply to a post by going to the "Quick reply" typing area and NOT clicking the "Reply" button. Quick reply allows you to scroll up and down to a previous post and then back down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post.
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Post by Becky & Charlie on Jul 25, 2020 15:58:07 GMT -7
Hi Paula,
The injection was Banamine (also an NSAID).
I went into the vet this morning without Charlie and with some printouts from some of the resources from your site and I'm not sure how far we got. He offered to call in the Tramadol to have on hand, but didn't think she needed it based on what I described. Then after several hours not hearing from him/the pharmacy, he said that he checked into it further and both the Gabapentin and the Tramadol were contraindicated because of her seizure disorder. He did not offer another pain solution and I felt a little bit rushed off the phone.
Our vet did want to give the Rimadyl a little longer to help her, but offered that if we thought the shot of dex and the prednisone was better than the Rimadyl (after a few more days), then he would be willing to switch after a cooling off period.
He said the Rimadyl is pretty safe for GI at this level, but didn't have a problem really with us adding the ✙Pepcid, so we bought it.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 27lbs 6/13 dex shot 6/13 Prednisone for 7 days then 6/20 taper test for pain/_ neuro 7/23 disc relapse Banamine (NSAID) shot on 7/23 Rimadyl (NSAID) as of 7/23: 25mg 2x/day for 7 days, then 7/30 stop test: _pain/_neuro Phenobarbital 2x/day]
When I talked to him about her whimpering a little when being picked up or set down yesterday and this morning, he thinks we should give the Rimadyl more time (which is fine), but he also suggested that if she walks without whimpering to maybe let her walk to the potty place--I KNOW that doesn't meet the strict crate rest definition, so I'm really torn because we pick her up very carefully, but it does seem to intermittently cause her more distress than walking. I can get the crate next to the door and make it a 12 foot walk, but I know we are trying to keep absolutely minimal steps, so I feel hugely conflicted. My husband was there also and we both feel like we understand the idea behind what the vet is trying to do, but also we know he is not a neuro. Would the scarf/sling in combination with the extra steps be better or definitely worse? Is there any difference with lifting a 27 lb dog versus a dachshund? Any advice is welcome, especially with what you've seen.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 25, 2020 19:17:10 GMT -7
Becky, I can imagine so many names of meds and then the steroid and the NSAID classes of anti-inflammatory, not to mention the epilepsy, it can be difficult to sort through safety factors. This little ref card may be of help at least when it comes to anti-inflammatory drugs. D/l to print a copy at this link: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/MedCard.pdf ** Here is what IVDD knowledgeable vets know, what is printed on the package inserts for every anti-inflammatory drug (steroids or a NSAID) -- There is greater risk in GI tract damage to give one brand NSAID close in time with another brand. Same risk to give a NSAID close in time with a steroid. -- “The primary cause of adverse effects from NSAIDs is incorrect dosing (eg, concurrent use with corticosteroids or another NSAID, changing NSAID without a suitable washout). Washout period (dogs, 5–7 days). Guidelines for safe and effective use of NSAIDs in dogs. Lascelles BD, McFarland JM, Swann H. Vet Ther 6:237-251, 2005. -- It makes no sense to switch from one low power NSAID to another. The reason to move to the more powerful steroid class is to stem the loss of neuro functions. -- When severe nerve damage emergency arises, this is a very serious decision to immediately switch w/o a 5-7 day washout. DOUBLE stomach protection is put into effect for the double jeopardy the vet is putting the dog into in an effort to deter nerve damage. Pepcid AC + sucralfate is used. -- There are multiple factors that often cause extra stomach acids to form during a disc episode. Using an acid suppresser such as Pepcid AC makes sense! Stress can increase stomach acids. Dogs are creatures of routine. The change of needing to be in a recovery suite and suffering pain until pain meds can be prescribed are stressful to a dog. The use of any anti-inflammatory drug (steroid or NSAID) can increase stomach acids. S pinal cord damage can inhibit the autonomic function that normally protects the stomach lining. Charlie has a rather mild neuro deficit of being less stable in walking. Still that is some sort of cord damage. BanamineSince 2007, have not seen a neuro, or a family vet having been reported as prescribing Banamine (flunixin meglumine) out of 10,000+ dogs passing though this Forum for a disc episode. 1) Banamine (flunixin meglumine) Since many NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration, concomitant use of flunixin meglumine with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs and corticosteroids, should be avoided. Manufacturer: www.norbrook.com/media/2565/flunixin-s.pdf2) Flunixin can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats. As t here are many safer anti-inflamatory drugs available for use in these species, flunixin should probably not be used in dogs and cats. Flunixin may cause damage to the kidnesy, stomach and blood cells resulting in kidney failure, ulcers and bleeding problems. The risk of these side effects occuring is increased if flunixin is used at the same time as other anti-inflammatory drugs. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook- Client Information Edition. c 2003. Colorado State University website: csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/Documents/pharmacy-flunixin.pdf3) Banamine is approved for use in farm animals (horses, cattle, swine). Listed are some of the more commonly used approved-for-canine NSAIDs
Answers here: 4) Serum half-life has been determined in dogs ≈ 3.7 hours In dogs, GI distress is the most likely adverse reaction. Clinical signs may include, vomiting, diarrhea, and ulceration with very high doses or chronic use. There have been anecdotal reports of flunixin causing renal shutdown in dogs when used at higher dosages pre-operatively. Doses DOGS:
Note: Many of these doses are from a time when there were no approved NSAIDs for dogs; consider using approved drugs first. "FLUNIXIN MEGLUMINE " Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. Sixth Edition. Blackwell, 2008. pp 400-402.THOUGHTS ABOUT CONCERNING EVENTS Most dogs tolerate and benefit from NSAIDS, except the ones that have adverse side effects including death. What is the difference? It is a vet who practices safe medicine for the canine as opposed to what may be safe for farm animals and an informed owner. The vet checks organ functions with blood work, alerts owner of what serious side effects to observe for. The owner is informed and monitors to stop the med if any one side effect is observed. How was it safe for Charlie to even be given two NSAIDs (Banamine and Rimadyl) at the same time on 7/23? It would take several days for Banaminie to be excreted by the body. Not even an acid suppresser thought of Pepcid AC on 7/23 ?!?
Can you locate and hire a vet who uses medications in a safe manner. One who knows IVDD? How to find an IVDD vet: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/10/find-ivdd-vet/
What makes sense with a dog who is able to walk, is to stay the course with Rimadyl. Stay the course with 100% STRICT REST to avoid another relapse to the weak, still early healing disc.
Place a pee pad adjacent to the recovery suite so that she just takes a couple of FOOTSTEPS to get to the pee pad. Put some old urine stained grass or dirt on the pee pad to encourage her to pee inside and know it is ok with you. That will eliminate carrying her until you can get the proper pain meds on board. Praise her when she does pee on the pad. Then save a bit of the pad in a zip lock bag to scent the pad for the next potty break.
If pain, then the need to find a vet who knows both epilepsy and IVDD and see what pain medications Charlie can be on. Rimadyl or any other anti-inflammatory drug will take the same 7-30 days to resolve all swelling. So it makes no sense to make dangerous switches from one brand NSAID to another. No need to switch to the more powerful steroid class of anti-inflammatory either. Charlie is not loosing neuro functions. He is just not getting good pain control because the correct combo for him in light of epilepsy is not yet on board.
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Post by Becky & Charlie on Aug 4, 2020 7:59:27 GMT -7
Hello, Wanted to update you that we have made some good progress. Charlie has been taking the ✙Pepcid before her Rimadyl and has not had anymore pain (so just about a 48 hour period where she seemed to have slid back). We are still carrying her from her crate out to the bathroom, but we made a makeshift exercise pen outside to further avoid extra steps/leash pulling. This has worked out pretty well for us.
The vet extended her Rimadyl for another week (no stop test on 7/30) and has hopefully sent her records to WSU for a consult.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 27lbs 6/13 dex shot 6/13 Prednisone for 7 days then 6/20 taper test 7/23 disc relapse Banamine (NSAID) shot on 7/23 Rimadyl (NSAID) as of 7/23: 25mg 2x/day for 7 days as of 7/30: 25mgs 2x/day for 7 days, then 8/6 test stop for: _pain/_neuro Phenobarbital 2x/day Pepcid AC ?mgs ?x/day ]
I made a call over there and they said $5,200-$6,500 starting point for a surgery on a dog her size, and that they [WSU] would be willing to work with my vet over the phone on medical management plan, but couldn't answer questions from me about best practices or what would be good for Charlie. So, I went back to the vet with all the contact info on 7/30 and asked him to get in touch, which he was willing to do. I haven't heard back, yet, and will probably call him again today or tomorrow. I'm hoping that he will get good information from WSU and help us know when to start slowly strengthening her again from all the rest.
Based on your experience, are we coming up on the 8 weeks (since she started strict rest on 7/13 and never lost walking ability), or do we need to extend, since she had some pain when we picked her up to take her out on 7/24 and 7/25? I am really worried about extending, because her back legs are looking so much less strong, but I'm also worried about "ruining" any progress we made with our strict rest by starting movement too soon.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 4, 2020 11:00:24 GMT -7
Becky, hope that WSU can guide your vet about medications he may not be comfortable in using. It is a no brainer about healing the disc. STRICT rest is from date of the initial disc episode. If there is a relapse then the count for 8 weeks starts all over again--- when the disc had a relapse (re-damage) indicated by pain or increased neuro damage. I want you to be able to understand how medications work and be able to discuss things, make your own decisions on behalf of Charlie. It not a good idea for us here on the Forum to ever guess at dates or assume anything. That would be a dangerous practice. So you will have to look at my presentation and correct for proper dates. Prednisone Rx on 6/13: • 10mgs @ how many times a day for 7 days at anti-inflammatory dose= 6/20 taper test start date• 5mgs @ how many times a day for 7 days at a taper dose = next taper schedule started on 7/27• 5mgs every other day for 7 days = it is not clear as would be an exact last dose date. What was the last date? At the end of the Pred taper test where there are no medications at all left in the body, you get a true assessment whether all swelling had been resolved — that is no pain, no diminishing neuro function. All that would remain is to complete the rest of the 8 weeks.
HOWEVER You reported a vet visit on 7/23. "we had to transport the dog to the vet for a recheck and injection 7/23" You reported Charlies was in pain at home and much worse when at the vet that day likely do to a nail trim at home. Charlie clearly had a relapse to the early forming disc scar tissue to cause new inflamation, new pain. Back to day one — it takes 8 weeks to start re-forming that scar tissue, more meds to provide comfort and to help resolve inflammed tissue. I know you do not want to hear that for the best opportunity to ensure that disc has healed, there are no short cuts. We've not had reports of a dog being damaged by following strict rest for the necessary time. We have had many guilty pet parents reporting a disc relapse because the dog "looked" ok and was acting normally and so they had shortcut the STRICT rest time. Please give Charlie every opportunity possible to re-heal the disc, avoid pain, avoid potential for severe nerve damage with a graduation date of Sep 23. Since Charlie still as the ability to move her legs, walk, the very fewest of footsteps every 4-6 hours she takes at potty time and when she repositions her self in the crate every so often, will keep the joints flexible and muscle circulation up in her legs. When it is safe for the then strong disc scar tissue on graduation day, you can begin to ease her back into family life. At the upcoming 8/6 Rimadyl test stop for pain and diminishing neuro function, if no pain/no neuro issues, see if Charlie likes some ROM or massage. See if Charlie will allow some very, very light least aggressive gentle leg massage or range of motion (ROM). Dog who can walk often will not like you doing ROM..so you will just have to see. MORE on that here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/26/range-of-motion-massage/We are anxious to hear of the 8/6 Rimadyl stop test. Fingers crossed you will observe no pain. RULE OF THUMB Pain= another course of anti-inflammatory + Pepcid AC, all pain meds back on board. No Pain= no need of any meds...just finish out the 8 weeks of crate rest for the disc to heal.
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Post by Becky & Charlie on Sept 25, 2020 20:16:58 GMT -7
I wanted to share with you all that things are going well with Charlie and she is walking on a leash with harness and beginning to rebuild her muscles In her back legs. She has gained some weight, but otherwise seems to be doing so well. Thank you all and I hope we are able to prevent any further episodes with careful recovery and continuing to use ramps and block off furniture and stairs.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,722
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Post by Marjorie on Sept 26, 2020 5:07:21 GMT -7
So glad to hear that Charlie is doing well. That's truly wonderful. Do take his reintroduction to movement very slow so his muscles and stamina can gradually be built up. Too much too soon and it would be difficult to determine whether any pain may be due to sore muscles or another disc problem. There is a sample schedule to slowly introduce your dog back to family life and physical activity: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/And great to hear that you'll be using ramps and blocking off furniture and stairs. Charlie is in good hands! Do gradually try to get his weight down as excess weight is also stressful to the spine. We love it when members have a mind to pay forward and help another. We invite you to hop on to our educational bandwagon team in any way that makes you happy. Education about disc disease is our number one mission! We wish we did not have to hear of another dog that was put to sleep because of disc disease nor one denied the correct principles of crate rest to help them heal.
--- You've been there, and are doing it....if you see another member on the Forum needing support or information share what you know to be true or point them to one of our many IVDD articles. The "search box" on each page makes quick work to find the right helpful link: www.dodgerslist.com/-- "Share" our FB/twitter/ posts to widen the reach of IVDD knowledge www.facebook.com/Dodgerslist twitter.com/DodgersList-- Hand carry our literature and introduce us to your vet. When in conversation at the grocery store line or wherever you meet breeds most prone to IVDD (Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas) to give out our little cards. Ask Linda to send you our free packet: dodgerslist.com/free-literature-2/-- We have a store where you might find something you absolutely need! Our earnings go to paying for our webpage and literature to hand out. www.cafepress.com/dodgers_list-- Don't forget to add a photo to the gallery and 1-2 sentences. Give inspiration to others just starting a scary IVDD journey. Directions to u/l here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/put-dodgerslist-photo-gallery-calendarPrayers for many happy, healthy years ahead for you and Charlie. And please do keep in touch!
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