Halley, best to post updates in a new post rather than go back to edit an old post. We can easily miss what we've already read and marked in old posts. Thanks!
PEPCID ACHow many mgs of famotidine do you give each dose? How many times per day do you give?POST OP continued PAINFUL SPASMS1)
What credentials did the vet who checked that no disc material was where it is not supposed to be? Was it the neurologist (ACVIM), your family vet (DVM), the vet (DVM) who did the 7/20 surgery?
2)
What was the date the check took place on?
3)
What kind of imaging if any was used to verify no disc material in the wrong place (CT, MRI, X-ray or ...)?
REASONS FOR PAINThere can be several things beside disc material being where it is not supposed to be that can be irritating the spinal cord. Disc material escaping into the spinal canal causes not only painful inflammation and but this aggravation could also produce scar tissue adhesions on the spinal cord.
Also advanced imaging (CT, MRI) in some very unusual situations might not be 100% accurate to show disc material.
IF there were to be a tiny disc piece not surgically removed, when the dog moves in just the wrong way, the disc material could shift to cause pain.
8/9 NEURO DIMINISHMENT?
--
Did the vet observe NEW neuro diminishment (which vet?) when Rxing Pred 5mgs 2x/day? Your 8/9 post only described pain, no new nerve damage (neuro diminishment) with front legs or back legs.
-- Did that
8/9 vet, say this is a new Disc episode and to do the STRICT rest again?
IF NOT A NEW EPISODE
Clarify with one of your vets, is this spasm thing likely something left over from the 7/30 surgery?
-- Maybe a small piece of disc material was missed causing aggravating pain?
-- Maybe some scar tissue formed on the cord causing irritation?
-- IF these situations were to be the case, that would be similar to a person with pain who daily or as needed takes a pain med to be able to get on with life. It may be that Willow's vet in working with you will do some experimenting to find out what the smallest amount of meds can be taken to keep the pain in check.
-- maybe long term only the smallest dose of pred (to resolve painfully inflamed spinal cord tissue)
-- maybe only pain meds: smallest does of gabapentin (nerve pain) or methocarbamol (muscle spasm pain) dosed when you see pain will do the trick?
-- maybe as needed a combo of pain meds PLUS a non-steroid (NSAID) for a couple of days to control the pain whenever it would surface.
(CAUTION: There would need to be a washout of the Pred steroid before starting a non-steroid NSAID approach.)
-- All steroids, all NSAID has serious side effects owners should be up to speed about: good reading link:
www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htmAs long as there is no neurological diminishment of leg use (front or rear), and the vet does not believe this is a current disc episode that requires rest inside of of recovery suite to allow the DISC to heal, Willow should be allowed to lead her life like a normal dog and not be confined to a recovery suite.
The ONLY reason for STRICT rest in the recovery suite is to allow new/current damage disc to heal by forming scar tissue.
We depend on what you report to understand Willow's current situation to give our best comments. Maybe the above can help you to ask questions and clarify your own mind. As you learn more from the vet, please do share.
