karin
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Post by karin on Aug 22, 2013 22:18:30 GMT -7
Thanks so much Paula - No, it didn't look like that..but that's a good one to keep in mind. I have a regular sling that goes under the belly ...one side sheep skin with two medium long handles..that suffices for now..Was thinking if they never strengthen to push to standing without help...he has good moments and other not so good..it might be due to the Tramadol.
And, after he potties, he sits right away..like he doesn't like walking... that is a new one..maybe because it's been warm outside..just hoping the tapering isn't causing some discomfort..like inflammation making the neural connection a bit shaky? I don't know how that works...
I have a file with all the pages I printed from his first surgery days..i will look..i know i printed that leash...it went around the front legs and back legs they were connected to one another and you lifted the dog with one leash...will let you know if I find it..
Thanks again...xo
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karin
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Post by karin on Aug 24, 2013 13:39:29 GMT -7
My observation is that the during the first week of the twice a day steroids he would stand up more often, now when I take him out on the rug to potty, he needs a little assistance getting up and his back legs tend to look a little flared away from the body. (that happened a week into the steroids..odd!?)
So I called our vet, and she thinks he is experiencing some inflammation buildup. But, he does walk to go potty, but walks more clunky than before.
Have you seen or heard of this happening with crate rest? It didn't happen last fall when it was a milder situation...
So, the vet said to give him [pred] 1/2 everyday now..and maybe indefinitely..she also said to walk him to potty more so his legs don't atrophy...
So, well, we know that Vets don't always know everything about IVDD crate rest. I told her it was a double edged sword...
At Michael's age, and he keeps putting on more weight everyday..poor guy, prolly can't get up due to the weight..I hate to let his legs get really weak...will be so difficult getting him back up to par. But, so afraid to let him walk through the family room outside for potty for fear he will rupture that disc that is healing.
Is this common with back leg dysfunction recuperating period with Crate/Conservative?
status update...after helping Michael to stand a few time throughout the morning...just now on the way back in I wanted to test him, and I had a piece of meat and I stood 7 ft. away, and he actually pushed himself to standing...it's just when he isn't highly motivated...it's weird..
Thank you,
Karin & Michael
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StevieLuv
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Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Aug 24, 2013 14:33:05 GMT -7
Karin, he needs to finish his 8 weeks of strict crate rest. The only time he should be walking is when he is at his potty spot, and then with as few steps as possible. His muscles will atrophy, no doubt about it, but he can rebuild muscle when crate rest is over. Watch carefully for signs of pain as you begin your steriod taper - if he hurts then he still has swelling and will need to be on the full dose for a longer period of time - not at all uncommon. Take care
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karin
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Post by karin on Aug 24, 2013 15:50:20 GMT -7
To Stevie Luv - Thank you!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Aug 24, 2013 17:21:39 GMT -7
If he is truly putting on weight, you can control that to some degree. I'm not suggesting you put him on a restrictive diet, because he needs his nutrition to heal, but you can cut back a bit. Decrease the kibble by a quarter or so, and make up the difference with carrots, peas, sweet potatoes....that sort of thing. He will feel just as full, but the overall calorie count will be lower.
You'll be amazed how quickly the leg strength returns once he's off crate rest. It just isn't something to worry about.
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karin
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Post by karin on Aug 28, 2013 7:40:06 GMT -7
Hello, I've had such wonderful advice from all the great moderators! Thank you so much! Michael is ▲ back on 10 mg twice a day for 5 days & taper after that, and he is doing much better. Today is the 3rd day, and bought the Sucralfate yesterday. My instructions are to give the pepcid 1 hr before the Tramadol and Prednisone,give breaifast then wait an hour after giving Tramadol and Prednisone to give the 500 mg Sucralfate. Does that sound like the usual way to administer the two stomach protectants? Thank you..and I haven't had a chance to find my note from 2010 to find the leash that attaches to front and back hips yet..will do that eventually. Much Love from Karin & Michael
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Post by Pauliana on Aug 28, 2013 8:45:04 GMT -7
Hi Karin, Sucralfate should be given on an empty stomach, one hour before food and Prednisone so the gell coating action can begin.. Pepcid should be given 30 minutes after the Sucralfate.. Hope this helps!
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karin
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Post by karin on Aug 28, 2013 11:41:05 GMT -7
Thank you so much.. Well, gave it to him the wrong way last night and this a.m., I knew I should have consulted here first. Why doesn't the vet know this I wonder? Karin & Michael
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 28, 2013 12:41:27 GMT -7
Karin, it is really your responsibility to look up each and every med that Michael takes…you play the role of a nurse in a hospital. Monitor and report back observations to the Dr. and double checker of meds so mistakes are eliminated. Michael is dependent on you to read for him. There are various timings with food, with pepcid AC when using sucralfate. I have bookmarked the Mar Vista Vet site for my own drug research. Please read up on sucralfate yourself so you are fully informed. Pauliana, of course, could not spell out everything in the sucralfate article: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html
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karin
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Post by karin on Aug 28, 2013 18:06:55 GMT -7
Thank you so much for that....I will let my Vet know that too.
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karin
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Post by karin on Dec 15, 2013 14:55:26 GMT -7
Hello Everybody! Happy Holidays from Michael and Karin!Good news is that Michael is still walking great since last summer's episode with the herniated disc. but I'm very saddened to give you the latest bad news! Michael has been diagnosed with a Heart Murmur...He had been coughing for a few months now, followed by a gag...and it started occuring more often and more wretching last week, so I took him to the Vet, and he determined after listening to his heart and lungs, that he has CHF...and put Michael on a diuretic Furosemide 80 mg and an Ace Inhibitor enslsptil 10 mg. He said if he doesn't do well on these he will add Pimobendan in a couple of weeks..but an online "JustAskIt" vet said those three are usually a cocktail altogether..and that Pimobendan adds more months to a dogs life.
Michael's coughing has lessened and occured less often since he has been on this medicine the past 2 days.
But, essentially Michael has up to a year at best to live. Michael is approximately 16 or 17 years old, and he has had a wonderful life. I will continue to give him lots of love and attention. I just want to be prepared what to do when the worst happens. Would it be better to put him down before he has a horrible episode? I will have to discuss this with the vet for sure...Thank you all for all your loving support over the past few years. Karin and Michael
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 15, 2013 19:16:26 GMT -7
Karen, I'm so sorry to hear Michael has a heart murmur and CHF now. He has been a real trouper through all his previous medical problems. I know you will be right there by his side with lots of treasured time of hugs and kisses and doing your homework to know all about CHF and its medications. We would of course like to be able to give you support, but here at Dodgerslist we know only one disease and stick to comments only on disc disease. You might Google for a Yahoo group that specializes in heart disease.
Special ((hugs)) to Micheal and to you.
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karin
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Post by karin on Dec 15, 2013 19:22:34 GMT -7
Thank you Paula, that's a good idea..to google for a CHF support group. I sure hope he doesn't have another disc herniation during all this. Hugs to you! This will be another challenging time.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Dec 16, 2013 12:37:59 GMT -7
Karin, I'm so sorry to hear that Michael now has CHF. I've been through it 3 times. The three drugs work very well together. The Pimobendin will make a big difference. I used to have my dogs hearts x-rayed and you could tell as they enlarged. You will know when it is time.
Again, I'm very sorry. You have given him a wonderful life and he will always be with you in your heart and soul.
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karin
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Post by karin on Dec 19, 2013 18:59:12 GMT -7
Thank you so much Linda! Wow..3 times...all Dachshunds? Did you ever have the Ultrasound or just regular xrays? and how long did they live after starting the medicine? Up to a year or longer? I joined a yahoo group. People are talking about surgery for the heart valves..but it isn't done in the USA yet..in Japan and elsewhere...of course I wouldn't do it for Michael because of his age now anyway..and it costs $20,000...lol But, I hope my Vet will add the Pimobendin because i read it extends the dogs life by 6 months vs just the enalipril and Furosemide 80.
This is not going to be easy to deal with while I am starting the Occupational Therapy Assistant program Feb. 3rd, and will have lots of homework and tests...I hope I will be strong to stay focused on school.
Thank you Linda...Much love from Karin and Michael...Happy Holidays to you and your babies.
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karin
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Post by karin on Jan 4, 2014 20:33:38 GMT -7
Hi Paula and Linda and everyone! Happy New Year, andI hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season! We had a nice cozy time, and lots of extra loving to Michael. I actually have an IVDD related question now. When Michael was recovering from his past Herniation episode...The Vet had recommended I keep Michael on Prednisone for good. But, I just could not deal with his insatiable appetite for much longer..he was demanding food all day long. But his gait was much more energetic than it is now. I'm wondering if perhaps I should be giving him Metacam, an anti-inflammatory? Do you know of other similar cases where Vets have recommended continuing an anti-inflammatory after a herniated disc/crating episode? I still have the Metacam liquid that we only used for a couple of days in August. I did ask Dr. Sloan last week...and he said it was okay to give it to Michael with the other drugs..although I've been advised that literature does warn against it..but in dogs with Michael's situation they have used it ..but monitor any side effects. Maybe his slowing down is due to his heart condition..or maybe both...maybe he has some inflamation ...is that logical? Because when Dr. Bayer recommended he stay on Prednisone for good..I thought to myself... hmmm is that because his disc may not be fully healed? If it is healed...why worry about inflammation? I would like to clarify that I did discontinue the Prednisone last October, and have not used any anti-inflammatory...Thank you...Karin and Michael
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Post by Pauliana on Jan 4, 2014 21:08:41 GMT -7
Hi Karin,
I was so sorry to read about Michael's CHF. I know you are giving him lots of love and TLC.. My heart goes out to you..
Does he show any signs of IVDD pain. If not, then he doesn't need an anti inflammatory.
Sending you comforting thoughts and prayers..
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karin
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Post by karin on Jan 4, 2014 22:37:00 GMT -7
Hi Pauliana, Thank you so much for that answer. Yes, lots of TLC!!! Like each moment is the last. Lots of love to you!! Karin and Michael
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