Hello, My name is Mel and my dog Kingston (11.5lb chihuhua mix, 9 years old) had a recurrence of what was presumed a cervical disk herniation in July. Crate rested for 3 weeks while waiting for a neurologist appointment. Turns out, it was never a cervial disk, actually thoracic. I went forward with surgery as his MRI showed 50% compression of T12-13 disk and he was having increased weakness and wobbly walking. Never seemed painful, but I now know he was often tense (hard abdomen) and I thought that was normal. I feel awful about that.
Surgery was not easy, the disk was older and calcified and had extruded in an unusual way. The vet was not able to remove all the disk material. He confirmed it was a Hansen type II IVDD. He did say he thinks he has a LOW risk for recurrence.
Kingston was walking day of surgery and to my shock, he was not walking when he went home after 4 days, barely moving his legs, and had a urinary catheter (removed after 5 days).
We are now 21 days post-op.
He is still on crate rest. The vet re-assessed him last week (8/25) and said he needs another 2 weeks crate rest and then we will re-evaluate. He said he is making progress but is "behind" the curve.
MEDSHe is on 1/4 pill Amantadine daily
1 ml gabapentin (liquid) 2x a day
1/4 pill tramadol up to 4x a day (50 mg pill). Currently only giving 2x a day
1 tab Clavamox (62.5 mg) twice a day for 7 days (concern for UTI, passed blood clot in urine 8/29, no clots since)
We already finished our steroid taper and was on tummy meds during that.
PAIN:Fortunately, does not seem painful at this time.
Doing a lot of pets and gentle massage of his back and legs to help with tight muscles. Tickling his toes too.
FUNCTION:His feisty personality has come back!
Walking (wants to go FAST though
, he doesn't have a slow mode). I have him in a harness with leash attached when we go to pee to help keep him slowed down.
Still has some knuckling of his right hind leg, and intermittently on his left (which has been the stronger leg so far).
Improved balance (when eating for example)
Peeing, pooping (he is squatting and sometimes lifting his leg for a one-legged stand)
Eating and drinking well
Wags tail when happy, but otherwise always down (this was same as pre-op)
Surgeon Post-Op Instructions:
- Initially said he may need as little as 2 weeks crate rest, but possibly up to 4 weeks (we are on 3 weeks now).
- OK to walk to go pee outside - said it is good to help his strength
- Told us we can try home water therapy in a kiddie pool or bathtub (Tried this once for <5 min and it seemed to exhaust him, been too scared to try again).
- Vet said he isn't sure he will need physical therapy, but we are having a neuro re-check next week (9/8/20).
- OK to take him on walks in stroller and take him out to pee on grass (this has been great for his spirit)
- Did not give any restriction about cuddling or allowing him on the couch/bed, as long as he is safely confined
- Said he is allowed to roll on his back for tummy rubs
Questions/Concerns:
1. His surgeon seems to have him on a pretty quick post-op plan, maybe only another week or two of crate rest, it seems very fast compared to everything I read about needing 6-8 weeks of strict rest. I know active recovery is a thing, but I just worry. I would feel devastated if he had a set back or new injury.
2. Should I demand physical therapy eval, even if the vet doesn't think he needs it? (Once cleared of course.) Kingston definitely has muscle atrophy, which is so obvious NOW, but I didn't "see" before.
3. Cold laser thoughts? Should I wait until he is more stable? Or would the benefit be negligible at that point? I found a place close to me that does it, but I would have to drop him off and they require an entirely new vet exam and then he would be handled by multiple people. I cringe at the thought of that right now. I'm not allowed inside for COVID restrictions.
4. Liquid gabapentin and tramadol taste awful to my guy. He shakes his head, sometimes pretty violently, if he gets even the tiniest taste. I've been doing everything I can to try and make it less awful, but he is so smart and doesn't let me get away with anything. For tramadol I've tried hiding it in baby food meats, hiding it in cheese, pepperoni, refried beans, cream cheese, peanut butter, regular butter, etc.... For the gabapentin, I mixed it with maple syrup to try and cut the bitterness even more, not really any different reaction. I also tried to put baby food on the syringe as I put it in his mouth. I worry that his neck is at risk from all the shaking. Do you think this is a real risk or am I being a worried mom? Any tips for these meds for a small dog? He is missing a few teeth too- so I think that is why he doesn't just gulp things down, he has to work it to the back of his mouth (where the teeth are) and then chomp.
5. Could rolling over on his back for pets be harmful? I don't think the surgeon would lie to me, but I just don't know if that is potentially risky.
Thanks in advance for any guidance and support.
-Mel
, he doesn't have a slow mode). I have him in a harness with leash attached when we go to pee to help keep him slowed down.
