PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,534
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 3, 2020 17:14:56 GMT -7
Stephanie, do stick to the VERY strict rest of only a very few footsteps when in the potty place. Carry her to and from the recovery suite out to potty place.
Her disc is still healing and movement is what disrupt the necessary scar tissue forming on the outside of the disc.
Not sure about a supplement for periodontal disease. There are things that can actually help with periodontal disease....brushing your dog's teeth every day and dental cleanings.
As for supplements for joints, as my own doctor said if it is in your budget and you want to try it will likely do no harm. Each person will have to determine for themselves if it actually helps them. Wouldn't it be helpful if Baby could talk and tell you what she thinks.
It is so wonderful to get your report of still being off of all meds and no returning pain. All that remains is limited movement of neck and back til graduation day on Oct 26. We are looking forward to sharing with you tips and ideas to slowly introduce Baby back to family life and activity!!!!
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Post by Stephanie & Baby on Oct 3, 2020 19:11:16 GMT -7
Oh the td is for her joints and back not her teeth. It doesn’t seem to work for that anyway lol
I limit her movement. She takes very few steps. But I like to see if she’s steady because during the times she was not painful and on the meds she didn’t seem steady.
I’ll update every few days or if something notable happens. Thanks for all of the help and advice.
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Post by Stephanie & Baby on Oct 9, 2020 11:02:11 GMT -7
Hi. Baby is pain free and drug free all week (10/3-10/9). No issues at all. Still confined. She’s sitting with us and sleeping next to us on the couch for an hour or so then back in the pen. Still being carried out but standing and walking fine after potty. Normal eating and head movements. Normal sleeping and alertness. I think we are well in the way to recovery. Vet agrees. Keeping confined until 10/26. She isn’t happy about that lol
Thanks to everyone for your help and advice. I likely wouldn’t have tapered the pain meds without your guidance.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Oct 9, 2020 13:11:30 GMT -7
So glad to hear that Baby is pain free.
Just be super careful when you have her on the couch, especially now that she is no longer in pain. Dogs can do the unexpected in an instant and if she were to jump off the couch in response to a noise or seeing something she could possibly suffer a setback. That would be horrible
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,534
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 9, 2020 18:51:34 GMT -7
Stephanie, do consider the principals of 100% STRICT rest inside the safety of a recovery suite. Here is why.
Critical to the disc's ability to heal is limited movement of the spine the recovery suite provides. Failure to provide a safe place to heal in is not an option!
We see reports all too often that go something like this one….."was doing amazing until I let her lay with me on the carpet to watch a movie! I got up to close the front door and within a second she tried to go up the doggie stairs to the couch! She screamed in pain! I feel so responsible for her going backwards in the healing process when I was warned. Just didn’t believe my little girl could/woud do this!"
The recovery suite (your pet stroller or the play pen) is always supportive of the back. It is always horizontal never sloping in like couch cushions can. The suite always prevents any unexpected ideas to jump down or dart off. Pull the pet stroller right up to the edge of the couch where you both can fee close together. Put a one of your worn garments in the stroller so Baby has it to smell. Pulling the play pen up to close to the couch would also work.
With graduation day approaching soon on Oct 26, we look forward to it being a very happy day with a finely healed disc ready to take on the process of getting back to family life on gradual basis! ! !
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Post by Stephanie & Baby on Oct 16, 2020 13:58:51 GMT -7
Another pain and med free week (10/10-10/16). She’s been in the pen and not happy. Whining to get out. All normal eating and potty and movements. Limited her activity to being carried out and in, no walks at all.
Still focused on 10-26 to be back to normal with her walks. She is really ager to do so, she wants to quickly begin walking after her potty while I am cleaning up.
Ill update again next week or if something notable occurs.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Oct 16, 2020 14:17:05 GMT -7
Very good news that Baby is now pain free| When our dogs start feeling better they want to go about their normal activities. They think they are fine. We pet parents know better. We know that returning to normal activity too soon can increase the chance of a relapse. There may be some ways to keep Baby more content in her crate. Have you had a chance to look at any of the calming tips Mary mentioned? They can be found here: www.dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
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Post by Stephanie & Baby on Oct 17, 2020 10:04:57 GMT -7
I did look. She just whines. Not moving or restless just whining, so at least i don’t have her trying to get out. Vet recommends cbd treats so I got those.
Thanks for all of the help!
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Post by Stephanie & Baby on Oct 23, 2020 19:41:12 GMT -7
Another week of pain free and medicine free. (10/17-10/23). Still confined. No issues at all. I guess Monday is 8 weeks so we can start walking again. Vet has given her the clear and is very happy with the results. Thank you so so much for all of your help. My baby is back to her normal self ❤️ Monday 10/26 Graduation day
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 24, 2020 5:14:55 GMT -7
Such a wonderful update, Stephanie! So glad to hear how well Baby is doing. Kudos to you both for completing the full 8 weeks of crate rest as of Monday. GRADUATION, A SLOW INTRODUCTION Determining how you are going to ease back into more normal activity at graduation. The idea is to gradually give more freedom under controlled conditions. Not free reign of the house and yard immediately! LOL Take a look at our information and then come up with a plan to gradually increase activity over about a month's time following the end of crate rest. There is a sample schedule to slowly introduce your dog back to family life and physical activity: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/Make some home modifications so that you can reduce the stress on the spine in the future. No more stairs, ramps to slide down from furniture: Ramps: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/867/rampsFurniture Blockers dodgerslist.com/2020/07/09/home-protect-ivdd-backs/Have some fun with your dog with back-friendly-fun activities! dodgerslist.com/2020/06/16/have-fun-nose-work/
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,534
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 24, 2020 16:28:02 GMT -7
Stephanie, do take in the excellent tips above in Marjorie's post on how to safely and gradually transition back to physical activity and family live with Baby. We invite you to hop on to our educational bandwagon team. 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. We would like all of our members to pay forward for the help they have received with their dog by helping us educate!
We depend on you. Here are three ways to help... -- "Share" our FB posts www.facebook.com/Dodgerslist-- Hand carry our literature to your vets. When in conversation at the grocery store line or wherever you may meet breeds most prone to IVDD (Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas) give out our little cards. Ask Linda to send you a free packet: dodgerslist.com/free-literature-2/-- Offer your talent and skills to enhance the Forum, Website or Facebook. Let us know here where you'd best fit: dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/#volunteerOh and don't forget to stop by and keep us update on how Baby is faring. We really do love periodic updates when you have the time. New members benefit by seeing there is life after a disc episode!
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Post by Stephanie & Baby on Oct 25, 2020 5:15:56 GMT -7
I will start her with a short walk and then increase as the days go by. We are looking forward to a rainy week, so her first week will be gradual walking because she hates the rain so I end up carrying her anyway.
We already have a ramp for both of the doxies. And she’s not a jumper. I really am perplexed as to how she hurt herself originally. I suspect it was her weight and her very short legs. She has lost weight as I have been home cooking and limiting treats while she’s been confined.
She will be most excited to be back to sleeping on the bed and be able to sit with us on the couch. I think the long term care will be pretty easy. She’s not terribly rambunctious in general.
Thank you for all of this amazing info!!
I am already a member of the Facebook group so I will share posts for sure.
I would definitely love a packet as my vet would be open to any info. She’s very amenable to new things. One reason why we like her!
Absolutely would love to help out. I will take a look today and respond! ❤️
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 25, 2020 6:40:08 GMT -7
Please do take a look at the suggested schedule included in the following link. Re-introduction to movement really is very, very gradual. No walks yet, even short ones. During the first week, we recommend only one minute walks up and down the hall, once a day at first, gradually increasing to 4-5 times a day. Her strength and stamina need to be gradually built up as she's been inactive for as long as she has. Too much movement too quickly and it would be difficult for you to determine if there is any pain whether it's from another disc problem or due to sore muscles. dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/IVDD is a disease that dogs are born with. Any disc at any time can deteriorate to the point where it ruptures or tears, causing pain and/or neuro loss. We take precautions to prevent stress on the spine but a disc episode can still happen, even without a jump or a fall. Some dogs only have one episode their whole lives while others can have several. Prayers that Baby will have many healthy years ahead with no further disc problems. Keep in touch!
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