Mandi, short story on Pepcid AC.
Stress,
all anti-inflammatory drugs, and damage to the cord can cause increased stomach acids. Highly recommend you knowing the full story on behalf of Sage by reading:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ You may have noticed while we encourage you doing your own reading at the main
www.dodgerslist web site, we want to expedite increasing your knowledge for the serious points at hand so we do take time to go look up the link for you.
Most IVDD diagnoses are not made with an MRI or X-ray. An X-ray is used to rule out other disease IF the vet is suspicious of something else (broken vertebrae, disc infection, tumor...) The diagnosis for IVDD is often made with breeds prone to IVDD, the way the dog presents at during the visit, and the hands on neuro exam. Your ortho gave you his diagnosis of a neck disc. Where was tumor in his ranking. Or is tumor your fear?
If your dog improves with the prescribed medication and rest, then likely the diagnosis was correct.
Diagnostic tools of an MRI, CT or myelogram not only see discs and spinal cord but also can confirm if another disease that can mimic disc disease is the problem. So when symptoms would worsen under conservative treatment, it makes sense to consult with a specialist and possibly employ one of the advanced imaging tools. Identifying the exact problem your dog has means the vet can match up with the correct treatment. Advanced imaging can run about $1,000+ to get to the root of a worsening situation.
All advanced imaging and Xrays require anesthesia to get good images.
Transports can be risky to the healing disc with potential for too much movement to the early healing disc. When absolutely needed or urgent, the pad out the crate with rolled up blanket snug around the body to keep the back/neck from movement as the car brakes or takes corners.
Could you clarify what lameness in front and back legs looks like?
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord
2.
? Wobbly walking, legs cross Front or back legs (F or B)
3.
? Nails/toes scuffing floor F or B
4.
? Paws knuckle under F or B
5.
? Weak/little leg movement, can't move up into a stand F or B
6. Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down)
7. Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors.
8. Tail wagging with joy is lost
9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy.
Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS. So if surgery is an option for your family get to a neuro or ortho asap.
A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/
