Welcome to Dodgerslist, Ilana. So glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you. Know more about us and how we team up with veterinarians:
dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/To answer your question about how much pain there should be, please know that there should be no sign of pain at all from one dose of pain meds to the next. Pain hinders healing so have no patience with it. Swelling from the surgery can take about two weeks to resolve and until then, pain meds are needed. If Gypsy is still showing any sign of pain at all, contact the hospital and advocate for an adjustment to pain meds. You don't need to speak to the neurologist directly. Any vet in the hospital should be able to pull Gypsy's records today, review them and adjust the meds.
Signs of pain to be aware of: ◻︎ restless, pacing, can’t find a comfortable position
◻︎reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions
◻︎shivering-trembling ◻︎yelping when picked up or moved
◻︎slow to move ◻︎tight tense tummy
◻︎arched back, ears pinned back ◻︎ head held high or nose to the ground.
◻︎ not eating due to pain of back disc
◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
◻︎not their normal perky selves
It will help us work together with you and avoid offering ideas that could cause harm or lead the discussion in the wrong direction delaying help for your dog — please share a bit more detail with us:
❖1 …A
Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and times per day given.
…B If on a NSAID, for how many days has it been prescribed for?
…C PEPCID AC: Ask if your dog has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn't need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a "no health" issues answer,then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine).
NOTE: Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory.
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html i.ibb.co/DCN9611/91x-Aj-s00z-L-SY355.jpg❖2
GI tract problems? --Eating and drinking OK? No nausea/not eating, no vomit? --Poops OK? Normal firmness & color -no dark black or bright red blood indicating bleeding ulcers? No diarrhea?
❖3 Post-op crate rest is to allow the surgical sites to heal.
Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! —>
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
STRICT for a post-op dog means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy whys:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times.
Post-op dogs will follow surgeon's directives for PT during post-op rest as the offending disc material was surgically removed.
What did your surgeon direct for at home PT?If there is great pain or severe neuro diminishment, acupuncture or laser light therapy can be be started right away as an adjunct to pain meds and to kick start nerve cell energy production. Options: Acupuncture vet who does home visits to avoid back moving during transports. For transport to necessary visits, pad out the recovery suite extra space with a rolled up towel/blanket to prevent body shifts during braking or cornering.
CAUTIONS: ~~ Laser light therapy is contra-indicated with tumors which are detected via x-ray.
~~ Why Chiropractic is not recommended for IVDD dogs:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/?highlight=chiropracticAlso water therapy can be performed after the stitches/sutures are removed. Some of these exercises can be done right in the bathtub. Many members have found underwater treadmills to be very helpful in regaining their dogs' use of their legs. Please check with the surgeon before starting any of these.
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy/?highlight=water%20therapyCarry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps unless surgeon has directed some walking PT. Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog’s back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
❖5 Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
Knowledge is the power to fight the IVDD enemy and win!! The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to get up to speed on IVDD soonest possible. Begin absorbing the must-have overall sense of meds, care and how the treatment works. Your dog will be depending on your ability to learn.
﹆1 Remove yourself from the dark scary unknown. Be in command of the 4 phases of healing, what to expect with pain, with swelling, disc and nerve healing. Get up to speed:
dodgerslist.com/healing-the-disc/
﹆2 Two FRIDGE FLYERs to print out
a) Help all of your family recognize emergency signs and action to take.
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/emergency-fridge-flyer2.pdf b) Avoid dangerous detours with the Conservative Roadmap for your fridge:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf﹆3 Excellent IVDD video playlist:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGTcmjenJIkUNy9ke7IvPlFIMKFfjBSen ﹆4 At the MAIN WEBSITE, use the orange SEARCH bar feature to easily access the treasure trove of more IVDD information. You will feel so very empowered to help your dog!
dodgerslist.com/Please confirm that pain is completely under control today and if not, what the vet says after speaking to them, and that Pepcid AC is on board today. Healing prayers for Gypsy.
