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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 20, 2020 10:24:18 GMT -7
[Original subject line: New diagnosis IVDD Sadie ] My Sadie just had xrays done 10/19/20 that are consistent with IVDD☆ 1 still currently pain? she does nip at the spot on her back and itches tummy on opposite side with back legs. Dr said her neg [leg?] is also tight ☐ reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow, ginger movements
☐ tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position, appears restless
☐ Arched back nose to the ground
☐ back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
☐ Not their normal perky selves?
☆ 2 14 poundsA..Gabapentin 50mg 1.25 -3.75 ml liquid by mouth twice a day
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
14lbs
10/19 X-ray, exam
10/19 no anti-inflammatory Rx'd with suspicion of neck disc episode!! ?
gabapentin 50mg/470mL: dose 1.25 or 3.75 mL 2x/day Which is actually given?]
also giving CBD (ok'd by urgent care vet)
☆ 3 -- Eating and drinking - she's never been much of a water drinker so I have used syringes. I noticed that she wants to be hand fed which alerted me to her neck issue. -- Poops OK -but only small amounts ☆ 4 What breed? Chihuahua mix What is your dog’s name? Sadie Your name, too? Debby ☆ 5 diagnosis of IVDD, slipped disc? not yet - neurological appointment not set till the end of November!!!!
-- We went through urgent care so I believe they are a general DVM☆ 6 What was the date you saw the vet for CONSERVATIVE treatment? 10/19/20
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 20, 2020 11:26:14 GMT -7
Welcome Debby. As you are aware with pain, Sadie can't wait til November. She needs help asap today. All vets come to a diagnosis by narrowing down the issue to 2 or 3. Then they rank, thus coming up to the #1 likely diagnosis. During the exam they notice things and they also take in to consideration breeds that are prone to IVDD such as Chi's, doxies, and other small breeds. Xrays do not prove a disc episode, but are rather used to rule out a suspicion of another disease....disc infection, bone tumor, broken vertebrae, etc. Things that X-rays can see---hard tissue. Xrays do not show the soft tissues of the disc, and spinal cord. Call back ER now and any vet there can access Sadie's file. Find out the diagnosis and what other issues ER thought it might be. And that vet can Rx over the phone meds. Another trip in to see a different more helpful vet at a different clinic would require an another vehicle trip. Trips, vehicle transport expose Sadie to potential of movement of the spine ...not good if this is a neck disc. But as last resort you NEED a vet who will help. See if that vet can be one from the same urgency clinic where you can get help via a phone call and not another trip in with Sophie. IT is prudent to crate with any suspicion of a disc episode. At any rate Sophie needs a vet's help to get that pain taken care of with the proper combo of meds given every 8 hrs. If any suspicion of a neck disc episode, then it is the anti-inflammatory drug (a steroid OR a non-steroid) that get to work on reducing the spinal cord swelling over the course or 7-30 days. That is why PRONTO Sadie needs an effective combo of pain meds on board today with all the pain signs you report. The pain meds are not yet right. Please contact your vet ASAP to advise of the pain that you're seeing so meds can be adjusted. Advocate that any of the pain meds be given 3x/day (every 8 hours). —Methocarbamol works on the pain of muscle spasms. — Tramadol is the general pain reliever. — Gabapentin works on nerve pain. There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Look for your dog to be acting their normal, perky self when pain is fully under control round the clock. SIGNS OF PAIN neck or back :◻︎ shivering-trembling ◻︎ yelping when picked up or moved ◻︎ slow to move ◻︎ tight tense tummy ◻︎ arched back, ears pinned back . ◻︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position ◻︎ slow or reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions◻︎ not their normal perky selves plus signs specific to a NECK DISC Let us know what you observe◻︎ head held high or nose to the ground◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily. ◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain◻︎ holds front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight Excellent reading about use of MUST HAVE anti-inflammtory during a disc epidode.--- Learn why anti-inflammatory are for swelling but are not a pain reliever, with a disc episode. how long it could take to rid the body of all painfully inflamed and swollen tissue around the spinal cord. dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ Extra things for a neck disc you can do to help at home: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/ |
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 21, 2020 17:17:48 GMT -7
I’m waiting a call back from the nurse.
Sadie is still whipping around to nip at her spine and also licking by tail at the base near the rectum.
Could that also be nerve pain? ( she normally has nothing when they express her Anal glands)
As far as neck issue
She is scratching a lot on the side they said was tight
After reading some of the articles on IVDD she has had where she doesn’t yawn completely, wanted to be hand fed rather than going low to bowl and not chewing her bones she likes as she had in the past. I have raised her food and water dish which seems to have helped.
I let the vets know my concern about her whipping around to nip her back as well as itching her underbelly ( around the same spot) when she goes outside for a potty break.
I told them my concern that while she is in a crate she is still biting at the spot so not really resting. Hoping to hear back soon
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 21, 2020 18:06:09 GMT -7
Can you read the Gabapentin bottle for the formula for the liquid?
gabapentin 50mgs/per #? mL solution: dose 1.25 or 3.75 mL
How many mgs of gabapentin are in ? mL of solution?
Which do you actually give gabapentin at 1.25 or 3.75mL doses?
Gabapebtin lasts in the body at a good every for about 8 hrs. So giving it every 12 hrs it is likely at too loaw a level roudn the clock. Advocate for an every 8 hrs doseing schedule.
It may aslo be too low a dose. That is why we wnat the forumulat to know how much a 1.25 mL dose is and how much is a 3.75 ML dose in gabapentin mgs.
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 21, 2020 18:35:14 GMT -7
It said [Gabapentin] 50mg/470ml [? ? ]. I upped it to ▲3.40 . Had to leave for a quick run to my grandsons and stil waiting to hear back from the nurse.
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
14lbs
10/19 X-ray, exam
10/19 no anti-inflammatory Rx'd with suspicion of neck disc episode!! ?
gabapentin 50mg/1mL solution: ▲ (170mg (3.40mL) 2x/day]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 22, 2020 8:11:56 GMT -7
Debby, be persistent, but a polite squeaky wheel. LONG time to not hear back from them for a dog still in pain, no anti-inflammatory on board.
Ask the nurse for the Gabapentin formula. Ask how many mgs of gabapentin in one mL of liquid.
Forumula you reported 50mgs of gaba are in 470mL of liquid (50mg/470ml) means 3.40mL of liquid would contain pretty much NO gabapentin.
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 22, 2020 8:41:49 GMT -7
[gabapentin] 50mg/ml/ 140 ml is what the paperwork says.
I did finally talk to the nurse who said she would ask the doctor if we can give more meds. I listed my concerns including her scratching under her belly ( opposite the aside where her vertebrae hurts) when she gets up to go potty. She laughed and then asked me if she were on flea prevention.
I was s little put off but said yes to topical prevention. I mean there couldn’t be a flea is the same area, or same spot every day and it’s happening when she starts to walk to go potty.
I mentioned that I had been reading up on IVDD and realizing now she’s had some symptoms that would relate to her neck ( not yawning all the way, not wanting to chew bones she used to like, wanting to be hand fed and how her neck seemed to be bothering her, and I showed up at past chiropractic appointments in the last couple of months. ( no chiropractic appointments going forward now) the nurse said she noted all that.
She said she would also see about moving her late November appointment up if there were a cancellation.
This is a very reputable place but I’m considering making a change.
Sadie slept a little better but at the 6 hour mark was nipping at the spot again. I gave her the next dose at 1 am and she still sleeping (and I got some sleep too)
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 22, 2020 11:11:56 GMT -7
The point is NOT another appt. The point is TODAY to get the vet who examined her or another vet from same clinic who does have access to Sadie's files to adjust Rx to get Sadie in comfort since the urgent care diagnosed IVDD. This "reputable place", is this the urgent care place Sadie saw on 10/19 for X-ray and exam? Does Sadie have a family vet? Family vet would cause another trip into family vet clinic. Not the best idea when with no transport, just over the phone, that urgent care vet can Rx a change in pain meds, Rx an anti-inflammatory. As last resort get with whichever vet you can get help the fastest. Not fair to leave a dog in pain by any vet! Again be persistent, but be a polite squeaky wheel... you are Sadie's only advocate who can speak up for her. Would you be able to take a picture of the gabapentin bottle and the paperwork so there is better clarity in how many mgs of gabapentin she gets with a 3.40mL liquid dose? The Forum is best viewed on a mobile phone via the " desk top view" of your browser app (Safari, Chrome, Foxfire) As shown in picture below, you would scroll down to the bottom of the screen to click on "Desktop". Once in desktop mode, you have access to adding an image to your posts. click image below to view full graphic of where "desktop" button is located  I recommend you reply to a post by going to the "Quick reply" typing area and NOT clicking the "Reply" link. Quick reply allows you to scroll up and down to a previous post and then back down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post. A laptop, a tablet are, of course, much easier to deal with typing, adding images etc. if you have access to one. |
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 22, 2020 11:22:42 GMT -7
 Sadie doesn’t have a family vet since we moved. This was the urgent care place but also where the neurology appointment will be. I will call again today to talk to a vet. In your opinion, could the itching /scratching with her foot under the belly related to a possible nerve pain coming from the back? |
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Oct 22, 2020 13:33:31 GMT -7
The picture of the gabapentin label was very helpful. It says that there are 50 mg in a ml of the liquid. So if you are giving Sadie 3.40mL she is getting 170mg of gabapentin. This is within the dosage range that we often see prescribed for dogs Sadie's weight. Gabapentin may need to be given 3x/daily to provide full relief.
We don't usually see nerve pain related to IVDD in the abdomen. This doesn't mean that it is not a manifestation of nerve pain but other causes should also be considered. Since Gabapentin is often used to treat nerve pain consider asking your vet to prescribe the gabapentin 3x daily. This may help with her nipping and scratching at that spot.
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 22, 2020 13:50:42 GMT -7
I have a return appointment for Sadie tomorrow. @2:15
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 23, 2020 5:59:25 GMT -7
Debby, is this appointment today at 2:15 with the neurologist? Or is the urgent care insisting that you bring back Sadie before they'll adjust meds?
If you have no choice but to take Sadie back in to see a vet after strongly advocating for an adjustment of meds by phone, be sure to secure her crate in the car and pad it well with rolled up towels/blankets to prevent Sadie from jostling around too much as you brake and turn corners. Make sure that anyone who is taking Sadie in to be examined (as you may not be able to go in with Sadie due to Covid) knows that the less movement of her spine, the better and not to allow her to walk at all.
If the appointment is with a neurologist, do know that many neurologists are trained that surgery is the only treatment for IVDD. Do read the following links so you are knowledgeable about when surgery is necessary. At this point, Sadie has no neuro deficits, is walking well and is only exhibiting pain. She's a good candidate for conservative care. If the neuro feels that this is indeed IVDD, Sadie needs an anti-inflammatory to work on the swelling pressing on the nerves of her spine, pain meds to mask the pain until the swelling resolves and a stomach protector to help avoid the side effects of the anti-inflammatory. All pain meds (including the Gabapentin) should be prescribed 3x/day.
Neuro surgeon, Dr. Isaacs answered a lot of questions we've had about surgery. You will find it worthwhile to read his answers about deciding for a surgery, after the surgery and lots more:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/12/dr-isaacs-surgery-answers/
More excellent details about the difference between conservative vs. surgery:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/
Prayers that all goes well at the appointment and that Sadie gets the meds that are needed to help her heal.
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 23, 2020 14:56:51 GMT -7
We are at Sadies appointment and I’m a little confused. They are saying they don’t see a lot of pain that Sadie is exhibiting (of course she is scared and last Gabapentin dose was at 4:30 am) I explained that she keeps nipping at the very same spot on the top of her spine but they are insisting because her lower body is red and they found a flea that it’s because of a flea? I told them it’s the same spot EVERY time on her spine since before the first visit where they diagnosed IVDD.
Admittedly She has had skin issues her entire life and we have her on a single protein diet to combat and watch her diet. I also told hem she has had back issues where she’s not wanted to walk for a long time as well.
In any case, they are now doing labs because I want to make sure her body can handl Ed the steroid treatment they want to add. They said to continue the dosage of Gabapentin as I’ve been doing twice a day. They said to continue crate rest as needed. Again I’m just confused and frustrated since we went from being concerned about IVDD to now a flea?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 23, 2020 17:21:10 GMT -7
Debby, you reported these signs of pain which are not due to fleas.. Did we misread your first post and get something wrong here? no longer wants to chew bones doesn’t yawn completely doesn't want to lower head reluctant to move tight tense tummy Arched back nose to the ground can’t find a comfortable position back leg held up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight The SAGE DVM vet's diagnosis was: Exam showed PAIN and stiffness in lower back and hip area. Discomfort turning head to the right. Keep her calm and quiet at home. Gentle leashed bathroom walks are okay
Yes this vet chose to give no med to get to work on the swelling (not either a steroid or a non-steroid (NSAID)! This vet did not give you caution about the real need for STRICT rest inside of a recovery suite that would make an impression of this importance. Did not caution to carry her to and from the recovery suite for ONLY a very, very few footsteps at potty time vs. waking. Steroids are not used for a flea problem. The SAGE DVM vet suspicioned a disc episode diagnosis. What also does not make sense in this picture is the Rx the SAGE DVM vet gave at first 10/19 visit. IVDD knowledgeable vets who diagnose a disc episode do these things. -- With a walking dog like Sadie, a DVM who knows IVDD does NOT refer to a neurologist right off the bat. --- A DVM vet, however, might refer to a neuro IF, if, they saw something on the X-ray that looked suspicious they needed confirmation on. That DVM vet should explain the exact reason why the referral to a neuro. There is nothing noted on the exam report. What reason for neuro consult did SAGE DVM vet give you personally for a referral to a SAGE Neuro? -- IVDD knowledgeable DVMs and Neuro surgeons want to first try the least invasive treatment. That is, conservative treatment of STRICT rest time to heal the disc, a combo of pain meds to provide immediate relief AND an anti-inflammatory drug to get to work right away on swelling in the spinal cord that might take in total 7-30 days. Owners who are able to get up to speed on IVDD quickly have the best chance to ask pointed and pertinent questions, lots of why's to understand the treatment and understand what each med is intended to do. How long it will take, etc. When things just don't mesh, owners also have the opportunity to hire a different vet to be on their dog's IVDD health care team. Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM has hit it on the nail especially with IVDD. Each of us needs to be self educated so we can team up to work with the vet we hire. A good place to delve into information on IVDD: 1) This is a good spot to start : dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-place/ 2) Then click on the rest of the "KNOWLEDGE" pull-down menu items. How old is Sadie? |
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 23, 2020 22:51:55 GMT -7
Sadie is 6 years old.
Actually the neuro appointment came when I first called Sage with my concerns. The receptionist said that it would be a neuro appointment and the first availability was the end of November.
After seeing her back legs crossing at times, her stopping when trying to play, arched back and the increased muscle spasms I called to go to urgent care on Sunday, 10/18/20 which is when the xrays were taken and they said it was consistent with IVDD though no specifying which vertebrae were affected. We did not xray the neck since she would have to be sedated and she had eaten.
Of course after having some sort of diagnosis I went to work to look up about IVDD and also found this website. When people described about cervical episodes it concerned me since we had not xrayed her neck, she has had muscle spasms and also the other things I mentioned above that I did not know could be related to her neck.
In addition every time we got her up to go potty would scratch her underbelly with her back legs and I was concerned between doing that and her whipping her neck around to her spine that it was exasperated her problem. When I got the call back from the nurse she kind laughed and asked if Sadie was on flea prevention etc. I told her she is on prevention and that the itching was opposite the side of the spine that seemed to be bothering her and I was concerned the scratching was affecting the IVDD.
I feel so frustrated that by mentioning that scratching they wanted to focus in on flea or skin issues. That was not my focus. We have dealt with her skin issues and fleas over the years and as a pet parent I know the difference. This is not that issue. Before Gabapentin would wake up every 2 hours to bite/itch at the exact same spot on her spine every night for over a week before my making the urgent care appointment. Also I would run my hand down her spine and she would whip around to get my hand off and there were spasms behind the area.
Tonight, 10/22/20,I started the steroid along with the Gabapentin so hopefully that will help with any pain or what is causing her to wake up a night.
Tomorrow I will call again to insist on the xray report and which vertebrae seems affect as well as a copy of her lab results we had done today - they only wrote in the report that they were normal. We will continue to the crate rest and meds and I will continue my research on IVDD and looking into getting a veterinary place that will listen to my concerns and perhaps knows a bit more about IVDD. If there is something I have missed please let me know. Thank you
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 24, 2020 5:07:56 GMT -7
I'm sorry you're having such difficulty with these vets, Debby. But good job on getting the anti-inflammatory on board. Please let us know the name of the anti-inflammatory, exact dosage in mgs and frequency given and for how many days it has been prescribed for before tapering.Did they also prescribe a stomach protector, such as Pepcid AC (Famotidine)? Anytime an anti-inflammatory is prescribed, stomach protection must also be prescribed to counter the side effects of the anti-inflammatory. X-rays do not diagnose IVDD. Diagnosis is usually based upon symptoms, history and breed. The only definitive test would be an MRI or CT scan and those are not done unless surgery is being considered as they require anesthesia. Anesthesia can be dangerous for a dog going through an IVDD episode as it relaxes the core muscles supporting the spine. X-rays can only rule out other issues such as fractures, tumors of the bone, infection of the bone). Crossing back legs indicates nerve damage and with the pain that you were seeing, it sounds as though a diagnosis of IVDD is a correct one. With Sadie not wanting to turn her head, it's most likely a neck episode. Unless and until another diagnosis is given, Sadie must be treated for IVDD to protect the spine from further damage. Do you still see muscle spasms? If you do, then advocate strongly for the addition of Methocarbamol which is a muscle relaxer and helps with that type of pain. Did they give you a reason why they wouldn't increase the Gabapentin to three times a day? Gabapentin has a short half life and works best when given three times a day. Gabapentin is the med that works on nerve pain. Do you notice Sadie biting herself close to the time when Gabapentin is to be given? That would indicate that the Gabapentin is not covering pain from one dose to the next and needs to be given three times a day. If in fact this new course of meds has all of Sadie's pain completely under control and now that you do have the necessary anti-inflammatory on board, it may not be necessary to make an appointment with an IVDD-knowledgeable vet at this time. Changing vets would mean another risky transport and exam. Of course, researching and searching for a knowledgeable vet can be done now in case the need does arise for a more knowledgeable vet in the days ahead. Board-certified neuros (ACVIM) and ortho (ACVS) surgical specialists can be found at University vet teaching hospitals. With emergencies of paralysis many hospitals waive a referral by your general vet & have ER night and weekend hours. Locate other board certified neuros/orthos: ► find.vetspecialists.com►https://online.acvs.org/acvsssa/rflssareferral.query_page?P_VENDOR_TY=VETShttps://online.acvs.org We have a Vet Recommendation board where our members have shared information: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting and a compilation of those recommendations are here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgerycosts.htm |
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 24, 2020 11:51:33 GMT -7
Sadie was given ✙Prednisone 2.5 Tablets B100 (per tablet). That is written on the bottle.
One tablet every 12 hours for 5 days, then once daily for 5 days and then every other day until gone.
20 tablets total.
Prednisone was started 10/23 at night
Gabapentin is 3.75 2x daily
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
14lbs
10/19 X-ray, exam
10/19 no anti-inflammatory Rx'd with suspicion of neck disc episode!! ?
✙Prednisone as of 10/23: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then 10/28 test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 50mg/1mL solution: 188mgs (3.75 mL) 2x/day ]
There was no prescription for a stomach protector given
They felt that the dosage for the Gabapentin was sufficient even though I said she would bite that area within a 6 hour mark..
Last night was the first night Sadie and I slept the night in a couple of weeks! She did wake up with biting that low back area ( we also had slept past her 2nd steroid dosing time) There was slight muscle spasm in that area. When taking potty she was little reticent to walk. Her neck seems a bit less spasmed but she has still scratches at that right side ( which was where they found muscle tightness on Sunday 10/18/20)
Sadie is a very stoic dog and never cries out in pain. It has been her biting and scratching at areas that the muscle spasms were revealed to her chiropractic vet. Of course she is not getting chiropractic treatments now due to the recent findings but it was through the chiropractic we realized something was going on.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 24, 2020 16:03:37 GMT -7
Debby, since the blood work was normal, you got your answer about the use of Pepcid AC. Unless you are aware of a heart murmur, then it might a case that a different acid suppresser should be chosen. At the grocery store purchase Pepcid AC (famotidine) Look for a 10mgs tablet you can split into two 5mgs parts. Sadie would get 5mgs famotidine every 12 hrs (2x/day)
 Thank you so much for clarification how the neuro appointment came to be. Now we have a much higher opinion of the Sage ER DVM vet in the department of not doing a quick referral to a specialist. However, even with the pred added (finally at last!!!), it is now only just getting to work towards ridding the spinal cord of painful swelling, it is still VERY clear her pain meds are not correctly Rx'd..they are too low. Pred can take 7-30 days up at the anti-inflammatory level to fully get rid of swelling. -- reluctant to walk, less neck spasms are just not adequate pain control. Either hire another vet who knows their IVDD or get the one you are dealing with to recognize the pain you are seeing at home needs his help. 1) with neck discs quite often it takes addresses each of the 3 sources of pain AND having those pain meds stay in the body right up to the next dose. Pain meds last for about 8 hrs. So giving them every 12 hrs....well you see the problem, right? Advocate for -- gabapentin which works on nerve pain ( it seems the pain of due to having to scratch a certain area) The prednisone too may be helping as it works to reduce swelling if for itchy things. Advocate for gabapentin every 8 hrs. -- tramadol an analgesic for over all general pain. Every 8 hrs. -- methocarbamol in particular used for neck discs but also for back discs. It relaxes and reduces the pain from muscle conrtactions. Also every 8 hrs. -- discuss a different med that might be able to deal with whatever is causing the itching/biting. You are right movement to do that just can't be good for the principal of STRICT Rest/limited movement so the disc can heal. Will be watching for your updated post. |
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Oct 26, 2020 8:39:48 GMT -7
I am unclear about Sadie having a heart murmur. Over the years one vet will say they hear one and another will say no. ( within a clinic we don’t always see the same vet 😟) I will call the last wellness vet visit to see what they noted.
Sadie seems a lot more comfortable, not biting at her back unless it’s close to dosing time. ( that also includes the under belly scratching when she’s up to go potty)
She’s started grumbling in the crate a bit since she’s used to doing training and scent work so I’ll look into thing to do to keep her mentally stimulated without movement. Last night she even gnawed on a bone which was encouraging. I’ve ordered raised feeling bowls since that has seemed to help.
I feel like we are finally on the right track and it’s nice to see her not in pain.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 26, 2020 10:42:21 GMT -7
Debby, sounds as though the current meds are taking care of the pain signs that are related to a disc episode! That is good.
And some of the IVDD meds are helping with whatever (maybe allergy?) is the cause of biting at the back and scratching the tummy almost up to next dosing time.
Because this is a neck disc. minimizing neck movement is important to disc healing. What can your vet Rx additionally over the phone (hopefully)? What Rx can help with a suspicion of an allergy causing too much turning the head to reach the back to bite? How about even trying gabapentin 3x/day/? ?
With a neck disc, please do everything possible to avoid encouraging any extra movement of the neck. No gnawing at bones, soften her kibble so there is no crunching, no Kongs or chew treats. Extra things for a neck disc you can do to help at home:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/
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Post by Debby & Sadie on Nov 29, 2020 9:03:17 GMT -7
An update on Sadie. She is still on crate rest but is doing so much better and only takes ▼gabapentin at night and at a lower dose. ( 1.5 ml) She’s been able to walk a few more steps to go potty without crossing of her legs, back is less hunched or causing spasms in her back! Going to keep her on the crate rest through to the New Year. 2021 is looking up for her!
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
14lbs 6y.o
10/19 X-ray, exam
10/19 no anti-inflammatory Rx'd with suspicion of neck disc episode!! ?
Prednisone as of 10/23: 2.5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then 10/28 test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 50mg/1mL solution: ▼75mgs (1.5 mL) 1x/day ]
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Post by Ann Brittain on Nov 29, 2020 9:45:35 GMT -7
Happy to hear Sadie is making such good progress! I think you're wise to continue with crate rest through the first of the year. Hopefully you efforts will help Sadie's nerves heal fully.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 29, 2020 14:26:20 GMT -7
Debby, mark your calendar for a Dec 14th graduation date. UNLESS you are reporting pain. Could you clarify if and at what times there is less spasming of her back?
If there is actually no signs of pain, then when will the gabapentin be fully stopped so that you have proof positive all pain is actually gone for a graduation date to be on Dec 14th? Is there a reason she is still on gabapentin that we are not aware of ?
More is not always a better idea. At 8 weeks of rest on 12/14 it is time to gradually move Sadie back into physical activity and family life. There is no benefit to extend the healing time of the disc past 8 weeks. The downside to extending rest is muscle weakness and loss of spirit.
On Dec 14th we hope to hear she has been fully off of gabapentin for at minimum 5-7 days and know signs of pain surface. Then we have information on how to very gradually build up her stamina and muscles in a safe way over a couple of months and allow her to begin enjoying family life.
Look forward to a post from you clarifying the rather mysterious use of gabapentin at this point in time.
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