Welcome to Dodg
erslist, Laura. 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/You have a pain emergency that must be addressed ASAP this morning. Please contact your vet and advise them of the signs of pain that Maisie is showing so they can adjust her pain meds. We don't know how much Tasha weighs or what the dosages of meds are so we can't help you with that. Neck injuries often take three pain meds to get the pain completely under control. Muscle spasms often accompany neck injuries and Methocarbamol works on that type of pain so do speak to the vet about prescribing that three times a day and possibly increase the dosage of Tramadol and Gabapentin. Also speak to the vet about giving a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC to prevent the side effects of Rimadyl.
Is Tasha currently confined to a crate or some other type of recovery suite? It's most important that the movement of the spine be kept as minimal as possible. Too much movement of the spine and the damaged disc could tear more or rupture, causing more pain and possible nerve damage. More on strict crate rest below.
There are other steps that you need to take to help her neck heal, such as softening hard kibble, raising food/water dishes. More info here:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/1. How much does your dog weigh?
…A Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and times per day given.
…B For how many days has Rimadyl been prescribed?
…C
PEPCID AC: Anytime a dog is taking an anti-inflammatory, stomach protection must be added. 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).
i.ibb.co/DCN9611/91x-Aj-s00z-L-SY355.jpgDoxie weight dogs: 5mg Pepcid AC (famotidine) every 12 hours. 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.html2. 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.
What was the date you saw the vet for CONSERVATIVE treatment of meds and started crate rest?The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc.
100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form.
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 means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy whys:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/?highlight=chiropractic◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times. ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc ◼︎At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
4.
Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. 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 a 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!
i.ibb.co/K7HNj10/slingwalk.jpg5.
What breed is Tasha? 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. Owner understanding ensures proper conservaitve treatment principals:
▶︎ 4 phases of healing, what it takes to heal each phase: dodgerslist.com/healing-the-disc/
▶︎ Roadmap for your fridge so the whole family is on board. Stay the course, avoid dangerous detours for the healing disc: dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf
Healing prayers for Tasha. Please let us know what the vet says after speaking to them this morning.
