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Post by Kasee & Jager on Nov 16, 2020 17:43:14 GMT -7
[Please do not edit this post. Moderator is currently reading and marking post to organize the chain of events and the date each happened on. Please add missing data in a new post. Thanks! ]
[Original subject line:11 y/o Dachshund in Pain  ] (Hello everyone! We are looking for advice for our 11 year old dachshund, Jager. We are truly heartbroken and not sure what to do. Any advice or insight means a lot to us. About a week ago, our little boy [date?] jumped off the couch (which is a no no) and seemed to have injured something. At first, he acted okay, but later that night he began crying and looked to be in pain. The next day, it seemed to have gotten worse and he stopped walking or moving around altogether. We brought him to a [date?] vet, had X-rays done, and was sent home with medication after being told it didn’t look like it was serious. We did what we were told by the vet and gave him his meds, kept him off his feet and resting, carried him everywhere, but he was still in pain. The next day it honestly seemed to be worse, and seeing him in pain is heartbreaking as we feel so incredibly useless and can’t seem to help him. After calling the vet again, we were told it would be best to take him in to get an MRI and testing, but this would be of great cost and no guarantee it would help him. It seems to be a pain in his neck as he can’t seem to lift his head up or turn his neck in either direction. When he does try to walk, it’s with a limp on his front legs. Over the last few days, he has shown signs of improvement. When he adjusts his sleeping position, he isn’t crying in pain anymore. He lifts his head up slightly higher, has more energy, wags his tail more, even barks. So it seems better, but we want to be careful and make sure we’re doing the best for him. We’ve been told to give it time and to just keep him comfortable and he’ll get better, but we’re worried that it’s only a short term fix. This is new to us and we just want the best for our sweet boy. We don’t want him in pain, but we don’t want to give up on him by any means. Has anyone else had a similar situation? ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS: ☆ 1 Is there still currently pain? YES☐ reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow, ginger movementsNO☐ shivering, trembling YES☐yelping when picked up or movedNO☐ tight tense tummy YES☐can’t find a comfortable position, appears restless
YES☐ Arched back
YES☐head held high or nose to the ground
YES☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
YES☐Not their normal perky selves?☆ 2 12lbsrimadyl 25mg; 1/2 tablet every 12hrs methocarbamol 500mg; 1/4 every 12hrs gabapentin 50mg; 1 tablet every 12hrs
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
weight? 11 y.o.
Rimadyl 12.5mgs 2x/day as of date?: for ? days, then test STOP: _pain / _neuro
methocarbamol 125mgs 2x/day
gabapentin 50mg 2x/day
needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/Rimadyl! ]
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 16, 2020 17:51:35 GMT -7
Moderator Paula is reading, researching and replying to your post. Please refresh your browser to see when posted.
EMAIL ALERTS
Please do register and then set up email alerts as timely interaction/communications is needed when helping your dog. How to set up: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 16, 2020 18:21:41 GMT -7
Welcome Kasee. Conflicting statements make it unclear if currently, today, your dog is still experiencing pain. Using dates is a helpful thing for us. If "YES" in pain today, it is because the pain meds are under medicated and not covering the entire day. Methocarbamol and gabapentin last at a good level for about 8 hours. This is why vets who know IVDD Rx them for every 8 hours, not every 12 hrs. Also a neck disc is often more painful due to the head needing to move when another part of the body does. Have absolutely no patience at all with pain. There is much more the vet could be doing with the pain meds! Call your vet and alert them to all the signs of pain you listed as current pain. Tell when you see the pain (such as nearing next dose or when he has to move.) NECK DISC care Did your vet tell you it was a neck disc? Sounds like it is. There are extra things you can do at home to help the neck heal, such as softening hard kibble, raising food/water dishes, etc. More info here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/STOMACH PROTECTION with Rimadyl Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. 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). The usual dose during a disc episode is Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. Give the anti-inflammatory with a meal as added protection. www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html Excellent must-do reading anti-inflammatory use with PEPCID AC: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/![]() ACCURATE MED LIST details needed -- What date did Rimadyl start? What date will it STOP? -- How much does Jager weigh?
-- Let us know when you have Famotidine on board (brand name Pepcid or less expensive Brand X.EDUCATION IS KEY
The body does have the ability to self heal a disc. The very STRICT rest part of conservative treatment is key to avoiding a disc relapse and potential for severe nerve damage. It is far easier to meet your dog's care needs and to ease your own mind when there is an understanding of things. Learn and scoop up all the good tips and ideas for doing conservative treatment here: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/healing-discsLet us know Jager is inside his recovery suite to eat and only out for potty time in the way described below.STRICT rest means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy WHYs: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/ ◼︎no 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. POTTY TIME strictness Carry your dog to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very, very few limited footsteps. Use a harness for the wobbly front legs with leash attached. Use (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) if back legs are wobbly 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! Setting up a “recovery suite” with room service!  *
Please do register and then set up email alerts as timely interaction/communications is needed when helping your dog. How to set up: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread |
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