April, your Josie in on a higher than anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone. This higher level is used for other diseases, auto-immune disease and others--- not used for a disc episode.
What date did vet up Pred to 10mg/5mgs?If this were my dog, I'd be on a VERY serious discussion with my vet to
give it a try to see if all the "supposed" inflammation is gone. To do that you NEED the vet to give you the proper information how to taper off of prednisone. The end of the taper will be an every other day dose for some days.
PHONE your vet tomorrow .If your vet is not respecting your concerns to get off of Prednisone after being on it since Oct 2020 and
if your vet can't give a name to the disease and why on it so long a time, then it is time to find a new vet. It is your right and your job be informed on Rx's and just how it is expected to aid in a disease. Josie may have had a disc episode (IVDD) in Oct. But that dose of 10mg/5mg is used for other diseases--- not IVDD!
Don't wait til the next vet appt. PHONE your vet tomorrow and get the "
there is no health issue to keep Josie from Pepcid AC" Go to the grocery store and buy a 10mgs tablet of Pepcid AC with one active ingredient (famotidine). Jose will be on Pepcid AC til the last dose of prednisone taper ends. Pepcid AC: 5mgs twice a day
During the prednisone taper you will be in charge of watching, observing and monitoring for any hint of pain revealing itself.
How old is Josie? Dogs in their senior years (10+ years old) may have some discomfort from arthritis.
Josie deserves to get that pred taper test and not continue to be subjected to the very serious pred side effects any longer if there is no need.
Prednisone will NOT do anything to help bring back nerve function. The body does that all on its own.
You are reporting some very good new about Josie's body being able to self repair nerves to bring back some neuro function. Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord. It is a step by step process.
1
.YES!!! Deep Pain Sensation (DPS): the first neuro function to return. Since she can push up into a stand, then by definition she would not be able to do this unless there is first is DPS.
2.
YES!!! Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3.
? Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
4. Leg Movement, and then
YES!!! ability to move up into a stand position, and then
? wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.
More info:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htmSNIFF AND PEE TEST
You say she does not leak. Explain how it is that her bedding stays dry. How often do you take her outdoors? How does she release urine?--- do you express her bladder? Are you using a sling for rear legs while front legs sniff and circle a spot and then urine comes out. Please help us to understand Josie's situation.
The only way for humans to know if there is bladder control is with the “sniff and pee test.” Carry outdoors, set them on an old pee spot to sniff. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. See if they will release urine on the old urine area. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should continue to do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe.
NOTE: When the bladder is full, it fills the entire abdomen area so any pressure should release urine if bladder control is not yet back. You may need to hold the pressure for a little longer than you think you would. As the bladder empties, it gets smaller and can slip away from you. You’ll need to find it again. Sometimes it moves back by the pelvic area. Keep pressing (expressing) until the bladder feels flat, almost like your hands are touching.
TERMS:
--- people
express a dog's bladder because the dog has not yet proved th.bladder control.
--- A dog
overflows urine when the bladder can't receive messages from the brain to release urine. The bladder fills to an overstretched point causing reflexes to kick in and release some of the urine.
--- A dog pees when the brain sends a message to the bladder to open and release urine.THERAPYMoney would likely be best spent on underwater treadmill rather than a wheelchair. IF you have a full pocket book, then a wheelchair could be used in hopefully the short interim before she is up and wobbly walking with aid of the water treadmill as a kind of PT device.So the therapy that would provide the most benefit at this point in time is underwater treadmill if you have it in your area and it fits your pocket book. Josie is likely at the point she CAN begin to walk, but overcoming gravity with her weak legs is very much a challenge to move those back legs on land. The movement of the hip joints and muscles and the changes in pressure on the paws from the underwater treadmill triggers spinal cord communication with the brain. Water bouyancy makes it easier than leg movements against gravity. There is not only the potential to regrow damaged neuronal pathyways but also for neuron to muscle re-education to learn the art of walking again.If you have an indoor tub large enough, you can use the same principals of water heights used in underwater treadmill at home. Check out the at-home ideas for water therapy here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/28/surgery-dog-water-therapy/SLING WALKSUse a rear end sling, a front end harness with leash. Start giving Josie some exercise in a gradual manner. Start in the hallway where there is a rug runner for traction. What have you been allowing Josie to do to be involved in family activity? Does she scoot about the house? Anyway here is a sample schedule of doing PT sling walks: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/?highlight=sample%20scheduleYou will want to consider how you will prevent rug burns from scooting and protecting bacteria from entering the bladder. Females have a very short path into the bladder and the use of a garment will protect against urinary tract infection (UTI). Here are some sew and no-sew options: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/13/garment-skin-uti-protection/ Please verify for us if Josie can pass the sniff and pee test. Hope to hear there is a rehab clinic with an underwater treadmill in the cards for Josie.And very important is getting the correct dosing for tapering off of prednisone completely. Even if it means hiring a new vet! Please keep us updated on this important issue. 
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