Welcome to Dodgerslist. We’ve got valuable information we’ve learned 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/Disc disease is not a death sentence!
Struggling with quality of life questions? Re-think things:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/hope-quality-life/It is very important to know that surgery or euthanasia are not the only choices in treating IVDD. The conservative treatment of Strict crate rest is another option. I am not sure exactly when Biscuit was diagnosed but unfortunately it is unrealistic to expect improvement within a week.
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.
The crate rest for Conservative treatment is very, very strict. STRICT means:
- no laps
- no couches which slope and can be jumped off
- no baths
- no sleeping with you, again too dangerous
- no chiro therapy
- no dragging or meandering at potty times.
Is there still currently pain? The signs of pain we look for are; ☐shivering, trembling ☐yelping when picked up or moved ☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move ☐tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position ☐Arched back ☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ☐head held high or nose to the ground ☐Not their normal perky selves? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way between doses. If not in control your vet needs to know rigt away to adjust meds.
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
How much does Biscuit weigh?
What breed is Biscuit?
What is your name? I am Romy.
Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and times per day given.
What was the start date & dose of the steroid? Date of steroid taper?
All anti-inflammatories cause excess stomach acids which can cause serious stomach damage. To prevent this a stomach protector like Pepcid AC should be used. Ask the vet if Biscuit has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait until 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.jpgThe usual dose of 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
Any sign of 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?
What was the date you saw the vet for CONSERVATIVE treatment of meds and started crate rest?
Can Biscuit specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control – OR- do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted which are indication of an overflowing bladder and loss of bladder control?
Overflowing bladders need to be expressed to avoid UTIs. Review video then get a hands-on-top-of-your-hands expressing lesson. We have more information here:
www.dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/
If she does have bladder control, carry her 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 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!
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 as soon as 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.
Learn about 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/At the MAIN WEBSITE, use the orange SEARCH bar feature to easily access more IVDD information:
dodgerslist.com/
